County of Union

Project will begin with a traffic shift for westbound Route 22

(Trenton) – New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced a project to replace the bridge deck of Route 22 over Burke Parkway in Union.

The project will begin with a traffic shift this weekend to remove the curb and construct temporary pavement on both the left and right side of Route 22 westbound.

Beginning at 11:00 p.m. Friday, July 24, until 6:00 p.m. Sunday, July 26, traffic will be shifted along the right side of Route 22 westbound near the crossroad of Rosemont Avenue.

As the project progresses there will be lane closures and a detour for Rosemont Avenue. NJDOT will provide traffic advisories before any closures or detours are implemented.

The existing bridge located on Route 22 westbound is supported on reinforced concrete abutments and spans the Burke Parkway. The bridge was built in 1940 and carries two lanes of westbound traffic with a right shoulder and a sidewalk. The bridge is classified as structurally deficient due to the poor condition of the deck slab.

The $2 million project will be replacing the existing bridge deck, sidewalk, parapets and fencing. Minor modifications to the substructure will be performed to accommodate the new parapet located along the sidewalk. The guide rail, sidewalk and the curb also will be reconstructed. The bridge approaches will be milled and resurfaced. The footprint of the existing bridge will not be modified.

The project will be constructed in stages beginning with the new deck and parapets. Each stage will re-construct approximately one third of the bridge deck at a time. For most of the project the Rosemont Avenue exit from Route 22 westbound will be closed and the entrance to Route 22 westbound will limited to emergency vehicles only. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained during daytime hours for the entirety of the project, which is expected to be completed in the spring of 2016.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information.

 

Family Fun & Flix, a free outdoor summer entertainment and film series presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, continues Tuesday, July 28 with the presentation of Big Hero 6 at Warinanco Park.

Big Hero 6 is an animated action adventure produced by the Walt Disney Studios. It’s the story of a special bond that develops between a plus-sized inflatable robot named Baymax, and prodigy Hiro Hamada, who team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes.

“Family Fun & Flix gives families the opportunity to visit our Union County parks, enjoy a free movie, and take part in activities that promote healthy habits for children,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh.”

The New Jersey State Division of Child Protection and Permanency is sponsoring the movie, and representatives of the agency will be on site with information about foster parenting. 

Audiences are encouraged to arrive at 7:30 to participate in UC FIT Kids’ Karate, a free fitness fun activity for children sponsored by the Freeholder Board and presented by Shim’s Martial Arts Academy of Elizabeth.  The movie will start at dusk.

Included in the pre-movie fun is a free Lego activity for children sponsored by Bricks 4 Kidz.

As always with Family Fun & Flix, free popcorn will be distributed to children attending the movie.

Warinanco Park, known as Union County’s “Central Park,” is in Roselle, bordering Elizabeth and Linden. The main entrance is on St. Georges Avenue at the Linden border. For a downloadable map showing all entrances visit ucnj.org.

All movies in the Family Fun & Flix series begin at dusk. Bleacher seating is available, or bring blankets and beach chairs to relax on the lawn.

The remaining schedule for this summer’s Family Fun and Flix is as follows:

• Tuesday, August 4 at Meisel Park, Springfield (includes National Night Out activities): Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
• Tuesday, August 11 at Warinanco Park: Annie, sponsored by Investors Bank.

In case of inclement weather call 908-558-4079 after 3:30 p.m. on the day of the show.

For information call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900 or visit Union County online at ucnj.org/parks-activities.

More information about the Division of Child Protection and Permanency is available at state.nj.us/dcf.

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Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi  reminds people seeking School Board positions in their municipality that the deadline for filing their nominating petitions is this coming Monday, July 27, before 4:00 p.m. in the Office of the Union County Clerk, 2 Broad Street, Room 113, Elizabeth, NJ 07207.

“As a former school board member, I urge anyone interested to submit their petitions so that they can serve their municipality in a most rewarding capacity,” said Rajoppi.

A Petition can be obtained by calling 908-527-4996 or in person at the County Clerk’s Office, 2 Broad Street, Room 113, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Inquiries may also be submitted by email to lbobish@ucnj.org.

For complete details about school board petitions, including a downloadable Candidate Kit from the New Jersey School Boards Association, visit the County Clerk online at ucnj.org/county-clerk.

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Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan joined Clark Mayor Sal Bonaccorso, Clark Council President Bill Smith, Councilman Alvin Barr, Councilman Frank Mazzarella, Business Administrator John Laerra, Township Clerk Edie Merke and AppleBee’s Director of Operations Kevin Coughlin, VP of Operations David DiBartolo and Area Director Brian Orgodnick at the Clark Applebee’s Grand Opening Ceremony. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ –  Union County’s free Shakespeare in the park tour of Romeo and Juliet continues on Thursday, July 23 at 7:00 p.m. at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, admission is free.

Pack a blanket or lawn chairs and head out to Echo Lake Park this Thursday to enjoy the most famous love story ever written, featuring The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Next Stage Ensemble performing Romeo and Juliet.

“Romeo and Juliet has been the iconic love story by which all others are measured. Shakespeare’s most popular romantic tragedy is as relevant today as it was 450 years ago,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “This summer’s tour of Romeo and Juliet in our parks provides an opportunity for residents of all ages to experience the most beloved playwright who ever lived.”

Additional tour performances in Union County parks include:

• Sunday, July 26 at 7 p.m. at Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade in Linden
• Thursday, July 30 at 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Park in Clark   
  This performance is sponsored in part by Whole Foods Market Clark.          
• Monday, August 3 at 7 p.m. at Echo Lake Park, Mountainside
• Friday, August 7 at 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Park, Clark

In the words of the Bard himself, “For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and Romeo.”

Written around 1594, Romeo and Juliet has been a favorite of audiences for over 400 years.

In the hot summer streets of Verona, two idealistic teens discover love in a society consumed by senseless brutality. Filled with witty wordplay, lyric poetry, and flashy swordfights, Romeo and Juliet remains one of the most gripping and moving tragedies by William Shakespeare.

The Next Stage Ensemble, the Shakespeare Theatre’s summer touring company of early career actors, is part of the Theatre’s Summer Professional Training Program which offers students working toward a career in the performing arts clear instruction, individual attention, and thoughtful and candid evaluation in a professional theatre environment. The Next Stage Ensemble works with The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s resident and guest directors on two fully developed productions of abridged classic plays. The troupe tours to various locations throughout the state – including libraries, retirement homes and community centers.

For more information or for a complete listing of summer events visit ucnj.org.

On Sunday, July 12, Union County Freeholder Linda Carter welcomed the audience to the first of six Shakespeare in the park performances of Romeo and Juliet at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield. The tour continues this Thursday, July 23 at 7:00 p.m. at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, admission to each of the Romeo and Juliet performances is free.

Union County – There is limited time to purchase tickets for the exclusive performance of “Mandela: Apartheid to Die For” Saturday, July 25, at 2 p.m., at the Union County Performing Arts Center’s Mainstage in Rahway.

The original work is presented by United Youth of New Jersey – a nonprofit youth organization based in Elizabeth, in partnership with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, through the Union County Advancing Community Theater program. The performance is being produced in honor of Nelson Mandela’s birthday, July 18th.

Mandela is an original play, written and produced by Charlotte and Kenny Brown, founders of United Youth of New Jersey. The play tells the story of Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa who became known and respected all over the world as a symbol of the struggle against apartheid and all forms of racism.

Tickets are priced at $10 and can be purchased online at ucpac.org or through the UCPAC Box Office at 732-499-8226.

Following Mandela, the UCACT Series continues in August with the following performances:

• The Theatre Project presents “Legally Blonde Jr.” Friday and Saturday, Aug. 21 and 22 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 23 at 2 p.m., at UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage.
• Vanguard Theatre Company presents “Hairspray” the musical Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 12 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, Aug. 21 and 22 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 23 at 3 p.m., on the Mainstage at the UCPAC.

Union County Advancing Community Theater grants funding to cover the hard costs associated with putting up at production at the Union County Performing Arts Center. Through creative partnership and a holistic approach, the program creates a successful business model for Community Theater, allowing them to provide quality performances while also thriving financially.

For more information on Union County Advancing Community Theater, contact Victoria Durbin Drake, Chief of Staff, Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, at 908-558-2278 or visit ucnj.org/ucact.

Union County, NJ  –  Last month an enthusiastic crew of almost three dozen volunteers from Barclays took part in Union County’s Adopt-A-Park program and helped to remove invasive plants, repair fencing, prune native trees and remove litter and debris in and around the lake at Warinanco Park. The Barclays group, coordinated by the organization Jersey Cares, worked hard and is a wonderful example of what the Adopt-A-Park program is all about. Individuals and school, community, and corporate groups are welcome to join Adopt-A-Park. For more information visit the County website, ucnj.org/adopt or call 908-789-3683.  Photo: Betty Ann Kelly/County of Union.

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Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright (L) presents a resolution to Lisa Adams of Union congratulating her on being honor by the Susan G. Komen North Jersey organization at the group’s annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner for her volunteerism and commitment to the fight against breast cancer. Adams received the 2015 Extra Mile Award. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

 

 

 

Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright (R) presents a resolution to Ana Harper of Springfield congratulating her on being honor by the Susan G. Komen North Jersey organization at the group’s annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner for her volunteerism and commitment to the fight against breast cancer. Harper received the 2015 Promise of One Award. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)