County of Union, New Jersey

featuring speeches from Nino Quaglia, President of the Elizabeth Chapter of UNICO, Santi Buscemi, from Plainfields’ UNICO, Pete Capodice of Union County Vo Tech, Geri Samuels, District X Unico, and Mike Guarino of Elizabeth

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced that Union County’s tenth annual Columbus Day Flag Raising event is set for Friday, Oct. 5th, at 1 p.m., on the steps of the historic Union County Courthouse.

“This year is a special anniversary, as we mark the tenth year, and we will be featuring speakers from UNICO who we have partnered with to create this event,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, who is emceeing the program, and founded the flag raising event. “This is a celebration of Italian culture and history. Italian-Americans continue to make extraordinary contributions to the rich, diverse fabric of  our County, New Jersey and America.”

“Italians have had a tremendous influence in so many areas of our life from great art, literature music and food,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “The flag provides all an opportunity to celebrate this great culture, and celebrate the ongoing contributions of Italian Americans.”

Speakers include: Nino Quaglia, the President of the Elizabeth Chapter of UNICO, Geri Samuel, a former Mayor and Councilmember in Scotch Plains who is the UNICO District X Governor,  Santi V. Buscemi, an English Professor at Middlesex County College and an author who is a member and past President of Plainfields’ UNICO, Peter Capodice, the Superintendent of the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools system, and Mike Guarino, the President of the Columbus Parade Association of Union County.

UNICO is the nation’s largest Italian American service organization whose chapters and members engage in promoting and defending Italian culture and heritage, as well as providing scholarships, engaging in community service and other philanthropic endeavors.

The courthouse is located at 2 Broad St. in Elizabeth at the corner of Rahway Avenue. In the event of rain, the program will be moved indoors to the County Courthouse Rotunda.

UNICO District X and Plainfields’ UNICO work to organize and co-sponsor the event.

Italian-style refreshments will be served after the program in the historic Union County Courthouse. Parking (pay) is available in the Midtown area at the J. Christian Bollwage Parking deck at Elizabethtown Plaza and Caldwell Place. A second deck is Elizabeth’s Parking Deck No. 6 on Jefferson Avenue and Dickinson Street—the entrance is on Dickinson Street. 

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that Vote-by-Mail ballots will be available in the County Clerk’s Offices in Elizabeth and Westfield starting on Monday, October 1st to registered voters who wish to cast their vote by mail ballot for the 2018 General Election.

Election Day 2018 is Tuesday, November 6th. The deadline to apply for a Vote-By-Mail ballot through the mail is Monday, October 29^th and the application must be received by the County Clerk’s Office before or on this date.

The deadline to apply in person is Monday, November 5th by 3:00 p.m.

“I encourage voters to use Vote-by-Mail to ensure that their ballots are cast,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “It is especially important to exercise the right to vote this November, as voters will decide on U.S. Senate and House of Representative races, as well as county, municipal and school board elections.”

The vote-by-mail process begins when the voter applies for a ballot. There are several ways to obtain an application form:

• Download an application form through the County Clerk’s new elections website at com.
• Request a form by mail or email by using the free Union County Votes mobile app, calling the County Clerk’s elections division at 908-527-4996, or emailing the County Clerk at ucvote@ucnj.org.
• Pick up a form at a local municipal building, or at the County Clerk’s offices in Elizabeth and Westfied.

Ms. Rajoppi also reminds residents to allow ample time to apply for a Vote-by-Mail ballot, receive it, and cast it.

“Under a new state law, Vote-by-Mail applicants can now choose to automatically receive their ballots for every election, so please be sure to read the form carefully and check the option that works best for you,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

Voters can mail their ballot back or cast it in person at the County Clerk’s offices in Elizabeth and Westfield. The deadline for in-person ballots is 3:00 p.m. on Monday, November 5. The law requires that voters choosing this option present a valid New Jersey driver’s license or a New Jersey-issued identification card.

For those voters who mail their ballot, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received within 48 hours of Election Day to be counted.

Ms. Rajoppi emphasized that every valid Vote-by-Mail ballot is counted and entered into the official, certified results for each election.

The Main Office of the County Clerk is located in Room 113 at the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, in Elizabeth. Regular office hours in Elizabeth are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The County Clerk’s Westfield Annex is located in the Colleen Fraser Building, 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays. 

For more details about all County Clerk programs and services including passports and deed recording, visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787

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The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents who work along and visit the Route 22 stretch from Union, through Kenilworth and Springfield to take advantage of the Route 22 Safety Shuttle.

“Union County is committed to improving safety conditions, both for county residents and visitors, that travel to work and shop along the Route 22 corridor,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “For the past 11 years, the Route 22 Safety Shuttle has provided a more secure means of crossing for pedestrians.”

The Route 22 Safety Shuttle was implemented in October, 2007 to provide a safer means of crossing the highway to transit-dependent employees of retail, office, and industrial businesses, as well as local residents.

The Shuttle runs Monday through Friday from 6:30 am to 11:00 pm., Saturday 6:45 am to 9:45 pm and Sunday from 7:30 am to 7:45 pm every 30 minutes, based on traffic conditions.

The Route 22 Safety Shuttle is has three routes that, combined, stop at all NJ Transit designated bus stops from Union through Kenilworth and Springfield. Service is offered seven days a week, 362 days per year and is available free of charge to the general public as well as county employees. To see a map of the Rt. 22 Shuttle routes visit ucnj.org/shuttle22routes.

“It’s important to remind residents about the Route 22 Safety Shuttle since this stretch of road lacks traffic controls, which aid in pedestrian safety,” says Freeholder Alexander Mirabella. “This free service is the safest option for pedestrians to cross Route 22.”

The Shuttle was implemented in a collaborative effort by the NJ Department of Transportation, NJ Transit and the County of Union. In the 11 years since implementation the service has provided over 700,000 one-way rides to passengers.

The NJDOT Route 22 Pedestrian Safety Study recommended improvements to reduce or eliminate pedestrian accidents and fatalities along the 3.5 mile center median section of Route 22 in Union, Kenilworth and Springfield. The establishment of the Safety Shuttle was a cost-effective non-engineering solution after alternatives such as a traffic signals and a pedestrian overpass were previously rejected as too costly or otherwise unacceptable.

For further information, contact the Union County Paratransit System by phone at 908-659-5000 or visit ucnj.org/paratransit.

Union County residents seeking information about services available for senior adults age 60 and above will have a choice of eight (8) dates and locations in October to speak with staff from the county’s Department of Human Services, Division on Aging.  Staff will be present at public libraries in Westfield; Clark; Plainfield; Elizabeth, Summit; and, Union, and at the Rahway Senior Center.

“The purpose of “ASK” is to help residents obtain government programs and services available to seniors and their caregivers”, said Sergio Granados, Chairman of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.  “The ASK program will bring our knowledgeable, experienced Division on Aging staff, based in Elizabeth, to locations throughout Union County to make it easier for residents to get expert assistance close to home.”

Staff from the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection/ADRC have been traveling throughout Union County providing information about services such as home delivered meals; respite care; home care; adult day care; and, support services for caregivers through the Aging Services Kiosk or ASK community outreach effort.  Assistance with completing applications and forms is also provided.

The October 2018 dates and locations are:

Monday, October 1
Westfield Public Library
550 E. Broad Street
Westfield, 07090
10:00 am to 12:00 noon

Thursday, October 4
Rahway Senior Center
1306 Esterbrook Avenue
Rahway, 07065
10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Monday, October 15
Clark Public Library
303 Westfield Avenue
Clark, 07066
10:00 am to 12:00 noon

Friday, October 19
Plainfield Public Library
800 Park Avenue
Plainfield, 07060
10:00 am to 12:00 noon

Friday, October 26
Elizabeth Public Library
Elmora Branch
740 W. Grand
Elizabeth, 07202
10:00 – 12:00

Monday, October 29
Summit Public Library
75 Maple Street
Summit, 07901
10:30 am to 12:30 pm

Tuesday, October 30
Union Public Library
1980 Morris Avenue
Union, 07083
12:00 noon to 2:00 pm

Monday, November 5
Elizabeth Public Library
LaCorte Branch @ Peterstown
408 Palmer St.
Elizabeth, 07202
10:00-12:00

All Union County residents are welcome to attend these ASK events.

The Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection’s (ADRC) goal is to promote wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families. It is one of 670 “Area Agencies on Aging” nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act.  The division has information printed in both English and Spanish.

“The Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) model, a state initiative that Union County has embraced since 2012, is designed to improve service for seniors and the disabled,” said Union County’s Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “These services can enable seniors and the disabled to remain in their homes and communities.”

Check for the upcoming schedule of stops for an ASK kiosk coming near you as dates and locations are posted in local newspapers, the Senior News, Facebook, Twitter and the Union County website, www.ucnj.org.

For further information about the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, call the division’s toll-free number: 1-888-280-8226, or 908-527- 4870 or 4858. Spanish speakers may call 908-527-4863.  Information may be viewed on the Union County government website at www.ucnj.org. 

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Alexander Mirabella and Rebecca Williams present a resolution to Union County College President Dr. Margaret McMenamin and Dr. Victoria C. Ukachukwu, Dean of the Union County College Plainfield Campus, congratulating them on the 25th Anniversary of the Union County College Campus in Plainfield. (Photo by Jim Lowney/ County of Union)

Union County’s annual public heritage event, “Four Centuries in a Weekend: A Journey through Union County’s History,” will take place on Saturday, October 20 and Sunday, October 21 from noon to 5:00 p.m.

Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, with the cooperation of staff and volunteers at 35 house museums and historic sites, the free two-day event opens the doors to more than 370 years of history throughout the county.

“Four Centuries in a Weekend began in 1994 when 16 historic sites and the County of Union organized a weekend event to tell the story of how Elizabethtown of 1664 evolved into the 21 municipalities of today’s Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “This year, a beautifully restored mansion and church, Revolutionary War burial grounds, the county’s oldest railroad station, quaint house museums, special exhibitions and tours showcase the county’s treasure trove of history.”

This year’s event will branch out and highlight the rich history of innovation, invention and industry in Union County. For the first time, Nokia Bell Labs and the Sperry Observatory will be open for tours and activities. 

The Bell Labs Technology Showcase will be open on October 20 by scheduled appointment (25 per group) at the following times: 12-1 p.m., 1-2 p.m., 2-3 p.m. and 3-4 p.m. Visitors can observe remarkable technological advancements, such as the first transistor and an original Telstar satellite. Pre-registration is required online at ucnj.org/4c.

The William Miller Sperry Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned by Union County College and located on the Cranford campus. The observatory houses two of the largest telescopes on the East Coast. Tours and lectures will be given on both days.

Some sites with special programs or events highlighting their rich history are:

• The duCret School of Art in Plainfield is another new addition to this year’s event and will provide tours of the historic home and have a display of art work that has been collected over the years.
• The Shady Rest Golf and Country Club in Scotch Plains will have its official Grand Opening featuring a timeline of African-American soldier re-enactors from the American Revolution, Civil War, WWI and WWII.
• The Roselle Park Museum in Roselle Park will have an Exhibit “From Science to Technology & Invention: Edison, Keurig, Marconi and a Touch of Tesla… Inventions and Inventors in Roselle Park.”
• Deacon Andrew Hetfield House in Mountainside will exhibit a diorama with miniatures of the local Battle of Spanktown.
• Oswald J. Nitschke House in Kenilworth will be highlighting a World War I Victory Garden.
• William Robinson Plantation in Clark will have displays and demonstrations depicting the WWII era and include U.S. Army Signal Corps switchboards, an army clerk and an army jeep with crew, plus a display about the U.S. Navy and WAVE (female sailors).
• Nathaniel Drake House in Plainfield will present The New Jersey Field Music Group on Saturday. The group will be dressed in authentic Revolutionary War era uniforms and perform fife & drum music.
• Cannon Ball House in Springfield will be commemorating the 225^th anniversary of the Township of Springfield with the exhibit “Celebrating Springfield.”

Journey on to Boxwood Hall in Elizabeth, the 1772 home of Elias Boudinot, President of the Continental Congress, where there will be an exhibit on “History in My Neighborhood;” take time to tour the Belcher-Ogden Mansion and the grounds; and then visit the Old First Presbyterian Church and the Snyder Academy.

Visit the Caldwell Parsonage in Union, an American Revolutionary site that will feature a re-enactor portraying the “Fighting Parson” James Caldwell. Moving right over to the Connecticut Farms Church, tour the cemetery where British and Hessian soldiers are buried. Then, continue on to the Liberty Hall Museum and check out the amazing home of New Jersey’s first elected governor and signer of the United States Constitution, William Livingston.

A visit to Hillside will bring you to the Woodruff House/Eaton Store, built in 1735, with a mini apple festival. Continue on to the historic Evergreen Cemetery, which will feature a virtual museum of funerary art.

In Rahway, you’ll be welcome at the Merchants and Drovers Tavern, a restored early 19^th century hotel offering a cemetery tour highlighting WWI. Tour the Union County Performing Arts Center, a beautifully restored classic Vaudeville theatre. The Rahway School for Colored Children/African-American History and Heritage Center will be offering tours of the house. 

At the Fanwood Train Station Museum, you’ll visit the oldest Victorian Gothic railroad station in the county and learn about Fanwood’s ties to the Central Railroad of New Jersey.

Visit the Reeve History and Cultural Resource Center in Westfield and tour the Victorian style house and special exhibits. The Miller-Cory House Museum will offer open hearth cooking demonstrations.

While in Cranford, stop by the Crane-Phillips House and look at what was once a Civil War veteran’s home.

At the Abraham Clark House, home to a signer of the Declaration of Independence, you’ll learn about Early American life and the history of Roselle.

Authentic 18^th century farmhouses are open for touring: the Salt Box Museum in New Providence will feature a display of WWII Red Cross nurses’ uniforms; the Osborn Cannonball House in Scotch Plains will offer the exhibit “A Very Victorian Christmas” with presentations, displays and music; and the Plainfield Meetinghouse in Plainfield will feature conversations on the history of the Quaker house.

Venturing into the Watchung Mountains, you’ll also visit the Littell-Lord Farmstead in Berkeley Heights, a reminder of the county’s agricultural past and Deserted Village of Feltville-Glenside Park, where there is an apple cider press and so much more.

Then explore Summit, with its Twin Maples, a stately neoclassical mansion. There, you will also find the Reeves-Reed Arboretum, with a great mix of history and horticulture. Carter House of Summit will feature a 1927 fire engine.

Children can earn a Time Traveler’s Certificate and a Four Centuries Patch by visiting and obtaining a Time Traveler Passport at any of the sites, having it stamped and returning the completed form to the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.

For free copies of the Four Centuries in a Weekend tour booklet, map and further information, call 908-558-2550 weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (NJ Relay users dial 711) or email culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invite those wishing to network and/or grow their business to attend the 2018 Union County Means Business Expo being held at the Warinanco Sports Center in Roselle on Wednesday, September 26 from 5 pm to 7:30 pm.

“The Business Expo is designed to help local attendees, businesses and entrepreneurs build their networks and create new opportunities to help make the most effective possible impact when it comes to outreach and economic growth,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Whether you are participating as a vendor or an attendee, the Business Expo offers opportunities for all.”

The Expo enables attendees to network with other business leaders, and develop new contacts. The event also provides a chance for local businesses to showcase their products and services to attendees.

Registration is available now for individual attendees at ucnj.org/union-county-means-business.

Admission for attendees is free.

The Expo now features over 70 businesses within and outside Union County. The Expo features a wide range of businesses and entrepreneurs of every size and variety. The list includes: service providers, retailers, banks, insurance, real estate, technology, consulting, marketing, legal, accounting, health, education, nonprofits and government agencies.  A variety of chambers of commerce are also attending along with municipal and county government representatives.

The Expo will feature team building demonstrations provided by the Warinanco Sports Center and the Learning Center at Galloping Hill. There will be an array of raffle prizes for attendees to win,  not only at every exhibitor table but also Visa Gift Cards as a grand prize.  There will also be a “passport/autograph” competition where if attendees get their program signed by every vendor, it enters them into a special contest.

The Expo also offers a complimentary food tasting featuring the event menu available at the Warinanco Sports Center.  The menu includes: Roasted Pork Shoulder, Caribbean Rice with Pigeon Peas, Paella Valenciana,  Boneless Chicken Wings, Thai Chili Sauce Swedish Meatballs, Mini Quesadillas, Pigs in a Blanket,  Vegetable Quiche, Hummus with Pita Platters, and Crudités. 

To view the program, as well as video and photos of past Union County Means Business Expos, visit ucnj.org/union-county-means-business/expo.

Union County Means Business is an economic development initiative of the Freeholder Board with the support of community partners including the New Jersey Small Business Development Center, the Union County Economic Development Corporation, the Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, the Suburban Chamber of Commerce, Kean University, Union County College, Union Township Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, Cranford Area Chamber of Commerce, UC HERO and the New Jersey LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

Union County Means Business began as an initiative of Freeholder Alexander Mirabella in 2012, helping local entrepreneurs regain their footing after the global financial crash of 2008.

For more information about Union County Means Business, visit ucnj.org/ucmb or contact Deana Mesaros at 908-659-7412 or dmesaros@ucnj.org.

Please see photo attached and video link…https://youtu.be/Oj_Vp5CXgec

With Child Passenger Safety Week upcoming, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders urges residents to visit the County’s Child Safety Seat Inspection Center located at the Garwood Rescue Squad at 401 2nd Avenue. Child Passenger Safety Week runs from September 23^rd through September 29^th.

“We are happy to offer this service to our residents where you can get familiar with a new seat, or make adjustments to an older seat to accommodate a growing child.” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “This popular program offers an opportunity to meet New Jersey state law requirements while working to keep children safe in motor vehicles.”

The proper use and installation of child safety seats is one of the most effective methods for protecting the lives of children in the event of a motor vehicle accident. Union County first launched the Child Safety Seat Inspection Program in 1999, in response to surveys showing that the overwhelming majority of child safety seats are improperly installed, even though most users are confident that they know the correct procedure.

New Jersey’s new child safety seat regulations took effect in September of 2015. The new State law requires parents to adhere to American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations for child passenger safety. According to findings from the National Safety Council, car crashes are a leading cause of death per children with an average of two children under the age of 13 killed per day in 2016.

The Child Safety Seat Inspection Program is provided as a public service by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Union County Police Department, New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, AAA Northeast – NJ Division, and the Garwood First Aid Squad.

Residents are also invited to learn more about other programs offered by the Union County Police Department’s Traffic Safety Education Program. These include programs for children and seniors offered through the Department of Public Safety, such as the CarFit program for seniors, and the bike helmet initiative.

Union County’s Child Safety Seat Inspection Program at the Garwood Rescue Squad is run every Wednesday and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and no appointment is necessary. Certified child passenger safety technicians will check the car seat for proper installation and educate parents and guardians on using the seat correctly.

For more information about the car seat inspection program, the CarFit program for seniors, or the bicycle helmet safety initiative visit ucnj.org/childseats or contact Christine Marcantonio, Traffic Safety Program Coordinator, by email at cmarcantonio@ucnj.org or by phone at 908-789-6830.