Author: Web Site Administrator

To pre-register, visit www.ucnj.org/parks-reg/

The Union County Department of Parks & Recreation will host a meeting to present a Trails Master Plan that has been developed for the Watchung Reservation.  This plan will create new trails and open the Watchung Reservation to mountain biking.

The meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 7 at 7:00 p.m. at the Trailside Nature & Science Center.  Trailside is located in the Watchung Reservation at 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside.

Representatives of the Parks Department and its trails planning consultant will explain the master plan and answer questions.  There will be ample opportunity for those who use the trails and other features or facilities in the Watchung Reservation to offer their input on the plan. 

There is no sign-up or reservation required to attend or to speak at the meeting.  A similar meeting was held last October, primarily for mountain biking enthusiasts.

The Trails Master Plan includes the construction of 13 1/2 miles of new trails which will be restricted to mountain biking only.  The new trails will be spread throughout most areas of the park.  Portions of the Sierra Trail and other existing hiking or equestrian trails will be shared by all users, including mountain bikers.  Some sections of existing hiking trails will be closed.

A map showing the location of the trails that will be constructed can be found at https://ucnj.org/watchung-reservation-trails-master-plan/

UNVEILING THE FIRST of new signage marking Union County’s inclusion in the National Park Service’s Crossroads of the American Revolution(CAR) National Heritage Area.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen, left, was joined by CAR Executive Director Noreen Bodman, CAR Board Member David Siegfried and Revolutionary War re-enactor Alan Bridges of Rahway, a member of the 3^rd New Jersey Grays.

The new signage is part of Bergen’s initiative to raise awareness of the history in the area.  Union County is one of 14 counties that comprise the National Heritage Area and the first to roll out signage across the county recognizing the designation.

New Jersey played a crucial role in the American Revolution. Positioned between the new nation’s capital in Philadelphia and the British stronghold in New York, no place in New Jersey was spared the ravages of war. During six years of conflict, General George Washington and the Continental Army spent more days in New Jersey than any other state. Plans are in the works to stage a re-enactment of the Battle of the Short Hills at Oak Ridge Park in June, along with the annual Four Centuries in a Weekend in October.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders held a set of open public hearing dates in February and March for the review.

• 2017 Executive Budget, click here. 
• 2017 Budget as Introduced, click here. 
• 2017 Adopted Budget, click here.

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While there are no public comments at these meetings, the public was welcome to attend and listen to the discussion. The Freeholder Board will conduct their review before voting to introducing the budget later this year.

The first significant winter storm of 2017 is expected to hit the New York-New Jersey region early tomorrow morning, bringing 6 to 12 inches of heavy wet snow and high winds throughout the day.  To deal with the upcoming weather event, the Port Authority has taken significant measures to ensure safe, efficient operations at its airports, tunnels, bridges and PATH system.

The National Weather Service currently forecasts the heaviest snow beginning shortly before the morning rush hour on Thursday and continuing until mid-afternoon.

In advance of the first snowflakes, the Port Authority has made extensive preparations for personnel and equipment at all of its facilities.  Operations personnel will work 12-hour shifts to ensure that facilities can be operated safely. The airports, bridges, tunnels and PATH also have snow desks where key personnel analyze weather reports and deploy staff and equipment.

The Port Authority also is in contact with the states of New York and New Jersey, as well as other local and federal officials and agencies to coordinate response to the winter weather event

With a storm of this magnitude, airlines sometimes cancel flights in advance, so travelers should check with their carriers to make sure their flight will be taking off before going to the airport. If warranted, the Port Authority also has supplies of cots and other essential items ready to accommodate ticketed passengers who may become stranded at the airports.

The Port Authority also urges bus travelers to check with their carriers before going to the bus terminals since many public and private carriers may cancel or delay service if conditions warrant. The agency also may impose speed restrictions on its crossings, or close them entirely based on weather conditions.

All terminals in the Port of New York and New Jersey will be closed tomorrow due to the impending weather conditions.

The Port Authority has the following winter weather equipment and supplies ready at its major transportation facilities:

Hundreds of pieces of snow equipment at its airports, including melters that can liquefy up to 500 tons of snow an hour and plows that can clear snow at 40 mph; • Dozens of pieces of snow equipment at its bridges and tunnels; •  Thousands of tons of salt and sand for airport roads and parking lots, plus thousands of tons of salt for the bridges and tunnels; •  Hundreds of thousands of gallons of liquid anti-icer chemicals at the airports, which prevent snow and ice from bonding to runways and taxiways, plus thousands of tons of solid de-icers, which break up snow and ice already on the ground; •  Plow-equipped trains, liquid snow-melting agent trains and a “jet engine” plow to remove snow from PATH tracks, and snow blowers, plows and spreaders to clear station entrances, roads that serve PATH’s 13 stations, and various support facilities.

For up-to-the-minute updates on Port Authority crossings, airports and the PATH system, travelers are encouraged to sign up for Port Authority alerts at http://www.paalerts.com/. Travelers may also call 511 or visit http://511ny.org or http://511nj.org for further information on highway conditions.

511NY | New York Traffic | Commuter Information | Road Conditions http://511ny.org Provides up to the minute traffic and transit information for New York state. View the real time traffic map with travel times, traffic accident details, traffic cameras and other road conditions. Plan your trip and get the fastest route taking into account current traffic conditions.

 

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Christopher Hudak take part in the Jewish Federation of Metro West’s 3rd Annual Community Challah Bake at the Community Food Bank of NJ in Hillside. There are joined by Senator Thomas Kean and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano.

The event’s mission was to help feed the needy and raise awareness of the hunger crisis in New Jersey. Highlights of the day included braiding and baking 800 challahs for local clients and helping with projects for the Community Food Bank of NJ.

 

Bring the entire family to Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series’ dynamic, uniquely funny and interactive Bubble Trouble live performance at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway on Sunday, February 19 at 2:00 p.m.

Available now, all tickets are $8 per person and can be purchased through the Union County Performing Arts Center at ucpac.org or by calling the Box Office at 732-499-8226.

“The Freeholder Board is proud to present the sensory-friendly performance series, designed to increase access to the arts for children and adults with sensory sensitivities,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Families are sure to enjoy experiencing the wonders of bubble science in Jeff Boyer’s creative and entertaining live performance – all while participating in the creation of art.”

With a bubble volcano, bubble roller coaster, a kid in a bubble, Jeff Boyer takes bubbles to the max in this one-man bubble extravaganza. It’s the craziest, most creative bubble show around. Jeff juggles bubbles, sculpts and builds with bubbles, makes fog-filled bubbles and more. Mixing comedy, music and interactive bubble-magic, he engages and delights audiences of all ages. A hit at performing arts centers, festivals…anywhere there’s air.

For each of the performances in Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series the theatre environment at the Union County Performing Arts Center is adjusted to provide a sensory-friendly, comfortable and judgment-free space that is welcoming for all families.

Autism Friendly Spaces implements the supportive atmosphere at each of the sensory-friendly performances. For more information on what to expect at a Sensory Friendly Theatre performance visit ucpac.org/sensory-friendly-theatre.

For more information or to purchase tickets call the Union County Performing Arts Center, 732-499-8226 or visit ucpac.org. The UCPAC Box Office, located at 1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM and is also open late on Thursdays until 8:00 PM.

For information on additional Union County recreational programs for people with disabilities age five and up, call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4781 or visit ucnj.org.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite children and adults with disabilities to enjoy an afternoon of ice skating at the Warinanco Park Ice Skating Center, located on Thompson Avenue in Roselle, on Sunday, March 5, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

“Lace Up Your Skates” is a program developed through the Recreation Department’s Office for Programs for People with Disabilities Division. There will be skate guards on duty throughout the event, and skate-walkers will be available for those needing assistance.

“This will be a wonderful opportunity for both youngsters and adults with disabilities to enjoy the ice at the Warinanco Park Ice Skating Center in a fun and safe atmosphere for all,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

There is an $8 registration fee, which can be paid on line when registering at www.ucnj.org/parks-reg/.

For answers to any questions you might have on this program or any other programs offered for people with disabilities please call 908-527-4781. And for a complete list of Programs for People with Disabilities you can go to https://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/recreation-for-people-with-disabilities/.

 

 

Unique Program seeking Union County youths with disabilities for internship that provides employment training and life skills

The Union County Board of Freeholders today announced it is co-sponsoring the Project Se program that assists youth with disabilities to obtain a unique, life-changing school-to-work internship that provides them with employment training and with independent living skills.

“Overlook is only one of four locations statewide that hosts Project Search, and we are proud to  be co-sponsoring this program for our residents,” Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen said. “Project Search provides teens with the opportunity to become self-sufficient and transition into the work force, which is a very worthwhile goal.”

The announcement is one of Bergen’s Freeholder initiatives for 2017. Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, who spoke at last year’s kick-off for Project Search, concurred with Bergen.

“We look forward to working with our partners in ensuring the Union County program is the leader and a model for all other Project Search programs to follow across the state,” Granados said. “We’re happy to be part of an initiative that helps others; and we are committed to making it grow.”

The Freeholder Board would like interested candidates to know that the Project SEARCH-Overlook Medical Center program is currently recruiting for the school year, 2017-18 student cohort.

Project SEARCH-Overlook is looking for students who meet the following criteria:

• Must be 18-20 years old and plan to still be in high school next school year;
• Diagnosed with a developmental or intellectual disability including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder;
• Basic and effective communication skills (verbal or supported by technology);
• Ability to take direction and change behavior if necessary;
• Desire to work competitively in the community.

An informational session and tour will be held on Tuesday March 1^st,  7 pm at the Overlook Medical Center in Summit. Please feel free to share with families you know who may have a child that would benefit from applying to Project SEARCH. Click here to register.

Chris Debbie, 29-year veteran, to assume top cop spot

Union County—County Manager Alfred J. Faella today announced he has appointed James Christopher Debbie, a 29-year veteran of the County Police Division, as its Police Chief.

Debbie becomes the County’s 10th Police Chief in the Police Division’s history, and has served as the Officer in Charge since 2015. He will be responsible for supervising a police force of 73 sworn officers and 25 civilians. His appointment is effective immediately.

“I would like to thank the Freeholder Board and County Manager for their support and confidence,” Debbie said. “In this era, the County faces a complex set of security concerns and the County Police have evolved to become a lead agency in providing public safety and homeland security services to the region. I look forward to working with our various partners in meeting these challenges, protecting the public and providing our services.”

Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen congratulated Debbie on his appointment.

“Chris has led a lengthy, distinguished career in our County Police Department, and is an excellent choice to lead this vital agency,” Bergen said.  “We wish him well on his appointment and look forward to working with him.”

Debbie succeeds Daniel Vaniska, who retired in 2015 after serving as the division’s Police Chief for 13 years.

Debbie joined the County Police Department in 1988, became a Detective in 1997, a Sergeant in 2003, Lieutenant in 2007 and Captain in 2013. Along the way, he supervised detectives, Special Investigations/Narcotics, criminal investigations, internal affairs, and other high profile functions of the departments. He was also assigned to the Essex-Union Auto Theft task Force, and supervised and conducted plainclothes street narcotics operations.

As Officer in Charge for the past two years, he was the Executive Officer of County Police, and responsible for the day to day operations, answering to Department Director Andrew Moran.

The County Police division falls under the Department of Public Safety, and provides a wide variety of services to the County as a whole and the region, including:

• Cost-saving Dispatch Services for twelve EMS agencies, six fire departments and three law enforcement agencies;
• The Union County Ballistic Unit, a state-of-the-art operation that comprehensively analyzes weapons evidence, including bullets, shell casings and firearms, and provides real-time actionable intelligence to investigators and agencies;
• UC MARINE 1 and 2 which patrols County and regional waterways—including the Arthur Kill–to provide regional Homeland Security services;
• Arson Squad—important investigatory service to Fire agencies;
• Bomb Squad—-vital homeland security service, recently featured in the response to the terrorist/bomb incident in Elizabeth;
• County Police—including all their functions—patrol, traffic, enforcement, etc.
• Investigative Division;
• Special Operations Unit—emergency response team.
• Child Safety Seat operations.