Month: October 2015

Learn more about how to use the voting machines.

View more videos on the Union County Video Channel

If you have been thinking about adopting a child, come and learn about the process from the professional staff of adoption agencies at the Adoption Information Fair sponsored by The Superior Court of NJ on Friday, November 20, 2015 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Adoption agencies will be on hand to answer your questions and to provide information about adoption.

Location: Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth NJ 07207

“There are no unwanted children.Just unfound families!”
-National Adoption Center

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Clerk’s Office in Elizabeth Open on Halloween

Polls open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday November 3

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds voters that polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3 for the 2015 General and School Board Elections. 

“To ensure that your voice will be heard on Election Day, plan ahead and make plenty of time to get to your polling place before it closes,” said Rajoppi.

To find polling places, voters can use a simple online search tool at the “Where do I vote?” link on the County Clerk’s website, ucnj.org/county-clerk.

Union County residents can also get polling place locations and other important election information on their mobile devices by downloading the Union County Votes app, or by calling the County Clerk at 908-527-4996.

“If you don’t think you can get to the polls in person, there is still time to use a Vote-By-Mail ballot,” said Rajoppi, “But don’t delay, as the Vote-By-Mail deadlines are coming up soon.”

Any registered voter can use a Vote-By-Mail ballot. The deadline for applying for a Vote-By-Mail ballot in person at the County Clerk’s main Elizabeth office and Westfield annex office is November 2, before 3:00 p.m. Voters can apply for the ballot, receive it on the spot, fill it out, and return it to a secure drop box at these two offices, all in one visit. 

The Clerk’s Office in Elizabeth will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. this Saturday, October 31, 2015 for voters wishing to obtain a Vote-By-Mail Ballot.  The Westfield Office is also open on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday October 27 is the last day to apply for a Vote-By-Mail ballot by mailing in an application form. Downloadable forms are available at ucnj.org/county-clerk.

For more information about voting in Union County visit ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4996.

For all other County Clerk programs and services visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787.

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Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Freeholders Alexander Mirabella, Vernell Wright and Christopher Hudak joined Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi in welcoming Brian Smith, founder of UGG Australia, to the Union County Means Business networking breakfast event at the STEM Building at Kean University in Union. Smith was the featured speaker at the event. The networking breakfast is part of the Freeholder Board’s Union County Means Business initiative, which provides free networking sessions, workshops and other services for the local business community. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Freeholders Alexander Mirabella and Angel G. Estrada and Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi joined Union County Sheriff’s Captain Dennis Burke in congratulating the winners of the 5th Annual Union County Sheriff’s Pistol Competition at the Union County Sheriff’s Firearms Training Facility in Springfield. Cpl. Sean Dougherty of the Union County Police Department won 1st Place. Sgt. Jerry Plum of the Plainfield Police Department took 2nd Place. Union County Sheriff’s Officer Keith Rhyner took 3rd Place. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi speaks with a commuter about the Union County Votes App at the Union train station. The free mobile app is designed to help Union County residents connect quickly and easily with accurate information about voting and elections.

The Union County Votes app enables voters to find their polling place, request voter registration forms and vote-by-mail ballots, view sample ballots, and follow unofficial election results in real time. The app also provides information for persons interested in becoming a poll worker or running for office, including election filing dates and district maps.

For more information about the Union County Votes app, visit https://ucnj.org/county-clerk/. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ  –  The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce a major renovation and expansion of Watchung Stables, the county’s public riding facility. The project includes a new indoor riding ring to enable year-round use of the stable, bringing in additional revenue while providing more Union County residents with affordable access to a popular sport.

The Freeholder Board voted to approve the project during its regular public meeting on Thursday, September 10, and the start of construction was marked in a groundbreaking ceremony today.

“The dream of year-round riding at Watchung Stables has been percolating for almost 30 years, and now we have the opportunity to open up this unique sport to more County residents,” said Freeholder Bruce H. Bergen. “Horseback riding teaches valuable life lessons, and on behalf of the Freeholder Board we are proud to preserve and improve this longstanding Union County tradition.”

Watchung Stables is located in the Watchung Reservation, on Summit Lane in Mountainside. Currently the facility has no indoor riding ring, limiting its use to seasonable weather from April 1 to November 1.

The stable’s Watchung Mounted Troops youth program currently serves approximately 700 children yearly, many of whom volunteer at the stable and perform related community service projects when they are not riding.

Watchung Stables also offers classes and programs for adults and casual riders, activities for non-riders, and boarding services for privately owned horses.

“The many volunteers who have supported Watchung Stables over the years have been inspirational, and they highlight how this valuable community asset has enriched Union County over the years,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados who is the Freeholder Board’s liaison to the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Three volunteer groups raise funds for equipment and help staff activities and programs at the stable: Watchung Stables Auxiliary, Watchung Jr. Hunt Club, and Watchung Riding and Driving Club. The Auxiliary also includes a subcommittee called School Horses of Watchung Retirement Program, which arranges new homes for horses that are too old for stable work.

Watchung Stables has been a fixture in Union County since the origin of the County Parks system in 1925.  Along with golf, tennis, swimming and other facilities in County parks, Watchung Stable was established to provide all County residents with access to a popular activity that would otherwise require membership in private clubs and riding facilities.

“With a year-round ring and other improvements, Watchung Stables can provide more programs for more riders, and provide more services for our boarding horses,” said Bergen. “The additional revenue offers a fiscally responsible pathway for upgrading this very popular facility.”

The original location of Watchung Stables was in Summit, on Glenside Avenue. That site was lost in the 1980’s when the “missing link” of Interstate 78 was constructed. Work on the present facility in Mountainside began in 1983 and largely concluded in 1985. The initial plans called for the construction of an indoor ring.

The main features of the new project are:

• Construction of an energy-efficient indoor ring that requires no heating in winter
• Renovation/construction of three outdoor riding rings and six paddocks
• New surfaces, fencing, and landscaping throughout
• Installation of new barn doors to save energy and prevent heat loss in winter

The September 10 vote formally approved a contract of $2.3 million to JC Landscape Construction & Management Co., Inc. of Pequannock. Construction will begin this month and progress in phases over the next 18 months. The stable is expected to continue normal operations while construction is under way.

For more information about programs and activities at Watchung Stable, visit online at ucnj.org/parks-recreation.

Information on all Union County programs and services is available at ucnj.org.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that adults, ages 18 and older, can register online atwww.ucnj.org/trailisde for a lecture on the “Bee Colony Crisis.”   Presented at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside on Friday, November 13 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., this lecture is free of charge.  Pre-registration is preferred; however, walk-ins are welcomed. 

“The honey bee plays an important role in our country’s agriculture.  This lecture addresses many of the questions we have been asking about a problem that impacts all of us,” says Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh.    

The bee colony crisis has had a deleterious impact on many agricultural crops world-wide.  The decline of the bee population in our country has significantly increased the cost to farmers.  Tim Schuler, New Jersey State Apiarist, will lecture on three causes of trauma to the European honey bee.  Enhanced by a PowerPoint presentation, the lecture will define the ecological problems we face, the impact on the bee-keeping industry and how professional bee keepers and hobbyists have responded to this crisis.  

For more information about this program or other activities at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside.    Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite you to explore the fascinating world of rocks, minerals, fossils and gems at Trailside Nature and Science Center on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8 from noon to 5 p.m. on both days.

“This two-day event brings rocks and gems to life with many exhibits and displays,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh, “There is something for everyone at this unique event.”

Sponsored jointly with the New Jersey Mineralogical Society, the Rock, Gem and Jewelry Show will host more than 20 vendors selling minerals, rocks, gemstones, jewelry, sea shells and fossils from around the world.  Geologists young and old will be mesmerized by the variety of specimens on display and for sale.  Children can purchase geodes, arrowheads and fluorescent minerals, while adults may enjoy the jewelry, fine gems and collector-grade pieces.  Free children’s activities are available.  Admission to the event on both days is free.

For more information about the Rock, Gem and Jewelry Show call Trailside at 908-789-3670.  Visit www.ucnj.org/trailside for additional information on programs offered this fall at Trailside.  Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.