County of Union, New Jersey

ELIZABETH, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi has compiled a list of local businesses and organizations that are teaming-up with her in an effort to help veterans of the United States Armed Forces. The County Clerk’s Office will post the information on the Union County website listing all of the local stores, agencies and businesses that offer special discounts on products, food, entertainment and services for military veterans. Veterans must show either an Honorable Discharge ID card or other proof that they are a veteran at the time of purchase

“My office was one of the first in the state more than ten years ago to issue free Honorable Discharge identification cards for veterans as proof of service in the U.S. Armed Forces,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “The ID card program has assisted veterans in receiving educational benefits, death benefits, licenses, local property tax rebates and retail discounts intended just for them.”

“I’ve urged local businesses and service providers to send information to me about discounts they offer to veterans,” Rajoppi said. “I’m now making this information available on the Union County website to veterans groups and to individuals who come to my office seeking an Honorable Discharge ID card.”

The growing list of local businesses that offer discounts to veterans include home improvement stores and contractors, banks and financial consultants, medical professionals and fitness centers, restaurants, food markets and an automobile dealership.

“Veterans living in Union County can receive a free identification card by bringing their original discharge papers to the County Clerk’s Office in either Westfield or Elizabeth,” Rajoppi added. “This ID card service is just one way to say thank you and make veterans’ lives a little easier.”

As more retailers and service providers offer veteran discounts, their discounts will be added to the list. Businesses may provide their information to the Union County Clerk by accessing the Veterans Discount Form online at https://ucnj.org/county-clerk/veterans-discount-form/

The Veterans ID Card Act was signed into law in 2012. The card is available to veterans whose original Certificate of Honorable Discharge and/or DD-214 form are recorded at the Union County Clerk’s office. If a veteran’s discharge papers have never been recorded, the original documents must be presented at either one the Union County Clerk’s offices.

The County Clerk’s Office in Westfield, located in the Colleen Fraser Building at 300 North Avenue East, is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. The Clerk’s Office in Elizabeth, in the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Room 114, is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. If additional information is needed, please call 908-659-7403.

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that its next mobile paper-shredding program for personal, confidential documents will be available on Saturday, May 9, at Alcatel/Lucent in New Providence.

“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents fight identity theft and eliminate clutter in their homes,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “It is a cost-effective way to assist our recycling efforts and it ties in with Union County’s other Go Green Initiatives.”

The May 9^th shredding event will take place at the Alcatel-Lucent Technologies facility, located at 600 Mountain Avenue in New Providence. NEXCUT Shredding of Elizabeth will be shredding documents at the sites from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. The shredding events 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. Documents should not be bound. 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 be Saturday, May 16, on the Union County College campus in Cranford.

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 .

UNION, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will recognize local artists and present awards at a reception on Tuesday, May 5, at the 14^th Annual Exhibit and Contest for County of Union Employees and Their Families. The free reception and awards ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Gas Company, located in the Liberty Hall Center, 1085 Morris Avenue in Union.

“This show offers a chance for our Union County employees and family members to shine,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “The artwork that they do in their spare time is outstanding, and we are proud to display it in the beautiful atrium space of the Liberty Hall Center. We are grateful to Elizabethtown Gas for generously hosting the program and awards reception and to the National Arts Program Foundation for funding the prize awards.”

Presented in partnership with the National Arts Program®, the exhibit will be open weekdays until May 26, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“The Freeholders share the goal of the National Arts Program Foundation to reach as many people as possible of all ages, offering them a chance to show their creations,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “We invite you to view this exhibit of exceptional artwork at the Liberty Hall Center.”

The art exhibit will be judged by three prominent artists: Laura Brown, Peter Lester and Joan Pamboukes.

Laura Brown is an artist and teacher living and working in Union County. After receiving a BFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York, she went on to get a Post-Baccalaureate certificate to teach Fine Arts. Laura has taught Fine Arts in public schools in New York and New Jersey and is currently teaching art classes to both children and adults. She is a member of the Arts Guild of New Jersey and the Contemporary Art Group and serves on the board of the Westfield Art Association. She also continues to study, paint and exhibit regularly.

Peter Lester attended the Camberwell School of Art and the Heatherly School of Fine Arts in London and the School of Visual Arts in New York. At the Children’s Television Workshop, he was a Digital Artist, Art Director and Director of Art and Animation. Peter’s artwork has been exhibited at the Dianna Burke Gallery in New York, Gallery Aferro and City Without Walls in Newark. Among his clients are: Hooked on Phonics, The Karsten Foundation, Scholastic, Byron Price, National Geographic, and Digital Tape and Ink. Peter also teaches Photoshop and Digital Media at The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey in Summit.

Joan Pamboukes received her BFA from Massachusetts College of Art and her MFA at New Jersey City University. Her photography has been exhibited in numerous exhibitions at venues such as the Jersey City Museum, The Brooklyn Brewery, Gallery Aferro and City Without Walls in Newark, Chashama UpTown and Hunter College Times Square Gallery in New York. Joan also teaches photography at Long Island University in Brooklyn, the County College of Morris and at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey.

The National Arts Program® is in its 32^nd year with 82 annual programs reaching 450 cities in 38 states. The program was conceived by Leonard E.B. Andrews (1925 – 2009), an art collector, publisher, business executive and journalist, “for the encouragement and development of artistic expression.” The goal of the National Arts Program® is to provide an uninhibited opportunity for people to present their talent, at whatever level, in a free, public exhibition. The National Arts Program® is sponsored by The National Arts Program Foundation of Malvern, Pennsylvania. To learn more about the program, visit www.thenationalartsprogram.org.

Additional support for this event is provided by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth NJ 07202. Telephone (908) 558-2550 or e-mail: culturalinfo@ucnj.org. NJ relay users dial 711.

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that a “One-Stop” election service is available for Union County voters at the Westfield and Elizabeth offices of the County Clerk beginning on Monday, April 27.

“Eligible voters are able to apply for a Vote-By-Mail ballot for the New Jersey Primary Election in person at either of my offices, receive their ballot and cast the ballot at the same time,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “This one-stop voting service is available at my Westfield office as well as at the main office in Elizabeth. The deadline to apply for Vote-By-Mail for the June 2 Primary Election is May 26 by mail-in application; the deadline to apply in person is Monday, June 1 by 3 p.m.”

“The service in Westfield and Elizabeth makes voting more accessible, particularly at the Westfield office with its convenient Saturday office hours and evening hours during the week,” Ms. Rajoppi added. “With the important June 2 Primary Election for State Assembly, County and Municipal offices approaching quickly, my office is working to make the voting process as fast and convenient as we can for everyone who is registered to vote.”

Vote-By-Mail is an easy, secure process that has replaced the Absentee Ballot. Voters do not need to give a reason why they wish to Vote-By-Mail. To obtain an application form, voters also may pick up the form at their local municipal building; they can download the form at the Union County Clerk’s website: www.ucnj.org/vote-by-mail or on the free, downloadable Union County NJ Votes app; or they can contact the Union County Clerk at 908-527-4996. The Clerk’s website also includes a video that explains how to fill out the Vote-By-Mail application form.

The opportunity to Vote-By-Mail in Westfield and Elizabeth is another service available at the County Clerk’s two offices, along with passport application and renewal services, registration of Trade Names, and the application and swearing in of Notaries Public. 

The County Clerk’s Westfield Annex is located in the Colleen Fraser Building, 300 North Avenue East, Westfield 07090. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

The Main Office of the County Clerk is located at the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Room 113, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. Regular office hours in Elizabeth are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the launch of the 2015 Teen Arts Theatre Showcase, a new one-act play competition and learning experience for high school students throughout Union County.

Registration is now open to enter the competition. Students who qualify will produce their plays at Hamilton Stage, a professional performance venue in Rahway operated by the Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC).

“Union County has a rich pool of young talent in the performing arts, and the new Teen Arts Theatre Showcase will provide a unique opportunity for our students to develop their craft, learn from trained theatre professionals and educators, and perform on a professional stage,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh.

The Teen Arts Theatre Showcase is an expansion of the annual Teen Arts Festival, which features hundreds of student works in a wide variety of creative fields every spring.

Productions in the Teen Arts Theatre Showcase will be run entirely by students, so the actors and crews have an opportunity to develop strong leadership skills as well as critical thinking and problem-solving.

To be eligible, the production must be a 20 to 40 minute one-act play or musical presentation, with minimal use of set elements.

Qualified entrants will stage their productions on Tuesday, June 2 and Wednesday, June 3 at Hamilton Stage, and qualified judges will offer feedback and supportive critiques.

All entrants, including crews and actors, will also be invited to participate in a full day of theatre workshops and learning opportunities.

“The workshops are a great opportunity to enhance student learning and creative thinking, explore imagination, and promote teamwork and collaboration,” said Jalloh.

The Teen Arts Theatre Showcase competition will recognize productions for individual and group achievements in several categories. One special award for Best Overall Presentation will include an opportunity to present a fully staged production at UCPAC’s 1300-seat Mainstage, located at the historic Rahway Theatre in Rahway. The winning school may perform a play or musical of its choice. 

Registrations are open now through May 4, 2015. For more information and to register, visit ucnj.org.

 

Union County, NJ – A new date has been added to the ongoing series of free mold removal workshops being offered this spring, supported in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Attendance has been high and one workshop in the series is already booked to capacity.

At the free workshops, an experienced health and safety trainer demonstrates how to identify and safely remove mold from your home.

The new date is Thursday evening, May 28, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., at the Rahway Public Library.

The next upcoming workshop is Saturday April 25, 10:00 a.m. – noon at the Family Success Center in Plainfield.

Residents are welcome to attend any workshop in the series on a walk-in basis. Those who pre-register will receive a free mold mitigation kit and a moisture meter worth $75.

The remaining workshops still accepting walk-ins and pre-registrations are:

• Family Success Center, 209 Berckman Street, Plainfield on April 25, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Township Courthouse, 1409 Liberty Avenue, Hillside, on May 11, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Rahway Public Library, 2 City Hall Plaza, Rahway, on May 28, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.    
• Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue, Cranford, on June 6, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

To pre-register contact Andrea Navas, Public Health Planner, at the Union County Office of Health Management at 908-518-5630 or UCHEALTH@ucnj.org.

#  #

Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

 

 

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce a spring workshop, for adults ages 18 and older, that will teach participants how to make pressed flower collages  at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside on Saturday, May 9 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Acclaimed artist Beth Murphy’s flower collage artwork is currently being displayed at the Trailside Nature and Science Center from April to August.  On May 9^th, Ms. Murphy will demonstrate the process of flower pressing, while identifying the materials required and the proper preparation and techniques.  Participants will work with pressed botanical materials supplied by the instructor.  Basic design elements will be demonstrated.   Students will create a small collage on a card or bookmark to take home with them.  Visit www.bethmurphybotanicals.com to view Beth Murphy’s collection.  The fee is $25 for residents of Union County and $30 for out-of-county residents.  Light refreshments will be served.  Pre-registration for this program is required; walk-ins will be accommodated as space/materials permit. 

“This program offers a rare opportunity to work with a talented artist.  Surrounded by the scenic Watchung Reservation, participants are sure to be inspired,” says Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh.     

For more information about this workshop or other activities at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside.  Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents and travelers to be aware of temporary traffic pattern changes related to the replacement of the Goethels Bridge.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which is undertaking the project, has provided the following information for Friday night, April 24:

NJ Turnpike Access – One Night Closure

On Friday April 24^th, starting at 11pm and ending at 7am (Saturday) the new Goethals Bridge contractor will close one NJ bound lane on the NJ side of the Goethals Bridge that brings drivers to the NJ Turnpike Interchange 13.  The reason is to enable construction for a portion of the new temporary ramp that will be part of the traffic pattern change for the U-Turn on I-278 and the Goethals Bridge access ramp from NJ Turnpike Interchange 13. Drivers will be routed to the U-Turn to access the NJ Turnpike during the closure.

U-Turn & Goethals Bridge access ramp from NJ Turnpike Interchange 13 (New Traffic Pattern)

This new traffic pattern will start on May 3^rd at 9 a.m. and affect travelers getting on and off the Goethals Bridge from the NJ Turnpike Exit 13 and Cole Place in Elizabeth.

Construction of a temporary U-Turn on I-278 in Linden to bring drivers to the Goethals Bridge.

Closure of a Bridge access ramp in Elizabeth (Cole Place) and re-route drivers to the Temporary U-Turn for access to the Bridge.

VMS signage will be added to the roadway before the U-Turn exit to alleviate error of traveling towards Linden and missing the left side exit for the U-Turn.  The proposed signage will have two panels reading:  Goethals and Turnpike, Keep left.

The temporary ramp and roads remain in use until the traffic is re-routed onto the new Eastbound Goethals Bridge structure, currently forecasted by end of 2016.

It is anticipated that there will be minimal delays and closures as the replacement Goethals Bridge will be built directly alongside the existing bridge. Future impact on bridge traffic would primarily occur during the transition from the existing bridge to the new bridge.

A PANYNJ brochure and map describing the Goethals Bridge Replacement Project is available on the County website, ucnj.org.

#  #

Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

 

 

Union County, NJ – A beautiful green heron was saved from a painful end in Lenape Park last week, when County volunteers and personnel came to the rescue and freed the bird from an errant fishing line.

“Thanks to the quick thinking of our citizens and County employees, this graceful bird can continue to enrich the habitat of Lenape Park,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I’d like to thank everyone who pitched in to help. It is very reassuring to know that so many people are willing to take the time to help preserve wildlife in our parks.”

The drama began on April 15, when the heron was spotted hanging in a tree over the lake at Lenape Park by Union County resident David Bernstein, an avid birder who visits the park regularly. He alerted County volunteer Natalie Gregorio, who contacted the County.

Personnel from the County Police Division, Department of Parks and Recreation, and Department of Public Works and Facilities all responded to the call, along with the Westfield Fire Department.

County personnel rowed out to a spot in the lake below the bird, cut it free, and secured it in a net to bring it on shore.

After calming the bird by wrapping it in a towel, they carefully cut away the fishing lines that were tangled around its beak and legs, and then let it rest briefly in a covered box.

The bird flew away when the cover was lifted, apparently none the worse for its brush with death.

Union County’s original parks system was designed in the 1920’s to provide for nature conservation as well as public recreation. It was among the very first county-based parks systems ever established in the U.S. Today, hundreds of plant and animal species flourish side by side with more than 500,000 Union County residents and visitors.

To help preserve wildlife in County parks, anglers are urged to be aware of lake-dwelling, foraging birds like the green heron when casting a line, and to properly dispose of unwanted lines, hooks, and other equipment.

Everyone who enjoys Union County parks can join with hundreds of other residents and visitors who participate in the County’s Adopt-a-Park program each year, to work on clean-up events and other habitat preservation projects.

For information on Adopt-a-Park and all other programs and activities in Union County parks, visit ucnj.org.

#  #

Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.