County of Union, New Jersey

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders proudly invites all LGBTQ allies and families to rally in support of marriage and family equality at the Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic on Saturday, September 16 at Rahway River Park in Rahway.

“The Family Equality Rally is an opportunity for our community to come together in unity to celebrate the strength of our diversity,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “All families are invited to stand up for diversity, tolerance and love, and show support for family equality with a sign or banner. Bring a rally sign or join us before the rally at the poster making station to create one.”

The Family Equality Rally will kick off at 1:00 P.M. with special guest speakers as well as powerful renditions of songs that celebrate unity and equality by the voices of Union County’s own Mystic Vision Players. Speakers include local elected officials as well as representatives from the State of New Jersey Division of Children Protection and Permanency, Union County College’s Gay Straight Alliance, and Human Rights Campaign (Greater NY / New Jersey).

“In recent years, the LGBTQ movement has made considerable strides toward equality. It is important to acknowledge and celebrate the significant accomplishment of the United States Supreme Court marriage equality ruling of 2015,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella. “There remain issues, however, at the Federal and individual State levels that directly affect and create unique challenges for LGBTQ parents and children. As Union County’s first LGBTQ Pride event in recent history, the Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic demonstrates our support for LGBTQ allies, parents and children in our community.”

A celebration of all families, the free Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic will include arts and crafts (featuring a “LOVE Makes a Family” poster making station), inflatable bounce houses for all ages, face painting, music, family-friendly field day games (register online to be on a team) and much more.

Esteemed children’s music band, Michael and the Rockness Monsters will join in the day’s celebration with a live family concert starting at 2:30 P.M.

More than a dozen LGBTQ family and marriage equality advocacy and ally organizations will be on site all day with general information, as well as support and networking resources.

“Pride events matter because inequality is not always obvious. Union County’s pride event demonstrates the support for diversity and full equality,” said Chairman Bergen. “Marriage equality rights are in part the result of years of Pride events. The Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic brings advocates, allies, and families of the LGBTQ community together to celebrate individuality and raise awareness for the need to meet the equality challenges of the LGBTQ community.”

In the event of inclement weather the Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic will be held at the Warinanco Sports Center, Warinanco Park in Elizabeth/Roselle.

For more information visit ucnj.org/Pride, or find the UC Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic event page at Facebook.com/CountyOfUnion, or call the Union County Office of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900.”

Union County employees donated and collected hundreds of pounds of non-perishable items for the victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas, as part of a regional drive through “Be the Change,” a non-profit community organization. 

The Union County government collection was organized by County Administrative Services employee Nathalie Hernandez, who is a member of the “Be The Change” organization at Kean University. “Be The Change” is a community service and activism group made up of students from Kean University and other Volunteers dedicated to serving the needs of the local, state, national, and global community. Its members believe in a “hands on” approach and building partnerships to affect positive change.

Union County, NJ – Union County will sponsor a free recycling event for electronic equipment on Saturday, September 16, to help Union County residents safely dispose of electronic equipment that cannot be placed in regular household garbage.

“Union County’s free electronics events are a responsible way to keep hazardous heavy metals out of our environment,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Old televisions, computer monitors, and other electronic devices are the source of a considerable amount of dangerous material, including lead, mercury, and cadmium – and it is unlawful to dispose of them with household garbage.”

Up to 95 percent of most electronic equipment can be recycled.

Items that will be accepted on September 16 include televisions, computers, monitors, hard drives, modems, keyboards, printers, fax machines, DVD/VCR players, telephones, tablets and e-readers. All material collected will be recycled.

Items not on this list will not be accepted. Residents who need to dispose of household appliances such as refrigerators, microwaves and air conditioners can bring them to Union County’s Scrap Metal Recycling Program.

The special E-cycling event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Nokia, located at 600 Mountain Avenue in New Providence.  All residents of Union County are eligible to participate at no cost. There is a limit of six electronic items per car.

Residents can simply drive to the site with their unwanted electronic equipment. Workers at the site will unload the vehicles.

The electronics collection event will be held rain or shine, for household electronic equipment only. Equipment from businesses will not be accepted.

No pre-registration is necessary but proof of Union County residency is required.

Union County also sponsors E-cycling opportunities for residents at 15 participating municipal collection locations. Visit ucnj.org/recycle or call your municipal recycling coordinator for more details.

Union County’s next e-cycling event will be on Saturday, October 21 in Scotch Plains. For more information about recycling events call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908- 654-9889 or visit the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning online at ucnj.org/recycle.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities visit The Green Connection, 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.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that free Scrap Metal Recycling drop-off locations are available on the first Thursday and third Saturday of each month from spring through fall. The next upcoming dates are Thursday September 7 and Saturday September 16.

The Scrap Metal Recycling program is free for Union County residents and no pre-registration is required.

A wide variety of household items and fittings are accepted, from bicycles and cabinets to gutters, lawn furniture and empty cans.

Household appliances are also accepted. Residents are reminded that by law, doors must be removed from refrigerators and freezers. Units with doors still attached will not be accepted.

Residents can use either of two drop-off locations: in Cranford at the County Emergency Services Yard at 151 Kenilworth Boulevard, and in Rahway at the County’s Rahway River Park off St. Georges Avenue.

Both locations will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Residents needing to dispose of computers, televisions and other electronic equipment can bring them to the upcoming free Electronics Recycling Event in New Providence on Saturday, September 16.

For full details on all Union County free recycling events and programs visit the Union County Bureau of Planning and Recycling online at ucnj.org/recycling.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities visit The Green Connection, 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.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that the next free mobile paper-shredding event for personal documents will be available on Thursday, September 14 in Linden.

“Union County’s free mobile document-shredding events help residents fight identity theft by providing a convenient way to shred confidential documents,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen. “They also promote our County recycling efforts and tie in with Union County’s other Green Initiatives.”

The September 14 shredding event will take place at the Linden Recycling Center located at 2 Donaldson Place in Linden, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. rain or shine (except in case of severe weather).

The next shredding program after that will be offered on Friday, September 22 at the Westfield Pool, located at 713 Cumberland Street in Westfield.

All paper shredding events run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  The shredding event may end before 1:00 p.m. if the shredding trucks reach capacity.

All Union County residents are eligible to bring their personal documents to the paper-shredding events. In an effort to accommodate everyone, there is a limit of four 10-pound bags or boxes per person.

Residents should bring their documents in paper bags.  Documents should not be bound, and plastic binders and paper clips should be removed. Paper that is wet or damp will not be accepted.

Residents should continue to recycle non-confidential papers and magazines with their municipal recycling program.

At Union County’s paper shredding events, documents are put into 96-gallon containers provided by the shredding company. The items are then dumped onto a conveyor belt and shredded on site. Residents are welcome to view the shredding process through a closed-circuit television.

The shredded documents are then recycled, shipped to paper mills and used as pulp.

The mobile shredding program is funded through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Enhancement Act. For more information about future recycling events or directions please call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit online at unj.org/recycling.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities visit The Green Connection, 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.

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Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites all County residents and visitors to gather with veterans and their families at the plaza in front of the Union County Courthouse on Friday, September 15 at 11:00 a.m., and join in the annual POW/MIA Remembrance Day ceremony to honor prisoners of war and those missing in action.

“Though the scars of past wars will never fully heal, I hope that this ceremony provides a measure of comfort and support to those who are seeking answers and closure,” said Freeholder Bruce H. Bergen. “By coming together as one community, we reaffirm our pledge to advocate for a thorough accounting of all POW/MIA.”

The County Courthouse is located at 2 Broad Street in midtown Elizabeth, with convenient access to train and bus service. Ample public parking is available.

In case of rain, the ceremony will be moved inside to Courthouse Rotunda.

For more information about POW/MIA Remembrance Day in Union County, or to confirm attendance, call the Freeholder offices at 908-527-4100.

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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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The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites members of the community to honor the memory of the 60 Union County residents who perished in the 9/11 attacks by visiting the Union County September 11th Memorial, Monday, Sept. 11th from the morning hours until 9 p.m. at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside.

Members of the Union County Sheriff’s Office will provide a uniformed Honor Guard standing watch at the memorial from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and the public will be able to bring and light candles in memory of those lost in the attacks.

“On this date, we honor those who perished in the attacks and remember the many acts of bravery that occurred that day,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The County memorial provides a location that allows for peace and reflection that gives us strength and inspiration.”

The Union County September 11th Memorial honors those lost in the attacks using design elements that include two girders from the World Trade Center arranged within a five sided area representing the Pentagon, and an Eternal Flame representing those who died in Pennsylvania. The Flame also honors members of the Armed Services and emergency responders.

In addition to these elements, the names of the 60 deceased Union County residents are etched into the memorial.

Dedicated on Sept. 13, 2003 the memorial was constructed through private donations including in-kind work by labor unions and materials at cost.

The Freeholder Board worked with residents of Cranford, Elizabeth, Kenilworth, Linden, Mountainside, Rahway, Scotch Plains, Summit, Union and Westfield in planning and building the Memorial.

It is located near the Springfield Avenue entrance of Echo Lake Park on the border of Mountainside and Springfield.

For additional information on the Union County September 11th Memorial, visit online at ucnj.org/9-11-memorial.

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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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ELIZABETH, NJ- The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to present artworks from the Westfield Art Association, currently on exhibit at the Freeholders Gallery. The gallery is located on the 6th floor of the Union County Administration Building at 10 Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth, with gallery hours from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The exhibit will be on display through October 31, 2017.

“The Westfield Art Association exhibit is an enriching experience that provides a window into the way artists in our community interpret the world around them,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, who is the Freeholder Board’s liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board.

Artworks in the exhibit include: paintings by Danielle Auriemma-D’Amico depicting Avon NJ and the island of Santorini, abstract paintings by Francesca Azzara, portraits of Michael Jackson by Laura Brown, polaroid triptychs by Michael Endy, vineyard scenes painted by Paul Federico, portraits by Maxine King, landscapes evoking the work of Van Gogh painted by Avi Kiriakatis; and works by Virginia Puskar that capture the lives of birds.

Founded in 1922, the Westfield Art Association (WWA) is the oldest independent arts organization in the state of New Jersey. A non-profit volunteer organization, WWA provides art education and public exhibitions, and actively encourages its members in the pursuit and development of their individual artistic goals and growth. WAA welcomes all artistic mediums and all levels of experience.

Public art events organized by the WAA include art education lectures, hands-on art studio workshops, gallery exhibits, outdoor art exhibitions, and pop-up galleries in Westfield restaurants and storefront windows. WAA has also arranged Art in the Park events, including The Sketchbook Project, a traveling collection of artist sketchbooks from around the world.

The Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, part of the Department of Parks and Recreation, coordinates the exhibits displayed at the Freeholders Gallery. For further information about this and other programs and services related to the arts and history in Union County, contact the Office at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202; telephone (908) 558-2550; or e-mail: culturalinfo@ucnj.org. NJ relay users dial 711.

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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 is pleased to announce a total of $146,968 in funding to improve children’s programming in 20 local public libraries, through the 2017 Union County Library Grant program.

“Our local public libraries enable every child to access many different pathways to knowledge,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “In particular, keeping up with today’s digital resources can be a challenge for libraries given the cost of procuring up-to-date technology. County funding can help fill that gap and ensure every child has a chance to learn.”

“The Union County Library Grant program provides more educational resources to our youth and also furthers their education outside of the school setting,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, who chairs the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. “The Freeholder Board is proud to support our local libraries, which bring children from all walks of life together on an equal basis and help to forge an appreciation for our diverse community.”

Libraries can use their Union County grant award to upgrade facilities, programming, materials and equipment that directly benefit children’s literature and activities.

The annual grant initiative was launched in 2015 by Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski with the goal of helping local, non-school libraries strengthen their programming for children.

“The grant program has been received with great enthusiasm since its inception. Last year’s awardees used their funds for science programs, coding classes, robotics clubs, summer and after-school reading programs, technology upgrades and much more,” said Freeholder Kowalski. “Our local libraries are helping to foster the next generation of lifelong learners, and their efforts help to strengthen the whole Union County community.”

The library grant program is administered through the Trust Fund and uses non-tax dollars from fees at the County’s two golf courses.

2017 Union County Library Grant Awardees:

Berkeley Heights       $4,500.00

Clark                            $7,500.00

Cranford                     $7,469.06

Elizabeth                    $7,500.00

Fanwood                    $7,500.00

Garwood                    $7,500.00

Hillside                      $7,500.00

Kenilworth                $7,500.00

Linden                       $7,500.00

Mountainside           $7,500.00

New Providence        $7,499.42

Plainfield                   $7,500.00

Rahway                      $7,500.00

Roselle                       $7,500.00

Roselle Park             $7,500.00

Scotch Plains            $7,500.00

Springfield                $7,500.00

Summit                     $7,500.00

Union                        $7,500.00

Westfield                  $7,500.00

Total                          $146,968.48

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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 – A four-lane thoroughfare that threads through the heart of Union County is an unlikely spot for a miniature produce farm, and yet each year hundreds of pounds of fresh tomatoes, eggplants, peppers and other vegetables sprout up in a score of neatly spaced garden beds just a few feet away from bustling Westfield Avenue in Elizabeth.

The thriving garden is one of 18 gardens that received funding from the Union County Means Green Community Garden grant program this year. It rings the headquarters of the non-profit organization Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey, which uses the home grown fresh produce to supplement its community nutrition programs.

“The JFS garden is an outstanding representative of the community garden movement in Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Even a small piece of land can find new purpose as a source of fresh, locally grown produce, helping to improve nutrition and well-being in local neighborhoods.”

UC Means Green launched in 2016 as an initiative of Chairman Bergen, with the aim of bringing the community garden experience to neighborhoods throughout Union County. In all, more than two dozen gardens have received grants from the program.

“The Freeholder Board has supported a large community garden for many years — the Demonstration Garden in the Watchung Reservation, which is run by the volunteer Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County,” explained Bergen. “It’s an invaluable community resource and we wanted to help local neighborhoods realize some of those benefits, too.”

Donating a portion of the harvest and engaging the public in recreation, education and social activities are main features of the Union County Means Green community garden grant program.

The JFS garden received a Union County Means Green grant in 2016 for the construction of special raised beds, which enable seniors to participate in garden activities without stooping or kneeling. In partnership with the non-profit organization Groundwork Elizabeth, the raised beds are used as a social activity for a group of seniors at risk of isolation.

“Community gardening is a holistic movement that links access to healthy food with civic service, environmental awareness and an opportunity to make new connections with family, friends and neighbors,” said JFS Director of Community Engagement Elie Bodner.  “Our garden stretches all along the front of our building, creating a beautiful message of community strength for all to see.”

A Union County Means Green grant this year went to improve the garden’s drip irrigation system. The garden is expected to yield more than 1,600 pounds of produce this season, including apples from several trees donated by Williams Nursery of Westfield.

“Open space is a precious commodity in our area, so it’s been wonderful to see how our grant awardees bring new life to land that would otherwise go underused,” said Bergen.

Other examples among the grant awardees include the sprawling Scotch Plains – Fanwood Community Garden located on the former site of the Terry Lou Zoo, special raised beds occupying small parcels of unused ground adjacent to parking lots at the Richmond Terrace senior residence in Plainfield, and a youth garden behind the Elmora branch of the Elizabeth Public Library, which is tended by participants in the library’s teen program. 

Groundwork Elizabeth is the grant administrator for UC Means Green and for Union County Kids Dig In, a new grant program for school gardens launched this year by Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados. Groundwork coordinates dozens of community gardens in Union County.

For more information about Union County Means Green contact the Union County Office of Public Information, 908-527-4346.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities visit The Green Connection, 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.