County of Union, New Jersey

 

Union County, NJ – It may be 241 years after the fact, but this weekend it’s time to kick the Hessians where it hurts—in Battle of the Short Hills foosball.

As part of the “Four Centuries in a Weekend”, a celebration across Union County that is free to attend, Scotch Plains resident Rich Palmatier sets up an exhibit explaining the Battle of the Short Hills, a day-long running battle in June 1777, between the British and their Hessian mercenaries, and the colonial troops fighting for independence.

The exhibit is located on the Union County Vocational-Technical School campus, adjacent to the Ash Brook Reservation and the Ash Swamp, where General Washington’s forces drew the British so that their cannons would get bogged down and slow their advance.

While Palmatier has studied the battle extensively, he has always looked for ways to engage young visitors and pique their interest in what was one of the early battles of the Revolutionary War.

“For the past few years, Rich has worked with our county print shop to develop a fascinating exhibit that helps explain Washington’s strategy,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Some of the new materials this year are quite extraordinary, including a map that clearly illustrates how Washington used the Watchung Mountains to protect his troops at Morristown.”

“But his Revolutionary War foosball table is quite an addition to his exhibit, and it may not be just the kids who want to try it,” Granados said.

Some years ago, Palmatier, a resident of Scotch Plains, designed a very realistic-looking cannon that is a replica of the one atop the monument to the Battle of the Short Hills in front of the Ash Brook Golf Course. However, when youngsters visiting the exhibit are asked to try and lift it, they soon discover that this canon is made from Styrofoam and then often want their pictures taken with it.

Palmatier, who has spent years studying the Battle of the Short Hills, will be joined this weekend by Marc Grobman, a parks trail steward who has devoted countless hours to maintaining and improving the trail through the Ash Brook Reservation.

Grobman will be leading tours into the reservation, for visitors to see what the swamp is like and why it served so well to slow the British advance.  While the summer rains have inundated the swamp, visitors will be able to walk over first hill and far enough into the reservation to see the sudden change to swampland.

The tours will be at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. and will be leaving from the trailhead by the John H. Stamler Police Academy, located at 1776 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains.

For more information and complete details on all “Four Centuries in a Weekend” events across Union County, visit ucnj.org/4C or contact the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 908-558-2550 (NJ Relay Users dial 711)

An online version of “Union County Across the Centuries,” describing all the historic sites open this weekend, is at: ucnj.org/atc. All sites, including the Battle of the Short Hills exhibit, are open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

The Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs is a division of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation, which offers enriching public programs and activities all year. Visit online at ucnj.org/parks or call 908-527-4900.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that they can anonymously turn in unwanted guns in their possession at either of two locations on Saturday, October 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The two locations are the Macedonia Baptist Church at 1251 Fairmount Avenue in Elizabeth and the Visions of God Family Worship Church at 350 Leland Avenue in Plainfield.

Residents can turn in up to three firearms and receive up to $250 for each weapon.

The Union County Chapter of Moms Demand Action will also be on hand at both gun buyback locations, offering free gunlocks to the public.

“These buyback events offer our residents a secure way to remove unwanted weapons from their possession and ensure they don’t fall into the wrong hands,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

Gun buybacks are designed as an opportunity for anyone to turn in any gun, in any condition, with no questions asked.

The gun buyback event is supported by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and sponsored by the Union County Prosecutor and the Union County Sheriff with the Union County Division of Police and the police departments of the cities of Elizabeth and Plainfield.

For questions about the buyback event, call the Union County Department of Public Safety at 908-654-9816 or the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders today announced the opening of the Simon Youth Academy, the first in the state of New Jersey, at The Mills at Jersey Gardens Mall, providing at-risk youth an opportunity to earn a high school diploma.

 “The Union County Freeholder Board is proud to support the opening of Simon Youth Academy in our county, making this the first of its kind in the state,” said Freeholder Chairman, Sergio Granados, who announced the creation of the academy as part of his “Moving Union County Forward” initiatives for 2018. “This academy provides a positive, supportive academic experience for our county’s at-risk youth and allows them to chart their own course for their future success. I am a strong believer that education is the key to success and we will continue to champion this through various educational initiatives that benefit our residents.”

The academy is a partnership between the Simon Youth Foundation, the Freeholder Board and the Union County Vocational-Technical School District.   The academy in Elizabeth has a capacity of 20 seats, available for students between the ages of 16 and 21.

A ribbon cutting was held at the facility, which is on the ground floor of the Mall, and attended by Freeholders, prospective students and their parents, Union County Vocational-Technical School District officials, and members of the Board of Education and City Council of the City of Elizabeth.

 “Our partnership with the County Freeholder Board and the Simon Youth Foundation has made it possible to offer this alternative route to county students looking to continue their education.” said Union County Vocational-Technical School District Superintendent Peter Capodice.

The Simon Youth Foundation builds high schools called Simon Youth Academies, through which students who dropped out of their traditional high school receive the personalized support needed to earn their diplomas. Primarily located in Simon Malls, Simon Youth Academies make learning accessible to students who struggle to connect with material in a traditional classroom or school because of homelessness, bullying, serious illness, parenthood, supporting their families, or other challenging personal circumstances.

Since its inception, SYF has maintained a 90% graduation rate at its 35 Simon Youth Academies in 15 states, helping more than 17,000 students graduate.

For information about enrollment, eligibility criteria and curriculum, please contact Simon Youth Academy Principal, Syreeta McClain, by phone at 908-956-1519 or by email at smcclain@ucvts.org.

 

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders proclaimed October 11, 2018 as National Coming Out Day throughout the County of Union and further declared Union County a safe space for LGBTQ individuals during the Freeholder Board mobile meeting in Plainfield on October 11, 2018.

The County observed National Coming Out Day on October 11 and participated in the one-day campaign that engages communities to take a stand against the discrimination, violence, harassment, and bullying of LGBTQ people by coming out in support of safe spaces where they “LIVE, LEARN, WORK, PLAY, and PRAY.”

“The Freeholder Board has a proud history of honoring Union County’s diversity,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “The patchwork nature of current LGBTQ protections across the country and the recent significant reversals of Federal LGBTQ protections amplifies the urgency for local governments to provide non-discrimination protections. I am a strong believer in equality and inclusion for all and will not stop working until that is realized by all within our communities.”

Through a resolution declaring Union County a safe space for LGBTQ individuals, the Freeholder Board emphasizes the extensive legal protections, outreach and advocacy efforts to create a safe space for LGBTQ people in Union County, and reiterates its determination for providing the LGBTQ community meaningful support and resources.

“As a Freeholder representing the interests of all Union County residents, I believe it is extremely important to lead our communities toward acceptance and respect for all people,” Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, liaison to the Union County LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “The Office of LGBTQ Services will continue to be persistent and determined in our work to counter the atrocious actions of the current administration in Washington with programs and services that help ensure the rights and safety of LGBTQ individuals in Union County.”

Any individual, school, business or organization wishing to support to creating safer spaces for LGBTQ people can request a copy of the resolution for personal and professional display, by contacting the Office of LGBTQ Services Coordinator at DNewbury@ucnj.org or 908-527-4742.

Established as part of Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados’ 2018 Moving Union County Forward initiatives, the Office of LGBTQ Services, under the Division of Outreach and Advocacy in the Department of Human Services, is the first County government office of its kind in the State of New Jersey – and one of four government offices in the nation to support the LGBTQ community, of which only two are county government offices.

Union County’s Office of LGBTQ Services offers a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, and serves as a catalyst for advocacy, awareness and action on current and emerging issues that impact the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals.

For more information about the Office of LGBTQ Services visit ucnj.org/lgbtq.

 

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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Includes “Mercury Bounty” $5.00 gift card for residents turning in mercury thermostats.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is offering a simple, easy way for everyone to pitch in and help improve the environment. Residents can safely dispose of unwanted household chemicals and other special waste by bringing these items to a free Household Hazardous Waste recycling event on Saturday, October 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Nokia campus, located at 600 Mountain Avenue in New Providence.

Residents with paint cans to dispose of are advised to bring only oil-based paints and varnishes. Paint cans with a missing or illegible label are not accepted, and latex paint is not accepted. Residents who need to dispose of latex paint should let it dry in the can, then discard with their regular garbage.

“The Household Hazardous Waste program for Union County residents is particularly important as we become more aware of the need for safe disposal and recycling of commonly used household products and other materials,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Everyone can pitch in to help improve the environmental health and safety of our community, by clearing potentially harmful items from their homes and yards.”

Residents only need to drive to the Household Hazardous Waste event with their household special wastes; no further handling is required. Workers at the site will unload the vehicles.

The October 27 event continues Union County’s “Mercury Bounty” collection program through a partnership with the company Covanta. Covanta offers $5.00 Home Depot gift cards to any residents turning in mercury-containing thermostats.

“Covanta is proud to continue its partnership with Union County for this important mercury take back event,” said Covanta’s Director of Environmental Science and Community Affairs Kenneth Armellino.

Accepted items at the Household Hazardous Waste recycling event include oil-based paint and varnish, antifreeze, aerosol cans, pool chemicals, corrosives, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, thinners, fire extinguishers, motor oil and oil filters, gasoline, batteries, thermostats, fluorescent bulbs (unbroken), and mercury switches.

Only materials in original or labeled containers will be accepted. No containers larger than five gallons will be accepted. There is a limit of eight automobile tires (without rims) per household.

The household hazardous waste collection will be held rain or shine, for Union County residents only, not for businesses. Proof of Union County residency is required.

For more information, call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889. For a complete list of the materials that will be accepted on October 27 as well as all recycling event dates and locations, visit ucnj.org/recycle.

Union County’s recycling programs support the goals of Chairman Granados’s 2018 Moving Union County Forward “Plant a Seed” initiative for environmental stewardship and individual empowerment.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities, visit The Green Connection at ucnj.org/green-connection.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.