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14 Union County Mayors to sign State of Principals Against Illegal Guns in event to be held Wednesday, April 11 from 7-9 p.m.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders are  joining Moms Demand Action of Union County in sponsoring the “Mayors Against Illegal Guns” event that is being held this Wednesday, in which Mayors from 14 Union County municipalities will sign a Statement of Principals against illegal guns. The event is being held at the Hamilton Stage Theatre at 360 Hamilton Street, from 7-9 p.m.

“The Freeholder Board is proud to co-sponsor this event and bring our Union County elected officials together in making a statement that they will do everything in their power to protect our residents and our children from the threat of illegal guns,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, who as part of his “Moving Union County Forward” initiatives this year, announced a partnership with Moms Demand Action of Union County in fighting for common sense gun reforms. “As elected officials, we are duty-bound to do everything in our power to protect our residents, our children and our families from the scourge of gun violence—and there is NO GREATER public safety issue today than this threat.”

The 14 Mayors who have agreed to sign the statement of principles against illegal guns are:

Derek Armstead, Linden; Chris Bollwage, Elizabeth; Shelley Brindle, Westfield; Suzette Cavadas, Union; Christine Dansereau, Roselle; Raymond Giacobbe, Rahway; Tom Hannen, Cranford; Carl Hokanson, Roselle Park; Richard Huber, Springfield; Charles Lombardo, Garwood; Colleen Mahr, Fanwood; Adrian Mapp, Plainfield; Nora Radest, Summit and Dahlia Vertreese, Hillside.

A copy of the statement of principles is online at: http://everytown.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/MayorsStatementofPrinciples2014.pdf

Speakers include students Matthew Skolar, a sophomore from Scotch Plains High School, Colin Sumner a sophomore at Westfield High School, and Paul S. John, Manager of Mayoral Outreach, Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

Other speakers at the event include: Granados, Brett Sabo, the NJ State Chapter of Lead of Moms Demand Action, and representatives of Union County Moms Demand Action including Scott Mack, Patti Wilson-Fico and Jessica Grant.

Other members of the Union County Freeholder Board are also expected to be on hand, including Freeholder Vice Chairwoman Bette Jane Kowalski, Freeholders Al Mirabella, Bruce Bergen, and Angel Estrada.

Moms Demand Action was founded by stay-at-home mom, Shannon Watts, on December 15, 2012, in response to the devastating shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The organization quickly flourished into a leading force for gun violence prevention, with chapters in all 50 states and a powerful grassroots network of concerned citizens that has successfully effected change at the local, state and national level. In December 2013, Moms Demand Action partnered with Mayors Against Illegal Guns to unite a nationwide movement of millions of Americans working together to change the game and end the epidemic of gun violence that affects every community.

Last month, Americans showed up in force for March for Our Lives events in Washington, D.C. and around the country. Led by students and gun violence survivors, they sent a clear message: protect us.

They demanded that lawmakers make students’ lives and safety a priority and pass common-sense gun safety legislation that will make all Americans safer. Their powerful voices added to the growing momentum to end the cycle of gun violence that kills 96 Americans every day and leaves hundreds more injured.

Everytown for Gun Safety is harnessing that momentum to create real change. In state houses, in board rooms and in Congress, we’re bringing together Americans of all stripes to use their voices.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados announced today that Union County is prepared for the hundreds of anglers who descend on the County’s parks and waterways for the opening day of trout season, scheduled for Saturday, April 7 at 8 a.m.

According to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, Union County rivers and lakes are scheduled to be stocked with 23,950 rainbow trout this spring. The trout are among approximately 570,000 rainbow trout raised this season at the Division’s Pequest Trout Hatchery in Hackettstown.

The following County waterbodies and the number of trout they are receiving are as follows:

• Lower Echo Lake – 1,300
• Milton Lake – 1,860
• Nomahegan Park Lake – 400
• Passaic River* – 7,260           
• Rahway River – 11,900
• Seeley’s Pond, Watchung Reservation – 780
• Warinanco Park Lake – 450

* Includes entire length of river upstream and downstream from Union County

The Division has also announced that stocking on the Rahway River has been extended two miles from St. Georges Ave. to Lawrence St. in Rahway.

“Fishing is a fun, affordable activity that residents of any age may enjoy,” Freeholder Chairman Granados said. “Our parks are easily accessible and we are excited to continue this Spring ritual with the cooperation of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife.”

To fish for trout or salmon, a valid annual New Jersey fishing license and trout stamp are both required for residents at least 16 years and less than 70 years of age plus all non-residents 16 years and older. Only one daily creel limit of trout may be in possession. Once the creel limit is reached, an angler may continue to fish provided any additional trout caught are immediately returned to the water unharmed. When fishing from the shoreline, no more than three fishing rods, hand lines or combination thereof may be used. Separate stringers or buckets must be used for each angler’s catch. Containers in boats may hold only the combined daily creel limit for each legal angler on board.

For more information on New Jersey’s Spring Trout Season, visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/trtinfo.htm or call the Trout Hotline at (609) 633-6765.

The Union County Board of Freeholders is proud to announce that the Union County Office on Women has created a new series of videos highlighting women of achievement and leadership here in Union County, NJ. The new video series will be called Union County Women Making History. This first video is a profile of the Hon. Judge Karen Cassidy, Assignment Judge here in Union County. More videos will be released throughout the year.

As Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) approaches this weekend on Saturday, March 31, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders declares their support of this important day and recognizes that TDOV is about more than visibility, it’s an opportunity for all of us to be an ally.

TDOV is a day dedicated to reflecting on the achievements made by transgender and gender nonconforming individuals and their supporters, and it’s also an opportunity to raise awareness about the trans community and the oppression these individuals still face in today’s society.

“We call on community members and allies to help ensure that transgender individuals are affirmed, respected, and able to thrive,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, liaison to the Freeholder LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “As an elected official representing all residents in Union County, I urge leaders in our communities to use language and actions that inspire and empowers transgender individuals.”

TDOV comes as the State of New Jersey advances laws toward transgender equality and significant protections – soon to become the state with the most progressive gender-identity policies in the nation.

“On behalf of the entire Freeholder Board, I add our names to the list of New Jersey elected officials who commend our state representatives for their efforts to pass legislation that protects transgender individuals who reside in New Jersey,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “The Freeholder Board supports policies that are gender-affirming for all of our LGBTQ residents. Union County stands ready to immediately implement the equality legislations that Governor Murphy has vowed to sign.”

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders stand in support of all transgender people, and condemns attempts to stigmatize and marginalize them. We believe transgender individuals have the right to a full quality of life as respected members of our families, communities, and work force.

In January 2018, Union County became the first county in the State of New Jersey to establish an Office of LGBTQ Services – established by Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados as one of many progressive “Moving Union County Forward” special initiatives that he announced in January of this year.

Through assessment, research, analysis and strategic collaboration, the Office of LGBTQ Services, under the Division of Outreach and Advocacy in the Department of Human Services, provides essential support that impacts the quality of life for LGBTQ people and allies through community building and human services.

For more information about the Union County Office of LGBTQ Services, contact Danni Newbury, Coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org, or visit the Union County government website at ucnj.org.

Union County Freeholders Bruce H. Bergen and Alexander Mirabella present a certificate of recognition to ShopRite of Clark Assistant Manager Rick Ferreira, District Manager John Dearani, Shopper Advocate Amberly Rssomano and Associates Will Smith and Sandy Dellaportas congratulating them on spear-heading the ShopRite Partners In Caring community-based hunger fighting program at the ShopRite of Clark.

A competition sponsored last year by ShopRite and cereal company General Mills prompted thousands of the supermarket’s employees to raise $1.5 million to fight hunger. Donations were collected across six states during check-out and at events held in stores.

ShopRite of Clark was among the most active stores in raising funds for local food banks. In recognition of their work raising funds for hunger relief Associates Smith and Dellaportas are featured on a special edition box of Cheerios cereal. The customized cereal boxes, which feature employees from 40 ShopRite stores, are sold exclusively at ShopRite.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to host Garden State Equality’s ‘Pledge & Protect’ entry-level training workshop “Introductions to the Health Care Needs of the LGBTQ Population” free for organizations and professionals serving older LGBTQ adults.

Presented in collaboration with Union County’s Office of LGBTQ Services and Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection’s (ADRC), Garden State Equality – New Jersey’s largest LGBT Organization – will present two sessions (10:00am-12:00pm and 2:00pm-4:00pm) on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at Warinanco Sports Center in Warinanco Park, located at 1 Park Drive, Roselle. Registration is required online at www.gardenstateequality.org/pledge_uc. Please note that this workshop is specifically for services providers of older LGBTQ adults.

“The Freeholder Board is steadfast in our commitment to support the strength of our diversity in Union County and offer programs that improve the quality of life for all of our residence,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “At a time when the current administration in Washington is manipulating the Department of Health and Human Services to betray the department’s true mission by using religious beliefs to discriminate against women and LGBTQ patience, we – county, state and municipal elected officials – have to be proactive and aggressive in our efforts to support and protect our LGBTQ community in Union County.”

Garden State Equality Health & Wellness Coordinator, Bianca Mayes offers an engaging and interactive workshop that features four parts – defines LGBTQ terms, explains the historical and current climate/context, describes general health disparities and needs, and identifies best practices for inclusion. The first of a three level program for organizations and professionals who serve older LGBTQ adults, each support staff or professional who completes the workshop will have the opportunity to sign a pledge to take affirmative steps through their organization, business or practice to make their programs more welcoming to LGBTQ older adults. Certificate will also be provided to participants upon completion of the workshop.

“According to SAGE, a recent national survey of LGBT older adults found that overwhelmingly respondents felt they could not be open about their LGBTQ identities with service providers,” noted Freeholder Al Mirabella, liaison to the Freeholder’s LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “This collaboration with our Office of LGBTQ Services, Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection and Garden State Equality to present a workshop specifically addressing some of the health and wellness cultural competency concerns is vital to making health and wellness services accessible to older LGBTQ adults in our community. The Freeholder Board looks forward to welcoming two full workshops of service providers for LGBTQ older adults interested in learning more about how to better support their patients.”

Union County’s Department of Human Services, Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection’s (ADRC) goal is to promote wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families. It is one of 670 “Area Agencies on Aging” nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act.

Through assessment, research, analysis and strategic collaboration, the Office of LGBTQ Services, under the Division of Outreach and Advocacy in the Department of Human Services, provides essential support that impacts the quality of life for LGBTQ people and allies through community building and human services. 

For more information about the Union County Office of LGBTQ Services, contact Danni Newbury, Coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org, or visit the Union County government website at ucnj.org.

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski and Freeholders Linda Carter and Angela R. Garretson presents a resolution to Onyx Keesha and members of M. PoWeR Arts commending their efforts in assisting the revitalization the arts within the City of Plainfield by showcasing plays such as “Vagina Monologues” at the duCret School of Art. M. PoWeR Arts offers classes in filmmaking, acting, dance, writing and theater believing that arts education is essential to all.  Community theater is a key part of M. PoWeR’s vision, bringing dynamic stage production to life.