Author: Web Site Administrator

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that Tito Puente Jr. and his 10-piece Latin band will be bringing their unique blend of salsa music and Latin rhythms to Kean University in Union Township at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 22.

This event will also feature an opening act, a local 6 piece Latin and salsa band, the Mike Ramirez Band.

The free drive-in event is part of Union County’s seasonal series of outdoor concerts. The drive-in format has been adopted during the pandemic in order to help prevent the virus from spreading.

“Tito Puente Jr. is well known for his energy, enthusiasm, and passion for sharing Latin rhythms, and we are excited to bring this dynamic performer to the Union County community,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Tito Puente, Jr. is the son of Grammy-winning legend, Tito Puente, who was widely known as an American musician, songwriter, and record producer in the genres of Latin Jazz, Afro-Cuban Jazz, Mambo, and Salsa.

“These concerts provide our residents with a way to relax, enjoy, and unwind in a safe setting that protects public health. As part Latino growing up, my home was always alive with music including the sounds of Tito Puente. I am extremely excited to relive those memories with Tito Puente Jr. and his band,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados.

The event is free but registration is required online in advance to reserve a spot. Reservations will be available to the public beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May 14 on the County website at ucnj.org/reserve.

Please note that space is limited and reservations are on a first come, first served basis.

Food and drinks will not be available for purchase, but attendees may bring their own refreshments. Alcohol is strictly prohibited.

This event will run in compliance with state COVID-19 guidelines regarding social distancing and other protocols. To help promote social distancing, no walk-ups, bikes, or chairs are permitted. Vehicles will be arranged at least 6 feet apart with adequate social distancing.

Port-o-johns will be available. Masks will be required when using the port-o-johns. Attendees must stay in their vehicles (unless they need to use the port-o-johns).

Further details will be available to residents upon reserving tickets.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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By Alexander Mirabella

Chairman, Union County Board of Commissioners

May is Military Appreciation Month and the Union County Board of Commissioners is committed to connecting our veterans and military families with helpful services.

Over the past year, we have expanded our outreach with several new programs.

We now have designated parking spaces at of our County facilities, for all Union County Veterans who display a Union County Veterans parking placard in their vehicle. To view a list of the locations and submit an application for a free placard, please visit ucnj.org/uc-hero.

In support of our LGBTQ veterans and active military residents, we have also partnered with our Office of LGBTQ Affairs, to address specific concerns and issues. We offer services for VA disability issues, military discharge upgrades, medical benefits, education resources, housing assistance, and employment/training resources.

In partnership with the PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program, the County will be offering free golf lessons to Veterans starting May 25. Learning and playing the game of golf has proven to provide Veterans with positive social experiences that can assist with assimilation into the community after service. To sign up or learn more information about this program, please visit ucnj.org/uc-hero.

We also reach out on a regular basis through The Veterans Bulletin, the official newsletter of the Union County Office of Veterans Services. The bulletin details all programs and services that are available to Veterans and active military members in Union County, as well as highlighting important issues during the designated month. Please visit ucnj.org/uc-hero for online viewing or to join the mailing list.

As a reminder, Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi provides honorable discharge identification cards to veterans at no charge. If you have any questions or need additional assistance with this process, you can call the County Clerk’s office or contact Janna Williams, Accredited Veteran Service Coordinator for the Office of Veterans Services, at (908) 527-4918 or jwilliams@ucnj.org.

Finally, as is our tradition, later this month we will be distributing American flags to be placed on Veterans’ graves in honor of Memorial Day. Last year we continued this tradition safely during the pandemic, with more than 30,000 flags placed by dozens of volunteers.

This year, it is with renewed appreciation and respect that we visit the final resting places of our military veterans, who gave their lives to ensure the peace, safety, and security of our nation. May we all honor their sacrifice by doing our best to ensure that the light of democracy continues to shine throughout the world.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County Announces Free Drive-In Concert, May 15

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that the Motown tribute band Shadows of the 60’s will headline a free, live drive-in concert at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 15 at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield.

The event is free, but registration is required online in advance to reserve a spot. Reservations will be available on a first come, first serve basis beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May 7 on the County website at ucnj.org/reserve.

Please note that space is limited and reservations book quickly.

“It’s a real pleasure to continue offering outdoor entertainment to the community while taking precautions against the spread of COVID-19, and we are looking forward to enjoying the music of Shadows of the 60’s,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Shadows of the 60’s pays tribute to the legacy of Motown’s Super Groups by recreating an authentic Motown concert experience. With stunning costumes and choreography, and performers that embody the spirit, style, and excitement of the original artists, Shadows of the 60’s offers live Motown music with the intensity of the original recorded performances.

“Shadows of the 60’s continues our concert series with another must-see show,” said Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Rebecca Williams. “Through their incredible singers, musicians, and performance, Shadows of the 60’s is able to bring Motown to life, and we are so happy to offer this authentic experience to Union County residents.”

This event will run in compliance with state COVID-19 guidelines regarding social distancing and other protocols. Attendees must bring their own snacks and drinks. There will not be any food or drink available for purchase.

To help promote social distancing, no walk-ups, bikes, or chairs are permitted. Vehicles will be arranged at least 6 feet apart with adequate social distancing.

Port-o-johns will be available. Masks will be required when using the port-o-johns. Attendees must stay in their vehicles (unless they need to use the port-o-johns).

Further details will be available to residents upon reserving tickets.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Commissioners and the Union County Parks Department would like to inform all Union County residents of the upcoming partial closure of the eastern section of Lenape Park, due to repairing the dam.

The purpose of the dam is to regulate the flow of water into Cranford during heavy rain events.

The eastern section of Lenape Park, beginning from the Rahway River and ending at the Kenilworth border, will be closed beginning in June 2021 to all visitors, including hikers, fishermen and bikers. The work is expected to take four months.

Additionally, the entire length of this Eastern Bike Path, from the Boulevard to 14^th Street, will be closed while this maintenance is taking place.

Lenape Park’s western section, however, shall remain open. This section is from the Rahway River to the Westfield border and includes the western bike path, which runs from the Boulevard to Springfield Ave. in Westfield.

Some of these repairs include:

• Removal of trees from the slopes of the embankment
• Installing a new asphalt overlay and fence on the bicycle path
• Reseeding the areas of disturbance caused by the tree removal

These repairs are required in order to the bring the dam into compliance with the regulations of the State of New Jersey’s Bureau of Dam Safety, the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection and to ensure the safety of County residents.

The County regrets any inconvenience to the public cause by these mandated repairs.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Alexander Mirabella, Chairman, Union County Board of County Commissioners
Union County Commissioner and Shade Tree Advisory Board Liaison Bette Jane Kowalski
 
To the writers: Congratulations to the winners of the 2021 Union County Arbor Day Poetry Contest! We are all very proud to host this special display of your work on the County website. Please know that your work in raising awareness about the importance of trees is very much appreciated by the whole Union County family. Through your ability to create and communicate, you have each made a significant contribution to encouraging environmental stewardship throughout our community.
 
To the readers: Please enjoy this unique window into the world of our community treescape, as seen through the eyes of local students in grades 4 – 8. Our 2021 contest winners invite us all to reconnect with the environment that sustains and surrounds us, each in their own very personal and thoughtful way.
 
We hope this exhibit inspires residents and visitors alike to appreciate, plant, and care for trees throughout Union County, and beyond.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners and the Union County Shade Tree Advisory Board would like to thank all of the students who participated in the annual Arbor Day Poetry Contest.

“Arbor Day is a national celebration of environmental stewardship, and trees are a valuable resource in our densely developed area,” said Commissioner Board Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “On behalf of the Commissioner Board I would like to thank all of the students who participated, for helping to raise awareness about the importance of trees in our community, and beyond.”

One winner was chosen for first, second, and third place at each grade level.

Congratulations to all of our winners!

4^th grade winners:

1. The Four Seasons by Madison Sartoretti of Valley Road School, Clark, NJ supervised by teacher, Janeen Allmendinger.
2. Trees Matter by Olesia Patterson of Jerome Dunn Academy School #9 supervised by teacher, Marianne English.
3. Arbor Day by Sahana Iyer of Thomas P Hughes Elementary School supervised by teacher, Andrea Masri.

5^th grade winners:

1. A Tree Limerick by Taylor Tripet of Thelma Sandmeier Elementary School in Springfield, NJ supervised by teacher, LeEtta Palumbo.
2. Trees by Julia Pappalardo of Terrill Middle School , Scotch Plains, NJ supervised by teacher, Erika Vaughn.
3. Yoga Tree by Twana Tsuro of Thelma Sandmeier Elementary School in Springfield, NJ supervised by teachers, Anthony Scarppelli and Linda Schmidt.

6^th grade winners:

1. I Cannot Imagine a World without Trees by Morgan Sinclair from Orange Ave. School, Cranford, NJ supervised by teacher, Liz Chandler.
2. Untitled by Sharika Dhar of Columbia Middle School, Berkley Heights, NJ supervised by  teacher, Belinda Healey.
3. A Helping Hand by Michelle Paida of the Queen City Charter School, Plainfield, NJ supervised by teacher, Schuyler Davis.

7^th grade winners

1. Masterpiece by Olivia Castro of Lincoln Ave. School, Garwood, NJ supervised by  teacher, Tamara Benc.
2. The Importance of Trees by Kayla Hill of Maxson Middle School, Plainfield, NJ supervised by teacher, Jan Gwyn-Thompson.
3. Beautiful Trees by Karen Luna of Abraham Lincoln School # 14 of Elizabeth supervised by teacher, Miss Tavormina.

8^th grade winners

1. The Life You Give by Jadali Feliciano of Joseph Battin School #4, Elizabeth supervised by teacher, Shara Greenberg.
2. Tree by Fransisco Villalta Escobar of Maxson Middle School, Plainfield, NJ supervised by teacher, Menon.
3. Delightful Days by Nyla Castro, Lincoln School, Garwood, NJ supervised by teacher, Tamara Benc.

The contest was open to students in grade 4-8. There were 130 entries in all.

*Updated 4-28-21: Please note, the virtual awards ceremony originally scheduled for April 29 has been cancelled.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ – Union County Board of Elections Administrator Nicole DiRado informs voters of the polling place and drop box locations for the 2021 Primary Election. The 2021 Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, June 8.

Beginning in May, the Board of Elections will mail post cards to voters whose polling places are affected by a change in location.

“Many of the polling locations closed last year due to the COVID pandemic, will be open this year, with health and safety precautions in place,” said Ms. DiRado. “The post cards will help ensure that voters who plan to vote in person know of any changes to their polling place. Voters are also encouraged to review this information contained on their sample ballot.”

There will be at least one secure ballot drop box in every town within Union County.  Secure ballot drop boxes opened on Friday, April 23 and will remain open through the close of the polls on June 8, 2021 at 8:00pm. Drop boxes are under camera surveillance 24/7, available to voters 24/7 and ADA accessible. Board of Election staff will pick up ballots every day with a police escort.

For a complete list of polling locations and ballot drop boxes in Union County, please visit the Board of Election website online at ucnj.org/boe/where-do-i-vote.

In-person voters are encouraged to wear masks and observe social distance precautions to avoid contracting or spreading COVID-19 when visiting a polling place.

For updates and information on all Board of Elections services visit ucnj.org/boe, email ucboe@ucnj.org, or call  908-527-4121. All email and phone messages will be returned.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ – In recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month, The Union County Board of Commissioners invites all Union County residents to attend a virtual presentation on alcohol misuse featuring a panel of experts on treatment, counseling, and recovery. The program, titled “An Alcohol Misuse Learning Session” is being held on Zoom on Tuesday, April 27, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and is hosted by the Union County Department of Human Services’ Office on Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse.

“The Commissioner Board has a longstanding commitment to help the Union County community know the facts about alcohol, keep the lines of communication open, and ensure that our community has access to resources that can prevent or overcome alcohol abuse.” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

The program will be hosted by Gene Tavera, Union County Alcohol and Substance Abuse Coordinator, and presented by Kelley Ryan, Director of Community Prevention at Prevention Links. The panelists are:

• Krystyna Vaccarelli, LCSW, LCADC, Director of Substance Abuse Services at Trinitas Regional Medical Center.
• Kristina Bloodgood, Director of Admissions at New Hope Integrated Behavioral Health Care (IBHC).
• Sabrina Sabater, MSW, Division Director of Recovery Support at Prevention Links
• Rosalina Tuazon, Licensed Clinician and Substance Abuse Counselor at PROCEED, Inc.

The focus will be on providing an understanding of what exactly alcohol misuse means, what it looks like and how it can impact a life.

Additionally, the event will provide participants with an opportunity to speak with local experts and learn about the services they provide.

This event is free, however, pre-registration is required in order to receive the Zoom link. Please register at bit.ly/alcoholmisuse427.

For more information on An Alcohol Misuse Learning Session contact Gene Tavera, Union County Alcohol and Substance Abuse Coordinator at gene.tavera@ucnj.org.

More information on all Department of Human Services programs is available online at ucnj.org/human-services.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

For the second year in a row, the Union County Board of Commissioners has passed a budget with a zero percent tax increase.

The 2021 budget was passed at tonight’s meeting and will maintain all essential services. It continues the County’s trend of fiscally responsible budgets, and maintains the County’s bond rating which is the highest attainable.

“I am pleased to announce that we have again adopted a budget with a zero percent tax increase for the second year in a row,” said Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Despite the pandemic that is persisting this year, our fiscal outlook remains strong. We continue to offer our high quality governmental services, and our commitment to assisting our constituents.”

Commissioner Fiscal Committee Chairman Christopher Hudak said: “As we continue to face the COVID-19 Pandemic, we are mindful of its profound impact on all residents. We worked hard with our County Manager and our Finance Director to build a budget that would fund the response to COVID-19, our safety net and normal services.”

Both Mirabella and Hudak thanked their colleagues on the Fiscal Committee for their work in crafting the budget, including Vice Chair Rebecca Williams and Commissioners Sergio Granados, and Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. They also thanked County Manager Ed Oatman, and gave special thanks to Finance Director Bibi Taylor, and her staff for their effort in bringing the budget all together from start to finish.  

Finally, both Mirabella and Hudak thanked Union County’s family of directors and employees for their tremendous effort in responding to the pandemic this past year.

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS:

• The 2021 budget provides for the County’s COVID-19 testing and vaccination efforts. More than 140,000 residents have been tested since the start. It will also continue to fund the County’s vaccination centers at Kean University, Plainfield, FEMA clinic in Elizabeth and mobile efforts.
• This budget also funds the County’s online vaccination appointment portal system, and call-in center.
• To date, the County has administered over 78,000 doses of vaccinations.
• The budget also helps fund a revolutionary partnership with Kean University, where the county and Kean established a laboratory that is capable of testing residents, processing their samples, gene sequencing for variant strain research–all in coordination with the County’s contact tracing program. This effort is the first of its kind in the entire nation and will also act as a source of revenue for decades to come.
• The budget provides for weekly food distributions (the County has served over 3.6 million meals), and the distribution of more than 100,000 masks throughout Union County to all 21 municipalities.    
• This budget also funds the Chairman’s “Union County Rising” initiatives for 2021, which include public safety improvements, support for businesses, the LGBTQ community, upgrades to parks and recreation facilities, and support for recreational programming.

COVID-19 precautions will be observed at this event.

Union County, NJ – In recognition of Autism Acceptance Month, Union County residents of all ages are invited to participate in Paint in the Park, on Tuesday, April 27, at Mattano Park, located at 360-484 5^th Avenue in Elizabeth. This event is completely free and is sponsored by The Union County Board of County Commissioners, through the Office for Persons with Disabilities & Special Needs in the Department of Human Services.

“Paint in the Park is an enriching outdoor event that brings awareness to Autism, while giving our residents the opportunity the express themselves creatively,” said Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Paint in the Park encourages participants to express what Autism means to them by painting on a t-shirt. Participants will also be able to take the shirt home to wear all year long.

Paint in the Park will begin at 5:30pm and end at 7:30pm.

Pre-registration is required. To register, visit www.ucnj.org/opdsn-reg.

Masks are required and must be worn by all participants, and social distancing guidelines must be observed.

This event is partnered by the Elizabeth Education Association, Elizabeth Parent Support Group, Elizabeth Strong, and Union County Spectrum All Stars.

For more information, please contact the Union County Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs by phone at (908) 527-4781.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.