County of Union

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – With miles of hiking and bridle trails crisscrossing the Watchung Reservation, maintenance and repair is an important, on-going task. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders has the perfect opportunity for trail users who want to “give something back” to the trails they enjoy.

“If you love the great outdoors and love to hike or ride horses in the Watchung Reservation, then you can show your appreciation on National Trails Day,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “The 2,060-acre forest preserve is Union County’s largest park and it offers a variety of trails and scenery for all ages to enjoy.”

You can celebrate our local trails on National Trails Day, Saturday, June 1, by signing up to take a guided hike and/or participate in a trail work project in the Watchung Reservation. Participants should dress to get dirty and/or wet. Meet at the Scout Camping Area behind the greenhouse at Trailside Nature & Science Center’s Visitor Center, 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside.

National Trails Day begins at 8:30 a.m. with a continental breakfast for all pre-registered project volunteers. Anyone interested in doing some trail work should call 908-789-3683 to register, or e-mail: bkelly@ucnj.org.

From 8:45 to 10:00 a.m., a Trailside Nature & Science Center naturalist will take hikers along one of many marked trails in the Watchung Reservation in search of wildlife sights and sounds, animal tracks and interesting plant life along the way. Listen and look for migratory birds that use the Reservation as a rest stop along their trip north.

A trail work project from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. will offer volunteers the chance to repair the trail bed and remove invasive plants along a section of hiking trail. Volunteers will learn new skills, meet other trail users and have fun while working in the out-of-doors. Bring gloves, a shovel, loppers, pruning shears and/or pick axe if you have them. Some tools will be provided. The event will be held rain or shine. Trail work participants must be seven years of age or older and children must be accompanied by an adult.

For directions, go to http://goo.gl/maps/WG4g5 or call Trailside: 908-789-3670.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter and Vice Chairman Christopher Hudak (R) joined Freeholders Dan Sullivan (2nd L) and Mohamed Jalloh (2nd R) in presenting resolutions to the Roselle Catholic High School Boys Basketball Team congratulating them on winning the 2013 Tournament of Champions (TOC) crown. Their roster includes: Kevin Bostic, Matt Bullock, Kameron David, Kyle Elliot, Asante Gist, Kory Highsmith, Omari Hurston, Rob Lewis, Rick Mixson, Ryan Quinn, Malachi Richardson, Tyler Roberson, Hakim Saintil and Chris Silva. Head Coach Dave Boff worked with his assistants John Giraldo, Tom Sax, Mike Skrec and Kevin Fallon and Scorekeeper Christian Fabregas.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – The Union County 4-H STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Club earned an Environmental Heroes award earlier this month at the annual Wild Earth Festival at Watchung Reservation in Mountainside, for their Earth Day clean-up activities and tree planting efforts. Pictured with Freeholder Vernell Wright (far l) after accepting their award are (l-r) Asa Coleman of Westfield, Sandeep Mukherjee of Scotch Plains, James Brodowski of Cranford, Joseph Touris of Scotch Plains, Joseph Marta of Scotch Plains, Brian Noonan of Fanwood, Cassie Hansen of Rahway, and club leader TJ Marta of Scotch Plains (not in photo: Nathan Lam, Marcelina Krowinska and Eric Elizes all of Westfield, Dylan Kiell of Fanwood and 4-H club co-leader Melissa Stryker of Scotch Plains). 4-H is a program of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, supported in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Information: contact James Nichnadowicz, 908-654-9854 or jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

Union County, NJ – Volunteer 4-H Master Tree Stewards of Union County gathered to receive an Environmental Hero award at Watchung Reservation earlier this month, in recognition of their community projects and educational programs reaching thousands of school children each year. Joined by spouses, County staff, Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter (3rd from r.) and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (4th from r.), the group included Dean Talcott of Fanwood, Lena Golden of Gillette, Claire Minick of Mountainside, Joan Burns of Elizabeth,  Jean Crichton of Summit, Linda Jacks of Cranford, Gail Sweeney of Clark, Sandy Ciasco of Westfield, Sue Sabo-Innocenti of Watchung, Ken Ilgavizis of Mountainside, Dolores Batz Culp of Scotch Plains, Martha Mahady of Vernon, Sheila Godbee of Elizabeth, and Rutgers Extension 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz (with certificate). Master Tree Stewards is a program of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, supported in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Information: contact James Nichnadowicz, 908-654-9854 or jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

Union County – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that Karen Kessler, Chairman of the Board of Atlantic Health and founding partner of the public relations firm Evergreen Partners, Inc., will be the keynote speaker at the highly anticipated Union County Women Mean Business Summit on June 19th at the Clubhouse at Galloping Hill Golf Course.

“We are overjoyed that Karen Kessler has agreed to come and join us for this event,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “The goal of the Women’s Summit is to inspire and empower women to compete in the business world, and Karen is a powerful and engaging example of the potential that we all have.”

A frequent speaker for business audiences, Kessler’s work has received many awards including the Gold Key Award from the Public Relations Society of America, the YWCA Achievers Award, and the Crisis Management Award from PR NEWS. She has been recognized as one of “50 Most Powerful Non-Profit Board Members,” “50 Most Powerful Women,” and Jewish Women International’s “10 Women to Watch in the USA.” She is more recently famed for her role as technical consultant to the CBS television show, “The Good Wife” and the ABC television show “Nashville”.

Kessler will speak during the luncheon at the Union County Women Mean Business Summit which is expected to draw attention from women across the far reaches of Union County.

In addition to Kessler’s address the program will also feature breakout sessions on topics such as starting a business, re-entering the workforce, enhancing your business through social media, breaking the glass ceiling, and networking.

For a full schedule of events or to register for the Summit, visit https://ucnj.org/ucmb-register; a $25 registration fee is applicable, and pre-registration is required. The first 50 women to register will receive a complimentary golf lesson at 11:00a.m.the day of the event.

The Union County Women Mean Business Summit is a part of the Union County Means Business networking series and is sponsored by the Board of Chosen Freeholders in partnership with the Union County Alliance, Union County Economic Development Corp., Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, Suburban Chambers of Commerce, Union Township Chamber of Commerce, Kean University, and Union County College. Additional sponsors include SouthWest Airlines, PSE&G, Brown & Brown Metro, Inc., Suplee Clooney & Co., The Alternative Press, and Jude Connally.

For additional information on the Summit or the Union County Means Business Series, please visitwww.ucnj.org/UCMeansBusiness or contact the County Manager’s office at 908-527-4200.

Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski congratulates Class 13-01 on graduating the Union County Sheriff’s Office K9 Training Academy during their graduation ceremony in Mountainside. The graduates are (from left) South Plainfield Police Officer Mark Bullock & K9 Blitz, United States Park Police Officer Bekim Cobaj & K9 Vice and South Plainfield Police Officer Michael Grasso & K9 Kaiser.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholders Vernell Wright (L) and Bette Jane Kowalski present a resolution to Union Police Director Daniel Zieser in honor of National Police Week during the Township of Union’s Annual Police Awards ceremony.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

CRANFORD, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will sponsor a Household Special Waste Collection event on Saturday, June 1, so Union County residents can get rid of outdated or unwanted household chemicals, mercury thermostats, propane tanks, and automobile tires in an environmentally safe manner. The collection will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cranford campus of Union County College, located at 1033 Springfield Ave., Cranford, opposite Nomahegan Park.

Residents of Union County are eligible to participate at no cost. Pre-registration is not required for this special Saturday collection.

“The special household waste recycling program for Union County residents is particularly important as we become more aware of the need for proper disposal of hazardous items that are found around the home,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “The result of our effort is safer homes and a cleaner environment for our families and our neighbors.”

All that residents need to do is drive to the site with their household special waste, propane tanks, automobile tires, and mercury thermostats. Workers at the site will unload the vehicles.

“Household special waste” includes 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), blood pressure devices, and mercury switches. Only materials in original or labeled containers will be accepted. No containers larger than five gallons will be accepted.

Latex (water-based) paint and empty cans will not be accepted. They should be disposed of in with the regular garbage. Leftover latex paint can be air-dried or, to hasten the drying process, kitty litter and/or newspaper can be added to hasten the drying.

“This is a great opportunity to recycle up to eight tires and dispose of old chemical containers that are cluttering up the basement or the garage, or taking up space under the kitchen sink,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Christopher Hudak, liaison to the Union County Solid Waste Advisory Council. “Our homes become safer once they are rid of hazardous and combustible waste.”

There is a limit of eight automobile tires (without rims) per household. This is a household recycling event. No businesses, please.

A complete list of the materials that will be accepted on June 1 is available at the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning web site: www.ucnj.org/recycle

The household hazardous waste collection will be held rain or shine, for Union County residents only and not for businesses. Proof of Union County residency is required. For more information, please call the Recycling Hotline at (908) 654-9889.

 

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MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Claudia Savickas, 15, of Westfield, practices her equestrian skills while riding Mason during her regular Watchung Mounted Troop lesson at Watchung Stable in Mountainside.  Claudia has been riding for seven years. She will be one of 300 other participants at Watchung Stable’s 80th Anniversary Spring Troop Show over the weekend of May 24-26. Riding competition events begin Friday evening and continue throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday. Spectators are encouraged to come and watch at no charge! Watchung Stable, located at 1160 Summit Lane in Mountainside, is a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal administered by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. For more information about riding lessons or equestrian programs call Watchung Stable at 908-789-3665, or e-mail questions to stablequestions@ucnj.org.

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Union County Freeholders, members of the State’s 22nd District legislative delegation, the Linden Youth Soccer Association, and City of Linden municipal officials, including Mayor and Council, were on hand to formally dedicate and cut the ribbon on new soccer and softball playing fields at Wheeler Park in Linden on Saturday.

The County fields were renovated and made new with field turf and new lights, enabling their year-round usage for soccer, softball and other usage. (Photo by Sebastian D’Elia)

l. to r. Linden Councilwoman Michele Yamakaitis, Charisse Cosby-Hurling, Linden Ward 5 Councilwoman Rhashonna Cosby-Hurling, Union County Freeholder Vice Chair Christopher Hudak, Catie Hudak, Union County Freeholder Chair Linda Carter, Union County Freeholder Mohamed Jalloh, Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, Ward 6 Linden Councilman Robert Sadowski, Linden Mayor Richard Gerbounka, State Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D-22) and State Senator Nick Scutari (D-22). At bottom are honorary uniforms given to the Freeholders by the Linden Youth Soccer Association.