County of Union, New Jersey

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that a free springtime training course is available for persons interested in becoming Confidential Sexual Violence Advocates (CSVAs) for victims of sexual violence.

The training course qualifies volunteers to answer calls and offer in-person support through the Rape Crisis Center (RCC), a long-running program of the Union County Department of Human Services. The RCC has provided reliable, confidential guidance to victims of sexual violence since 1984.

“Sexual violence impacts not only the victim, but also those surrounding them. Our volunteer Advocates help restore a sense of community and self-worth to Union County residents facing a life crisis. The Freeholder Board is extremely proud of these volunteers, who provide a valuable service to individuals in need,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “If you are looking for a worthwhile volunteer activity, I urge you to contact the Rape Crisis Center about the upcoming training program.”

The next training course will begin on Tuesday evening, April 4^th, and continue for 16 sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., until May 25^th. The course provides volunteers with training in crisis counseling and medical/legal accompaniment in a supportive, empathetic environment.

The training will take place at the RCC office in Westfield located within the Colleen Fraser county services building, 300 North Avenue East.

Volunteers must be Union County residents at least 18 years of age. They must hold a valid driver’s license and have their own vehicle. Prior to training, each volunteer will come to the RCC office for an informal interview.

To find out more about volunteering and to schedule an interview, please call the RCC at 908-233-7273.  For more information about the RCC, including personal stories by volunteers, visit the RCC blog at unioncountyrapecrisiscenter.blogspot.com.

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites art and history fans to attend Union County’s first “History Paint Night Social” event.

Participants will be provided with materials and artistic instruction for painting a historical scene from the Union County area, which they will be able to bring home. No experience is necessary.

“This event offers a chance for people to learn about Union County history and basic painting techniques in an enjoyable social setting,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “Snyder Academy is a great place for both art and history, and I know the participants will learn a lot and have fun in the process.”

The History Paint Night Social will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28, at the historic Snyder Academy in Elizabeth, where one America’s Founding Fathers, Alexander Hamilton, attended school.

Participants may bring wine and snacks for their enjoyment.

The instructor for the evening event will be Rafael Rodriguez, the Artist in Residence at the Snyder Academy.

Admission to the History Paint Night Social is on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited, and pre-registration is encouraged.  A of $20.00 per participant includes all materials.

To register or to receive more information, call the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 908-436-2912, or email jprescott@ucnj.org.

History Paint Night Social is sponsored by the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Department of Parks and Recreation. Funding for this program is made available through the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.

 

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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.

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski, Linda Carter and Alexander Mirabella presented the Chester Holmes Humanitarian Award to Freeholder Vernell Wright during the Union County 2017 Black History Month Celebration at UCPAC in Rahway. The Freeholder Board created the award in honor of the late former Freeholder Chester Holmes. They were joined by family members of Freeholders Wright and Holmes. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – Community gardens still have time to apply for funding from the 2017 Union County Means Green Community Garden Grants program. Sponsored by the Freeholder Board, this matching grant program is designed to help start new gardens and improve existing gardens, providing local neighborhoods with fresh produce and new opportunities for recreation, education, civic service and social activities. The deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7. More details and downloadable application forms are available on the County website, at ucnj.org/garden-grants.

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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.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite children and adults with disabilities to enjoy an afternoon of ice skating at the Warinanco Park Ice Skating Center, located on Thompson Avenue in Roselle, on Sunday, March 5.

There will be two sessions offered, the first from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. With a second session added from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. The event is open to people with disabilities, their families and friends, free of charge. All those wishing to participate must register in advance at www.ucnj.org/parks-reg/.

“Lace Up Your Skates” is a program developed through the Recreation Department’s Office for Programs for People with Disabilities Division. There will be skate guards on duty throughout the event, and skate-walkers will be available for those needing assistance.

“This will be a wonderful opportunity for both youngsters and adults with disabilities to enjoy the ice at the Warinanco Park Ice Skating Center in a fun and safe atmosphere for all,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

For answers to any questions you might have on this program or any other programs offered for people with disabilities please call 908-527-4781. And for a complete list of Programs for People with Disabilities you can go to https://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/recreation-for-people-with-disabilities/.

Union County Freeholders Christopher Hudak and Vernell Wright present Linden Mayor Derek Armstead and Councilman Robert Sadowski, Councilwoman Gretchen Hickey and Councilwoman Rhashonna Cosby-Hurling with a new 12-passenger van that will provide free transport for senior citizens. The vans are being awarded to a total of 18 municipalities this year through Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen’s “Seniors in Motion” initiative to assist seniors with free, local transport. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholders Christopher Hudak and Vernell Wright present Rahway Mayor Samson Steinman with a new 15-passenger van that will provide free transport for senior citizens. The vans are being awarded to a total of 18 municipalities this year through Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen’s “Seniors in Motion” initiative to assist seniors with free, local transport. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Citing the County’s continued economic strength and manageable debt levels,  Moody’s has assigned Aaa bond rating to Union County—the highest attainable.

This rating affirms the County’s strong financial standing, with Moody’s citing Union County as having “a very strong management team that has pushed hard to turn around the County’s finances.”

“The bond rating is an affirmation of our sound fiscal management,” Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen said. “The County Manager, the Freeholder’s Fiscal Committee and the Department of Finance have worked hard to keep the County’s fiscal house in top condition during a challenging economic period in our history.”

The achievements are all the more significant as they have occurred during a period of fiscal instability in the State of New Jersey, which has experienced a record ten credit downgrades since 2009.

“This is good news for the County and our taxpayers as a whole,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella, who is also the Fiscal Committee Chairman. “We will continue our progress this year in building upon this foundation of fiscal responsibility.”

Moody’s noted that “the upgrade to Aaa rating reflects the county’s large, diverse tax base with above-average wealth levels and it’s strong and improved financial position reflecting sound management and budgeting practices.”

Among the benefits, the ratings increase means the County could borrow money at lower interest rates, saving tax dollars.

The ratings agency also noted the County’s “tax base has actually grown in each of the past two years, indicating a potential turnaround. There are ongoing development projects throughout the county including new hotels, residential units, warehousing, luxury, senior living communities, mall expansions, and pharmaceutical expansions,” throughout Union County.

 

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Alexander Mirabella and Bette Jane Kowalski present a resolution to Laura O’Brien and Kathleen Laczynski of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America supporting and recognizing the group’s BeSmart Campaign to take action to promote responsible gun ownership and reduce child gun deaths and responsible children gun storage. There are joined by Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholder Alexander Mirabella present a resolution to Union County Vocational-Technical Schools Superintendent Peter Capodice, National Future Farmers of America (FFA) advisor and horticulture instructor Bonnie Baldasare and FFA members Aaron Etienne and Colleen Clark designating the week of February 18, 2017 through February 25, 2017 as National Future Farmers of America Week in Union County. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)