County of Union, New Jersey

Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella joined Clark Councilman Al Barr, Capezio Vice President of Global Retail Michelle Clemack, store manager Kim Maskal, management team member Amanda Guerra and Z-100’s Greg T in cutting the ribbon officially opening the new Capezio store on Central Avenue in Clark. The store carries a full line of dance and active-wear for children and adults. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites residents to apply for the next Certified Home Health Aide Training program, to be held from October 31 to November 23. Pre-enrollment interviews required and are being conducted in September. Persons interested in the program should call now to schedule an interview, as space is limited.

“Certified home health aides help our elderly and disabled residents live in their homes and stay connected with their families, friends and neighbors,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “They play a vital role in our communities, and this program helps to ensure that they have the training and knowledge they need to provide professional, high quality care.”

The training program is run through the Union County Department of Human Services, Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection.

To be considered for acceptance into the program, applicants must be 18 years of age, U.S. citizens or qualified aliens, and have the ability to read, write and speak English proficiently.

Applicants must be physically capable of participating in class work such as lifting, getting patients out-of-bed, giving bed baths, aiding transfers for those with limited mobility, and other related patient care.

Training will be held at Jewish Family Services, 655 Westfield Avenue in Elizabeth, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., four days per week, Monday through Thursday.

“Union County has offered this program since 1986 to ensure that our workforce is prepared to meet the need for home health care,” said Bergen. “It is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills required by the New Jersey State Board of Nursing to become certified home health aides.”

The $75.00 registration fee includes the cost of the textbook and workbook. There also is an $80.00 application fee payable to the New Jersey State Board of Nursing.  A passport size photo is required to be attached to the application.

More information on senior adults and their families, and all other social services programs, visit the Union County website www.ucnj.org and select the Department of Human Services

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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 – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi is pleased to announce that her office recorded almost 8,200 deeds for residential and commercial properties through the first eight months of this year, putting Union County on track to record a total of more than 12,000 deeds in 2016 – the most since the global financial crisis of 2008.

“The numbers indicate that our economy has continued to recover at a strong pace,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “That’s a positive development, considering that the national rate of home ownership is still lower than it has been in the past 12 years.”

The jump in housing sales activity coincides with low interest rates and an increase in the population of Union County. The number of Union County residents was estimated at 555,786 as of July last year, up 3.6 percent since the 2010 census. By comparison, the population of New Jersey grew only 1.9 percent in that period.

“It’s no surprise that Union County is a desirable area to live and have a business,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “Our walkable neighborhoods and award-winning school districts are major attractions, as is our convenient and accessible rail and bus service to New York City and other points in the metro area, including Washington, D.C.”

Ms. Rajoppi also cited the recent expansions of Union County College and Kean University, Union County’s proximity to Newark-Liberty International Airport, and its expansive recreation facilities including the highly regarded Galloping Hill golf course, the region’s only outdoor Olympic scale archery range, historic park system and a public riding stable that features a new all-weather indoor ring.

The increase in recordings also translates into greater revenues for the County.  All recording fees go into the County’s general fund and are used to offset the County tax rate. The annual recording revenues total over $25.6 million dollars, up over $1.4 million over 2015.   To date, the County’s portion of the recording fees and Realty Transfer Fee total $5,647,929.18, over $440,000 more than 2015.

The last year in which deed activity in Union County topped 12,000 was 2007, when the County Clerk recorded 12,153 deeds.

The number dropped to 10,359 in 2008, the year of the financial crash. Deed recordings continued to fall in the aftermath, hitting a low of 8,262 in 2011 before beginning a steady upward trend.

In 2015, the most recent full year of recordkeeping, the County Clerk’s office recorded 11,492 deeds. From January through August 2016, 8,283 deeds have been recorded.

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Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski and Union Township Mayor Manuel Figueiredo present resolutions to volunteers Michael Boll, Brandon Holiday and David Tyms of the Challenged Athletes Foundation’s (CAF) Operation Rebound New Jersey Racing Team commending and congratulating them before the team begins a bicycle ride from Echo Lake Park’s 9/11 Memorial in Mountainside to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. They are joined by Leo Graf and Bob Johnson of VFW Post 2433 in Union.

(CAF) Operation Rebound is the premier sports and fitness program for American military personnel, veterans and first responders with physical challenges. It provides unparalleled opportunities to pursue active, athletic lifestyles by offering access to funding for equipment, training, competition expenses and sports clinics.

At Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the team will deliver competitive wheel chairs and hand-cycles to disabled combat veterans.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski joined State Senator Raymond Lesniak, dozens of veterans and members of the public at the screening of “Thank You for Your Service,” an award-winning documentary that explores the nation’s superficial understanding of war trauma, including PTSD, and the flawed policies surrounding it, at the Hamilton Stage Theatre in Rahway.

The film’s Director Tom Donahue and Producers Ilan Arboleda and Matt Tyson attended the special screening that was co-sponsored by The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

The film was presented as part of Chairman Bergen’s UC HERO initiative for 2016, which assists Veterans. For more information, please go to: https://ucnj.org/uc-hero/

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen is pleased to announce that the Farmers Market program has been extended through the month of September. Income eligible adults age 60 and above may obtain free $25 vouchers (five $5.00 checks) to purchase “Jersey Fresh” fruits, vegetables and herbs at several Farmers Markets displaying the yellow and black WIC Farmers’ Market poster throughout Union County. 

Union County residents who meet age and income eligibility may apply for the Farmers Market program through the county’s Department of Human Services, Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC), at the two September distribution sites listed below.  Checks will be limited at each distribution site and will be given on a “first-come first-served” basis.

A single person’s annual income cannot exceed $21,978 and a married couple’s combined income may not exceed $29,637. Proof of age, residency and income are required at time of application.

Union County Senior Farmer’s Market Voucher Distribution Schedule for September 2016:

For more information about the Farmer Market nutrition program, or any services provided by the Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Disability Resource (ADRC), call 1-888-280-8226 or 877-222-3737 or visit the county’s website, www.ucnj.org.

Union County 4-H Clubs are once again preparing for a new season of fun and learning. The organization will hold Club Night, a chance for all participants interested in signing up for a 4-H Club on Friday, September 23^rd from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Union County Vocational-Technical Magnet School, 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

Students in grades 1-12 are encouraged to attend the event and see if any of the clubs listed are of interest to them. Clubs this year include Archery, Lego Robotics, Anime, Cooking, Horticulture, and more.  Club Night encourages those interested to meet club leaders, sign up for clubs, and learn more about Union County 4-H activities.

“The 4-H Clubs are a great part of our community. These clubs encourage young students to explore their passion while also connecting with others who feel the same way,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The clubs teach the children many important life skills like organization, teamwork, and leadership. The Freeholder Board is proud to support 4-H and the enrichment it brings to the minds of young people.”

Union County 4-H Clubs are run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. The U.S. Department of Agriculture originally established the 4-H clubs over 100 years ago in an effort to help rural communities learn important information about agriculture and family health.

The clubs have updated their topics over the years as a way to keep up with the ever-changing interests in society. The topics today integrate children from both urban and suburban communities.

This year’s club topics include Community Service, Dog Lovers, Tech, and more. There is also a Variety Club for students who wish to explore their own topics within the 4-H Club environment.

The 4-H Clubs are open for boys and girls in grades 1-12. The materials fee of $10.00 per club ($5.00 per additional club in the same family) is payable at Club Night.

Attendance to Club Night is by invitation only. To receive an invitation or more information about the program contact Union County 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz at 908-654-9854 or jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org, or visit ucnj.org/rce.

The Union County 4-H Youth Development Program is looking for a volunteer to lead the 4-H Lego Robotics Club for this upcoming club season.

The volunteer should have experience building and programming Lego NXT Robots. They will help a group of eight 5^th and 6^th graders build and program their own robots throughout the year.

Club meetings are at the Colleen Fraser Building, 300 North Ave. East in Westfield once a month from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. from October to June. Teaching ideas and materials will be provided and the volunteer will work under the supervision of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Program of Union County.

For more information about this volunteer position contact 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz at nichnadowicz@njaes.rutgers.edu or call him at 908-654-9854. Information about Union County 4-H Clubs can be found at ucnj.org/rce.