Author: Web Site Administrator

Union County Freeholders Angela R. Garretson, Andrea Staten and Rebecca Williams present resolutions to representatives from the Hyacinth AIDS Foundation, Iris House and PROCEED Inc. recognizing February 7, 2019 as “National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.” The day is an important opportunity to increase awareness about HIV among people of color and to empower everyone in the community to play a role in stopping HIV stigma, and support members of the community to seek HIV testing, prevention and treatment option. The Freeholder Board further commends the efforts of these organizations in supporting National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the Union County Office on Women is presenting a free yoga, meditation class and emotional wellness event: “International Women’s Day – The Time is Now,” which will take place on Friday, March 8th, at 6 p.m., at Maskers Barn in the historic Deserted Village of Feltville. The event is open to all, from beginners to experienced practitioners.

“The Union County Office on Women’s main priority is to make sure that all women have the resources to become the best they can be,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “We would like to ensure that residents are able to engage in activities that may spark new interest as well as encourage a positive life style.”

The evening includes:

• A short talk and introduction as well as time to network.
• Yoga session by Nicole DeAugustine, certified yoga instructor.
• Guided meditation by Betsy Sanders, certified yoga instructor

Attendees should wear comfortable clothing appropriate for yoga, and bring their own yoga mats. “Union County Women’s Empowerment, Yoga and Meditation” is open to ages 16 and older. The event is free but space is limited. Pre-registration is required online at ucnj.org/women.

The Deserted Village is located in the Berkeley Heights section of Union County’s Watchung Reservation. Masker’s Barn is a fully renovated 19th century building located at 9 Cataract Hollow Road in the Deserted Village, off Glenside Avenue.

The Office on Women was created in 2016. As the first county-based office of its kind in New Jersey, the Office on Women aims to help ensure that women connect with services and programs that enable them to reach their full potential at every stage of their lives, in education, in employment and business, health and in the social fabric of Union County, and to raise awareness of the many contributions that women make to life in Union County.

For additional details contact Jennifer Erdos, Union County Office on Women at jerdos@ucnj.org.

Nicole L. DiRado, Administrator, Union County Board of Elections
908-527-4121

Elizabeth, New Jersey – The Union County Board of Elections announces that the new ExpressVote XL Voting Machines will be implemented in the following towns for the 2019 Primary Election:  Berkeley Heights, Elizabeth, Fanwood, Garwood, Kenilworth, Mountainside, Union and Winfield.

Clark, Cranford, Hillside, Linden, New Providence, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park, Scotch Plains, Springfield and Summit will be implemented in the 2019 General Election.  Westfield will continue to use the new voting machines, following the successful pilot program in the 2018 General Election.

In October 2018, the County of Union awarded a contract to Election Systems & Software, LLC (ES&S) of Omaha, Nebraska to provide a new voting tabulation system for the County.   The new voting machine, ExpressVote XL, marries a touch screen ballot marking device with a voter verified paper audit trail, allowing the voter to review their voting choices to ensure their vote is accurately recorded.  The voter verified audit trail also provides a paper record of the election which can be used for recounts and will be used for audits.  The initial award was for $1.9 million, and the total award will be $4.8 million, which includes new voting machines for the entire county, vote by mail / audit trail tabulators, software, hardware and software maintenance and training.

During the 2018 General Election, the Election Board piloted the ExpressVote XL in Westfield.  The reception from the voters was very positive, citing the simplicity of the touch screen, and the satisfaction of seeing their vote recorded on paper. 

“For the first time in twenty years, the County has taken steps to make a significant investment in its election infrastructure.  I am certain the voters of Union County will embrace the change and appreciate the ease of the touch screen as well as the benefit of knowing their vote is properly recorded, provided by the voter verified paper audit trail,” explained Nicole DiRado, Administrator at the Union County Board of Elections.

The Election Board will be embarking on an aggressive outreach campaign to train voters and poll workers on the new machine prior to Election Day.  The Election Board will be conducting weekly demonstrations starting immediately through the weekend prior to the General Election at the following locations, excluding holiday closures:

Colleen Fraser Building
300 North Avenue East, Westfield
Saturdays 9:00am – 1:00pm

Union County Courthouse
2 Broad Street, 1st Floor, Elizabeth
Tuesdays, 11:00am – 3:00pm

Please contact the Union County Election Board to schedule a demonstration for your community group by calling 908-527-4123 or emailing ndirado@ucnj.org

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that summer lifeguard positions are available at Union County’s public swimming pool, the Walter Ulrich Memorial Pool at Rahway River Park in Rahway.

“Those who learn how to lifeguard not only obtain emergency management abilities, but also build confidence and sharpen their leadership skills during the summer months,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski. “This is invaluable work experience for any job or career moving forward.”

Union County residents age 16 and up who are interested in applying can contact the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation for details about hours, salary, certification and other eligibility requirements by calling 908-527-4900.

Training is available for applicants without certification.  Anyone interested in a lifeguard position can call the Parks Department and find out more.

For more information about Ulrich Pool, Rahway River Park and all Union County recreation facilities visit online at ucnj.org/parks.

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Union County Human Relations Commission
Our mission is to actively encourage, develop, promote, and strengthen respect for human rights and cultural diversity among the people of Union County.
Contact : Karen E. Positan, 908-889-9028; kpositan@ucnj.org

Parents, guardians, and adult mentors of elementary and middle school-aged children who are interested in learning how they can “Help Your Child Succeed In School” are invited to attend a free educational presentation, 6:30-8:15 p.m. on Monday, March 18 at Plainfield High School, 950 Park Avenue in Plainfield.

Parents can decide when they pre-register whether to take part in the highly interactive presentation in English or Spanish. Union County Division of Youth Services instructor Jennifer Scott will conduct the English presentation, while Tonya Mustipher will present in Spanish. Both workshops will be presented in the school cafeteria.

“There are so many aspects that need to be considered for a student to succeed in school,” said Jo Ann Hamilton, Co-Chair of the Union County Human Relations Commission (UCHRC), the program sponsor, who recently retired from a long career in education. “Relationships with peers, study habits, homework, and communication with teachers and their school, as well as between parents and their children, are important, but there are so many other facets as well.”

“Parents who have attended previous iterations of this presentation have said they have greatly benefitted from the interactive dialogue created within an open forum in which they can speak honestly, ask questions, and get answers about dealing with specific issues,” added UCHRC co-chair Mark Spivey, Director of Communications for the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.

The presenters will identify issues, strategies, and resources to help parents improve their children’s well-being and academic performance. The program, sponsored by the Union County Human Relations Commission, will be kicked off by UCHRC Commissioners Alfred Brown, a Plainfield resident and Reverend of Cranford Baptist Church, and Esmeralda Vargas. 

The program is being co-sponsored by the Office of the Union County Superintendent of Schools, the Union County Division of Youth Services, and Plainfield Public Schools.

Light refreshments will be served. Free parking is available, and the facility is wheelchair-accessible.

Pre-registration for this free program is required. Register online at www.ucnj.org/uchrc.  

For more information, please call 908-889-9028 or email uchrc@ucnj.org.

Please be aware that extremely cold temperatures are expected Wednesday night and into Thursday. Conditions may be life threatening in case of prolonged exposure.