County of Union

Contract could provide an additional $800,000 to County

 

Linden, NJ-The County of Union has agreed to enter into a contract with the County of Bergen to provide up to 20 secure detention beds for its juvenile detention population.

The contract could generate $800,000 in annual revenues to County coffers and will run from November 1, 2010 thru October 31, 2011. The agreement is pending formal approval by the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission.

“This agreement with Bergen County allows us to reduce the annual detention budget which costs approximately $6 million a year,” said Freeholder Chairman Daniel P. Sullivan.

No new costs will be incurred by the county and no additional staffing will be needed as a result of the additional juveniles. All transportation including court appearances to and from Bergen County will be provided by the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department.

In March 2008, Union County replaced its thirty-four bed detention facility in Elizabeth with a new state of the art 76 –bed facility in Linden. While the new 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.

During the 24 month construction period leading up to the March 2008 opening, Union County was also chosen by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the State of New Jersey to become a Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative (JDAI) site. This distinction, along with the County’s own juvenile detention expediting team that provides a case plan and follow up for every juvenile in the County’s system, has brought a systemic change to our Family court system.   These changes helped create alternatives to detention through support and use of community based programs and developed partnerships with child welfare agencies that resulted in a dramatic decrease in the average daily detention census at the detention center.

In June of 2009, the county entered into a contract with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to provide 15 beds for undocumented juveniles needing secure placement pending the disposition of their resident status in Newark federal court. 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. This agreement was the first of its type in the tri-state area, and one of only five such arrangements in the nation. To date, that contract has generated over $1.2 million in budget offsets.

 

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The Volunteers Guild of RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital of Union County at 40 Watchung Way, Berkeley Heights will feature a sale by Reese Fine Jewelry on Friday, October 22nd from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Come to the facility’s multi-purpose room and view the impressive selection of 14 karat gold and sterling silver pieces. The sale will feature necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, anklets and more. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express will be accepted.

The public is invited to attend RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital product sales. A percentage of all purchases made at these sales is credited to the Volunteers Guild. Funds raised are used to enrich the lives of residents and patients by obtaining items that may include prizes for bingo games and paying for entertainment. The Guild, which makes vendor sales possible, also sponsors a holiday party/gift distribution in cooperation with the Berkeley Heights Lions Club.

“Get an early start to your holiday shopping while supporting the residents and patients at RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital when you shop at the sales of the RUNNELLS Volunteers Guild,” noted Union County Freeholder Mohamed S. Jalloh, liaison to RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital.

The Volunteers Guild and the Office of Volunteer Services of RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital are always interested in recruiting volunteers. Flexible hours and a variety of opportunities exist with resident contact as well as performing other tasks. Anyone who would like further information should call the Office of Volunteer Services at 908-771-5847

Union County’s school and health department nurses are invited to attend a symposium entitled “Understanding Pediatric & Adolescent Immunizations” which will be held at The Westwood, 438 North Avenue in Garwood on Thursday, October 28th. The program is made possible by GlaxoSmithKline in partnership with Union County’s Immunization Program.

“Union County’s Immunization Program, located at 342 Westminster Ave. in Elizabeth, is a joint venture of Runnells Specialized Hospital of Union County and the county’s Department of Human Services,” noted Union County Freeholder Mohamed S. Jalloh, liaison to RUNNELLS. “This vital program enables Union County to reach out and protect the health of families throughout our county.”

The lecture will be presented by Geralyn Prosswimmer, MD, FAAP, a fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics; Medical Director of Hunterdon Pediatric Associates and an active member of the staff of the Hunterdon Medical Center. Dr. Prosswimmer participates in clinical research and clinical management.

The objective of the symposium is to update school and health department nurses concerning immunizations, expanding vaccine schedules and the risk of not vaccinating children which can result in secondary infections, particularly in young children and adolescents.

Two professional development hours have been granted for RN’s by the New Jersey Department of Education/Office of Program Support.

The buffet dinner will be at 5:30 p.m., followed by the lecture. Seating is limited; therefore Union County school and health department nurses who are interested in attending must register their reservation as soon as possible. The deadline for registration is October 15th. Only email reservations to Maria Rodriguez at mrodriguez@ucnj.org will be accepted.

Summer is officially over and soon the leaves will be turning beautiful colors. The vacations are behind us as we settle into out autumn schedules and the kids are back in school.

During this change of seasons, we may need some reminders of the needs of our children and the services that are available from our law enforcement agencies.

Some parents may not know that New Jersey is the only state in the country that has legislation providing a “Fingerprint on File” service be available to our children and their parents. The long-running program began when the public was traumatized by child abductions.

With statistics revealing that nearly a million children are reported lost or missing each year the community looked to law enforcement for new ways to protect children. The fingerprinting program was a simply way to identify our young people. Parents receive a card featuring the child’s fingerprints and personal information. In case a child is reported missing, the card provides police with important data.

Other children’s safety programs are available to help protect our young people. The Union County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of Dr. Freda Remmer and her students at Kean University, developed a book for children to teach them how to properly react in a potentially dangerous situation. The book, “Play It Safe,” was carefully designed to present different scenarios for children to role play as they think out the right course of action. The book is available at no cost in English and Spanish.

Firearms are one of the principle causes of death among American children today. The Sheriff’s Office has developed videos to educate children and teens about the dangers of firearms. These videos, “Get Away Get a Grown-Up” and “Teens and Guns: An American Tragedy,” have been shown in schools all over Union County.

Now we are offering a new video about gun safety called “Silence Kills.” It was made by some very talented students from Hillside High School, the winners of the Union County Gun Awareness Contest.

We also offer, at no charge, locking devices for legally registered firearms to help kept guns properly secured at home.

Under the innovative “Project Lifesaver” program, individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, autism or other debilitating disorders are outfitted with a watch-sized transmitter that can be tracked by the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit if the individual is reported missing or lost. New Jersey is the only state in the country that provides state-wide “Project Lifesaver” coverage.

Please take advantage of these services to help protect our children and our senior citizens. Prevention and education are paramount. For information about any of these programs, please call the Union County Sheriff’s Office at 908-527-4450.

 

Ralph Froehlich

Union County Sheriff

ELIZABETH, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi helps to sortsome of the “Vote By Mail” application forms that have been received at her office. Registered voters may pick up a Vote By Mail application form at their local municipal building; they can download the form at the County Clerk’s website: https://ucnj.org/government/county-clerk/vote-by-mail or they can contact the Clerk’s Office at 908-527-4996.

 

ELIZABETH, NJ – With the Nov. 2 General Election just a few weeks away, Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds voters that applications are available so they can “Vote By Mail.”

“The new Vote By Mail application form is available in every municipality in Union County and on-line,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “My office is working to make the voting process as fast and convenient as we can for everyone who is eligible. We have conducted outreach via the Internet, brochures, an educational video and speaking engagements to advise voters about this alternative, secure, efficient way of voting.”

Currently the Union County Clerk’s Office has processed 5,000 application forms to Vote By Mail and expects the number to grow and far exceed the 6,000 applications processed in 2006 before the last mid-term election.

Registered voters are encouraged to Vote By Mail, an easy process which has replaced Absentee Voting. To obtain an application form, voters may pick up the form at their local municipal building; they can download the form at the Union County Clerk’s website:https://ucnj.org/government/county-clerk/vote-by-mail 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 Office of the County Clerk is located at the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Room 113, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. Regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Honor Guard members from the Union County Sheriff’s Officer, the Union County Dept. of Corrections and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office join the Elizabeth Police and Fire Honor Guard in firing a salute on the steps of the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth during Union County’s annual remembrance ceremony honoring prisoners of war and those missing in action (POW/MIA). National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed each year on the third Friday of September. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Daniel Sullivan (R) and Freeholder Angel G. Estrada listen to Loretta Vogel Hasenauer of Linden read a Tribute to Our Veterans outside the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth during Union County’s annual remembrance ceremony honoring prisoners of war and those missing in action (POW/MIA). National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed each year on the third Friday of September. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Daniel Sullivan (L) and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (2nd R) congratulate Union County native Kathleen A. Naymola on her 35 years of service to the residents of Union County as Director of Community Development for the U.S. Department of Housing and Community Development in Newark. They are joined by Al Faella, Director of Union County’s Department of Parks and Community Renewal.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced that a federal grant of $2,601,755 has been distributed to benefit communities at risk of home foreclosures and abandonment.  Union County received the funding under the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), which helps protect communities from the impact of blighted properties.

“This is a significant grant and I am proud of the teamwork by Union County and our partner agencies, which worked together to ensure that our application was accurately documented,” said Freeholder Chairman Daniel P. Sullivan. “I am looking forward to seeing the positive effects that these projects will have in communities across Union County.”

The Freeholder Board also expects Union County to receive additional NSP funding of more than $1.5 million next year.

The $2.6 million in funding is designated for acquiring and rehabilitating existing housing, constructing new housing, and demolishing derelict properties. Approximately 70 affordable rental housing units will be developed, in one-to-four family homes and apartment buildings.

“Aside from restoring blighted properties, NSP funding also puts more people to work in construction jobs, and that helps to draw more customers into local businesses,” said Sullivan. “It’s an important kick-start for the Union County economy.”

As stipulated by the terms of the grant, the funds were targeted to Elizabeth, Hillside, Linden, Plainfield, Rahway, and Roselle. In its capacity as grant administrator, Union County distributed the funds to 84-86 First Street Housing LLC, Brand New Day, City of Elizabeth, Magill Real Estate LLC, City of Plainfield, Domus Corporation, Community Access Unlimited, and Township of Hillside.

Work on the projects is expected to begin this fall.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce an exciting array of children’s programs being offered this fall at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside.

“This exciting fall program schedule, with its nature-related activities, outdoor experiences and new adventures in the world of science, is sure to have something to delight every child,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Deborah Scanlon, liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

For children, ages 3 or 4, with an adult, Trailside offers “Two of Us,” an interactive program that encourages nature discovery through hikes and other indoor/outdoor activities. This program is offered on Tuesdays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. or Wednesdays from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. beginning Oct. 5. Topics explored this autumn will include bubbles, monarchs, seeds, creating holiday crafts and more.

“Small Fry Days,” a drop-off program for children ages 4-6, is designed to foster awareness and appreciation of the natural world through nature hikes, explorations and related activities. This program is offered on Tuesdays, from 9:45-11:00 a.m. beginning Oct. 5.  Children will have fun learning about squirrels, investigating the Deserted Village on a Halloween Hike, collecting leaves of all colors and sizes, and much more.

Trailside also offers after-school workshops for grade school children. Children entering the 1stand 2nd grades can take part in “After School Explorations.” This drop-off program is designed to acquaint children with nature explorations, hikes and outdoor activities.  Offered on Thursdays beginning Oct. 7 from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m., children participating in this workshop series have the opportunity to make animal masks, learn about animal tracks and meet live snakes and turtles.

“Trailside Explorers,” a drop-off workshop for children in 3rd to 5th grade, will take an in-depth look into the animal kingdom. Participants will have fun investigating the variety of animal life found at Seeley’s Pond.  Additionally, mammals, reptiles, birds of prey and insects will be topics of exploration this fall. Trailside Explorers is scheduled on alternate Wednesdays beginning Oct. 6 from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.

 

A new addition this year is an after-school science program, “Crazy Chemworks,” for students in the 1st to 5th grade. This exciting science series, developed by Mad Science of West New Jersey, is an educational and fun program that will get students interested in science. Conducted on Wednesdays from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m., this series begins on Oct. 13.  Children will enjoy manipulating laboratory equipment at their own personal work bench; create slime and participate in the Slime Olympics; practice fast-paced chemistry experiments, and much more.

Fees do apply and pre-registration is required for all programs. Please call Trailside for fee information and space availability. For additional information about any of these children’s programs or about other upcoming programs and special events, please call 908-789-3670 or visit us on the web at www.ucnj.org/trailside.

Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road (at Coles Avenue) in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

ROSELLE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that its mobile paper-shredding program for personal documents will be available for Union County residents on Tuesday, Oct. 5, in Roselle.

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

The Oct. 5 shredding event will take place at Warinanco Park, in the parking lot near the Warinanco Ice Skating Center off Thompson Ave. in Roselle, near the border with Elizabeth. NEXCUT Shredding of Teaneck will be shredding documents at the site from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. The shredding event will end before 1:00 p.m. if the shredding truck reaches capacity.

All Union County residents are eligible to use the personal document paper-shredding service. In an effort to accommodate all participants, there is a limit of four boxes per person. Documents should not be bound. Please remove plastic binders and paperclips. 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 put through the shredder. 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 last document-shredding event for 2010 will take place on Saturday, Oct. 30, at the Alcatel-Lucent facility in New Providence, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in conjunction with a computer and electronics recycling event.

The mobile shredding program is paid for through funds from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Solid Waste Services Tax Grant. Shredding may be cancelled in the event of extreme bad weather. Please call the Recycling Hotline for more information about future events, directions, or event day cancellation at 908-654-9889 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/recycle.