Author: Web Site Administrator

In order to better assist seniors 65 years of age and older, and those who may not have internet access, the Union County Board of County Commissioners announced the opening on Friday, January 29^th of a COVID-19 Vaccination Call Center for residents to schedule an appointment. The Union County COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center will also work to answer questions from residents who need more information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, and can also help arrange transportation if necessary for residents with a confirmed vaccination appointment.

The phone number is 908-613-7VAX (7829), and the hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Within the hotline system, there will be tailored assistance for:

• Seniors over 65 years of age;
• Those in the 18-64 age range with qualifying medical conditions who may lack internet access;
• Residents who need assistance in Spanish;
• Residents who may need assistance with transportation to and from vaccination sites

Those currently eligible to receive the vaccination are individuals ages 65 and older, persons 18-64 with high-risk medical conditions, uniformed police officers, firefighters, health care workers and others identified in Group 1A.

Those wishing to make an appointment online for the Union County Vaccination center may also do so at www.ucnj.org

The Union County Board of County Commissioners today announced the opening of an online registration system at www.ucnj.org for those eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.

The registration system is currently open. Please note the registration system will only log those who are eligible to receive the vaccination. Those who are ineligible to receive vaccinations will not be allowed to pre-register, and must wait until they are eligible. The County is offering the Moderna vaccine.

County Board of Commissioners Chairman Alexander Mirabella said: “The opening of an online registration system marks another step forward as we ramp up our vaccination efforts. In addition to taking all precautions in protecting ourselves from COVID-19, we certainly urge everyone to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible.”

Commissioner Sergio Granados, who chairs the County’s Public Safety Committee, said: “We are working hard to vaccinate as many people as we can during this time. We have put into place measures such as a new registration page that will ensure we can meet the demand once the state provides more vaccines and moves into latter phases.”

Those who are eligible to receive the vaccine include paid and unpaid persons serving in health care settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials and long-term care residents and staff, and also sworn law enforcement personnel and fire professionals. The Governor also announced that beginning tomorrow, residents 65 and above are also eligible to receive the vaccinations, as are those between the ages of 16-64 with medical conditions, as defined by the CDC, that increase the risk of severe illness from the virus.

The County’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic is located at Downs Hall at Kean University in Union, and is currently open five days a week from 3-7 p.m. Once more vaccines are available, the County is planning to offer the COVID-19 vaccine in different areas of the County.

Carolyn Smith, Nurse Practitioner at Kean University and resident of Union, first to get Moderna vaccine at County site

The County of Union today vaccinated its first resident today, Carolyn Smith of Union, a nurse practitioner at Kean University, to mark the start of Phase 1A vaccinations, the Board of County Commissioners announced.

The vaccination occurred at the County’s facility at Kean University at approximately 3 p.m.— the start of the first day of operations. Smith, who has more than 20 years of experience in the medical field and is a registered nurse in the states of New Jersey and New York, said:

“I did it because I believe it is important to prevent the spread of the pandemic, to save lives, and protect my family, myself, my patients, and the community. After reviewing information and the science about the pandemic, I believe this is the best thing to do. We must work to stop COVID-19 and vaccination is one of the ways.”

Ms. Smith received her shot from Julie Wischusen of Cranford, a registered nurse who has been a frontline volunteer at Union County’s Drive-Through COVID-19 Test Center at Kean University ever since it opened in March, at the outset of the COVID-19 lockdowns. Her husband, New York Jets announcer Bob Wischusen created the “Let’s Feed Our Heroes” fundraising drive to purchase food for local hospital workers.

Union County Board of County Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella said: “The Board of Commissioners commends Ms. Smith for setting the example and taking the first vaccination. We are pleased to open the vaccination clinic and begin offering life-saving vaccines to those who qualify during the current phase. As more supplies become available, we will announce locations and procedures in accordance with state guidance and we urge all residents to get vaccinated. We have all been depending on each other to stay safe during this pandemic, and each one of us has the power to make a difference in our community.”

County Commissioner Sergio Granados, who chairs the County’s Public Safety/Homeland Security Committee, said: “Today, Union County has taken a major step forward in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic with the kickoff of our vaccination program. Our program began with over 300 vaccinations being provided today alone to those in the 1A category including Ms. Smith, a nurse practitioner at Kean. Our Union County Board of Commissioners will continue to expand the vaccination program to residents as we work with the State of NJ who will guide us through each vaccination phase category.”

The County of Union has begun Phase 1A vaccinations at Kean University. Health care personnel and others, as defined by the New Jersey Department of Health, who are eligible to receive the vaccine, must make an appointment through the County’s website.  For more information about who qualifies under phase 1A or to make an appointment visit ucnj.org/vaccination.​  The County is offering the Moderna vaccine.

The County of Union today announced it will begin to offer Phase 1A Covid-19 vaccinations beginning Thursday and in accordance with state guidelines.

Health care personnel, as defined by the New Jersey Department of Health, who are eligible to receive the vaccine, must make an appointment through the County’s registration system.  For more information about who qualifies under phase 1A or to make an appointment visit http://www.ucnj.org/vaccination.​  Registration will be open tomorrow on Tuesday, January 5^th at 9 a.m. The County will be offering the Moderna vaccine.

“In the coming weeks and months, as more supplies become available, we will announce locations and procedures in accordance with New Jersey Department of Health regulations and guidance,” said County Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “We hold the health and safety of those we vaccinate in the utmost regard, and we are ensuring that all protocols are in place as we proceed. As we conduct this lifesaving work over the coming months, we urge all residents to continue taking every possible action to save lives, too: wear a mask, observe social distance, get tested – and get vaccinated once you are eligible and once supplies arrive. We have all been depending on each other to stay safe during this pandemic, and each one of us has the power to make a difference in our community.”

County Commissioner Sergio Granados, chair of the Public Safety Committee added:  “Union County continues to work on ways to help our residents during the COVID-19 pandemic from leading the state in testing to now kicking off the Union County COVID-19 vaccination program that we are confident will become one of the most active in New Jersey in offering vaccinations.”

Commissioner Rebecca L. Williams becomes Vice Chair; Commissioners Angela R. Garretson and Christopher Hudak begin new terms; Commissioner Lourdes M. Leon begins first full term; Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi and Sheriff Peter Corvelli begin new terms.

Commissioner Alexander Mirabella has been selected as Chairman of the Union County Board of County Commissioners for the second year in a row, announcing a series of initiatives for 2021 under the title, “Union County Rising.”

Chairman Mirabella announced the new initiatives at the 165^th annual reorganization meeting of County Government. The reorganization was held virtually for the first time in history, and the installations and swearings-in were held live on the steps of the historic Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. The meeting also marked the first meeting of the newly-named County Board of Commissioners, replacing the title of Freeholder.

During the meeting, Commissioner Rebecca L. Williams became Vice Chair; Commissioners Angela R. Garretson and Christopher Hudak began new terms; Commissioner Lourdes M. Leon began her first full term and also became the first Latino woman elected to the Board; and Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi and Sheriff Peter Corvelli began new terms.

This is Mirabella’s sixth term as Chairman, having previously served in 2001, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2020.

During his speech, Mirabella called for a moment of silence in honor of those who died from COVID-19, then added:

“Union County was dealt a severe blow by the pandemic in every way­ socially, economically and physically,” he said. “Yet, we did what we always do when faced with tough times: We came together, we helped each other, we healed each other, and we must now move forward.”

The “Union County Rising” initiatives are:

*Vaccinations: The County of Union is finalizing plans to make the COVID-19 vaccine available to its residents, and is ready to begin vaccinations as soon as they arrive. Having administered COVID-19 tests throughout Union County, the infrastructure is in place to allow for a transition to a vaccination program immediately. Union County will be providing vaccinations according to the priorities established by the State of New Jersey.

*Dispatch expansion:  The Department of Public Safety has begun work on the expansion of the Union County Regional Dispatch Center. This is an important shared service handling emergency calls for the County, and many other agencies.

*The former Juvenile Detention Center in Linden: The County is planning to repurpose it as a Fire Academy, to train firefighters throughout the County.

*“Union County Means Business for all initiatives:”

1.) The Union County Economic Development Corporation has started taking applications for its VIP Virtual Incubator Program. This is limited to minority and under-served populations;

2.) The Entrepreneurship as a Second Chance (ESC) program is to be held in April/May. The focus will be on Union county registrants, and the UCEDC is accepting applications now. This will be training to assist individuals explore business ownership;

3.) The “Open for Business Initiative,” which is designed to help underserved small businesses stay open and save jobs through the UCEDC;

More information the above UCEDC programs is available online at ucedc.com.

4.) Project Fresh Start: The County’s Human Services Department will provide mobile shower and laundry service for people in need and the homeless, and it will roll out this year.

5.) The reboot of the Union County Foreclosure Task Force, which was created to help those in need after the financial crash in          2009. In its new form, the Task Force will also include tenants at risk of eviction.

6.) The Office of LGBTQ Affairs will work with the National and NJ LGBT Chambers of Commerce to develop a virtual jobs fair with accepting businesses that value  LGBTQ diversity in the workplace and offer affirming working environments where all are welcome.

7.) In line with this, the County is working with UCEDC to develop an “Open for Business – Open for Everyone: Diversity and Inclusion Symposium” for business owners, managers and entrepreneurs. Upon completion of the LGBTQ+ diversity and inclusion training program, businesses will be invited to sign the “Open for Business – Open for Everyone” pledge and receive a window decal or sticker  to  post  at  their establishment.

8.) The Office of LGBTQ Affairs will work with our Parks Department to develop plans for a unique LGBTQ+ inclusive and welcoming space for all to enjoy at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield.

*Parks Department announcements:

1.) Continuation of drive-up concerts and movies in the spring;

2.) Work should be completed by summer on the newly ­renovated Ulrich Pool in Rahway;

3.) A new turf field and baseball facility at Snyder Avenue will be completed in Berkeley Heights in the spring;

4.) The County will begin construction of a new outdoor riding ring for those with disabilities at the Watchung Stables. The ring should be completed by the end of the year;

5.) The County will complete the master plan for the Clark Reservoir in the next few months;

6.) The County plans to transform County property on Cushing Road into a working farm, as part of a unique educational opportunity for students at the Union County Vocational-Technical School District in Scotch Plains.

*The County anticipates a groundbreaking on one of Union County’s largest and most important economic development projects ever — the construction of two new County office buildings on West Grand Street in Elizabeth. The plan is to consolidate employees from the current Administration Building and several other leased facilities into these two new buildings. By financing through the Union County Improvement Authority and eliminating leases, the County will save $120 million over 30 years.

Mirabella concluded his speech with a call to action.

“I said it before, and I’ll say it again: I’m proud of each County employee, who in their own way, enabled us to continue providing essential County services while managing new challenges brought on by the pandemic, including testing, tracking, tracing, emergency food distribution, and CARES Act grant programs,” Mirabella said.  “We are facing formidable challenges this year, but I know that together we will rise above all. Together, we can, we must, and we will get over the pandemic and move Union County forward.”

Union County Government will hold its annual reorganization on Sunday, January 3rd, which begins at 12 p.m. The installation ceremony and the reorganizational meeting will be held in person at the steps of the Union County Courthouse and will convene virtually due to COVID-19 pandemic so that the public may participate.  Both the installation ceremony and the reorganizational meeting will be broadcast live on the County’s Facebook page.

Union County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Alexander Mirabella, a resident of Fanwood, is expected to continue a second year in a row as Chairman, and Commissioner Rebecca Williams, a resident of Plainfield, is expected to be Vice Chair. Those scheduled to be sworn into new terms include: Commissioners Angela R. Garretson and Christopher Hudak. Lourdes M. Leon  will begin her first term as a Commissioner. County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi and County Sheriff  Peter Corvelli will be sworn in to new terms.

Commissioners will also vote to fill numerous positions on county standing committees, advisory boards and to adopt the board’s 2021 schedule and more.