County of Union

Activities planned to raise awareness and test response.

Union County – As part of a continued effort to raise awareness and test the County and its residents’ ability to respond during a time of crisis, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders have designated the first week of August as “Emergency Preparedness Week.”

Various activities and trainings, both internally and open to the public, have been scheduled during Emergency Preparedness Week.  However, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is reminding its residents that they can prepare themselves, their co-workers and their families for emergencies by taking simple steps such as organizing an emergency supply kit, making a personal preparedness plan, becoming informed about different threats, and getting involved in preparing their community. These activities raise a culture of preparedness and can help save lives.

“While the County of Union’s emergency management officials regularly participate in various preparedness exercises throughout the year, the Freeholder Board felt it was important to set up a mechanism to raise awareness among county residents.” said Freeholder Mohamed Jalloh, Chairman of the Union County Homeland Security Subcommittee.  “Holding an Emergency Preparedness Week in conjunction with National Night Out seemed like a logical solution.”

The County urges all residents to develop a family preparedness plan and create a “Go Bag” with supplies to support each family member and pet for a 72 hour period.  Information and tips for how to create an effective plan and for what should be included in a “Go Bag” can be found at the Office of Emergency Management Webpage:  https://ucnj.org/oem.

The County is encouraging residents to resister with Union County First Alert, a free emergency messaging system which allows residents to receive emergency service announcements from their local officials.   The County will run a test of the UC First Alert system during its Emergency Preparedness Week.  To sign up please visit:  www.ucfirstalert.org

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders chose the first week of August as “Emergency Preparedness Week” in part to coincide with National Night Out.  The Union County Freeholders are proud to sponsor the third annual “National Night Out” at Meisel Park in Springfield.  This event familiarizes our residents with public safety personnel and teaches them some basic safety tips.  The Union County Office of Emergency Management will be disseminating a limited number of battery powered flashlights to the public in attendance for their “Go Bags.”

The Ralph Froehlich Public Safety Building in Westfield will be open to the public on Wednesday, August 3rdfrom 1:00pm-3:00pm and Thursday August 4th from 10:00am-12:00pm for tours and information on some of the steps the County takes to prepare for emergencies.  For more information or additional questions please call the Office of Emergency Management at 908-654-9881.

The County Office of Emergency Management will participate in Operation Cranford: Be Prepared, a program sponsored by the Cranford Boy Scout Troops 75 & 80.  This program will help families learn what to do and what it would be like if home evacuation is needed and will support the ShelterBOX program.  For more information or to register contact Tammy at 908-497-0221 or operationcranford@yahoo.com.

Finally, the County will also be performing various “in-house” preparedness drills and exercises throughout the week.

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ELIZABETH, NJ—The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders  appointed Alfred Faella to be the new County Manager effective August 1st, Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon announced.

Faella will succeed George Devanney, who announced his retirement effective August 1st after more than nine years as County Manager. He will earn $155,000 as County Manager.

Faella, 56, a native of Elizabeth and resident of Mountainside, has more than 18 years of governmental leadership experience. He is the 11th top executive under the County Manager form of government. Faella assumes responsibility for the day-to-day operations and budget of a 21-municipality government with approximately 2,800 full-time employees.  He will be responsible for the implementation of the policy of the Board of Chosen Freeholders.

“I am honored and would like to thank the Board of Chosen Freeholders for this opportunity,” Faella said. “I look forward to ensuring that Union County continues to deliver outstanding and innovative governmental services to our residents. I also remain committed to continuing the vision and goals set forth by the Freeholder Board and former County Manager Devanney.”

As his goals, Faella said he would continue to stress ways of finding efficiencies in government, while emphasizing economic development and sharing services. He added that one of his immediate priorities would be the creation of a governmental efficiency taskforce, which would work to streamline and consolidate certain functions.

“Job creation is among our residents’ highest concerns,” Faella said. “We will continue to develop important public-private projects and foster a business-friendly climate.”

As Director of Parks and Community Renewal, Faella recently worked through the Freeholder Board to retain and assist Wakefern, one of County’s largest employers, to expand operations and create hundreds of new jobs through $44 million in Federal stimulus financing.

Faella also oversaw distribution and management of more than $28 million over five years of Federal Community Development Block grant and Federal stimulus funds that have been used for a variety of purposes, including: improvements for senior and daycare centers, affordable housing, recreational centers, field and park improvements, street and infrastructure improvements, business district renovations, services and home repairs for the disabled, emergency shelters and the homeless, nutritional programs, home repair programs for seniors and income eligible families.

During his time as Director of Neighborhood Services for the City of Elizabeth in the ‘90s, Faella assisted in planning that led to the creation of the Jersey Gardens Mall, the state’s largest outlet mall, creating thousands of new jobs.

Faella also assisted in the planning and development of the HOPE 6 Project which leveraged over $130 million in public and private funds that transformed Elizabethport by transitioning residents from public housing to home ownership with their involvement in the planning process.

Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon noted that the Board has great confidence in Faella’s abilities, having worked productively with him over the years.

Faella has also served the County previously as its Economic Development Director, Information Technologies Director and also as Community Development Director.

“Al has developed a reputation as someone who is a problem solver and gets the job done,” Scanlon said. “He is also uniquely qualified having served in County, State and Municipal government at different levels. He understands public policy and we are looking forward to working with him.”

Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella added that Faella, a lifelong resident of Union County, also understands the needs of residents.

“Al is also a great listener and has spent time at the grass roots level with constituents,” Mirabella said. “He is someone who is responsive and sensitive to the needs of our residents.”

As a former Community Development Director for the City of Elizabeth, Faella worked to create Neighborhood Councils, which afforded citizens the opportunity to meet on a monthly basis with citizen representatives to address concerns and resolve issues. He also chaired the City’s innovative Community Policing program, which helped to reduce crime in the City.

As a County Director, Faella has remained involved at the community level. During the startup of the County’s Foreclosure Taskforce effort that he co-chairs, Faella himself went door-to-door in an effort to identify and assist troubled homeowners. He is also a regular at many County public events after work and on the weekends.

Faella has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Kean University, where he also received his undergraduate degree.

Faella currently serves as the secretary Treasurer  for the National Community Development Association. His efforts earned the City of Elizabeth three consecutive “Best Practices” awards from the Department of Housing and Urban Development from 1997 – 1999, and the John A. Sasso Community Development Award, National Community Development Association, 1998 National award, which recognizes outstanding achievements in Community Development throughout the United States.

Faella is a former All-County baseball player from St. Mary’s High School in Elizabeth, who has also been active in youth leagues in Elizabeth and Mountainside in the past.

Faella and his wife, Mary, live in Mountainside. They have two sons, Jude, and Sean.

Union County Freeholder Christopher Hudak (L) presents Westfield High School Wrestler Christian Barber with a resolution congratulating him on winning the 2011 State Championship in the 152-pound class. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal are happy to announce that the Kids Kingdom Traveling Jubilee will bring an afternoon of entertainment and activities for children to Mattano Park in Elizabeth on Saturday, August 13, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Kids Kingdom will be held rain or shine. Admission is free; nominal fees apply for some activities. Food, ice cream and other refreshments will be available from vendors.

“This is a wonderful event for Union County residents to enjoy with their families and friends,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon. “We are pleased to provide an opportunity for families to have a fun-filled day in one of our beautiful parks without having to drive far or spend a fortune in the process.”

Kids Kingdom Traveling Jubilee provides lively entertainment that includes stage performances, hands-on demonstrations and displays, crafts, music, games and a whole lot more. There will be entertaining science experiments; an “instrument petting zoo” where children can learn about musical instruments; a display of reptiles; inflatable rides; non-stop entertainment on stage; pony rides; a petting zoo; hayrides; children’s fingerprinting; Bubblemania; Bingo; and plenty of other activities.

Later this summer, Kids Kingdom Traveling Jubilee will visit Oak Ridge Park in Clark on September 17-18 during the Union County Fair. For more information about Kids Kingdom, please call 908-527-4900, or visit the Union County web site: www.ucnj.org

Union County Freeholders Angel G. Estrada and Bette Jane Kowalski present Beverly Chiu of Springfield with a certificate congratulating her on receiving the 2011 PSE&G Foundation Green Scholarship through the New Jersey Association of Counties Foundation. Chiu is a recent graduate of Union County Vocational-Technical Schools (UCVTHS) in Scotch Plains and will be attending Rutgers University in the fall. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholders Angel G. Estrada and Bette Jane Kowalski present Ariel Morel of Plainfield with a certificate congratulating him on receiving the 2011 Investors Saving Bank Scholarship through the New Jersey Association of Counties Foundation. Morel is a recent graduate of Union County Vocational-Technical Schools (UCVTHS) in Scotch Plains and will be attending Rutgers University in the fall. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – Along with top musical artists from around the country, this year’s free Union County MusicFest presented by Overlook Medical Center will feature performances by area musicians from School of Rock music schools. School of Rock has ten locations in New Jersey for musicians ages seven to eighteen.

“The Freeholder Board is a strong supporter of the performing arts and we are especially proud to support a rising generation of aspiring young local musicians,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon. “MusicFest offers a one in a million chance for talented newcomers to share billing with world renowned professionals.”

MusicFest caps off Union County’s summer-long series of free outdoor concerts. Five days of free MusicFest shows will run concurrently with the Union County Fair at Oak Ridge Park in Clark, starting on Wednesday, September 14 and ending on Sunday, September 18.

School of Rock emerging bands will take the stage on Friday September 16, and the School of Rock All Stars will back up Mike Peters, frontman of The Alarm, on Saturday September 17.

On Sunday September 18, School of Rock will perform a Springsteen tribute as part of New Jersey Family Day sponsored by Kean University. Family Day celebrates the New Jersey music scene with the Smithereens and a full lineup of bands from all across the state, headlined by Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.

MusicFest will also once again feature local bands throughout the event, from Wednesday through Sunday, on the C Stage sponsored by The Crossroads of Garwood.

Previously announced main-stage performer Blondie is confirmed for MusicFest on Saturday night, and Collective Soul will headline on Friday night.

For continuous MusicFest updates visit theucfair.org, ucmusicfest.org, and facebook.com/musicfest, or follow on Twitter, ucnjmusicfest.

Prospective MusicFest sponsors can contact Cherron Rountree, Director, Union County Division of Intergovernmental Policy and Planning, 908-527-4200 or crountree@ucnj.org

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.

SPRINGFIELD, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks & Community Renewal are happy to announce the next evening of “Family Fun and Flix” – the free summer outdoor entertainment and film series – will show the movie “Finding Nemo” on Tuesday, August 9, at Meisel Park in Springfield.

“Family Fun and Flix begins at dusk, but come early to the park to enjoy interesting preview activities that are fun for the whole family,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon. “Bring a blanket or beach chair to claim your spot on the lawn or save a seat in the bleachers – either way, the early birds are sure to like the preview activity before each movie.”

Come to Meisel Park at 7:30 p.m. on August 9 and have fun making a fishy craft project before watching the animated 2003 Disney/Pixar feature film, “Finding Nemo.” At dusk, sit back with your popcorn and enjoy the G-rated comedy-adventure about a young fish who winds up in a dentist’s office aquarium and his father’s epic journey to bring Nemo home.

The other dates and locations for this summer’s Family Fun and Flix are:

•  Tuesday, August 19 at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside: Enjoy a classic car show by G-Wiz Auto Entertainment and the Garden State Chevelles at 7:00 p.m. before the animated adventure comedy, “Cars.”

•  Friday, September 9 at Warinanco Park in Roselle/Elizabeth (co-sponsored by OneMain Financial): Enjoy a fun fishy craft project at 7:00 p.m. and free popcorn before the animated Disney/Pixar comedy-adventure, “Finding Nemo.”

Movies start at dusk, weather permitting. For more information, call the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal at 908-527-4900. For program and rain information call 908-558-4079 after 3:00 p.m. on the day of the show.

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CLARK, NJ – The Union County Summer Arts Festival concert series continues its 51st season of music on Wednesday, August 10, with an evening of Jersey Shore Soul performed by JoBonanno & the Godsons. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, led by Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon, invites the public to attend this free concert that begins at 7:30 p.m. at Oak Ridge Park in Clark.

JoBonanno and the Godsons have been electrifying audiences in the tri-state area since 1992 with their infectious style of Jersey Shore get-up-and-dance rock and soul music. Considered one of the Top Ten bands in New Jersey, they have opened shows for James Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis, The B-52s, Joan Jett, The Stylistics, Gary U.S. Bonds, Mitch Ryder, and Eddie Money. On numerous occasions, they’ve been joined on stage by the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi. In 2003 and 2007, they appeared at Giants Stadium before Bruce and the E Street Band took the stage.

“Bring the entire family for a rocking good evening of music at Oak Ridge Park in Clark,” said Freeholder Chairman Scanlon. “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 Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs along with other knowledgeable Union County staff to answer questions and offer information about interesting programs and recreational activities that are available to Union County residents.

Admission to the August 10 concert by JoBonanno and the Godsons is free of charge. Sponsored by Union Center National Bank and the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Summer Arts Festival concerts continue throughout August on Wednesday evenings beginning at 7:30 p.m. The remaining concerts in the series will be held at Oak Ridge Park in Clark and at Echo Lake Park on the Mountainside-Westfield border. Lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets are encouraged. Refreshments and snacks will be available from vendors.

The other free concerts in the Union County Summer Arts Festival series include:
August 17 – Almost Queen (Queen cover band); at Oak Ridge Park.
August 24 – Parrotbeach (Jimmy Buffett cover band); at Echo Lake Park.
August 31 – The Nerds (high energy party band); at Oak Ridge Park.

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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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 at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Trailside Nature & Science Center’s popular Wednesday Matinee Series continues on August 10 with a visit by Jungle Jon, “The Lizard Guy,” and his menagerie of live animals. This family entertainment series begins at 1:30 p.m. each Wednesday through Aug. 17. Each show runs approximately 45 minutes. The shows are recommended for children ages 4 and older. Admission is $4 per person. Tickets go on sale at 1 p.m. before each matinee.

Jungle Jon Czerwienski effortlessly connects with children and adults to deliver a performance both memorable and educational. Whether he’s draped with a python or a boa, or is dancing with a millipede or a tarantula, his enthusiastic presentation will take the audience on a journey to learn about a day in the life of bugs, frogs, lizards, snakes and turtles.

“The Summer Wednesday Matinee Series at Trailside offers families an assortment of creative fun and interactive programs that will teach, entertain and delight children of all ages,” said Freeholder Daniel P. Sullivan, liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. “Union County is committed to providing affordable, fun, family programs at our facilities and Trailside’s Wednesday Matinee Series certainly is a summertime treat.”

The Wednesday Matinee Series ends August 17 with “Hocus Pocus,” a show that is sure to astound, baffle and thrill the audience. Joe Fischer, Magician Extraordinaire, does a fast-paced show with the perfect blend of magic, comedy, audience participation and excitement.

For additional information about the Wednesday Matinee Series or other upcoming programs and special events, please call 908-789-3670 or visit us at www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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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 .