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Union County Freeholders Christopher Hudak and Angel G. Estrada present a resolution to Isabella Buss of Linden congratulating her on winning the 2018 Linden VFW John Russell Wheeler Post No. 1397 Patriots Pen Essay Contest for middle school students. They are joined by her parents Davi and Etel Buss. The topic of the contest was “Why I Honor the American Flag.” Isabella, a 6th Grade student at McManus Middle School, wrote about the sacrifices of her family in their journey from Brazil to the United States, and what it means to be an American. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Deputy County Manager Amy Wagner and County Council Robert Barry thank Chairman Sergio Granados for an outstanding year at the helm of County Government with a plaque in honor of his “Moving UNION COUNTY Forward” initiatives for 2018. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski and Freeholder Alexander Mirabella present a resolution to Audrey Davis of Fanwood Girl Scout Heart of New Jersey Troop 40274 congratulating her on attaining her Gold Award, the highest award in girl scouting. They were joined by Manuel Ramirez and Nicole DeAugustine from the Union County Office for Persons with Disabilities & Special Needs.

Audrey’s Gold Award project established the AWARE (Active Walking and Respite Exercise) Club, a social and recreational club for teens and young adults with special needs.  The AWARE Club took place every other Saturday at different Union County parks.  This project provided respite for parents, while their children participated in the bi-weekly activities. Not only was AWARE an opportunity for participants to exercise, but also a valuable form of inclusive socialization for the participants and the volunteers, and many being their peers. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados joined Union County Office of Veteran Services Coordinator Janna Williams and military veterans at the ribbon cutting marking the restoration of the Rahway Memorial Grove, a World War II memorial located in Union County’s Rahway River Park in Rahway. 

The memorial was established in 1947 by the families of 58 Rahway residents who lost their lives in World War II. They planted total of 58 oak trees in various places in the park, and placed a stone memorial holding a plaque that lists the names of each of the 58 who gave their lives. A total of 43 mature oak trees remain from the original 58 plantings. As part of the restoration project, this year 15 new trees were planted to replace the missing ones. The stone memorial was also moved to a new location in the park where it is more visible to passers-by.

The restoration was coordinated by the Office of Veteran Services, which was established as one of Chairman Granados’s initiatives for 2018 to expand Union County’s engagement with veterans, active duty military, and military families. For more information about the Union County Office of Veteran Services, visit www.ucnj.org/uc-hero/. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Freeholder Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski and Freeholders Bruce Bergen and Angel Estrada joined Governor Phil Murphy, NJ Transit Executive Director Kevin S. Corbett, NJ DOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, elected officials, union officials and NJ Transit employees in the signing of legislation to comprehensively reform NJ Transit’s governance and management to improve service and reliability for New Jersey commuters, institute regular disclosure of accident and safety performance reports; strengthen whistleblower protections; and create a Customer Advocate and Chief Ethics Officer positions within the agency.

Vice Chairman Kowalski is a trustee and Freeholder Bergen  is the Chairman for the Raritan Valley Line Rail Coalition which has been dedicated on both short and long term service and safety improvements for on-behalf of commuters who utilize NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley Line. Their trademark accomplishment was the establishment of a One-Seat direct rail service into New York Penn Station during off-peak hours. Temporarily suspended by NJ Transit because of the Positive Train Controls installation effort, the direct service is scheduled to be restored in 2019. Freeholder Estrada is also on the board of the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, the federally authorized Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization for the 13-county northern New Jersey region.  

• Learn more about the legislation at https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562018/approved/20181220a.shtml
• Learn more about the Raritan Valley Line Rail Coalition visit https://raritanvalleyrail.com/

Under the terms of the “Open Public Act” P.L.., 1975, C. 231, the 2019 Installation and Reorganization Meeting of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will be held on Sunday, January 6, 2019, at 12:00 p.m., in the Courtroom of the Honorable Assignment Judge Karen M. Cassidy, at the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey.

James E. Pellettiere, RMC
Clerk of the Board of Chosen Freeholders

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Alexander Mirabella present a resolution to Pamela Capaci recognizing and commending her for her work as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer for Prevention Links and congratulating her upon her well-deserved retirement from the organization. Prevention Links is a private, not-for-profit organization, which takes a leadership role in the prevention of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and related issues.

Capaci held the position of Executive Director for Prevention Links since November 2007 where she successfully facilitated the agency’s growth as a multifaceted human service nonprofit organization. She is most recognized as the founder of New Jersey’s first high school for teens in recovery from substance use disorder by launching the Raymond J. Lesniak Experience Strength and Hope Recovery High School in 2014. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

County of Union to hold 63rd annual “Christmas Carol Sing-A-Long Around The Tree” on Monday, December 24 at 11 a.m. at the Union County Courthouse

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the County Manager invite you to the annual “Christmas Carol Sing-a-long Around the Tree” on Monday, December 24nd, at 11:00 a.m.

The event will be held outside Assignment Judge Karen Cassidy’s Chambers at the Union County Courthouse building, 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ. 

Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados is the master of ceremonies, and County Manager Ed Oatman will deliver welcoming remarks. The event includes caroling, musical entertainment, and a visit from Santa.  County employees Bill Lee will sing, and Glenn Merritt will play keyboards. The Raritan Valley Jerseyaires will also perform.

Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli joined Undersheriffs Dennis Burke and Amilcar Colon in congratulating the Sheriff’s officers who participated in No Shave November and raised $5,070 for The New Jersey Veterans Network and The Prostate Cancer Foundation. No Shave November challenges participants to forgo shaving for the month in order to raise money for charity. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)