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Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski and Freeholder Angel G. Estrada joined Rahway Mayor Raymond A. Giacobbe in cutting the ribbon officially opening The Willows at Rahway. They were joined by Assemblyman James Kennedy, New Jersey Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency Chief of Staff Katie Brennan, Bruce Morgan of BCM Affordable Housing and Ingerman and Rahway Councilmen Rodney Farrar, David Brown and Joseph D. Gibilisco.

The Willows at Rahway is a new affordable rental community located in the Rahway Arts District in downtown Rahway. The project will serve as affordable housing with a preference for artists. Union County contributed approximately $800,000 in HOME Investment Partnership funds to the project. The community consists of one, two and three bedroom apartments featuring a full host of amenities and will cater to artists with designated artist spaces throughout the building.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the opening of a new senior café in Scotch Plains on Tuesday, May 1 at the Shady Rest Clubhouse at the Scotch Hills Country Club, 820 Jerusalem Road. The historic site is a meeting place for Scotch Plains seniors, and is currently owned by the Township of Scotch Plains. Built in the 1920’s, it was the first African-American owned golf course in the United States. 

Seniors are invited to come to the opening of the café on Tuesday, May 1 for lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m. Food will be served until at approximately 12:15 p.m. The lunches will then continue to be served once a week—weekly on Tuesdays, during the same time span.

“This is the 24th group meal site for senior adults, age 60 and older, in Union County and it is open to seniors from any of the 21 municipalities in the County,” stated Sergio Granados, Chairman of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. “We are pleased to offer new places for our seniors to meet and share lunch together. A nutritionally balanced lunch will be served with the help of local volunteers.”

Scotch Plains Mayor Al Smith said, “As Mayor, and on behalf of the entire Council, I am proud to continue our commitment to serve all seniors with well-rounded programming to address their needs. The Senior Café is a wonderful addition to the programing provided through the Township for seniors. I look forward to attending some of the lunches myself!”

Freeholder Al Mirabella, also Scotch Plains Municipal Manager, noted: “The Township of Scotch Plains is always looking for ways to expand our programming for our Senior Citizens. This weekly nutrition program, held in the newly refurbished Shady Rest, is a wonderful opportunity for our seniors to meet, socialize and share a meal.” 

The program will be run by Scotch Plains, under the supervision of County officials. The meals, which are paid through Federal grant funds, consist of a hot protein entre, vegetable or salad, potato, pasta or rice, bread, milk, and soup or juice.

The suggested donation is $1.75 per meal.  If one person in a couple is under age 60, the suggested donation is $4.00.

Countywide in 2017, the Union County Division on Aging delivered 166,835 group meals at 23 senior sites. Another 224,337 “Meals on Wheels” meals were delivered to the homes of the frail elderly, for a total of 391,172 meals.

A nutritionist in the Division on Aging designs meals that meet healthy nutrient requirements, also known as the Recommended Dietary Allowance. In addition, the nutritionist provides health and wellness presentations about food choices, physical activity, and seasonal produce.

For further information about nutrition programs offered by the Division on Aging, contact Kathleen Malkiewicz by phone at 908-527-4877 or by email at kmalkiewicz@ucnj.org.

For information about all services and programs for seniors and their families visit ucnj.org/aging.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Linda Carter present resolutions to TAPinto Roselle/Roselle Park and TAPinto Elizabeth Publisher Kathy Lloyd, Plainfield Councilwoman Rebecca Williams and Union County College Gay-Straight Alliance President Tiffany Santana in honor of Union County recognizing Thursday, April 26, 2018 as “Lesbian Visibility Day.” They were joined by Union County Office of LGBTQ Services Coordinator Danni Newbury and Union County Office on Women Coordinator Jennifer Erdos. The Freeholder Board supports a day of visibility for individuals such as these women who have carved their way through uncharted territories spreading awareness and providing support and advocacy to Union County’s lesbian community. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that a total of 18 new miles of County roads will be repaved this season in 14 municipalities. Work will begin later this summer.

“Keeping our roads in top condition ensures our residents and those traveling through our area a safe and enjoyable driving experience,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.  “Union County is one of the region’s most powerful and effective transportation hubs, and we aim to keep it that way.”

Freeholder Vice Chair Bette Jane Kowalski, who heads the Public Works and Facilities Freeholder Committee, added:  “The County maintains more than 174 miles of roadway. Resurfacing makes our roadways not only safer to navigate for both drivers and pedestrians, but also more efficient.”

The 2018 Roads Resurfacing program will begin later this summer after the County completes the 2017 Roads Resurfacing program.

The 2018 Road Resurfacing program will cost approximately $7.5 million, with an approximate 50-50 funding split between the County and the State Transportation Trust Fund.

The work will be conducted at night when possible, in order to minimize the need for detours during peak travel periods.

The roads scheduled for resurfacing in 2018 are:

For up-to-date information on road closures and other travel advisories related to County road and bridge projects, visit the interactive Road Construction Update page at ucnj.org/traffic.

To report potholes on County roads, use the convenient online form at ucnj.org/pothole.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Christopher Hudak joined Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli, Union County Police Chief Chris Debbie, Union County Prosecutor’s Office Acting Chief of Investigations Vincent Gagliardi, Union County Public Safety Director Andrew Moran, Linden Fire Chief Joseph Dooley and Bayonne Battalion Chief Robert Seeburger at a cross-state joint training exercise in Linden aimed at enhancing intelligence- and information-sharing between New Jersey and New York.

The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP), in conjunction with the Jersey City/Newark Urban Areas Security Initiative (USAI), worked with an array of municipal, county and state agencies in a series of drills and exercises to test operational coordination and response to terrorist/mass casualty simulated incidents. 

This exercise is the first of its kind between the two states and will test each state’s information-sharing ability to deliver a coordinated response during a complex attack that impacts both states.

The drill ran for two days and involved the Union County Police Department, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Union County SWAT and Union County OEM resources, including our County Fire Academy Training Facility in Linden. First responder agencies from several municipalities also participated. The drills involved active shooter, bomb and hazmat situations.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Office of LGBTQ Services, in collaboration with the Union County Performing Arts Center and with support from WellCare Health Plans, is proud to host the first Union County LIGHT UP THE NIGHT – TEEN PRIDE (the alternative prom) event for LGBTQ and ally high school youth (ages 16-19) on Friday, June 15 from 8:00 p.m. – 11 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.) at UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage located at 360 Hamilton Street, Rahway. Tickets are $25 each and are available online at ucpac.org.

“As prom season is fast approaching, the Freeholder Board is proud to offer LGBTQ and ally teens from throughout Union County an opportunity to experience this high school milestone in a space where all teens are welcome regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, how they dress, or any other reason,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “According to Human Rights Campaign, four out of ten LGBTQ youth say they live in a community that doesn’t accept their sexual orientation. As an elected official, I support all of our residents including our LGBTQ youth – we are proud to host Union County’s first teen Pride alternative prom event for them.”

Light up the Night – wear neon or white to shine all night, glam it up, or come as you are. Union County’s LIGHT UP THE NIGHT – TEEN PRIDE (the alternative prom) event is an affirming space where every young person can unapologetically be themselves and make memories that last a lifetime. Come on your own, with a date, or with a group of friends to enjoy an inclusive evening of fun, light refreshments, DJ, drag queen emcee, and the crowning of the Rainbow Court!

“Union County’s TEEN PRIDE (the alternative prom) provides an opportunity for diverse groups of LGBTQ students from different schools throughout Union County to celebrate their individuality together in an environment that affirms who they are,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella. “We are proud to lead New Jersey’s County government in supporting the LGBTQ community with programs and services that directly impact quality of life.”

We aim to ensure a safe experience for everyone. Security will uphold a strict no tolerance for drugs and alcohol policy. Bags will be checked upon arrival. High School Student ID, with parental consent and photo release is required to be admitted with each ticket.

This year’s Union County PRIDE events are organized by the Union County Office of LGBTQ Services. Established as part of Chairman Granados’ 2018 Moving Union County Forward initiatives, the Office of LGBTQ Services, under the Division of Outreach and Advocacy in the Department of Human Services, is the first County government office of its kind in the State of New Jersey. It provides a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, serving as a catalyst for advocacy, awareness and action.

For more information about the Office of LGBTQ Services, contact Danni Newbury, coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org.

ELIZABETH, NJ–The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite youngsters ages 4 to 12 years old to participate in “Paint by the Pond.” This will be the third year for this interactive art project which will take place on Saturday, May 12 from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the pond in Warinanco Park. The pond is located near the snack bar and basketball courts. This event will allow children to paint cardboard model houses and create art on poster board.

The “Paint by the Pond” project will teach families about the importance of recycling while encouraging children to paint on cardboard, creating art from materials usually thrown away.

There will also be miniature houses made with the cardboard boxes floating in the pond at Warinanco Park during the event.

“This year we will be back at the pond at Warinanco Park where young artists will be able to capture the glorious colors of spring,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

For more information on this exciting event, please call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at (908) 527-4900.