County of Union, New Jersey

Union County’s annual public heritage event, “Four Centuries in a Weekend: A Journey through Union County’s History,” will take place Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 20 from noon to 5 p.m. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, with the cooperation of staff and volunteers at 27 house museums and historic sites, the two-day free event opens the doors to more than 370 years of history throughout the county.

“Four Centuries in a Weekend began in 1994 when 16 historic sites and the County of Union organized a weekend event to tell the story of how Elizabethtown of 1664 evolved into the 21 municipalities of today’s Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “This year, a beautifully restored mansion and church, Revolutionary War burial grounds, the county’s oldest railroad station, quaint house museums, special exhibitions and tours showcase the county’s treasure trove of history.”

Among the historic sites on tour, all listed on the National and New Jersey State Registers of Historic Places, with special programs or events highlighting their rich heritage are:

• Reeve History & Cultural Resource Center in Westfield celebrates the restoration of the 1870s Victorian Italianate home, and exhibits work by famed local artists John Brunner, Harry Devlin and Sigmund Ivanowski.
• Deserted Village of Feltville-Glenside Park in Berkeley Heights will host a meeting of the Archaeological Society of New Jersey in the restored Masker’s Barn. On Saturday, the Society will give four presentations about archaeological sites (including Feltville). Other weekend activities include free hay rides, children’s games and tours of the village.
• Deacon Andrew Hetfield House in Mountainside, home to the Hetfield family for 186 years, will show a video of the recent move of the historic Levi Cory House to its new location adjacent to the Hetfield House.
• Oswald J. Nitschke House, operated by the Kenilworth Historical Society, will celebrate the 100thAnniversary of the town’s Volunteer Fire Department with a display of photos chronicling the history of Kenilworth. 
• Liberty Hall Museum of Union will have on view “Ring for Service: The Role of Servants in a Country House,” a special exhibit about the role of slaves and servants at Liberty Hall from the time of Governor William Livingston.  
• Reeves-Reed Arboretum of Summit will celebrate its 40 years as a historic public garden with a display of outdoor sculpture by Tom Holmes. The Wisner House Gallery will feature a series of Holmes’ large scale photographic works and smaller sculptures.
• Crane-Phillips House Museum in Cranford will present “Clean as a Whistle,” an exhibit about the beginnings of healthy living and sanitation including early indoor plumbing, the Civil War Sanitary Commission and Cranford’s role in the first Federal Food and Drug Act.
• Historic Cannon Ball House in Springfield will feature a Civil War Encampment on Saturday; Revolutionary War re-enactors on Sunday, and relics of the 1780 Battle of Springfield.

Journey on to Boxwood Hall in Elizabeth, the 1772 home of Elias Boudinot, President of the Continental Congress, where there will be a celebration of the 150th Anniversary of President Lincoln proclaiming Thanksgiving a National Holiday – with an emphasis on the man who had the idea first: Elias Boudinot; tour the restored Revolutionary War burial grounds at the First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth, the oldest English-speaking congregation in New Jersey; and visit the Caldwell Parsonage at Connecticut Farms in Union, an American Revolutionary site that will feature a re-enactor portraying the “Fighting Parson” James Caldwell.

A visit to Hillside will bring you to the Woodruff House/Eaton Store, built in 1735, and the historic Evergreen Cemetery, a virtual museum of funerary art. In Rahway you’ll be welcome at the Merchants and Drovers Tavern, a restored early 19th century hotel, and you can tour the Union County Performing Arts Center, a beautifully restored classic Vaudeville theatre. When you stop at the Dr. William Robinson Plantation in Clark, you’ll discover a post-medieval English-style house where Dr. Robinson practiced healing with plants and herbs.

At the Fanwood Train Station Museum you’ll see the oldest Victorian Gothic railroad station in the county and learn about Fanwood’s ties to the Central Railroad of New Jersey. At the Abraham Clark House in Roselle, home to a signer of the Declaration of Independence, you’ll learn about local history and Early American life. In the Roselle Park Museum, housed in the Charles E. Stone Store, you’ll be standing in the first electrically-lighted store in the world.

Authentic 18th century farmhouses are open for touring: the Miller-Cory House in Westfield; the Salt Box Museum in New Providence; the Osborn Cannonball House in Scotch Plains, adjacent to the town green and across from the Stage House Inn; and the Nathaniel Drake House in Plainfield, with its exhibit, “George Washington and the Drake House,” which highlights the significance of the meetings held there in preparation for the Battle of Short Hills.

Venturing into the Watchung Mountains, you’ll also visit the Littell-Lord Farmstead in Berkeley Heights, a reminder of the County’s agricultural past; and explore Summit, with its Twin Maples, a stately neoclassical mansion; the Carter House, the city’s oldest house, built in the 1740’s; and the Summit Playhouse, a Richardsonian Romanesque structure with a 120-seat auditorium.

Children can earn a Time Traveler’s Certificate and a Four Centuries Patch by visiting and obtaining a Time Traveler Passport at any of the sites, having it stamped and returning the completed form to the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.

For free copies of the Four Centuries in a Weekend tour booklet, map and further information, telephone 908-558-2550 weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., NJ Relay Users dial 711, or e-mail:culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

 

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SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – The County of Union will sponsor a recycling event for electronic equipment on Saturday, October 26, so Union County residents can get rid of unwanted computers, televisions and other electronic equipment in an environmentally proper manner.

The special E-cycling event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Union County Vo-Tech campus located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

All residents of Union County are eligible to participate at no cost. There is a limit of six electronic items per car.

“Computer monitors, old televisions and other electronic devices are the source of a considerable amount of dangerous material, including lead, mercury, cadmium and PCBs – and it is unlawful to dispose of them with the regular garbage,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Christopher Hudak, liaison to the Union County Solid Waste Advisory Board. “Up to 95 percent of most electronic appliances can be recycled. This is a responsible way to keep hazardous heavy metals out of our environment.”

Electronic equipment that will be accepted on Oct. 26 includes computer monitors, hard drives, modems, keyboards, CPU’s, mice, printers, scanners, speakers, televisions, tablets and e-readers, VCR’s, fax machines, telephones, circuit boards, CD’s, DVD’s and video cassettes.

All that residents need to do is drive to the site with their unwanted electronic equipment. Workers at the site will unload the vehicles.

Pre-registration is not required for this special Saturday collection.

Refrigerators, washers and dryers, microwaves, and air conditioners will not be accepted, but they are accepted at Union County’s Scrap Metal Recycling Program.

 

A complete list of the materials that will be accepted on Oct. 26 is available at the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning website: www.ucnj.org/recycle.

The electronics collection will be held rain or shine, for Union County residents only and not for businesses. Proof of Union County residency is required.

In addition to the special Oct. 26 recycling event sponsored by the County of Union, there are local businesses as well as 16 municipalities that provide E-cycling opportunities for residents. Visit the websitewww.ucnj.org/recycle or call your municipal recycling coordinator for more computer and electronics recycling options.

Goodwill and Dell have teamed up to recycle computers. Goodwill in Union County is located at 126 Route 22 West, Springfield 07081, next to Macy’s Furniture. Call Goodwill at 973-912-0156 for more details or visit their web site: www.reconnectpartnership.com.

Best Buy stores now offer electronics recycling, including TVs, computer monitors, DVD players and other consumer electronics. Visit their website (www.bestbuy.com/) for store locations, or call toll-free for information about electronics recycling: 1-888-237-8289.

Staples also offers a computer recycling program seven days a week. For more information, visit the Staples web site for store locations: www.staples.com.

Waste Management accepts “covered electronics” (televisions, monitors, computers, etc.) at  629-647 Amboy Ave., Elizabeth 07201, Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 908-629-9270.

An alternative drop-off program for recycling electronics equipment is available Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at Newtech Recycling, located at 600-A Apgar Drive, Somerset NJ 08873; 732-564-3110. Visit www.newtechrecycling.com .

For more information about recycling events, please call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908- 654-9889.

 

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Photo Caption: Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski speaks with Alan Lieber (L), President, Overlook Medical Center and Vice President, Atlantic Health System; and William Neigher, PhD, Vice President, System Development and Chief Strategy Officer, Atlantic Health System, at the Union County Means Business event about the Affordable Care Act and its Impact on Business at Overlook Medical Center in Summit. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

 

Union County – Despite a Federal government shutdown, it was business as a usual in Union County as over 100 individuals gathered Tuesday morning for the next session of the Union County Means Business Networking Breakfast Series at Overlook Medical Center in Summit. The program’s topic- the Affordable Care Act and its Impact on Business.

Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski was present for the event and commented on the importance of the program by saying, “In the spirit of keeping up the growing momentum in Union County’s economy, I’m proud that we are able to connect current and prospective business owners, along with their employees, with professionals and resources to address hot topics like these.”

One of the central issues surrounding yesterday’s government shutdown, and also falling on the same day as the opening of new healthcare exchanges, the Affordable Care Act session was particularly timely featuring a panel discussion and a lengthy question and answer period on the Act and its implications.

“It’s true that many people have heard about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” said Alan Lieber, Vice President, Atlantic Health System and President, Overlook Medical Center, “but the reality is that many people really don’t know the details involved and have misconceptions about who will be affected and how.”

Lieber headed the panel discussion which also featured Christine Stearns, Vice President of Health Affairs of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, and Lisa Narcise of Brown & Brown Metro.

“This event provided local businesses with a current update on the status of their obligations and opportunities under the new health care law,” said Joe Steiner of the Suburban Chamber of Commerce- a sponsor of the UCMB series. “This was an excellent opportunity and we were pleased to be a partner with Overlook, the County and the other organizations in making it possible.”

The panel opened with Lieber, who gave an overview of the Affordable Care Act from the perspective of the healthcare provider, while Stearns and Narcise gave participants a more in depth look at healthcare exchanges, coverage options and a run-down of what will be required from business owners and individuals alike in order to comply with the law.

The Union County Mean Business series is designed to bring local business owners, prospective owners and managers in contact with government representatives who can help them obtain information about grants, loans, social media, employee recruitment, and other resources.

The next Union County Means Business Session, titled “Maximizing your Business with the Internet,” will be held on October 30th at Hamilton Stage in Rahway, and will feature consultant, analyst and former Apprentice contestant, Tara Dowdell.

To register, or for more information on the Networking Breakfast Series, please visitwww.ucnj.org/UCMeansBusiness.

 

UCMB Programs are sponsored by the Board of Chosen Freeholders in partnership with the Union County Alliance, Union County Economic Development Corp., Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, Suburban Chambers of Commerce, Union Township Chamber of Commerce, Kean University, and Union County College. The Affordable Care Act and its Impact on Business was co-sponsored by Overlook Medical Center.

 

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Photo Caption: Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (3rd right), Freeholder Sergio Granados (2nd right) and Union County Manager Alfred Faella (right) with Sister Judith Mertz, Director of Josephine’s Place (4th right), Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the organization- a storefront women’s center, which was established by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, to serve the needs of women of Elizabeth, NJ

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will sponsor a Household Special Waste Collection event on Saturday, October 19, so Union County residents can get rid of outdated or unwanted household chemicals, mercury thermostats, propane tanks, and automobile tires in an environmentally safe manner. The household hazardous waste collection will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Alcatel-Lucent Technologies facility located at 600 Mountain Avenue in New Providence.

The Oct. 19 event will be the final county-sponsored household hazardous waste collection for this year. Residents of Union County are eligible to participate at no cost. Pre-registration is not required for this special Saturday collection.

“The special household waste recycling program for Union County residents is particularly important as we become more aware of the need for proper disposal of hazardous items that are found around the home,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “The result of our effort is safer homes and a cleaner environment for our families and our neighbors.”

All that residents need to do is drive to the site with their household special waste, propane tanks, automobile tires, and mercury thermostats. Workers at the site will unload the vehicles.

“Household special waste” includes oil-based paint and varnish, antifreeze, aerosol cans, pool chemicals, corrosives, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, thinners, fire extinguishers, motor oil and oil filters, gasoline, batteries, thermostats, fluorescent bulbs (unbroken), blood pressure devices, and mercury switches. Only materials in original or labeled containers will be accepted. No containers larger than five gallons will be accepted.

Latex (water-based) paint and empty cans will NOT be accepted. They should be disposed of in with the regular garbage. Leftover latex paint can be air-dried or, to hasten the drying process, kitty litter and/or newspaper can be added to hasten the drying.

“This is a great opportunity to recycle up to eight tires and dispose of old chemical containers that are cluttering up the basement or the garage, or taking up space under the kitchen sink,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Christopher Hudak, liaison to the Union County Solid Waste Advisory Council. “Our homes become safer once they are rid of hazardous and combustible waste.”

There is a limit of eight automobile tires (without rims) per household. This is a household recycling event. No businesses, please.

A complete list of the materials that will be accepted on October 19 is available at the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning web site: www.ucnj.org/recycle

The household hazardous waste collection will be held rain or shine, for Union County residents only and not for businesses. Proof of Union County residency is required. For more information, please call the Recycling Hotline at (908) 654-9889.

 

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders advises residents that County services will not be affected by the federal government shutdown over the short term.

“We have put considerable effort into ensuring that Union County continues to deliver the county-based services that the public depends on,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter.

Union County officials have been advised that federal Homeland Security officials will continue to provide information and resources relevant to public safety and security, and that federal human services programs administered by Union County will continue to be provided. These include veterans’ services, welfare (including nutrition assistance), Section 8, and housing for people with AIDS.

“If you have any questions about County services, please visit our website at ucnj.org, or call our toll free public info line, 877-424-1234,” said Carter.

 

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

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the 22nd annual Women of Excellence Awards, sponsored with the Union County Commission on the Status of Women.

The Women of Excellence Awards program was established to raise awareness about the significant contributions made to Union County by women from all walks of life.

“For more than 20 years, the Women of Excellence Awards have celebrated and supported the difference that women make to the quality of life in Union County, all throughout our communities,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “If there is an outstanding woman in your sphere of activity, whether professional or volunteer, I encourage you to submit her name for consideration.”

Women of Excellence nominations are open to all women 21 years or older, who reside in or are employed in Union County, and who have distinguished themselves in the fields of Arts and Humanities, Business/Entrepreneurial, Community Service, Education, Government, Law, Law Enforcement, Medicine/Health Care, or Women’s Advocacy.

Nominators are asked to provide several examples of how the nominee has demonstrated outstanding achievements in these fields, and to indicate how the nominee has made a difference in the lives of Union County residents or employees.

The awardees are guests of honor at the annual Women of Excellence Award Dinner. They receive an engraved Women of Excellence plaque and are presented with a Resolution by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Additional information and nomination forms are available at the Women of Excellence website, ucnj2.org, or contact Jane O’Hara at johara1217@gmail.com.

The nomination form and supporting documents must be submitted no later than December 1, 2013 to:

Ms. Jane O’Hara
708 Newark Avenue
Westfield, NJ 07090

The 2014 Women of Excellence Award Dinner is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 21 at Galloping Hill Caterers in Union.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce a new class called “Preserve the Harvest,” conducted by experts from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County.

“With New Jersey’s rich tradition of home gardening, Preserve the Harvest is a great opportunity for Union County residents to learn the basics of safely canning and freezing, so home grown fruits and vegetables can be enjoyed all year,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter.

The class is scheduled for Friday October 11, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Extension offices in the Union County Colleen Fraser Building in Westfield, 300 North Avenue East.

Pre-registration is required by October 9. To pre-register or get more information, call Judi Laganga at the Extension, 908-654-9854 (press option “2”). A $5.00 materials fee will be collected at the door.

For information about all Union County Extension programs for children and adults, visit ucnj.org/rce.

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

Photo Credit: Canned cherries by jeffreyw via flickr.com.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is supported in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension educational programs are offered to all without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, military service, veteran status, and any other category protected by law. Rutgers Cooperative Extension encourages individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you need special accommodations, have questions about physical access, or require alternate means for program information, please contact your local Extension Office. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 848-932-3584.

ELIZABETH, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds Union County residents that Tuesday, October 15, is the deadline to register to vote and to make address changes within your town or Union County to vote in the upcoming Gubernatorial Election in New Jersey.

“This year’s election for Governor also offers residents an opportunity to vote for local members of the New Jersey Legislature as well as Union County, municipal and school board officials (except in Summit) and public questions. But first you must register to vote by October 15,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “I urge all eligible residents to be part of the process and vote on Tuesday, November 5. Your vote does count.”

To register to vote or to register an address change, forms are available in every municipality at the office of the municipal clerk. Forms also may be obtained by calling the office of the Union County Clerk at 908-527-4996, by visiting the County Clerk’s office at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth or at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield, or by visiting the Union County website: www.ucnj.org/voter-registration.

Voter registration forms and change of address forms must be mailed to the Union County Board of Elections, 271 North Broad Street, Elizabeth NJ 07208 no later than Friday, October 11, in order to be eligible to vote in the General Election on Tuesday, November 5.

To qualify to vote, you also must be a citizen of the United States and at least 18 years old, not serving a sentence, probation, or parole because of a felony conviction, and a resident of New Jersey and Union County for at least 30 days.

Voters are encouraged to Vote-By-Mail, an easy process that has replaced Absentee Voting. To apply to Vote-By-Mail, voters can pick up an application from their municipal clerk, download the form at the Union County website, https://ucnj.org/vote-by-mail, visit the County Clerk’s offices in Elizabeth or Westfield, or contact the Union County Clerk at 908-527-4996. Applications to Vote-By-Mail must be received by the County Clerk no later than Oct. 29. The deadline for in-person applications at the Clerk’s offices is Nov. 4 before 3 p.m.

For more information about voter registration, please call the Union County Board of Elections at 908-527-4123.

 

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Granados will fill unexpired vacancy left by former
Freeholder Daniel Sullivan until end of year

UNION COUNTY, NJ— Sergio Granados, an Elizabeth resident, has become the newest Union County Freeholder, filling a vacancy on the Board.

Granados assumes Sullivan’s vacant Freeholder spot, which expires at the end of December this year. Sullivan resigned last month, creating the vacancy. Granados was sworn in Thursday night (tonight) after being selected on Tuesday by the Democratic Committee to succeed Sullivan.

“I thank the members of the Committee for their support and confidence in me,” Granados said. “I look forward to bringing my enthusiasm and energy to County Government and am honored to be working with a team of Freeholders who continue to work hard to provide high quality services to our residents.”

As per his philosophy and work ethic, Granados quipped he “would not be the one who crams to learn but understands to learn.”

“I do not intend to rush through issues and seek quick fixes,” Granados said. “My goal is to take a holistic, fair and reasoned approach to solutions.”

Chairman Linda Carter welcomed Granados to the Board.

“Sergio, as someone who has governmental experience, will be able to hit the ground running,” Carter said. “My colleagues and I look forward to working with him in moving Union County forward.”

County Manager Alfred J. Faella also welcomed Granados.

“Sergio is a hard working official who will be able to sit down and immediately begin helping with ideas and solutions,” Faella said. “I welcome him to County Government and look forward to his leadership and participation.”

Granados said he would emphasize communication and outreach, saying he looks forward to their input and that of the public’s, adding he will be someone who will “always listen to your concerns.”

Granados, a resident of Elizabethport who is of Portuguese and Salvadorian descent, is a graduate of Kean University and Elizabeth High School. He works as a Supervisor in the City of Elizabeth’s Health Division where, among his responsibilities, he conducts budget analysis, policy implementation and training.

“I look forward to working with County administrative officials in seeking out efficiencies and shared services,” he said.

As Freeholder, Granados said he would focus on economic development, job training and job creation initiatives, shared services, fiscal issues–and education.

“I believe everyone should have the means to further their education,” he said. “It’s a ladder—often the only ladder available to low and middle education families – that will hopefully lead the young generation to real job opportunities in the 21st century. These are the people I am here to represent—working class residents and our families.”