County of Union, New Jersey

CRANFORD, NJ  – The Raritan Valley Rail Coalition (RVRC) held an Open House meeting in Cranford on Monday evening to inform commuters and residents about the campaign for an equitable number of ‘one seat’ trains (direct into NYC).

“We were very pleased with the turnout,” said RVRC Chairman and Somerset Country Freeholder Peter Palmer.  “We were even more pleased with NJ TRANSIT’s announcement that they will find the money somehow to institute after 8 pm ‘one seat’ service as of January 2015.  This brings us one step closer to the ultimate goal of ‘one seat’ service during peak hours.”

In an interview with Transportation Radio, RVRC Vice Chairman Tom Jardim said “We need to motivate and rally every single rider along the Raritan Valley Line and beyond. . . because it affects all of us in every community.  They need to start pushing legislators and NJ TRANSIT to give us a complete ‘one seat’ ride…it’s a matter of fairness and equity.”

Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr attended as the head of RVRC’s coalition of Mayors.  “It was wonderful to see so many people come out, even all the way from Hunterdon County. There were many excellent questions and comments, all with one common theme – that Raritan Valley riders want equity when it comes to service from NJT and that means scheduling ‘one seat’ ride trains during peak commuting hours.”

Many public officials attended the meeting to show support for ‘one seat’ service, including Assemblywoman Linda Stender, State Senator Tom Kean, Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski, Alexander Mirabella, Bruce Bergen and Linda Carter, Westfield Mayor Andy Skibitsky, Roselle Park Mayor Joseph Accardi, Cranford Mayor Andis Kalnins, Cranford Deputy Mayor Lisa Adubato, Roselle Park Councilman Carl Hokanson, Scotch Plains Councilman Llewellyn Jones, Fanwood Councilman Jack Molenaar, Westfield Councilmen Keith Loughlin and Mark LoGrippo,  Somerville Councilwoman Amanda O’Neill and Somerville Councilman Thompson Mitchell.

Questions:  Contact Mindy Scarlett 908-499-9298  or  info@raritanvalleyrail.com.

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee invites the public to attend a free memorial ceremony honoring Civil War veterans, entitled “Letters from the Front,” and view a new display of Civil War correspondence in the Civil War Exhibition at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth on Wednesday, November 12, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

“Union County is honored to have veterans and relatives of veterans participate in this special Civil War memorial event as we commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the 1861-65 conflict,” said Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, chairman of the committee. “We welcome visitors to the Courthouse to learn more about the experiences of Union County residents during the Civil War through correspondence between members of the military and their families.”

Among the scheduled speakers on Nov. 12 will be Henry Bassman, commander of American Legion Lindsey-Street Post 322 in Summit; Berley Hanna Jr., past-commander of American Legion Post 499 in Rahway; Army veteran Vincent DeTrolio, former Union County Undersheriff; Navy veteran Lester Sargent, former Chief Warrant Officer in the Union County Sheriff’s Office; Janice Robner Black of Union and Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, both of whom will read letters written by their relatives.

“Letters from the Front” will include Civil War soldiers’ correspondence from Chauncey Harris of Elizabeth, Edward C. Jones of Plainfield, Walter Morrel Bramhall of Rahway, John D. Hamilton of New Brunswick, Peter Vredenburgh Jr. of Monmouth County, and Alfred Atkins of Ulster County, New York. Music will be provided by Deborah Schnaph, Mel Freda and Mary Heller. Committee member Tom Plante will read a selection from the Civil War writings of poet Walt Whitman.

The memorial ceremony “Letters from the Front” will be presented in the Courtroom of the Hon. Karen M. Cassidy, Assignment Judge of the Superior Court, at 2:00 p.m. To reserve a seat for the lecture, please call 908-527-4999.

The Civil War Exhibition is on display until 2015 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. The displays will change from time to time. Anyone wishing to loan historical artifacts from the Civil War era for the exhibit can contact committee member Katherine Craig at 908-282-7617. All objects will be secured, locked and acknowledged.

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WESTFIELD, NJ – For a limited time only, the Union County Clerk’s offices in Westfield and Elizabeth are offering free passport photographs as a special incentive for residents to apply for a passport or a passport renewal. From Monday, Nov. 10, through Saturday, Nov. 15, the normal $10 cost of each photograph will be waived when a resident applies for a new passport or a passport renewal.

“With winter vacations just around the corner, now is the time to make sure your passport is up-to-date,” said Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi. “My offices are helping travelers save on their vacation expenses by providing free photographs for those who apply for a passport while still providing a full range of passport services with no need for an appointment.”

“Some countries require passports to be valid for an additional three to six months after your visit,” Rajoppi added. “If your passport is due to expire within six months of your international travel, you should renew your passport to ensure a smoother journey.”

U.S. citizens must present a valid passport book when entering or re-entering the United States by air. U.S. citizens entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean islands and Bermuda at land borders and sea ports of entry must present a passport book, passport card, or other travel documents approved by the U.S. government.

“Our Elizabeth office opens at 7:30 a.m. and it has experienced, helpful, English and Spanish-speaking certified passport agents ready to assist you in any way we can,” Rajoppi said. “Our Westfield office, which opens at 8 a.m. weekdays, has convenient evening and Saturday hours and also is fully staffed.”

Information about the cost and how to apply for a passport book and/or passport card is available athttp://travel.state.gov. U.S. citizens may also obtain passport information by phone, in English and Spanish, by calling the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 1-877-487-2778.

Passport application forms may be obtained at the County Clerk’s main office in the Union County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth or at the Colleen Fraser Building at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. Applications for passports and related information also can be found online at:www.ucnj.org/Passports.

The Westfield office is the only County Clerk’s office in the state that is open during evening hours. It is open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday; from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The telephone number in Westfield is 908-654-9859.

The Elizabeth office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The telephone number in Elizabeth is 908-527-4966. Clients are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to closing time to allow for staff assistance with the passport process.

For more information about obtaining a U.S. passport, please call 908-527-4966.

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Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds residents that a new mobile app is available to help them connect quickly and easily with accurate information about voting and elections. The app,Union County Votes, is downloadable free of charge through a QR code, and through the Apple and Android app stores.

“With one week to go before Election Day, there is still plenty of time to get your free Union County Votesdownload,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “The new app provides you with important information about the democratic process, right at your fingertips.”

The new Union County Votes app enables voters to find their polling place, view sample ballots, follow unofficial election results in real time, and much more.  Union County Votes also enables users to receive automatic notifications in case of unplanned changes to the election schedule, including changes in polling places such as occurred in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Along with 15 distinct functions, Union County Votes features easy-to-customize tabs that enable each user to flag their favorites for quick access. A version in Spanish is available, and countdowns to Election Day and poll closing time are also featured.

Of the more than 3,000 counties in the U.S., Union County is one of only two that offer this type of free information service for mobile devices.

Union County Votes is available now for free download at both the Apple and Android app stores, or by QR code. A free QR reader is also available in your App Store.

For more information about Union County Votes including a downloadable Fact Sheet with QR codes, and for all other services of the Union County Clerk, visit ucnj.org/ctyclerk or call 908-527-4787.

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Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados and Vernell Wright marched in the 63^rd Annual Halloween Parade in Linden on Sunday, October 26. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is a proud supporter of the Linden Halloween Parade. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

(From left) Acting Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan and Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella congratulate the winners of the 4^th Annual Union County Sheriff’s Pistol Competition at the Union County Sheriff’s Firearms Training Facility in Springfield. Officer Craig Howlett of the Roselle Police Department won 1^st Place. Officer Elliott Bernard of the Fanwood Police Department took 2^nd Place. Officer Javier Perez of the Linden Police Department took 3^rd Place. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Mohamed Jalloh (2^nd L) and Freeholder Sergio Granados (R)  present resolutions to (from 3^rd left) Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, attorney Daniel McCarthy and Roselle Mayor Jamel Holley congratulating them on being honored by Community Access Unlimited (CAU) at the organization’s 34^th Annual Gala Dinner Dance in Mountainside. They are joined by CAU Executive Director Sidney Blanchard (L).

Mayor Holley was named Humanitarian of the Year.  Assemblyman Bramnick received the Public Leadership Award. Daniel McCarthy received the Ira Geller Award.

For more information about CAU, a multi-faceted, human services agency that provides support services for at-risk youth and people with disabilities, please visit www.caunj.org.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholders Bruce Bergen and Bette Jane Kowalski (center) joined elected officials from Summit, Springfield, members of the Union County Open Space Trust Fund Public Advisory Committee, and officials from the State Department of Environmental Protection (Green Acres), and the Briant Park Olmsted Conservancy in breaking ground for the restoration of Briant Park in Summit and Springfield.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders approved a grant of $275,000 from the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund that will match a state Green Acres grant received by the Briant Park Olmsted Conservancy. With the Trust Fund grant, the total of available funding for the improvement project will be $550,000.

The new improvements will include a gazebo to provide a sheltered seating area, and a new nature trail. The new trail will be laid with wood chips to complement the natural feel of the park environment.

Other improvements include new plantings and soil restoration, pruning and removal of dead trees, new benches including wheelchair access to seating areas, period sign posts, restoration of a retaining wall on the west slope, and aesthetic improvements to an existing footbridge.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)