County of Union, New Jersey

The Union County Clerk’s Office is pleased to announce special office hours in Elizabeth and Westfield, on Saturday, September 14th, from 9:00am to 1:00pm, for voters seeking to receive vote by mail ballots for the Scotch Plains-Fanwood School Election, or for the Special General Election for the 10th Congressional District.

Voters may request their vote by mail ballots in Elizabeth in the Courthouse building at 2 Broad St.  Room 113, Elizabeth, NJ 07207, or in Westfield in the Colleen Fraser building at 300 North Avenue East, Westfield, NJ 07090.

The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Special School Election will take place on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 and the Special General Election for the 10th Congressional District will take place on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. 

“Ensuring that every voter has the opportunity to cast their ballot is a top priority for my office,” said Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi. “I encourage all eligible voters to take advantage of this opportunity to ensure that their voices are heard in these important elections.” For additional information about election related matters, please visit the Union County Clerk’s website at https://ucnj.org/county-clerk/

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is proud to present a collection of artworks from four of Union County’s Hispanic artists currently on exhibit at the Commissioners Gallery in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month. The gallery is located on the 6th floor of the Union County Administration Building, Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth, with gallery hours from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

“We are honored to showcase the incredible talent of these Hispanic artists in the Commissioners Gallery in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Their work beautifully reflects the diversity and vibrant Hispanic culture within our community,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “We invite everyone to join us in celebrating this month by visiting the exhibit and experiencing it firsthand.”

This collaborative project from artists Virgen Perez, Jo-El Lopez, Adrianna Rendon and Dario Scholis is currently on display through October 18th in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. This exhibit is held in conjunction with Union County’s monthlong celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, including the Family Fun Day celebration on Saturday, October 5^th at Warinanco Park.

“Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the culture, history, and contributions of the Hispanic community in Union County,” said Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board. “We are proud to offer a variety of events throughout the month that honor this rich heritage.”

The Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, part of the Department of Parks and Recreation, coordinates the exhibits displayed at the Commissioners Gallery.

For further information about this and other programs and services related to the arts and history in Union County, contact the Office at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202; telephone (908) 558-2550; or e-mail: culturalinfo@ucnj.org. NJ relay users dial 711.

🚧 Park Notice: Rahway River Park Entrance Closure 🚧

On Monday, September 16th, Rahway River Park will be closed to vehicular traffic for necessary tree maintenance.

🚗 Entrances affected:

• St. Georges Avenue
• Valley Road

🚶‍♂️ Pedestrian access will remain available under the guidance of on-site security.

This is being done for the safety of all park visitors. Thank you for your cooperation!

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi is urging residents to be cautious of private companies advertising expedited passport services that charge excessively high fees. These companies often promise quicker processing times but may add unnecessary costs without delivering the faster service they claim.

“These services can charge hundreds of dollars, claiming to save you time and a trip to the passport office,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “In one recent case, a company charged a resident $240, only to send her to our office to pay the standard processing fees on top of what she had already paid. Don’t be misled—there is no faster way to obtain a passport.”

Ms. Rajoppi assured residents that her office is available for appointments six days a week, day and night, with no extra fees beyond those mandated by the U.S. State Department. “For a nominal increased fee, you can expedite your passport and receive it within two to three weeks. Normal processing times are six to eight weeks,” she explained.

She also advised residents planning to travel in December or January to check their passport expiration dates, as many countries require that a passport be valid for at least six months before entering. “If your passport is close to expiring, it’s important to renew it now to avoid any travel disruptions,” she added.

The Office of the County Clerk passport staff are experienced passport agents who can answer any questions you might have and assist you with applying or renewing a passport. The County Clerk’s main office is located in the Union County Courthouse, located at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth and the annex office is located in the Colleen Frasier Building, at the Union County Complex, located at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.

Residents can make an appointment online for passport services at the Elizabeth or Westfield offices, with options available for daytime, evening, and Saturday hours. Both offices offer passport photo services for a fee of $10.00. In-person appointments are required. To schedule an appointment, visit www.ucnj.org/county-clerk/passport-services and click “Make an Appointment Online.”

For the latest updates on passport wait times at the State Department, and for additional details about renewing or obtaining a U.S. passport, visit travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.

For further details on Union County passport services, visit ucnj.org/county-clerk/passport-services or call 908-527-4966. To learn more about all services offered by the Union County Clerk’s Office, call 908-527-4787 or visit www.ucnj.org/county-clerk.

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for mosquitoes Wednesday, September 11, 2024, between the hours of 6:00PM to 11:00PM (Weather Permitting). Check below for a list of areas to be sprayed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Union County Office of Mosquito Control at 908-654-9834 or 908-654-9835.

Cities

• Berkeley Hts. – Grant St. Area, Kuntz Av., Camptown Dr., Mt. Carmel
• Fanwood – Tower Pl., Steward Pl., Midway Av.
• Hillside – Harvard Av., Cornell Pl., John St., Westminster Area
• Linden – Tremley Pt. Area, Range Rd., Bradford Av., Lexington Av., Marion Av.
• Plainfield – Jefferson Av., 1st St., Rock Av., Wiley Av., E.3rd St., St. Nicholas Blvd.
• Rahway – Elston Av., Randolph Av., Martin St., Dudley Ct., Leesville Av. Area, Midway Dr., Milton Blvd. Area, Donald Av., Price St., Allen St., Elizabeth Av.
• Scotch Plains – Morse Av., Bryant Av. Area
• Springfield – Cottage Ln., Berkeley Rd. Area, Oakland Av., Waverly Av.

County Parks

• Clark – Oak Ridge
• Hillside – Conant, Rutgers
• Mountainside – Watchung Res. Loop Area

Today, we solemnly honor and remember the lives lost in the tragic events of September 11th. We also pay tribute to the heroes who rose in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Union County residents are invited to visit the September 11th Memorial at Echo Lake Park, a space of reflection and remembrance for those we lost.

A uniformed Honor Guard will stand watch at the memorial from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Residents are encouraged to bring and light candles in remembrance of those lives lost on September 11th.

Candles will also be available at the memorial, courtesy of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.

You can learn more about the memorial and the biographies of Union County residents who perished on that day by visiting ucnj.org/september-11th-memorial

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is proud to announce that the Union County Immunization Clinic has achieved remarkable success in August 2024, coinciding with National Immunization Awareness Month, by administering 845 vaccines—a fourfold increase compared to August 2022. This significant achievement highlights the clinic’s commitment to increasing access to vaccinations for Union County residents of all ages, ensuring the health and safety of the community.

“We are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication of our clinic staff. Their tireless efforts, coupled with new outreach initiatives, have had a transformative impact,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “This achievement is a testament to the power of teamwork and the effectiveness of increasing access and improving communication.”

Over the past year, the clinic has implemented several key changes that have contributed to this success:

• Improved Accessibility: Expanded clinic hours and mobile operations have brought vaccines directly into the community. In one mobile clinic event alone, 63 vaccinations were administered in Linden before the holiday, making immunizations more convenient for residents.

• Enhanced Communication: The clinic has introduced new communication methods, including email, to streamline appointment scheduling and the submission of required documentation. Patients can now easily reach the clinic staff, reducing delays and ensuring a smoother process for families.

• Strengthened Collaboration: An open line of communication between school nurses and clinic staff has further simplified the vaccination process for students, helping families avoid multiple visits and reducing stress.

• Increased Staffing: With more nurses available during peak times, the clinic can now see up to three patients simultaneously, ensuring faster service for walk-ins while continuing to prioritize appointments.

In addition to these changes, the clinic has expanded its outreach efforts through flyers, social media postings, and an updated website that provides valuable information to residents.

The clinic’s success during National Immunization Awareness Month highlights the importance of vaccination in protecting individuals and the broader community from preventable diseases. As the clinic continues its mission to provide accessible, reliable care, the Union County Immunization Clinic remains a foundation of public health efforts in the region.

For more information on the Union County Immunization Clinic, please visit https://ucnj.org/dhs/immunization-clinic/ or contact the clinic directly at 908-965-3756.