County of Union, New Jersey

Contract could bring more than $2.1 million in annual revenues to County

LINDEN, NJ— The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will vote on a measure that could clear the way for the County of Union to accept juvenile detention detainees from Hudson County into the County’s Detention Center in Linden.  Approval of the measure next Thursday would clear the way to finalize a two-year contract that could bring $2.1 million annually in additional revenues to Union County.

Under the proposed terms of the contract, Hudson County would pay Union County $230 per day per juvenile detainee over the first year and $240 per day during the second year.  The contract would guarantee that at least 20 juveniles be housed at the Union County facility. Hudson County, on the other end, would realize as much as $5 million in savings from shipping detainees to the Union County Juvenile Detention Center in Linden.

“This is an example of good governmental policy that would maximize the revenue potential of an asset the County has in our newer Juvenile Detention Center,” Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak said.  “We are optimistic a final arrangement will be worked out soon.”

In March, 2008, Union County replaced its former thirty-four bed detention facility with a state of the art, 76-bed, 70,000 square foot facility.  While the facility is first and foremost a secure detention center, its overarching theme is to promote the concept of normative justice where secure detention is viewed as an opportunity to change behavior in a way that will benefit the offender, family and the community at-large.

In another measure that raises revenue, Union County announced in 2009  it had executed a contract—that is still ongoing–with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (DH&H) to provide 10 beds at its Juvenile Detention Center.  The contract generates more than $1 million in annual revenues to County coffers.  The children held in the detention center under this agreement have been involved in the juvenile justice system and have left their country of origin for multiple reasons such as to rejoin family members already in the U.S., to escape abusive family relationships, fleeing political or religious persecution or to find work to support their families in their country of origin.

Through its Division of Unaccompanied Children’s Services (DUCS), the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services is responsible for providing a safe and appropriate environment from the time these children are placed in custody, reunified with family members or sponsors in the U.S. or until they are removed to their country of origin by the Department of Homeland Security.

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Gala for Miss Italy – The embrace of riberesi Clarissa

Press Release Translated Using Google Translate

Last but not least, at the conclusion of the trip in Canada and New York, Miss Clarissa Italy Marchese received Monday night at the Renaissance Hotel in Elizabeth, New Jersey the collective embrace of his countrymen of Ribera that abound in the Garden State.

With tricolor sash of Miss Italy, Clarissa has made its entry in the hall to applause, wearing a long dress in light blue with the crown of queen, surrounded by a group of diligent children who have competed to deliver flowers.

To receive the eleventh Sicilian to win the title of Miss Italy, his fellow citizens residing in and around Elizabeth have even prepared an ad hoc committee that organized the gala in his honor.

The evening was attended by members and families of Ribera Italian American Cultural Center, in addition to guests including Mayor Elizabeth Christian Bollwage, the president of the city council and the mayor Manuel Grova Ribera Carmelo Pace and the chairman of the Cultural Center of Elizabeth Stefano Bongiovi.

“I am excited at the welcome gala in my honor, after many visits and institutional meetings” said Clarissa, demand among its friends overseas who know the mother Marisa Fidanza present at the event, was born and raised in Elizabeth, before returning to live in Ribera.

Twenty years, a gorgeous smile, a typical Mediterranean beauty, hair and brown eyes, 1.78 meters high, Clarissa was crowned in Jesolo and has expressed a desire to cross the ocean and go to visit as an “ambassador good will “to raise awareness of global issues such as poverty and disease.

“I countrymen in Ribera Ribera in Italy and in America” ​​began the mayor Peace. “I do not know where they are more, I can definitely say that the most affectionate, those who want more good, not to me but to the city of Ribera, are citizens who are in America.”

Carmelo Pace told to America Today his experience among riberesi here during the frequent visits.

“Tale experiences, emotions and affection that come to me as mayor, not because my name is Carmelo Pace, but because I represent the city and the citizens who live in Ribera who have not experienced these emotions can not understand, even through my words, through the images. You straordinatrio, is something exceptional bond that still exists between citizens ribanesi in America and hometown. “

And while the younger generation Italian-American running in search of their roots, history and culture, the mayor expressed his hope that the relationship that joins the Atlantic remains solid.

“I hope that this research and the relationship can continue over time.”

Then, speaking in particular of those abroad, Pace added: “The love even more the citizens of Ribera and not only in words. I riberesi overseas have been extremely generous in building our orphanage and for many years have contributed its maintenance. Every day there are demonstrations of affection and solidarity with the neediest citizens who live in Ribera “.

Will be celebrated oranges dell’agrigentino that nourish the future queens for the title of Miss: last year another girl Ribera had come second, this year has risen to Olympus Clarissa Marquis.

“This year we were lucky with the most beautiful in Italy. Now – added the mayor kidding – there is a scientific explanation: it means that oranges of Ribera they become beautiful girls and ouncil at all.”

Liborio Firetto did the honors by completing the evening’s program with professional make.

“It is the first time that I happen to present Miss Italy and I’m very proud. They are thoroughbreds riberese” Firetto assured that the question of whether they are more numerous here in Italy or his fellow citizens, he replied “half are here, many maintain Italian citizenship. “

Foil drew a little picture of the desire of exciting new generations to discover the origins through return trips and the Italian language.

“I have two sons who are so proud, went to Italy and again, especially when they were younger and wanted impapare the Italian language because they wanted to interact with friends, family and anyone who met”.

UNION COUNTY, NJ—In light of the recent developments in Ferguson, Mo. and Staten Island, NY, Assemblyman Jerry Green announced he would partner with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders to put together an informal panel of government, community and professional leaders in an effort to improve outreach between law enforcement and the County’s minority populations.

Green, who initiated the panel, noted he is also in the process of reaching out to past and present law enforcement officials, as well as setting up a meeting with the State Police Benevolent Association.

“I bring state resources to the discussion which would assist in providing a comprehensive list of ideas,” Green said. “As a legislator, I also stand prepared to draft any measures that would be needed as well from the state perspective.”

Green reached out to the Freeholder Board to participate in the effort.

“This is an appropriate time to talk about relations between law enforcement entities and the communities they police,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “We are happy to facilitate this panel, and look forward to providing ideas and discussing new services that may be needed.”

The County has the resources of the County Police, the Prosecutor’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office, the Police Academy, the Department of Human Services, and various youth outreach programs already in place.

Green said his panel is in formation, with the intent of holding internal discussions within the next few weeks.

Union County, NJ – This weekend, Rahway will be the scene of an epic collision of the worlds of Charles Dickens and Dr. Seuss in the family-fun comedy A Seussified Christmas Carol. Presented by Fearless Productions and sponsored in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the City of Rahway, Liberty Harley-Davidson & Buell and The Waiting Room, this whacky and wonderful play by Peter Bloedel will take the stage at the Union County Performing Arts Center this weekend for three performances only – Saturday, December 13 at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 14 at 1:00 p.m. Proceeds from the performances will benefit The Community FoodBank of New Jersey.

“The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to support access to local live community theatre for families throughout Union County,” said Freeholder Vice-Chairman Mohamed Jalloh. “It is because of the capacity for impact that the arts have on people – individually and collectively – that the Freeholder Board is committed to supporting the arts in Union County.”

A Seussified Christmas Carol is a whimsical reinvention of Dickens’ most beloved Christmas story delivered as wacky rhyming couplets in the spirit of classic Dr. Seuss. With zoot-fruited juices and binka bird geese, from Bed-Headed Fred to Timmy Loo Hoo, this tale of glorious holiday cheer is just what the doctor (Seuss) ordered!

Don’t miss your chance to experience this wacky twist of a holiday tale that will entertain the whole family on a “seussmic” scale!

Performances of A Seussified Christmas Carol are this weekend Saturday, December 13 at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 14 at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are just $15 general admission and can be purchased online at ucpac.org or call the UCPAC box office at 732-499-8226. Student and senior tickets are available for just $10 at the box office only with ID.

Bring the entire family to experience the whimsical telling of the classic tale of Scrooge and the spirit of Christmas on the Mainstage at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway.

Union County Freeholder Angel G. Estrada joined Santa at the Union County Tree and Menorah Lighting Celebration during the 31^stannual Holiday Nature Craft Show at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Every holiday season for 17 years, Union County Sheriff’s Officers have set up their “Tree of Hope” in the courthouse seeking donations of toys and clothing for needy children throughout the county. Each year the response has been overwhelming.

The “Tree of Hope” was first planted in 1997 when officers encountered children in the courts who were going to experience a less than happy holiday season. The children the officers encountered were homeless or living in shelters, were victims of domestic violence or medically fragile. Their parents or guardians did not have the financial ability to provide holiday gifts.

Every year since the “Tree of Hope” committee have erected a tree in the Union County Courthouse featuring paper ornaments. Volunteers make the ornaments and write a particular gift on each one.

“These caring officers do a tremendous job in helping these children,” acting Sheriff Joseph Cryan said. “It is important not to forget those kids who are less fortunate.”

Monetary donations to help provide additional gifts are also being sought.

Contributions of money (tax-deductible), toys and clothing can be sent to: Union County Sheriff’s Officers Tree of Hope, Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, N.J., 07207. For more information, call the “Tree of Hope” hotline at 908-629-2158.