County of Union, New Jersey

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi invites veterans to use free services offered by her office, including proof of service identification, copies of their honorable discharges and an online directory of local businesses that offer discounts for veterans.

“If you are a veteran looking for ways to trim your household budget and get documentation of your service without incurring additional costs, please call or visit my office,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “My knowledgeable staff is ready to assist you with these services in recognition of Veterans Day, and every day of the year.”

Veterans can also visit Union County online at ucnj.org/uc-hero for quick links to additional services and programs of interest to veterans.

“Together with Ms. Rajoppi, the Freeholder Board has been working to ensure that our veterans and their families can access all of the information and resources available to them as quickly and easily as possible,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Veterans can call the County Clerk at 908-659-7403 for information on obtaining a free military discharge documentation identification card. The ID card is available to any veteran who has filed an Honorable Discharge form DD-214. The card bears a book and page number confirming the honorable discharge.

Veterans can also call 908-659-7403 for information on obtaining a copy of their Honorable discharge form DD-214 free of charge.

The County Clerk’s office provides a Veterans Peddlers License free of charge to Union County residents. For more information on these licenses, call the County Clerk at 908-527-4967.

An online directory of discounts for goods and services offered to veterans by local businesses is available at the County Clerk’s Veteran Discounts page, ucnj.org/county-clker/veteran-discounts.

“Businesses interested in joining our directory can also visit the Veteran Discounts page and provide their information in a brief online form,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “I encourage our local business community to participate as a small token of appreciation for those who have served our country.”

For all County Clerk services, visit ucnj.org/county-clerk. Elections information is available from the County Clerk at unioncountyvotes.com.

UC-HERO is a 2016 initiative of Chairman Bergen, designed to increase awareness of government services and programs available to veterans. More information is available at ucnj.org/uc-hero or call the Union County Office of Veterans’ Affairs, 908-659-7407.

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Visit the County Clerk’s new elections website, unioncountyvotes.com.

For all other County Clerk services visit ucnj.org/county-clerk.

Connect with Union County on social media.

 

 

Repost from the Social Security Administration

Every day—but particularly on Veterans Day—Social Security salutes those who have put their lives on the line for our freedom.

Members of the United States armed forces receive expedited processing of their Social Security disability applications. The expedited process is available for any military service member who alleges he or she became disabled during active duty on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurred—at home or in the line of duty. Expedited processing is also available to veterans who have a compensation rating of 100% Permanent and Total (P&T) disability, regardless of when the disability occurred. Some dependent children and spouses of military personnel may also be eligible to receive benefits.

Visit our website designed specifically for our wounded veterans, www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors, where you will find answers to a number of commonly asked questions, as well as other useful information about disability benefits available under the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. Our website includes a fact sheet on the subject:  Disability Benefits For Wounded Warriors.

You’ll also find a webinar, “Social Security for Wounded Warriors,” that explains the expedited disability process available to wounded warriors. The one-hour video is an introduction to disability benefits for veterans and active duty military personnel.  If you would like more detailed information about the disability process, you can watch our seven-part video series “Social Security Disability Claims Process” at www.socialsecurity.gov/socialmedia/webinars.

On the Wounded Warriors webpage, you’ll find links to the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense websites. Please keep in mind that the requirements for disability benefits available through Social Security are different from those of the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application.

Military service members are covered for the same Social Security survivors, disability, and retirement benefits as everyone else. Although the expedited service is relatively new, military personnel have been covered under Social Security since 1957, and people who were in the service prior to that may be able to get special credit for some of their service.

Read our publication, Military Service And Social Security, to learn more. It’s available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs. Also, navigate to www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors.

Union County, NJ – A small vegetable garden tucked alongside the offices of the Coalition to House the Homeless in Elizabeth was the scene of activities all summer long for children in the nonprofit agency’s Bernice’s Place program.

The children grew a bumper crop of tomatoes, cucumbers and watermelon in the heart of the urban environment. Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados visited with (l-r) Coalition Executive Director Linda Flores-Tober, Jackie Park-Albaum of Groundwork Elizabeth, Bernice’s Place Coordinator Carina Grajales, and Master Gardener Amanda Leon to learn about the enriching experiences the garden provides for youth.

The Peace Garden received a grant from the Union County Means Green Community Garden Grant program, a 2016 initiative of Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, to help purchase a tool shed and other equipment. For information about Chairman Bergen’s grant program visit ucnj.org or call the grant administrator, Groundwork Elizabeth, 908-558-1142.

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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, NJ – A thriving organic produce garden fills the narrow front yard of Jewish Family Service of Central NJ, just off busy Westfield Avenue in Elizabeth.

In  support of the nonprofit agency’s motto, “never send anyone away empty handed,” the garden yields 1,600 pounds of fresh, organic produce for donation to seniors and families in need every year, including walk-ins seeking emergency food packages.

Executive Director Thomas Beck (2^nd l.) provided a tour of the garden’s late growing eggplant, broccoli, apples, collards and other crops to (l.-r.) Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski and Jackie Park-Albaum of Groundwork Elizabeth.

This year the garden received a grant from the Union County Means Green Community Garden Grant program, a 2016 initiative of Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, to help continue its mission. The garden also features eight fruit trees donated by Williams Nursery.

For information about Chairman Bergen’s grant program visit ucnj.org or call the grant administrator, Groundwork Elizabeth, 908-558-1142.

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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, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the 2016 Union County Transportation Master Plan is now available as a free download from the Union County website, at ucnj.org/tmp.

The Transportation Master Plan identifies the conditions, challenges and opportunities involved in moving people and goods in and around Union County. It is designed to help develop strategies for meeting current and future demands on transportation resources.

“The 2016 Master Plan represents a significant updating of conditions and emerging trends since 2002,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Union County is a key transportation hub for our region and our country, and this provides a valuable framework for making decisions about transportation improvements that keep up with changes in our economy and the needs of our residents, businesses and visitors.”

“Some of the most interesting tends that we are seeing are new technologies, such as autonomous cars, drones and electric vehicles,” said Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, who is a liaison to the Transportation Advisory Board and a delegate to the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA). “The rise of app-based ride services also presents new opportunities and challenges.” 

Freeholder Angel G. Estrada, who is a member of the NJTPA Board of Trustees, noted that several critical improvements have been achieved since the previous Master Plan was developed in 2002.

“The rail station in Union Township, redesigned traffic circles in Westfield and Clark, construction of new ramps on the Garden State Parkway and I-78, and the Route 1&9 viaduct project all demonstrate progress,” said Estrada. “There is much more work to be done, and the new Master Plan provides us with a platform for making effective decisions.”

The 2016 Transportation Master Plan includes information on Union County’s demographics, population growth, commuting patterns and climate change impacts in addition to detailed descriptions of every transportation mode from bike trails to airports.

The Transportation Master Plan was developed over the course of a full year through the Bureau of Transportation Planning, a division of the Union County Department of Economic Development, under a grant from NJTPA. The process involved participation by members of the public, local employers and business groups, advocacy groups, municipal officials, and regional stakeholders including NJTPA, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, NJ Transit, and the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

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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 Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Alexander Mirabella speak with Scotch Plains Mayor Kevin Glover and Union County Parks Maintenance Director Michael Brennan about the stream stabilization project for the Union County Route 22 Park in Scotch Plains to help alleviate flooding issues.

After a torrential rain storm last August flooded downtown Scotch Plains, members of the NJ DEP, County Engineering and Parks departments along with Scotch Plains Township personnel met at the request of Mayor Glover.  The discussions culminated in a project that has been submitted for approval by the State.  The plans include the replacement of the various types of failing sections of a retaining wall along the stream.  It will also will include removal of accumulated debris and sediment in certain areas of the stream.  This work will improve the flow and function of the stream with the aim of reducing flooding.  Additional improvements will include removal of an outdated and aging pedestrian bridge.

The Route 22 Park is officially part of the Watchung Reservation but there is a shared service agreement between the Township and the County that allows for capital improvements to be undertaken by Union County and the day to day maintenance performed by the Scotch Plains Recreation Department.

Construction bids will be requested this fall with an anticipated start date in early 2017, once NJ DEP approval is obtained.

Union County, NJ – Gardeners who have been waiting for a chance to join the Union Township Community Garden can sign up now to save their spot for next spring.

The garden, located in Eleanor R. Erickson Park, began with just five beds. It has grown to provide space for 43 beds with support from the Union County Means Green Community Garden Grant program, a 2016 initiative of Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Union Township Mayor Manuel T. Figuereido (far l.) met garden representatives Adrienne Kubicz (2^nd l.) and Janet Sangekar (3^rd l.) to tape a TV-34 program about the garden and its service to the community with (l-r) Jonathan Phillips of Groundwork Elizabeth, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, garden representative and Adopt-a-Park volunteer Paul Lerin, and Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados.

For information about Chairman Bergen’s grant program visit ucnj.org or call the grant administrator, Groundwork Elizabeth, 908-558-1142. To contact the garden visit unioncommunitygarden.org.

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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,  along with the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation would like to recognize the Union County Artists who received awards at a gala reception held Friday, October 28, at the conclusion of the 50th annual New Jersey State Senior Citizens Art Show in East Windsor. The art show and reception were corrordinated by the Mercer County Division of Culture and Heritage for the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

“I’d like to congratulate all the seniors, not only the winners, but all who participated in the show and shared their artistic talents with others,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Works of art by seniors from 21 New Jersey counties were exhibited at Meadow Lakes and were awarded honors in eleven artwork categories to both professional and non-professional artists. Awards were presented at the closing reception by the New Jersey Department of Human Services Division on Aging Services and the Mercer County Office on Aging.

The following Union County senior artists received 1st place honors during the judging:

• John Curch (Scotch Plains): Watercolor by a professional, “Italian Market in Rome”
• William Gardner (Winfield Park): Digital Art by a non-pro, “Metropolis”
• Michael Metzger (Westfield): Oil Painting by a professional, “Rhineland”

These artists received 2nd place honors:

• Robert Golderg (Springfield): Craft by a professional, pottery
• Thomas Wacaster (Clark): Oil painting by a non-pro, “Daily Commute”

These artists received 3rd place honors:

• Sam Awad (Summit): Photography by a professional, “Vertigo”
• Frank B. Marshall III (Roselle): Mixed Media by a professional, “Black America – The Dark Side”

These artists received Honorable Mention:

• Williams Daniels (Springfield): Works on Paper/Drawing by a professional, “Faerie Garden”
• Lisa DiMichele (Berkeley Heights): Acrylic painting by a non-pro, “Reno 1940s”
• Maria Irene Nobile (Union): Pastel by a non-pro, “Summer Pear”
• Susan Ucci (Elizabeth): Photography by a non-pro, “End of life”

John Curch of Scotch Plains was awarded 1st Place in the category of Watercolor by a professional for his painting titled “Italian Market in Rome.”

William Gardner of Winfield Park was awarded 1st Place in the category of Digital Art by a non-pro for his work titled “Metropolis.”

Michael Metzger of Westfield was awarded 1st Place in the category of Oil painting by a professional for his painting titled “Rhineland.”

Sam Awad of Summit received 3rd Place in the category of Photography by a professional for his work titled “Vertigo.”

Lisa DiMichele of Berkeley Heights received Honorable Mention in the category of Acrylic painting by a non-pro for her painting titled “Reno 1940s