County of Union, New Jersey

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that the next mobile paper-shredding program for personal, confidential documents will visit Cranford on Saturday, June 4.

“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents fight identity theft by providing a convenient way to shred their confidential documents,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen. “It promotes our County recycling efforts and ties in with Union County’s other green initiatives.”

The June 4^th shredding event will take place at the Union County College campus in Cranford, on Springfield Avenue opposite Nomahegan Park. NEXCUT Shredding of Elizabeth will be shredding personal documents from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. The event will end before 1 p.m. if the shredding truck reaches capacity.

All Union County residents are eligible to use the paper-shredding service. In an effort to accommodate everyone, there is a limit of four, 10-pound bags or boxes per person. This is a garbage-free event so please bring your documents in paper bags if at all possible. Plastic bags and boxes will be returned. Please remove plastic binders and paperclips. Paper that is wet/damp will not be accepted. Residents should continue to recycle non-confidential papers and magazines with their municipal recycling program.

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. Participants are welcome to view the shredding process via a closed-circuit television. The shredded documents are then recycled, shipped to paper mills and used as pulp. The next shredding event will take place on Wednesday, June 8, at the Clark Public Works facility, 315 Westfield Ave. in Clark.

The mobile shredding program is paid for through New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Enhancement Act Grant Funds. For more information about future events or directions please call the Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/recycle .

Two Community Actions Agency Events Offered This Week for Union County Residents

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites low-income residents to attend two resource events this week as part of National Community Action Month.

“The Freeholder Board is proud to partner with and support community action agencies during National Community Action Month and throughout the year to support our residents,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

The Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey will present “Community Resources for Older Adults and Choosing a Home Health Aide” at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, May 24 at the Senior Resource Center at The Lavy House, 748 East Broad Street, Westfield. Registration is recommended. Contact 908-352-8375 or info@jfscentralnj.org.

On Thursday, May 26, The Gateway Family YMCA will host a Housing/Homeless Services Open House from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. at 135 Madison Avenue, Elizabeth.

Earlier this year, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders unanimously adopted a resolution declaring May as “National Community Action Month” in recognition of Union County’s community-based social services agencies that work to help residents overcome poverty. Agencies throughout the nation hosted events during the month of May to assist low-income Americans. 

“The purpose of National Community Action Month is to highlight the important role community action agencies have in helping low-income families move out of poverty and achieve economic security,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen. “As National Community Action month comes to an end, I’d like to remind our residents of services and programs available throughout the year to support those in need through our Department of Human Services.”

The Union County Department of Human Services, in partnership with other community based social services agencies, provides safety-net services to thousands of residents with food; rent and other housing assistance; utility assistance; victims of domestic violence; emergency/disaster relief; financial literacy; emergency shelter nights; youth/family stabilization; counseling for alcohol, drug abuse, and other mental health issues; veterans assistance; assistance for the disabled; medical transportation; and, workforce development training, job search and placement.

This year marks the 52^nd anniversary of National Community Action.  On August 20, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act (EOA) which created a variety of programs, including Community Action Agencies, as part of his administration’s War on Poverty. Today, community action agencies cover 99% of America’s counties in suburban, rural, and urban communities. It is estimated that each year, these agencies help 20 million low-income people achieve economic stability.

For more information about the above mentioned May events, and services available for low income individuals and families, contact Leslie Gutierrez, Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Planning, (908) 527-4861.  For information about all other Human Services and Union County government services and programs, visit the Union County government website www.ucnj.org.

Pictured is Freeholder Vernell Wright with her granddaughter, Andrea Johnson, and NJAC Executive Director John Donnadio.

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi invites members of the public to visit the historic Courthouse Rotunda from now until November, to view a new exhibit of unique presidential campaign memorabilia from years past.

The exhibit includes campaign buttons, original newspaper clips and historic election results along with ballot memorabilia.

“If you are old enough to recall the days when candidates battled it out on newsprint, or if you were born into the digital age, this collection is designed to spark memories and prompt new insights into the many ways in which our democracy communicates,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “I hope this exhibit inspires Union County residents to engage in the process.”

“The new exhibit also adds visual interest and depth to our online repository of Presidential Election history,” Ms. Rajoppi added. The County Clerk’s website, ucnj.org/county-clerk, now includes statistics and candidates for Presidential Primaries and General Elections from 1920 to 2012.

The Courthouse Rotunda is a designated historic landmark located at the front of the County Courthouse complex, at 2 Broad Street in the heart of the midtown Elizabeth shopping district. It is easily accessible by mass transit, and ample public parking is located nearby at the J. Christian Bollwage Parking Garage.

The exhibit is designed to grow as the 2016 election season progresses. Union County residents who would like to contribute their personal memorabilia can contact Donna Connell at 908-527-4787.

As County Clerk, Ms. Rajoppi has been instrumental in historic preservation and educational initiatives in Union County. One recent highlight was a four-year, rotating exhibit in the Rotunda that marked the 150^th Anniversary of the Civil War.

Ms. Rajoppi also publishes the annual Election Calendar featuring historical photographs and other images along with important election dates and deadlines. Copies of the 2016 Election Calendar are still available. To have a free copy mailed to you, use the online request form at ucnj.org/county-clerk.

Visitors to the County Courthouse who wish to use a Vote-By-Mail Ballot for the upcoming June 7th Primary Election can stop by the County Clerk’s Main Office on the second floor and pick up their ballot in person.

“Any eligible voter can use a Vote-By-Mail Ballot, and our “One-Stop” service provides a secure drop-box so you obtain your ballot, fill it out, and cast it within the same visit,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

The One-Stop service is also available at the County Clerk’s Annex, located at the Colleen Fraser Building in the county services complex at 300 North Avenue East, in Westfield.

For complete details on all County Clerk election services, including Vote-By-Mail deadlines and extended office hours, call 908-527-4996 or visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk/elections.

#  #

Connect with Union County on social media.

 

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi welcomes members of the Union County Municipal Clerks Association at the County Clerk’s annual appreciation luncheon in honor of Municipal Clerks Week. This year’s luncheon was held at Liberty Hall Museum in Union.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Become a 4-H volunteer and help create life-changing experiences for youth in your community. Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is seeking adult volunteer leaders for their 4-H LEGO Robotics Club and Pet Club this fall.

“Volunteer leaders are a valued and essential part of 4-H youth development programs helping students to explore their interests and share them with the community in a supportive and collaborative environment,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Freeholder Board is proud to support 4-H and its guiding principles of thoughtfulness, community service and healthy living.”

Union County’s 4-H LEGO Robotics Club engages students in 5^th and 6^th grades in hands-on technology experiments that focus on science, mathematics and language concepts. Students explore LEGO robot building with typical LEGO bricks, sensors, a motor and a few other specialty pieces. The basics of programming, engineering, and constructing are all part of the process. Students are encouraged to use creativity, teamwork and problem solving.

Union County’s 4-H Pet Club provides 1^st and 2^nd grade students who love pets a fun opportunity to learn all about pet care while developing key life skills including teamwork and decision making. Students explore animal ownership responsibilities including, grooming, training and exercise, feeding, and safety.

Both Union County 4-H clubs will meet at the Collen Fraser Building in Westfield on Saturday morning starting in September. The Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Program provides training for adult leaders and curriculum materials for each club. For more information or to apply for the Union County 4-H adult volunteer leader positions please contact Jim Nichnadowicz, Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Agent at 908-654-9854 or email him at jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

Union County 4-H Clubs are run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, supported in part by the Freeholder Board. The clubs belong to a 100-year American tradition established by the U.S Department of Agriculture by an Act of Congress, originally meant to help rural communities connect with useful information about agriculture and family health.

Over the years, 4-H has kept pace with the shift to urban and suburban life, using popular activities to help youngsters to engage in civic affairs and develop related skills such as teamwork and public speaking.

In Union County, the current 4-H slate includes modern clubs like Anime, Lego Robotics, S.T.E.M. and Fashion Design. The program also offers traditional favorites such as horticulture, cooking and archery. Students can also join a Variety Club and explore topics of their own creation. For older students, 4-H offers membership in the Community Service Club, which plans and conducts community service programs throughout Union County.

For more information about Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and the Union County 4-H clubs visit ucnj.org/rce or call 908-654-9854.

Union County, NJ – Registration is still open for the fourth annual Union County Women Mean Business Seminar, a half-day of workshops designed to help women business owners and managers succeed in today’s competitive economy.

 “Starting a business is one of the most challenging and rewarding endeavors you can undertake, and this seminar will help provide you with new insights that can help make your efforts pay off,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

The workshops include Art of the Ask, Turning Your Passion Into Profits, Uncovering Your Female Genius and other topics of particular interest to women in the business community.

“Many of the effective skills that you can develop in business also cross over into the non-profit sector, so if you run a non-profit or work for one, I encourage you to attend the seminar and learn how your organization can benefit,” said Bergen.

At the seminar, women will have the opportunity to network with experts and thought leaders in both the business sector and the expanding non-profit sector. The keynote speaker is Debra Vizzi of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, an organization that has distributed approximately $1 billion worth of donated food since its founding in 1982.

The Union County Women Mean Business summit takes place on Wednesday May 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth.

A modest registration fee of $40.00 per person includes the full program with lunch, a networking cocktail hour (cash bar), and prize opportunities including round trip air fare.

Pre-registration is required by visiting Union County Means Business online at ucnj.org/ucmb.

#  #

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.

 

This past weekend Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Angel G. Estrada attended the 27th Annual Union County Spring Garden Fair at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

This event was a success with many gardeners look forward to this spring garden fair every year. Gardeners can get free, reliable tips from the Master Gardeners of Union County who are trained and certified volunteer by Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County with the support of the Freeholder Board.

Pictured from left to right are: Richard Leister (President of Union County Masters Gardens), Madeline DiNardo (County Agriculture Agent), Fred Taylor, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, Freeholder Angel G. Estrada, Joanne Krueger (Chair of Spring Gardens Fair