Author: Web Site Administrator

Union County, NJ — Artworks by Union County senior citizens are on display at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center, located at 1085 Morris Avenue in Union. Viewing times are from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

First Place, Non-Professional Oil

Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski (L) and Linda Carter congratulate John A. Quinn of Roselle Park on winning first place in the non-professional oil category at the 2014 Union County Senior Citizens Art Exhibit during the opening reception for the show at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union.

The exhibit will be on display until July 13 at Liberty Hall Center which is located at 1085 Morris Avenue in Union. Viewing times are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

First Place, Non-Professional Pastel

(From left) Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Linda Carter congratulate Marjorie Picard of Scotch Plains on winning first place in the non-professional pastel category at the 2014 Union County Senior Citizens Art Exhibit during the opening reception for the show at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union.

The exhibit will be on display until July 13 at Liberty Hall Center which is located at 1085 Morris Avenue in Union. Viewing times are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

First Place, Non-Professional Photography

Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski (L) and Linda Carter congratulate Greg Cummings of Fanwood on winning first place in the non-professional photography category at the 2014 Union County Senior Citizens Art Exhibit during the opening reception for the show at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union.

The exhibit will be on display until July 13 at Liberty Hall Center which is located at 1085 Morris Avenue in Union. Viewing times are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

First Place, Non-Professional Acrylic

Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski (L) and Linda Carter (R) congratulate Molly Brown of Rahway on winning first place in the non-professional acrylic category and the non-professional Best In Show at the 2014 Union County Senior Citizens Art Exhibit during the opening reception for the show at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union.

The exhibit will be on display until July 13 at Liberty Hall Center which is located at 1085 Morris Avenue in Union. Viewing times are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

First Place, Professional Watercolor

Union County Freeholders Linda Carter (L) and Bette Jane Kowalski congratulate John Curch of Scotch Plains on winning first place in the professional watercolor category and the professional Best In Show at the 2014 Union County Senior Citizens Art Exhibit during the opening reception for the show at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union.

The exhibit will be on display until July 13 at Liberty Hall Center which is located at 1085 Morris Avenue in Union. Viewing times are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

First Place, Non-Professional Watercolor

Union County Freeholders Linda Carter (L) and Bette Jane Kowalski (R) congratulate Dianna Strom of Cranford on winning first place in the non-professional watercolor category at the 2014 Union County Senior Citizens Art Exhibit during the opening reception for the show at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union.

The exhibit will be on display until July 13 at Liberty Hall Center which is located at 1085 Morris Avenue in Union. Viewing times are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Professional Drawing

Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski (L) and Linda Carter congratulate Mel Holston of Plainfield on winning first place in the professional drawing category at the 2014 Union County Senior Citizens Art Exhibit during the opening reception for the show at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union.

The exhibit will be on display until July 13 at Liberty Hall Center which is located at 1085 Morris Avenue in Union. Viewing times are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Professional Mixed Media

Union County Freeholders Linda Carter (L) and Bette Jane Kowalski congratulate Frank B. Marshall III of Roselle on winning first place in the professional mixed media category at the 2014 Union County Senior Citizens Art Exhibit during the opening reception for the show at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union.

The exhibit will be on display until July 13 at Liberty Hall Center which is located at 1085 Morris Avenue in Union. Viewing times are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that registration forms are now being accepted for the 2014 “Jersey Fresh” Farmers’ Market Program. The program enables income-eligible seniors to obtain free vouchers for fresh produce at local Farmers’ Markets.

“Union County is pleased to assist in offering this valuable program to our residents. It allows seniors on a tight budget an opportunity to purchase fresh, nutritious produce while helping to support local agriculture,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak.

The Farmers’ Market Program provides for each participant to purchase $20 worth of produce, in four five-dollar increments.  The vouchers can be used through November 2014.

The amount is broken into four increments in order enable participants to purchase smaller amounts of produce at a time, helping to ensure freshness.

In order to qualify, an individual must be at least 60 years of age and have an annual income that does not exceed $21,590. For a married couple, the combined income may not exceed $29,101.

Proof of age, residency and income are required to participate, in the form of a Medicaid card, SSI card, SNAP verification, or annual pension and Social Security income statement.

Registration forms can be obtained at any Senior Nutrition sites and Senior Centers throughout Union County. Participants who have registered may pick up their vouchers at the following locations. Registration forms are also available at these locations, and produce is for sale at some of them:

Wednesday July 2

Hillside Senior Center

265 Hollywood Ave., Hillside

Vouchers distributed 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

(No farmer at this site)

 

Monday July 7

O’Donnell-Dempsey Senior Center

622 Salem Ave., Elizabeth

Vouchers distributed 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon

(Farmer will be at this site)

 

Wednesday July 9

Liberty Square Senior Center

240 Elizabeth Ave., Elizabeth

Vouchers distributed 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

(No farmer at this site)

 

Thursday July 10

E-Port Commons

205 1st St., Elizabeth

Vouchers distributed 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

(No farmer at this site)

 

Monday July 14

Ann Ferguson Towers

1601 Dill Ave., Linden

Vouchers distributed 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

(Farmer will be at this site)

 

Thursday July 17

Cranford Senior Housing

40 Meeker St. (social center), Cranford

Vouchers distributed 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

(No farmer at this site)

 

Monday July 21

Farley Towers

33 Cherry St., Elizabeth

Vouchers distributed 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

(No Farmer at this site)

 

Wednesday July 23

Golden Age Towers

200 E. Milton Ave., Rahway

Vouchers distributed 10:00 a.m.  – 12:00 noon

(Farmer will be at this site)

 

Monday July 28

Ford Leonard Towers

69 Division St., Elizabeth

Vouchers distributed 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

(No farmer at this site)

 

Wednesday July 30

Plainfield Senior Center

400 E. Front St., Plainfield

Vouchers distributed 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

(Farmer will be at this site)

 

Only fruits, vegetables and herbs grown in New Jersey can be purchased with the Farmers’ Market Program vouchers. They can be used only at markets displaying the WIC Farmers’ Market poster.

The Farmers’ Market Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and coordinated by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.

For more information about the Farmers’ Market, Union County’s senior nutrition programs or any other senior services, call the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) toll free, 888-280-8226, or call 908-527-4870.

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Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation are pleased to announce a new and exciting season of summer camps and family programs at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside.

“Trailside summer programs offer adults and children a great opportunity to explore the outdoors while learning about nature,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “Each Trailside camp and family program is filled with hands-on, educational activities that encourage a child’s natural curiosity. Theme hikes, games and crafts are all part of the Trailside experience.”

Due to the popularity of Trailside’s summer programs, a lottery system will be used beginning Saturday, Feb. 8 and continuing through Friday, Feb. 21, or until all numbers have been drawn. Union County residents may visit Trailside to draw a lottery number from noon to 5 p.m. daily.  There are more than 500 numbers.

Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license, will be required to draw a number and only one number may be drawn per family/address. Registrants must pick their own lottery ticket for their family, and each registrant’s name, address, lottery number and arrival time will be recorded when the lottery number is chosen. The number drawn will indicate the registrant’s position on line and time of arrival for registration day, scheduled for Saturday, March 1.

Summer Registration will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, for Union County residents who have drawn a lottery ticket. Registrants must bring their ticket with them to register and must be present when their number is called or their position in line will be forfeited. Each ticket holder may only register their child/family.

If a registrant arrives after their number is called, but within their designated registration hour indicated on their lottery ticket, they may register at the end of the one-hour time block. If the registrant misses their one hour time block entirely, they may return at 3:30 p.m. to register. No exceptions will be made.

 

Registration for out-of-county residents will begin Monday, March 3, from noon to 4:45 p.m.  Lottery tickets will not be required and registration will continue until all programs are filled.

For information about Trailside’s 2014 Summer Camps, including registration procedures, please call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visit us on the web at www.ucnj.org/trailside. Summer brochures and registration cards will be distributed during the February lottery. Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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New Dates for Closure: Evening of JUNE 15th to JUNE 19th

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 10, 2014

SCOTCH PLAINS—Due to anticipated inclement weather, the sprayground of the Ponderosa Farm Park is now expected to be closed from Sunday evening, June 15th to June 19th for minor repair work. The sprayground is expected to re-open on Friday, June 20th, pending the weather. While the spray portion of the playground will be closed, the remainder of the playground and the park itself will remain open for usage during this time. The Ponderosa Farm Park is located at 1600 Cooper Road in Scotch Plains.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 10, 2014

Union County, NJ – With an unusually rainy spring coming to a close, conditions are ideal for mosquitos to breed, and Union County’s seasonal mosquito control efforts are under way. Residents can also take steps to help reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases.

“Union County residents can protect themselves when spending time outdoors this season by following simple guidelines, such as using an approved repellent,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak.  “You can also do your part in the prevention effort by eliminating breeding sites on your property.”

In the U.S., mosquitoes can carry West Nile Virus and dengue fever. Travelers can also take precautions to avoid contracting mosquito-borne diseases that are prevalent in other countries, such as malaria.

Mosquitoes can breed in very small amounts of stagnant water, even an area as small as a bottle cap, so residents should check their property regularly for places where water can collect.

Litter and debris should be removed, especially discarded tires, which are known as favorable mosquito breeding spots.

Unused pools, fountains, and ornamental ponds should be covered. Residents should also check for water collecting in children’s outdoor toys and playsets. Rain gutters should be cleaned regularly to ensure that water does not collect in blocked or sagging areas.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for personal mosquito-borne disease prevention include applying repellent and reducing exposure by wearing long, light-colored clothing when outdoors.

Exposure can also be reduced by avoiding time outdoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitos are most active. More details are available at cdc.gov.

The Union County Bureau of Mosquito Control has over 100 years of experience and emphasizes an integrated management program. That includes conducting surveillance, reducing mosquito breeding sites, using pesticides and biological methods to control the mosquito population, and promoting community outreach and public education.

Between May and October, the Bureau regularly performs inspections and tests on public property throughout Union County, as well as conducting preventative spray operations.

The schedule of spray operations is determined on a weekly basis and can be checked by visitingucnj.org/mosquito-control-spraying, or follow Union County on Facebook for updates. Residents are advised not to approach the spray trucks while they are in operation.

Residents can report mosquito infestations to the Union County Mosquito Hotline at 908-654-9834 during business hours. If necessary, inspectors will examine the property and provide guidance on eliminating breeding sites.

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Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 9, 2014

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that its next mobile paper-shredding program for confidential personal documents will be available on Sunday, June 22, at the Union County Vo-Tech campus in Scotch Plains.

“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents fight identity theft and eliminate clutter in their homes,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak, liaison to the Solid Waste Advisory Council. “It is a cost-effective way to assist our recycling efforts and it ties in with Union County’s other Go Green Initiatives.”

The June 22nd shredding event will take place at the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools campus in Scotch Plains, located at 1776 Raritan Road. NEXCUT Shredding of Elizabeth will be shredding documents at the site from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. The shredding event will end before 1 p.m. if the shredding truck reaches capacity.

All Union County residents are eligible to use the paper-shredding service. In an effort to accommodate everyone, there is a limit of four, 10-pound bags or boxes per person. Documents should not be bound. Please remove plastic binders and paperclips. Paper that is wet/damp will not be accepted. Residents should continue to recycle non-confidential papers and magazines with their municipal recycling program.

Documents are put into 96-gallon containers provided by the shredding company. The items are dumped onto a conveyor belt and shredded on site. Participants are welcome to view the shredding process via a closed-circuit television. Shredded documents are then recycled, shipped to paper mills and used as pulp. The next shredding event will take place Thursday, July 10, at Rahway River Park in Rahway.

The mobile shredding program is paid for through New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Enhancement Act Grant Funds. For more information about future events or directions please call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/recycle .

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – The County of Union will sponsor a recycling event for electronic equipment on Saturday, June 21, so Union County residents can get rid of unwanted computers, televisions and other electronic equipment in an environmentally proper manner.

The special E-cycling event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the campus of Union County Vo-Tech Schools located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

All residents of Union County are eligible to participate at no cost. There is a limit of six electronic items per car.

“Computer monitors, old televisions and other electronic devices are the source of a considerable amount of dangerous material, including lead, mercury, cadmium and PCBs – and it is unlawful to dispose of them with the regular garbage,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak, liaison to the Union County Solid Waste Advisory Board. “Up to 95 percent of most electronic appliances can be recycled. This is a responsible way to keep hazardous heavy metals out of our environment.”

Electronic equipment that will be accepted on June 21 includes computer monitors, hard drives, modems, keyboards, CPU’s, mice, printers, scanners, speakers, televisions, tablets and e-readers, VCR’s, fax machines, telephones, circuit boards, CD’s, DVD’s and video cassettes.

All that residents need to do is drive to the site with their unwanted electronic equipment. Workers at the site will unload the vehicles.

Pre-registration is not required for this special Saturday collection.

Refrigerators, washers and dryers, microwaves, and air conditioners will not be accepted, but they are accepted at Union County’s Scrap Metal Recycling Program.

 

A complete list of the materials that will be accepted on June 21 is available at the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning website: www.ucnj.org/recycle.

The electronics collection will be held rain or shine, for Union County residents only and not for businesses. Proof of Union County residency is required.

In addition to the special June 21 recycling event sponsored by the County of Union, there are local businesses as well as 14 municipalities that provide E-cycling opportunities for residents. Visit the website www.ucnj.org/recycle or call your municipal recycling coordinator for more computer and electronics recycling options.

Goodwill and Dell have teamed up to recycle computers. Goodwill in Union County is located at 126 Route 22 West, Springfield 07081, next to Macy’s Furniture. Call Goodwill at 973-912-0156 for more details or visit their web site: www.reconnectpartnership.com.

Best Buy stores now offer electronics recycling, including TVs, computer monitors, DVD players and other consumer electronics. Visit their website (www.bestbuy.com/) for store locations, or call toll-free for information about electronics recycling: 1-888-237-8289.

Staples also offers a computer recycling program seven days a week. For more information, visit the Staples web site for store locations: www.staples.com.

Waste Management accepts “covered electronics” (televisions, monitors, computers, etc.) at  629-647 Amboy Ave., Elizabeth 07201, Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 908-629-9270.

An alternative drop-off program for recycling electronics equipment is available Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at Newtech Recycling, located at 600-A Apgar Drive, Somerset NJ 08873; 732-564-3110. Visit www.newtechrecycling.com .

For more information about recycling events, please call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908- 654-9889.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 6, 2014

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation are pleased to announce their participation in New Jersey Olympic Week activities to celebrate the 120th Anniversary of the modern Olympic Games.

“Union County’s unique archery range at Oak Ridge Park in Clark and the Watchung Stable in the Watchung Reservation will be used to showcase Olympic sports through educational programs, demonstrations and other activities,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “We are happy to sponsor these events and join with other local organizations throughout the state to promote fitness, well-being and the Olympic ideals.”

On Monday, June 16, at Oak Ridge Park, there will be an Olympic archery clinic from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. This event will provide an overview into the various styles of archery by some of the top senior and junior archers in the area. Among the participants will be Junior Olympic archer Yuji Sugimoto, a student at the Union County Magnet High School in Scotch Plains; Lelia Nelson from Old Bridge, the New Jersey Senior Archery Champion; the Lightning Wheels children’s Paralympics archery group; Union County archery instructors Jon Vorob and “Doc” DeCaro; and members of the Oak Ridge Sportsmen’s Association.

On Saturday, June 21, at Watchung Stable, there will be interactive equestrian activities from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. The program will allow participants to tour the barn and see some of the resident horses. Then there will be a narrated demonstration of Olympic equestrian riding and jumping events. Members of the USA Equestrian Federation will be on hand to discuss USEF programs and events in the local area and to display Olympic memorabilia including uniforms, replica medals, and photographs.

Oak Ridge Park is located at 136 Oak Ridge Road in Clark, near the border with Edison. Watchung Stable is located at 1160 Summit Lane in Mountainside. Both facilities are administered by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. For more information about the archery range or Watchung Stable, call Margaret Heisey at 908-527-4806.

A full schedule of New Jersey Olympic Week activities, including information on how to register to attend the free events, is available online at www.olympicsnj.com .

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  June 6, 2014

Union County, NJ – Fitch has affirmed the County’s AA+ rating for its upcoming bond sale. In upgrading the County’s outlook to Stable, the just-released official Fitch rating cites the County’s return to structural balance over the past several fiscal periods, along with expectations for balanced operations in fiscal year 2014.

“Fitch noted that the County’s emphasis on building reserves and cutting costs played a significant role in the upgraded outlook, and we will continue to work along this successful, entrepreneurial management track while continuing to improve and enhance key County services,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak.

“Over the past several years, the Freeholder Board and County Manager have worked diligently to create a prudent fiscal platform for continued stability, and it is very gratifying to see this effort reflected in the latest Fitch analysis,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh, who heads the County’s Fiscal Committee.

Fitch also credited the County’s “broad and diverse economy” for the upgraded outlook, specifically in the pharmaceutical, technology, petrochemical and health care sectors as well as the County’s transportation sector, which Fitch noted includes Newark Airport and the Port of Elizabeth, the largest seaport on the east coast.

In addition, Fitch noted that the recent sale of the County’s Runnells Specialized Hospital will “relieve pressures” related to significant annual subsidies. Under the terms of the sale, the hospital will continue to provide its services to County residents.

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Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.