Month: June 2015

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of six different fabric and found object creations by Paula Borenstein in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located in the historic St. John’s Parsonage at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth. A selection of her work entitled “Girls” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery through August 14. The public is invited to enjoy the exhibit during regular gallery hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Paula Borenstein was the Artist in Residence at the Elizabeth Public Library in the Fall of 2014. During that time, she conducted workshops, exhibited fabric collages, and created a room-sized installation entitled “Sanctuary” that traced her family’s history as refugees in the United States following World War II. Her program was made possible in part by a HEART Grant (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

“Paula has been an active participant in all things artistic and historical in Elizabeth for many years,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board. “It’s a great pleasure to display her beautiful collages.”

Paula Borenstein is a founding member, past-president and current vice president of the Elizabeth Arts Council. The EAC was founded in 1999 and Paula has participated in every show, exhibiting mainly photographs and creating art installations. She is affiliated with the Elizabeth Landmarks and Preservation Committee, the Newark Historical Society, the Newark Landmarks and Preservation Committee, and the Union County Historical Society.

Ms. Borenstein earned a B.A. in History from Rutgers University in Newark and a Masters in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin School of Library and Information Science.

As a curator, Paula has put on many exhibits in Elizabeth, including an exhibit on James Thurber at the Elizabeth Public Library; the exhibit “Elizabeth through Artists’ Eyes” at Boxwood Hall Historic Site; and “Cool Art in June” and other exhibits sponsored by the Elizabeth Arts Council at various venues.

 

Union County artists (whose works can be hung on a wall) interested in exhibiting in the gallery space are welcome to apply. For more information about the Pearl Street Gallery or other programs, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth NJ 07202. Free on-site parking is available. Telephone 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users can dial 711. Send E-mail to: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

 

Union County, NJ  –  The school year has barely come to a close, and students from high schools across Union County have already provided a giant assist for next year’s classes. They collected more than 19,000 school supplies and raised $3,000 in cash to help ensure that every child can start the next school year properly equipped, and ready for success.

The countywide project, called “Donate to Educate – Schools Supplying Schools” was created and carried out by students who participated in the Freeholder Board’s UC-STEP youth development summit last year.

“These young people showed a lot of character, and they engaged the whole Union County community in a project that will give a helping hand to students from families in need,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “They have provided an inspirational demonstration of the great things that happen when we all pull together for a good cause.”

UC-STEP (the Union County Student Training and Enrichment Program) began in 2013 as an initiative of Freeholder Linda Carter, who was Freeholder Chairman that year. It is a daylong summit that brings high school sophomores and juniors together from all walks of life, to practice leadership skills and engage in personal development activities.

The summit culminates in the creation and selection – by popular vote – of a countywide civic engagement project to be carried out in the spring, with the support of the Freeholder Board and other community sponsors.

The first UC-STEP campaign, called Support 4 Soldiers, enlisted the Union County community to collect “care package” items for active duty military members serving overseas. A total of 250 care packages were assembled through the efforts of that campaign.

The co-sponsors of this year’s Donate to Educate” – Schools Supplying Schools campaign were The Boys and Girls Clubs of Union County and Ivy Visions Inc. of Plainfield.

This year, 14 high schools participated: Academy for Performing Arts, Academy for Allied Health Sciences (both part of the UC Vo-Tech school district), Arthur L. Johnson, Barack Obama Green Charter, Cranford, Governor Livingston, Jonathon Dayton, Linden, Plainfield, Roselle Catholic, Summit, UC TEAMS, Union, and Union Catholic.

The campaign also included a friendly competition between the schools, based on the number of donations raised. Union Catholic High School of Scotch Plains was the first place winner and was awarded the Freeholder Board’s $1,000 START NOW grant for collecting an impressive total of 14,841 items.

UC TEAMS of Plainfield and Governor Livingston High School of Berkeley Heights came in second and third, respectively. They each received a grant of  $500.

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Reposted from Patch.com

A company that supplies several New Jersey stores with bottled water has issued a recall because one of its source springs may be contaminated with E.coli.

New Jersey stores that sell the recalled products include including Wegmans, ShopRite, 7-Eleven, Acme and more, according to recall notices.

According to Niagara Bottling, the water was produced at the Hamburg and Allentown, Penn. facilities between 3 a.m. June 10 and 8 p.m. June 18.

According to the company’s notice, here’s the full list of brand names under which the water was sold:

• Acadia
• Acme
• Big Y
• Best Yet
• 7-Eleven
• Niagara
• Nature’s Place
• Pricerite
• Superchill
• Morning Fresh
• Shaws
• ShopRite
• Western Beef Blue
• Wegmans

To determine if your water is affected, look at the code on the bottle. Only codes that begin with the letters A or F are affected.

“The first digit after the letter indicates the number of the production line. The next two numbers indicate the day, then the month in letters, the year, and then the time, based on a 24-hour clock,” the notice said.

For example, A610JUN15 2000 means the water was produced at Allentown on line 6, and manufactured on June 10, 2015 at 8 p.m. Products made between 3 a.m. June 10 and 8 p.m. June 18 should not be consumed, the notice said.

Some 16.9 oz. bottles of Wegmans Food You Feel Good About Spring Water are being recalled “out of an abundance of caution,’’ Wegmans said on its website.

No illnesses have been reported and “this bottled water is treated with a continuous ozonation process, a proven kill step for E.coli,’’ the website said.

Additionally, only the following products are part of the recall:


• Wegmans FYFGA Spring Water, 16.9 oz UPC 7789018860
• Wegmans FYFGA Spring Water, 16.9 oz, 12-pack UPC 7789010085
• Wegmans FYFGA Spring Water, 16.9 oz, 24-pack UPC 7789028768
• Wegmans FYFGA Spring Water, 16.9 oz, 35-pack UPC 7789029365

No other sizes or code dates are affected by the recall issued by Niagara Bottling. All products may be returned for a full refund. For more information, call Wegmans Consumer Affairs at 1-855-934-3663, Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“As the spring source did not notify us in a timely manner, we have discontinued the use of this source,’’ the notice from Niagara Bottling said.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to present Shakespeare in the Park featuring The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Next Stage Ensemble performing Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare and directed by Illana Stein. Admission is free at each of the six performances.

“Shakespeare’s works have survived the test of time and remain undeniably some of the most significant words ever written,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “This summer’s tour of Romeo and Juliet in our parks provides an opportunity for residents of all ages to experience the most beloved playwright who ever lived.”

The tour of Shakespeare’s most popular romantic tragedy kicks off in the Shakespeare Garden at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield on Sunday, July 12 at 2 p.m.

Additional tour performances include:

Thursday, July 23        Echo Lake Park, Mountainside                                   7:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 26           Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, Linden              7:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 30        Oak Ridge Park, Clark                                                7:00 p.m.
Monday, August 3      Echo Lake Park, Mountainside                                   7:00 p.m.
Friday, August 7         Oak Ridge Park, Clark                                                7:00 p.m.

Pack a picnic and a blanket or lawn chairs and head out to Union County parks to enjoy the most famous love story ever written.

In the words of the Bard himself, “For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and Romeo.”

Written around 1594, Romeo and Juliet has been a favorite of audiences for over 400 years.

In the hot summer streets of Verona, two idealistic teens discover love in a society consumed by senseless brutality. Filled with witty wordplay, lyric poetry, and flashy swordfights, Romeo and Juliet remains one of the most gripping and moving tragedies by William Shakespeare.

The Next Stage Ensemble, the Shakespeare Theatre’s summer touring company of early career actors, is part of the Theatre’s Summer Professional Training Program which offers students working toward a career in the performing arts clear instruction, individual attention, and thoughtful and candid evaluation in a professional theatre environment. The Next Stage Ensemble works with The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s resident and guest directors on two fully developed productions of abridged classic plays. The troupe tours to various locations throughout the state – including libraries, retirement homes and community centers.

The acclaimed Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is an independent, professional theatre company located on the Drew University campus. One of the leading Shakespeare theatres in the nation, serving 100,000 adults and children annually, it is New Jersey’s largest professional theatre company dedicated solely to Shakespeare’s canon and other world classics. Through its distinguished productions and education programs, the company strives to illuminate the universal and lasting relevance of the classics for contemporary audiences.

For more information or for a complete listing of summer events visit ucnj.org.

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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.

By Joanne Rajoppi, Union County Clerk

June 2015

Now that the summer travel season is under way, I’d like to update you on the ways in which my office can help with passport applications and other vital services.

The Office of the County Clerk is an authorized agent of the U.S. State Department and a one-stop portal for your passport application process.

By federal law, new passports and renewals for children age 15 and under require an in-person visit by the child and parents. We can process your forms and take your photograph at either of our two locations, the historic County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth or the new Colleen Frasier Building in Westfield, 300 North Avenue East.

Mass transit and nearby parking are available for both sites, and we have extended our hours to make our passport services more accessible.  The Elizabeth office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Westfield office has a flexible schedule: Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Land records are another critical service used by many Union County residents, businesses and professionals.  That is clearly demonstrated by our Online Public Land Records property search page, which received more than 900,000 individual visits last year alone.

Information can be accessed and transmitted electronically, without the need to travel to the archives.  As a one-stop portal, our search page includes links for viewing and printing any document that has been published online, ordering certified copies by mail, and accessing our newly expanded e-recording service. Persons without Internet access can request information by phone or mail.

E-recording enables documents to be recorded electronically. If you are unfamiliar with this service, you can call my office at 908-527-4787 to find out more. 

We also provide important services for veterans. These services are all free of charge and they can be accessed remotely, online or by phone and mail.  Veterans can have their Honorable Discharge documents recorded and obtain certified copies, and receive Honorable Discharge identification cards (the “Veterans’ ID” card) and Veterans’ Peddlers Licenses. We also coordinate an online list of businesses offering discounts to holders of the Veterans ID card.

Similarly, businesses registering trade names as required by State law can conduct their transactions by mail using our downloadable forms. Persons applying to become notaries public can use our notary portal, which includes links for completing the application online or downloading mail-in forms.

If you have any questions about our services please visit our office or call 908-527-4787 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

To view the County Clerk website visit ucnj.org/county-clerk. For passport questions, call the Elizabeth office at 908-527-4966 or the Westfield office at 908-527-9859.

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Union County, NJ  –  A big thank-you from the Freeholder Board goes out to the great group of 32 Adopt-a-Park volunteers from Morgan Stanley, who spent their Thursday this week out at the Deserted Village of Feltville in Union County’s Watchung Reservation. They spread mulch, removed invasive plants, repaired a split rail fence, and fixed erosion problems along a nearby trail. To top it off, they cleaned windows, floors and exhibit cases in the Church-Store building at the village. Morgan Stanley also provided a generous donation that will go to purchase tools, herbicide and new split rail fencing. Every year, hundreds of volunteers provide invaluable assistance with nature conservation and beautification projects in County parks. To join Adopt-a-Park as an individual or group, visit the County website at ucnj.org or call the Department of Parks and Recreation, 908-789-3683. Photos: Betty Ann Kelly/County of Union.

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The Warinanco Park Skating Rink—a familiar old friend and landmark for Union County skaters since 1961—will undergo an extensive $7 million modernization and renovation that will double the overall complex space and transform it into a year-round venue for skating and other activities, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced.

Work is expected to begin by the end of this Summer, and last approximately one year.   During that time, the facility will be closed for open public skating, but remain open for high school games and practices.

“Our goal is to provide modernized amenities for skaters while creating a venue that can remain in use year-round for a variety of purposes,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “The Warinanco Park Skating Rink was considered a state-of-the-art facility when it opened in 1961, and we are looking forward to an exciting update that will restore its prominence.”

Elements of the renovation/modernization include:

• A new state-of-the-art field house which will measure 11,000 square feet, and include a room for parties, a food concession area, a video game room, a retail pro shop and skate rental room;
• A new exterior seating area that will be covered, protecting patrons from the elements;
• The rink’s refrigeration building will be renovated;
• A new ice rink floor (covering the same foot print) including new refrigeration piping, LEED lighting and reflective ceiling which will be made from a material which will help prevent humidity build-up;
• New bleachers and flooring surrounding the ice floor as well as new boards, glass and nets;
• An all new gas fireplace–stone covered and running the height of the building;
• Team locker rooms will be remodeled.

“The Warinanco Park Skating Rink is a place where generations of families have made memories and will continue to do so once the renovations are complete,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados, who is also the Freeholder Board’s parks liaison. “We look forward to cutting the ribbon next year on the imaginative recreation of this landmark.”

The rink will become known as the Warinanco Sports Center going forward once the project is complete. In the Spring and Summer once the ice is removed, field turf will be laid on the rink floor and baseball/softball batting cages will be added as well as an infield so as to service the large number of baseball and softball leagues which currently use the park.

The new Warinanco Sports Center is expected to be opened in two phases, the first phase will allow for hockey games in the fall.

Most parts of the facility are currently in an advanced state of deterioration and will be torn down and replaced by new construction and signage.  Mar-Bridge Enterprises of Matawan is the general contractor, and Netta Architects of Mountainside has designed the new facility.

The rink, which is located on the Roselle side of the park, was part of the original plans for the park drawn up in the 1920s. It was finally built and opened as an outdoor facility in October, 1961 with much fanfare: the opening program featured group and solo exhibitions from local professional and amateur skaters, a pee wee hockey game, and speed skating.  The rate card billed the rink as “The First Public Artificial Ice Skating Rink in Union County.”

The rink was built in what was then known as the “Spinning Woods” area of Warinanco Park, and cost $225,000 to construct. It required 216 tons of sand for the base and 32 tons of crystal spar.

A roof was added in 1969 making the ice surface usable in all weather conditions.The rink is now home ice for hockey teams from five Union County high schools and is used by nearly 50,000 skaters each year.

Warinanco Park has seen extensive renovations culminating over the past year with the opening of the new athletic turf field and track area on the Roselle side, and a new sprayground/playground sports area on the Elizabeth side, across from the Boat House.

Located in the City of Elizabeth, and the Borough of Roselle, Warinanco Park, which opened in the mid 1920s, comprises 205 acres of developed park land, and was originally designed by the Olmsted Firm.

Beginning in 1857 with the design for Central Park in New York City, Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903), his sons and successor firm created designs for more than 6,000 landscapes across North America, including many of the world’s most important parks.

For generations of Union County residents,  Warinanco Park is arguably the County’s most well-known recreational facility.  While it is deceivingly small in size, the park’s many features make it appear as if it were actually much bigger.

Warinanco Park has four distinct areas: the Central Park area, the boathouse/playground area, the skating center, and the track area.

Some other  popular attractions include  the Chatfield Gardens; the park’s Great Walk area; tennis courts; ball fields; and par-course fitness route.  In the Spring, the park is noted for its colorful blooms of Cherry Blossom, Dogwood trees and Azaleas.  

Total of $1.5 million in grants awarded for projects

Union County, NJ—The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders today announced infrastructure awards to 21 municipalities to help fund projects aimed at spurring economic development growth and a wide variety of improvements throughout the County.

“Our goal is to provide an economic boost to our municipalities in an area where State and Federal assistance has been lapsing,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “The end result will be quality of life improvements that continue to make Union County one of the highest-rated places to live in the nation.”

The Infrastructure program was developed through the County Freeholder’s Fiscal Committee, which Freeholder Christopher Hudak chaired, and included Freeholders Alexander Mirabella, Sergio Granados and Angel Estrada.

The matching grant initiative makes available a total of $1.5 million to Union County’s 21 municipalities assisting them to accomplish tasks undertaken in calendar year 2015. The funding for the grant is provided through the proceeds from the sale of Runnells Specialized Hospital.

“We also want to stimulate some job growth and provide a public benefit in helping towns to build important development projects or address short-term or long-term governmental, social, transportation matters,” Hudak said.

Some examples of work funded include: clearing/demolition of certain properties slated for redevelopment; streetscape improvements including curbing and sidewalk repairs/improvements;  road resurfacings; municipal building improvements and repairs; funding of various revitalization/development studies, and master plans; downtown/business district improvements; sanitary/sewer/flood mitigation improvements.

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Municipality	Amount
Berkeley Heights	$45,000.00
Clark	$30,000.00
Cranford	$55,000.00
Elizabeth	$150,000.00
Fanwood	$30,000.00
Garwood	$30,000.00
Hillside	$50,000.00
Kenilworth	$35,000.00
Linden	$115,000.00
Mountainside	$45,000.00
New Providence	$70,000.00
Plainfield	$115,000.00
Rahway	$75,000.00
Roselle	$60,000.00
Roselle Park	$75,000.00
Scotch Plains	$105,000.00
Springfield	$65,000.00
Summit	$115,000.00
Union	$115,000.00
Westfield	$95,000.00
Winfield	$25,000.00
Grand Total	$1,500,000.00

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A longshoreman working at the Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal has been charged with bilking half a dozen co-workers out of nearly $87,000 via a fraudulent mortgage loan modification program, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park and Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor Executive Director Walter M. Arsenault jointly announced Thursday.

Pedro Lopez, 60, of Elizabeth was charged via summons Thursday with a single count of second-degree theft by deception. His first appearance in Superior Court has been scheduled for next Wednesday, June 24.

The case was referred to the Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Prosecutions Unit by the Waterfront Commission earlier this year. A joint investigation involving both law enforcement agencies determined that starting in June 2010, Lopez began approaching co-workers to solicit their involvement in a mortgage loan modification program he claimed would significantly lower their individual mortgage payments or eliminate their mortgages altogether, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Rob Vanderstreet, who is prosecuting the case.

Each victim was required to pay up to $15,000 to become part of the program, and several later were asked for additional funds for the processing of paperwork, Vanderstreet said. Lopez allegedly collected a combined total of $86,800 from the six victims, and despite reassuring them during the course of nearly five years that the program took time to yield results, none of the promised mortgage savings ever materialized.

Convictions on second-degree crimes commonly carry penalties of 5 to 10 years in state prison.

These criminal charges are mere accusations. Each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.