County of Union, New Jersey

Union County, NJ – Major storms and heavy rains have left a trail of mold in homes around Union County over the past several years. To help homeowners identify a mold problem and take steps to remove it, seven free mold workshops have been scheduled in Linden, Elizabeth Plainfield, Roselle, Hillside, Westfield, and Cranford.

Union County residents can attend any of the seven sessions. Those who pre-register will receive a free mold mitigation kit and a moisture meter worth $75.

“Mold has been a health issue in many communities that were affected by flooding Hurricane Irene, Superstorm Sandy, and other recent storms,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “If you think mold is in your home, I encourage you to come to one of the workshops.”

Mold can stain walls and ceilings, and cause other property damage.

The health effects of mold exposure include nasal and throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation and in some cases skin irritation. Individuals at highest risk include those with pre-existing health conditions such as allergies, lung conditions, asthma or emphysema, as well as infants and the elderly. Persons who suspect they might have symptoms of mold exposure should contact a physician. 

At the workshops, attendees will learn how to identify and safely remove mold. The presenter will be an experienced health and safety trainer from the New Jersey Work Environment Council and the International Chemical Workers Council for Health.

The seven workshops are:

• Borough Hall Court House, 210 Chestnut Street, Roselle on April 23, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• 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.
• Froehlich Building, 300 North Avenue East, Westfield, on May 20, 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.     (NEW)
• Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue, Cranford, on June 6, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Pre-registration is preferred, though walk-ins will be accepted. To register contact Andrea Navas, Public Health Planner, at the Union County Office of Health Management at 908-518-5630 or UCHEALTH@ucnj.org.

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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 elected officials visited Community Access Unlimited’s Community Networking Breakfast held the morning of March26th at the Suburban Golf Club in Union.  Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce Bergen also delivered remarks on behalf of the County of Union during the morning agenda.

The Community Access Unlimited’s Community Network is a group of representatives from Union County businesses and public officials who are dedicated to changing people’s lives for the better. The purpose of the Community is to build relationships to improve the lives of people with disabilities and at-risk-youth and to strengthen business relationships.

l. to r. Sid Blanchard, Executive Director of Community Access Unlimited, Freeholder Vernell Wright, County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, and Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Union County, NJ – A chilly, windy spring will eventually give way to warmer weather, so plans are already way for the annual Union County Bio-Blitz in June. Bio-Blitz is a 24-hour, ‘round the clock nature survey that provides a snapshot of wildlife and plant life in County parks, with the generous help of volunteer scientists and naturalists.

“Whether you are a professional or a seasoned amateur, you are welcome to join a field team and help us assess the flora and fauna that enrich our County parks,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “Bio-Blitz provides a window into the amazing diversity that exists side-by-side with thousands of County residents.”

Scientists and naturalists are needed to help sample, observe, identify, and record the plant and animal species, including fungi and insects, that make their homes in Union County parks.

Bio-Blitz takes place in a different location each year. This year’s Bio-Blitz, scheduled for June 12 and 13, will take place within more than 2,000 acres of forests, fields, wetlands, streams, and lakes in the Watchung Reservation.

“Watchung is by far our largest — and wildest — park, so this year’s Bio-Blitz promises to be both interesting and challenging for our volunteers,” said Jalloh. “If you are a professional scientist or a knowledgeable amateur, you can register to join one of our field teams online at ucnj.org/bio-blitz/expert.”

In addition to the scientific surveys, Bio-Blitz includes exhibits, displays, and free public walk-in activities for children and adults. Information on this year’s public walk-in activities will be available soon.

For more information about joining Bio-Blitz as a scientist or knowledgeable amateur, or to reserve an exhibit table, visit ucnj.org/bio-blitz or contact Betty Ann Kelly at bkelly@ucnj.org.

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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 Clerk Joanne Rajoppi hosted an educational seminar open to all Notaries Public featuring Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh, Esq. as the main speaker at the John H. Stamler Police Academy in Scotch Plains.

The Notary Public course is a new service being offered by the Office of the Union County Clerk. It is designed to instruct Notaries Public on how to perform their duties with confidence and diligence. Notaries will learn about the new online application process and the legal aspects of performing the duties of a Notary Public in an effort to avoid liability issues.

The Union County Clerk’s Office administers Oaths of Office to commissioned Notaries at two convenient locations in Westfield and Elizabeth. The Elizabeth office, located at 2 Broad Street, Room 114, is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Westfield Annex Office, located in the Colleen Fraser Building, 300 North Avenue East, in Westfield, is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

For more information, call the Union County Clerk’s Office, 908-527-4787.

Photo credit: Jim Lowney/County of Union

ELIZABETH, NJ – The conclusion of the American Civil War will be the subject of a special lecture by Dr. Jonathan Lurie of Rutgers University on Wednesday, April 15, at 2:00 p.m. at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Sponsored by the Union County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee, the free afternoon event entitled “The Ongoing Relevance of the Civil War: Ambiguity and Ambivalence” is open to the public and includes exhibits about the Civil War and a special display case focusing on President Abraham Lincoln.

“As we commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the end of the Civil War, we are honored to have Dr. Jonathan Lurie speak here about the legacy of the conflict,” said Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, chairwoman of the committee. “We welcome visitors to the Courthouse to learn more about the Civil War, the presidency of Abraham Lincoln and the experiences of Union County residents during the war.”

Dr. Lurie is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of History at Rutgers University (Newark), where he was a Professor of History and Law from 1985 to 2009. During his career at Rutgers, Dr. Lurie also was a Visiting Fellow in Law and History at Harvard Law School; an Historian and Archivist to the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces; and a Visiting Professor of Law at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

The lecture by Dr. Lurie will be presented in the Courtroom of the Hon. Karen M. Cassidy, Assignment Judge of the Superior Court, at 2 p.m. Musicians from the Continuo Arts Foundation will perform songs from the Civil War era. To reserve a seat, please call 908-527-4999.

The Civil War Exhibition is on display until May in the rotunda of the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street in historic midtown Elizabeth. The exhibit may be viewed weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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