County of Union, New Jersey

Union County, NJ – Every year, dozens of Union County students in grades one through twelve join a local 4-H club to explore their favorite interests and activities, and this year a select group of six was invited to demonstrate their knowledge at the statewide 4-H Presentation Contest, held at Rutgers University last month.

“On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I’d like to congratulate our Union County 4-H contest entrants for a job well done,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “Participating in this statewide event is a wonderful testament to their hard work and dedication.”

Union County 4-H clubs cover a broad range of interests and activities including horticulture, history, archery, Lego robotics, cooking, pet care and much more.

4-H is a long running national youth development program. It originated in efforts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to connect rural youth with up-to-date farming practices and related subjects, through a nationwide network of county-based Extension offices.

In its modern iteration, 4-H offers young people the chance to develop expertise in a wide range of topics while gaining experience in public speaking, organization, team building and other essential skills.

The 4-H schedule runs concurrently with the school year. Each spring the students can provide a formal presentation of their project before a live audience. The presenters who earn a score of “Excellent” are invited to participate in the statewide contest each June.

This year, 175 4-H students participated in the statewide contest, including six from Union County:

• Kyle Grant of Union (Teen Council) gave a formal speech entitled “High School Expectations.”

• Adrian Lam of Westfield (Lego Club and Archery Club) spoke about What is PCR? ( PCR stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction).

• Neeraj Shekhar of Westfield (Teen Council) delivered a talk entitle “Every Drop Counts”

• Vivek Sreenivasan of Westfield (Lego Club) spoke about “Rubik’s Cubes: The puzzle that puzzled the world.”

• Michael Stokes of Westfield (Archery Club) spoke about Pole Vaulting.

• Kirsten Waldmann of Roselle (Living History Club) spoke about Cornhusk Dolls and how to make them.

 

For those interested in joining or leading a Union County 4-H club, an Open House will be held on Friday September 27 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension offices in Westfield, 300 North Avenue East.

To find out more about the open house and all Union County 4-H programs, contact 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz,  Nichnadowicz@njaes.rutgers.edu or 908-654-9854 (ext. 3), or visit the Extension online atucnj.org/rce.

 

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

 

WESTFIELD, NJ—Joined by community activists, non-profit leaders and government officials, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders dedicated a new multi-use building at the County Public Safety Complex in the name of disability advocate Colleen Fraser, the Elizabeth resident killed in the 9/11 attacks who earlier in her career headed the Union County Office for the Disabled.

Fraser, 51, was on board United Airlines Flight 93, en route to a grant writing seminar in Reno, Nevada. The plane crashed in Shanksville, PA after passengers fought back against the terrorist hijackers, who were likely to target a federal government location in Washington DC.

“Colleen Fraser may be gone, but her impact on others and her advocacy lasts,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “She would be proud to know that the Colleen Fraser building will help residents in need, provide life-saving EMS services, assist those looking to vote, and foster those looking to make our planet a greener place.”

 

Among those on hand to pay tribute to Fraser were Fraser’s family including her sister, Christine, Union County Freeholders and Department heads including members of the County’s Office for the Disabled, Westfield officials, and colleagues including Ethan B
. Ellis, former Executive Director of the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Sid Blanchard, the Executive Director of Community Access.

Officials unveiled the building’s marquee with Fraser’s name and an interior plaque and held a ceremony in the building’s courtyard and plaza area.

Recalling the passenger’s heroic efforts in fighting back against the plane’s hijackers, Carter quoted a tribute to Fraser from a colleague and friend of Colleen’s, Robin (Zimenoff) Bolduc:

“I can picture her on that plane — flaming red hair, cane flying — leading the charge — ‘We are Americans — we rule our own destinies.’ ”

A native of Elizabeth, New Jersey and a graduate of Rutgers University, Fraser carried a tiny copy of the Constitution with her to encourage the disabled to become their own advocates. Born with a condition that affected her legs, Fraser stood 4’6” but was well-known as a “firebrand” and relentless advocate. At the time of her death, she was serving as Executive Director of the Progressive Center for Independent Living, and vice chairwoman of the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities.

After graduating from Rutgers University, where she studied English literature, Fraser took a job as a case manager with Community Access Unlimited, an advocacy group in Elizabeth for people with disabilities. She was director of DIAL Inc., a center for independent living in Clifton, and also served as director of Union County’s Office for the Disabled in the 1980s.

The three-story Fraser building, located at the County’s Public Safety Complex at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield, contains offices for the County Clerk, the Medical Examiner’s Office, Weights and Measures, Consumer Affairs, houses the County EMS operations, the Union County Superintendent of Schools, and the Rutgers Cooperative Extension program of Union County. It has a garage and deck for emergency operations vehicles and resources.

The LEED-certified Fraser building also features an energy efficient exterior skin, solar panels and an innovative geothermal heat pump system—a renewable energy source. The building cost $11 million to construct.

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Union County, NJ – In an official resolution adopted yesterday, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders called upon New Jersey state representatives to override a veto and pass the Marriage Equality Bill. The resolution also calls upon the 20 other counties in New Jersey to join with Union County in supporting the override.

“As the site of pivotal events in the Revolutionary War, New Jersey has played a historic role in the fight for equal rights under the law,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “Union County is proud to carry on this great tradition by working to ensure that the uniquely important social contract of marriage is equally available to all men and women.”

The resolution urges the New Jersey Senate and Assembly to override the veto of bill A-1, the Marriage Equality Bill. The bill passed with bipartisan support in February 2012 but was vetoed by Governor Chris Christie shortly after.

The Marriage Equality Bill defines marriage as “the legally recognized union of two consenting persons in a committed relationship.”

“Our Founding Fathers declared that ‘all men are created equal,’ but it is up to each generation to ensure that this declaration of principle is reflected in the law of the land,” said New Jersey State Senator Ray Lesniak (D-20). “The Marriage Equality Bill is consistent with the recent Supreme Court ruling, and it should become law in New Jersey.”

Earlier this summer the U.S. Supreme Court found key provisions of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) to be unconstitutional. That law defined a marriage as only between a man and a woman.

“Especially when you consider the many New Jersey residents from all walks of life who go the extra mile to serve our nation and our communities, both as professionals and volunteers, it is high time to ensure that all who choose to adopt the responsibilities of marriage be accorded equal recognition under the law,” said Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, who is the Freeholder Board’s liaison to the Union County Veterans Affairs Committee.

Currently, about a dozen other states and the District of Columbia have marriage equality laws. Now that parts of DOMA have been struck down, all married couples in these states have equal access to federal benefits.

 

Complete text of the resolution (#597, July 25, 2013):

WHEREAS, in February of 2012, both the New Jersey State Assembly and the New Jersey State Senate voted in a bipartisan effort to pass a Marriage Equality Bill (A-1). Under the bill, marriage is defined as “the legally recognized union of two consenting persons in a committed relationship.” Under the bill, same-sex civil unions would no longer be permitted; and

WHEREAS, on the very next day the bill was passed, Governor Chris Christie vetoed the legislation, reaffirming his view that voters should decide whether to change the definition of marriage in New Jersey. The Legislature has until January 2014 to round up enough votes to over-ride the Governor’s veto; and

WHEREAS, on June 26, 2013, the United States Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, struck down a key part of a law that denies to legally married same-sex couples the same federal benefits provided to heterosexual spouses. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defines marriage as only between a man and a woman. But the Supreme Court ruled DOMA violates equal protection guarantees in the Fifth Amendment’s due process clause as applied to same-sex couples legally married under the laws of their states; and

WHEREAS, since December 2005, the County of Union has supported and adopted the policies set forth in the Domestic Partnership Act, Chapter 246, P.L 2003 and has recognized the same-sex domestic partners of employees, as defined by the Act, and has deemed them eligible for the same dependent benefits as are provided to a spouse under the State-administered pension funds. All spouse and family health benefits including major medical, dental and insurance available to a spouse or family of a Union County employee or retiree are also available under similar co-pays, premiums, or deductibles to the same sex domestic partner of a County employee or retiree.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Chosen Freeholders of the County of Union urges the New Jersey General Assembly and the State Senate to vote to over-ride Governor Chris Christie’s veto of the Marriage Equality Bill, and afford the same rights and privileges to same-sex couples that are given to other marriage couples under the law; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to each County in the State of New Jersey, requesting that they join with Union County in urging swift action in the Legislature on this important issue.

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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.

SPRINGFIELD, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks & Community Renewal announce that the next evening of “Family Fun and Flix” – the free summer entertainment and film series on Tuesday evenings – will team-up with National Night Out organizers on August 6 at Meisel Park, off Meisel Avenue in Springfield.

 

National Night Out activities start at 6 p.m. and then at sunset, after 8 p.m., the audience can enjoy the animated family comedy “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” This will give families a chance to participate in the 30thannual nationwide community safety event – including free hot dogs, popcorn and refreshments; balloons, inflatable slides and activities for kids; and an assortment of emergency vehicles – and then catch a movie under the stars in Meisel Park.

 

“Family Fun and Flix begins at dusk, but come early to the park to enjoy free refreshments, activities and raffles for kids, meet Springfield and Union County police and emergency personnel, and learn about youth, educational, safety and public awareness programs,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “Bring a blanket or beach chair to claim your spot on the lawn for a good view before the movie begins at sundown.”

 

Children of all ages will enjoy the animated comedy family film “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” about a young inventor whose unique devices inadvertently create a massive food storm that threatens the town of Chewandswallow. The 2009 movie features the voices of Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Mr. T, Lauren Graham, Al Roker and Will Forte.

 

This summer’s Family Fun and Flix will conclude on Tuesday, August 13, at Conant Park in Hillside, where the Trailside Eco Van will feature a display about turtles, snakes and other local reptiles, before the animated comedy movie, “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.”

 

Family Fun and Flix movies start at dusk, weather permitting. For more information, call the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal at 908-527-4900 or visit the Union County website:www.ucnj.org. For program and rain information call 908-558-4079 after 3:00 p.m. on the day of the show.

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UNION, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that its next mobile paper-shredding program for personal documents will be available on Saturday, August 10, at Kean University in Union.

“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents fight identity theft and eliminate clutter in their homes,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Christopher Hudak, liaison to the Solid Waste Advisory Council. “It is a cost-effective way to assist our recycling efforts and it ties in with Union County’s other Go Green Initiatives.”

The August 10th shredding event will take place on the Kean University campus, located at 1000 Morris Avenue in Union. 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 p.m. if the shredding truck reaches capacity.

All Union County residents are eligible to use the paper-shredding service. In an effort to accommodate everyone, there is a limit of four, 10-pound bags or boxes per person. Documents should not be bound. Please remove plastic binders and paperclips. Paper that is wet/damp will not be accepted. 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 shredded on site. 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 next shredding event will take place Thursday, Sept. 12, at the Linden Recycling Center.

The mobile shredding program is paid for through New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Enhancement Act Grant Funds. For more information about future events or directions please call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/recycle .

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Union County, NJ – Trees outnumber people by a wide margin in Union County, but how much do you really know about our tall, green, and leafy fellow residents? The 4-H Master Tree Stewards of Union County know, and you can get in on the secret by joining the group as it trains a new corps of volunteers this fall.

“The Master Tree Steward program does a wonderful job of training ordinary citizens in tree conservation, and every year they pass this knowledge along to thousands of Union County school children,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “This is a valuable community service and the Freeholder Board is very proud to support them.”

Trees make significant contributions to the quality of life in densely developed areas like Union County. They help reduce airborne pollutants, provide a cooling effect in urban areas, and help control soil erosion.

Studies have also linked urban trees to improved public health and safety as well as economic growth.

The 4-H Master Tree Stewards of Union County is a volunteer program run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, with the goal of encouraging citizens to plant and preserve urban trees.

No previous experience in conservation or teaching is needed to become a Master Tree Steward. Experts from Rutgers University provide all the training needed. The training sessions consist of a series of guided nature walks in local forests, supplemented by classroom exercises.

The training takes place each fall. In addition to other community service projects, each spring the Master Tree Stewards fan out to elementary schools in Union County, where they teach a one-hour course on tree conservation to fourth grade students.

The 2013 Tree Steward training sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., for 13 weeks starting on September 11. Aside from a materials fee of $25.00, there is no charge for the sessions.

The classroom sessions will be located at the Extension offices in the County Services building in Westfield, at 300 North Avenue East.

For an application or more information, contact Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz at the Extension offices, 908-654-9854, or emailnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension is supported in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. It offers a wide variety of programs and activities for all ages. For more information visit the Extension online at 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.

Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. Contact the Union County Extension office for information regarding special needs or accommodations. Contact the State Extension Director’s office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 732-932-5000, ext. 584.

 

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook atwww.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, in connection with Union County College, invites County residents with an interest in the fields of Transportation, Logistics and Distribution to attend an information session on free job training, offered through the Union County Choices program, taking place Thursday, July 25th, at Union County College’s Elizabeth Campus, located at 40 West Jersey St.

Occupations in Transportation, Logistics and Distribution generally fall into the following areas: Transportation and Port Operations; Maintenance; Warehousing and Distribution; Supply Chain Management and Logistics; Whole­sale Trade; and Corporate Administration (Sales, Marketing, Safety, Purchasing, Information Technology, etc.).

Thursday’s information session will focus on the Global Logistics Associate (GLA) Certification, a program that trains participants in the basics of logistics/supply chain and the associated functions necessary for the delivery of goods. The program is broken up into six units consisting of:

• Workplace Essentials
• Supply Chain Management
• Transportation Management
• Warehouse Management
• Computer Systems
• Safety Awareness

 

The information session is free of charge to attend, and walk-ins are welcome although pre-registration is preferred. To register, or for more information on the Union County Choices program, please contact Gina Tuesta at gtuesta@ucnj.org; for registration purposes, please include your name, contact information and email address.

In addition to attending the information session, to be considered for the Union County Choices program candidates must have a high school diploma or GED, take the TABE test and score at 8thgrade level or above, be WIA eligible and complete a criminal background check prior to the start of the training program.

The GLA certification program is set to run Tuesday through Thursday, September and October 2013, and includes a three week course duration and a fourth week review and certification test.

 

 

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CLARK, NJ – The Union County Summer Arts Festival concert series continues its 53rd season of music Wednesday evening, August 7, with a performance by Tusk, celebrating the music of the British/American rock band Fleetwood Mac. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, led by Chairman Linda Carter, invites the public to attend this free concert that begins at 7:30 p.m. in Oak Ridge Park in Clark.

Tusk covers the music of Fleetwood Mac to perfection. The group is made up of incredible musicians, including Kathy Phillips, a New Jersey singer/songwriter who captures the essence of Stevie Nicks, along with Kim Williams on keyboards and vocals, Scott McDonald on guitar, drummer Tom Nelson and bassist Randy Artiglere. Expect to hear great songs like “Landslide,” “Rhiannon,” “Go Your Own Way,” “Dreams,” and “Don’t Stop Thinking about Tomorrow” and see a memorable show that will impress even the most diehard Fleetwood Mac fans.

“Bring the entire family for a night of great music at Oak Ridge Park,” said Freeholder Chairman Carter. “Pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on, and enjoy the sounds of summer under the stars.”

The Union County information van will be at the concert site with personnel from the Union County Division of Planning and Community Development, Bureaus of Housing and Transportation, and other knowledgeable staff to answer questions and offer information about programs and activities that are available to Union County residents.

The Summer Arts Festival concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. The concerts in August will be at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. Lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets are encouraged. Refreshments will be available from vendors, including ice cream, cotton candy and snacks from “The Ice Cream Man.” Pulled pork, hamburgers and specialty hot dogs will be available from “Marci’s Dog House,” winner of Best Topping and Best Truck categories on the 2012 Munchmobile tour of New Jersey.

The other free concerts in the Union County Summer Arts Festival series include:

Aug. 14 – The Sensational Soul Cruisers; at Oak Ridge Park.
Aug. 21 – Verdict (reggae and Caribbean music); at Oak Ridge Park.
Aug. 28 – The British Invasion Tribute; at Oak Ridge Park. A special Veterans Appreciation Program will take place at 7:00 p.m. before the concert.

For rain information call the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal at (908) 558-4079 after 3 p.m. on the day of the scheduled concert, or visit the Union County web site:www.ucnj.org

 

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Dedication set for 2 p.m. Monday, July 29th at Westfield Public Safety Complex

 

WESTFIELD, NJ—The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will be joined by local, state and national governmental officials in dedicating a new multi-use building on Monday, July 29th at 2 p.m. in the County Public Safety Complex in Westfield in honor of disability advocate Colleen Fraser, who was killed in the 911 attacks.

Fraser, 51, was on board the ill-fated United Airlines Flight 93, en route to a grant writing seminar in Reno, Nevada. A native of Elizabeth, New Jersey and a graduate of Rutgers University, Fraser helped draft the “Americans with Disabilities Act.” She carried a tiny copy of the Constitution with her to encourage the disabled to become their own advocates. Born with a condition that affected her legs, Fraser stood 4’6” and used a cane and a mobility scooter. At the time of her death, she was serving as Executive Director of the Progressive Center for Independent Living, and vice chairwoman of the New Jersey Disabilities Council.

After graduating from Rutgers University, where she studied English literature, Fraser took a job as a case manager with Community Access Unlimited, an advocacy group in Elizabeth for people with disabilities. She was director of DIAL Inc., a center for independent living in Clifton. She also served as director of Union County’s Office of the Disabled.

DATE: MONDAY, JULY 29TH, 2 P.M.

PLACE: WESTFIELD PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX, 300 NORTH AVENUE EAST, WESTFIELD, NJ

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Autumn will be here before we know it, and Union County’s Watchung Stable is busy preparing for a new season of Watchung Mounted Troop riding lessons.

“Horseback riding in the Watchung Reservation is a real treat and our lesson program at the Watchung Stable is a great way to learn how to ride,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “Watchung Stable has been in existence since 1935, and I am proud to say that more than 40,000 girls and boys have participated in this wonderful program.”

All applicants for riding lessons must be nine years of age or older. Class and troop assignments are based upon riding ability as determined by the Stable management. Applicants with previous experience may be asked to demonstrate their riding ability in order to be placed in the appropriate class.

Riding classes are held Tuesdays through Saturdays. Fall Troop will last for ten weeks beginning Sept. 3 and will culminate with the Fall Troop Horse Show. The cost to participate begins at $255 for ten classes, and varies with Union County residency status and troop assignment.  Uniforms and helmets are required and must be provided at the rider’s expense

Watchung Stable also features adult lessons, for people 18 years of age and older, also beginning the week of Sept. 3. Adult lessons are an eight-week program available on Sundays at 12:45 p.m. or Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. Beginner through advanced lessons are available on both days.

Registration forms and fees must be submitted in-person at the Watchung Stable, which is located at 1160 Summit Lane in Mountainside. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

For further information, and to obtain registration materials, call (908) 789-3665 or emailstablequestions@ucnj.org.

 

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