Author: Web Site Administrator

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to bring the final two free performances of the Shakespeare in the Park tour of Twelfth Night to Rahway River Park this Friday, August 7 at 7 p.m., and Oak Ridge Park in Clark on Monday, August 8 at 7 p.m. Admission is free to each of the performances.

Pack a picnic and bring a blanket or lawn chairs and head out to enjoy Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Next Stage Ensemble’s abridged 75-minute performance of this time-honored story of mistaken identities, bewildering desires, practical jokes, and bawdy merriment – all in the name of love.  

“This summer’s tour of Twelfth Night in our parks provides an opportunity for residents of all ages to experience the most remarkable storyteller the world has ever known,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Set in the land of Illyria, Twelfth Night is one of William Shakespeare’s most riotous comedies. Disguises, mistaken identities, and the chaos of love take center stage as Viola washes ashore after her ship wrecks off the coast and, disguising herself as a boy for safety, is immediately embroiled in the clever and romantic schemes of the Duke and Olivia. At the same time, Olivia’s servants convince one of their own—Malvolio—that Olivia is in love with him. Viola’s twin brother, Sebastian, adds to the mix and confusion until a happy ending for most is attained.

For more information or for a complete listing of summer events visit ucnj.org/summer.

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, Freeholders Linda Carter, Bette Jane Kowalski and Angel Estrada joined Sheriff Joseph Cryan in congratulating the graduates of the 2016 Union County Sheriff’s Youth Police Academy during a ceremony at the Rahway High School Performing Arts Center. More than 90 middle and high school students from throughout Union County participated in this year’s program.

Recruits in the youth academy received hands-on experience in a wide variety of emergency services and law enforcement functions and training.  In addition, the youths had the opportunity to learn respect for law enforcement through positive interaction during their time in the program.

During the two-week program, the teens engaged in a physical training regime twice a day while attending lectures on subjects such as crime scene investigations, K-9 and motor vehicle stops.

Through classes trips and visits by guest speakers, the recruits met with representatives from the Elizabeth Police Department, the Union County Police Department, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Union County Corrections, the Union County SWAT Team, the New Jersey State Police, NJ department of Corrections, Elizabeth EMS, the Kenilworth Police Department, the Hillside Police Department, the Roselle Police Department and the Cranford Police Department.

Award-winning documentary presented as part of Freeholder Board’s UCHERO initiative assisting Veterans

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will co-sponsor a special screening of “Thank You for Your Service,” an award-winning documentary that explores the nation’s superficial understanding of war trauma, including PTSD, and the flawed policies surrounding it. The movie will be shown on Wednesday, September 7th beginning 6:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Stage Theatre, 360 Hamilton Street, in Rahway.

“This documentary succeeds in calling attention to the mental health issues that many of today’s Veterans face upon returning from war, as well as calling for a new approach to these problems,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen. “It’s a film all Americans should see to gain an understanding of what our Veterans are going through, and to begin a dialogue on what we can do to help.”

The film is being presented as part of Chairman Bergen’s UC HERO initiative for 2016, which assists Veterans. For more information, please go to: https://ucnj.org/uc-hero/

Following the screening, there will be a panel discussion involving the film’s Director Tom Donahue, and members of the film production company which he co-founded, CreativeChaosVMG, participants from Veterans groups, County Government, and other soon-to-be announced agencies. Admission is free, however, those wishing to, may make a suggested donation of $3. The theatre is located at 360 Hamilton Street in Rahway.

“Less than 1 percent of the population serves in the military now, and that is part of the reason why the public is so largely unaware of the issues they are facing,” said Donahue, who hopes the film creates enough awareness to spark the creation of a Behavioral Health Corps as a Division of the Department of Defense.

 In fact, Donohue has created a website dedicated to the creation of the agency (and about “Thank You For Your Service) and hopes everyone who sees the movie will visit www.bhcnow.com to get involved. (Trailer: https://vimeo.com/156195376 )

“I believe very strongly in the power of documentary filmmaking to affect change,” Donahue said in a recent interview.

The issues that many of today’s Veterans face, including PTSD and suicide, are personal ones for Donahue, whose father and many relatives were Army Veterans. Also, one of Donahue’s closest friends committed suicide when he was 21-years-old.

The film opens with a quote from an op-ed by Nicholas Kristof in the New York Times in 2012 entitled A Veteran’s Death, a Nation’s Shame: “For every soldier killed on the battlefield this year, about 25 Veterans are dying by their own hands.”

“Thank You for Your Service” interweaves the stories of four Iraq War Veterans with interviews of top military and civilian leaders, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Admiral Mike Mullen, Generals David Petraeus and Loree Sutton, Nicholas Kristof, Dexter Filkins, Senator Patty Murray, Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson.

The film examines why the military was not better prepared for the impact of combat in Afghanistan and Iraq on U.S. service members, the lessons forgotten from past wars and the need for wide-scale reform to prevent the loss of a generation of brave men and women.

The movie has been called “gripping, wrenching, and persuasive” by the Village Voice and “a film every American should see” by the Star Ledger. The Military Times said it is “generating Oscar buzz.”

The documentary is currently being shown at film festivals around the country, and is scheduled for theatrical release in early October. It won “Best Documentary at the GI Film Festival in DC, and the “Impact Award” at the Illuminate Festival.

Donahue has produced and edited numerous features and documentaries that, combined, have won over twenty­ five awards at such prestigious festivals as Sundance, Cannes, Berlin, Toronto, SxSW, Venice, San Sebastian and TriBeCa. Donahue also directed the Emmy-nominated Casting By documentary (2013, HBO), which featured interviews with Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, Robert Duvall, Glenn Close, Al Pacino and others.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that the next mobile paper-shredding programs for personal, confidential documents will visit Union on Saturday, August 13.

“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents fight identity theft by providing a convenient way to shred their confidential documents,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen. “It promotes our County recycling efforts and ties in with Union County’s other green initiatives.”

The August 13^th shredding event will take place on the Kean University campus, 1000 Morris Avenue in the Township of Union, in the parking lot on the corner of Morris Ave. and Green Lane, across from the Union Train Station. NEXCUT Shredding of Elizabeth will be shredding personal documents from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. The 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. This is a garbage-free event so please bring your documents in paper bags if at all possible. Plastic bags and boxes will be returned. 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 then dumped onto a conveyor belt and shredded on site. Participants are welcome to view the shredding process via a closed-circuit television. The shredded documents are then recycled, shipped to paper mills and used as pulp.

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 Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/recycle 

Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski joined Union County College Vice President of Administrative Services Dr. Stephen Nacco in congratulating students who took part in the Union County Freeholders College for Teens during the class commencement at Union County College in Cranford. This summer more than a hundred students from throughout Union County completed the three-week program which offers teens in grades 9 through 12 opportunities to explore a variety of career choices while experiencing life on a college campus.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders sponsors the free program for high school students each summer. Since College for Teens began in 2001, more than 1,000 students from all 21 municipalities in Union County have completed the program.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Summer Arts Festival concert series continues this coming Wednesday evening August 3, with Black Dog taking the stage at 7:30 p.m. The free concert series is presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholder. Wednesday’s performance is also sponsored by Whole Foods of Clark.

“We are delighted to bring the Summer Arts Festival to Oak Ridge Park,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen. “And be sure to arrive early to participate in UC Get Fit Yoga in the Park, a great way for families to stay healthy together.”

Black Dog proudly pays tribute to the mighty Led Zeppelin with an extensive catalogue of songs comprised of classic masterpieces like “Dazed and Confused”, “Heartbreaker”, and “Stairway to Heaven”, as well as rare B-sides to satisfy the more discerning fans. Established in early 2000, the band is comprised of accomplished musicians with considerable experience.

While enjoying the wonderful music, concertgoers can visit Tony’s Traveling Trattoria which will treat your palate to excellent Italian comfort food. Also the Good Humor Truck will be on site hosted by TG and Sons serving ice cream and snacks. Attendees can also pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the music under the stars.

Once again UC Get Fit Yoga in the Park, a Union County Freeholder initiative will be part of the Wednesday night pre-concert schedule, with Alluem Yoga in Cranford presenting a free community class from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.  Bring a mat or beach towel and participate in healthy activities for the entire family before the music begins.

Throughout the summer at each concert one Union County Department will be featured, distributing handouts and highlighting their own unique services. On this evening the Union County Clerk’s Office will be on hand.

The following is the schedule for August at Oak Ridge Park:

• August 3rd Black Dog – Tribute to Led Zeppelin (Sponsored by Whole Foods of Clark)
• August 10th Dead On Live – Grateful Dead Tribute Band (With special guest appearance by Sam Cutler, tour manager for the Rolling Stones and the Grateful Dead)
• August 17th Hey Bulldog – Music of The Beatles (Sponsored by Union Co. Education Association)
• August 24th Y. State of Mind – Billy Joel Tribute (Sponsored by Whole Foods of Clark)

Please visit www.ucnj.org/summer for more summertime fun activities.

Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen is joined by the Union County Office of Veterans’ Affairs Director Richard Thompson,  who is also a Veteran, as they mark the final round of collections of donations from County residents, and employees for Backpacks for Life—an organization that assists homeless Veterans. Thanks to the tremendous generosity of Union County residents and employees, more than 1,000 pounds of items have been collected.  The collection for homeless Veterans is part of Chairman Bergen’s “UC HERO” initiative, offering programs and services for Veterans this year.  For more information on, please go to:  https://ucnj.org/uc-hero/

Eighteen of Union County’s municipal police departments, the Union County Police Department, and the Union County Sheriff’s Office will be participating in National Night Out festivities next week as part of continuing efforts to strengthen ties between local law enforcement and the communities they serve, and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and Union County Police Chiefs Association are together encouraging members of the public to attend and participate as well.

National Night Out, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and now in its 33^rd year, is a campaign through which millions of people across the country gather for outdoor activities on the first Tuesday of each August.

“National Night Out couldn’t come at a better time this year,” acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park said. “It’s more important than ever that law enforcement seeks to strengthen existing relationships with the public, and this campaign provides a perfect opportunity.”

“Typical, everyday interactions between the police and the public can be stressful for both parties – consider a traffic stop, for example,” Park added. “But on this night, residents can chat with members of law enforcement over hot dogs, watch a movie or listen to live music together – even use a well-aimed throw to land an officer in a dunk tank.”

An estimated 38 million people in approximately 16,000 towns in all 50 states and Puerto Rico took part in National Night Out last year, including residents of nearly 200 municipalities in New Jersey, according to the National Association of Town Watch.

“We are honored and delighted to be participating in National Night Out events next week, particularly in Springfield’s Meisel Park, where some of our largest vehicles and most high-tech equipment will be on display for the public to see,” Union County Police Department Officer-in-Charge Christopher Debbie said. “We view every chance we get to engage with the community in a fun, informal setting such as this as a huge benefit for law enforcement and the public alike.”

“Members of the Sheriff’s Office will be taking part in National Night Out events in a number of communities across Union County next Tuesday, because we view this campaign as an invaluable opportunity to build bridges,” Union County Sheriff Joseph P. Cryan said. “Our first duty as members of law enforcement is to protect and serve, but I firmly believe that a close second is getting to know the people we’re protecting and serving.”

National Night Out events historically have been organized by neighborhood watch organizations, nonprofit groups, private companies, and other entities, in addition to municipalities. But Union County police chiefs said it’s important that police departments get directly involved and interact with members of the public.

“This is a great opportunity for the public to meet first responders on an informal basis, a common ground. The public usually meets us due to an unfortunate circumstance,” Springfield Police Chief John Cook said. “It is a chance for us to interact with the young people of our respective communities and give them a true perspective of what public service is about, and to explain that we have chosen our profession as a means of being able to make positive differences in their lives by keeping them safe.” 

“Over the past several years in Roselle Park, the public’s interest in National Night Out has grown in large numbers, which I find to be a very encouraging sign of public support. This is also a clear indication that the residents of Roselle Park enjoy the opportunity to interact with the police officers who serve their community and get to know them on a personal level,” Borough Police Chief Paul W. Morrison said. “I am very thankful to the many residents of Roselle Park who have shown such great support of our police department during these trying times for law enforcement across our country.”

“One of our most important jobs is maintaining a strong relationship with the community we serve,” Cranford Police Chief James Wozniak added. “Our National Night Out event continues to grow each year, and it allows us the opportunity to build that relationship.” 

In Union County, the following municipalities and police departments are participating this year:

Clark

The Township will hold its National Night Out from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, August 2 in the parking lot of Arthur L. Johnson High School, 365 Westfield Avenue.

On display will be Township police, fire, and EMS vehicles, and members of the Union County Sheriff’s Office Identification Unit will be on hand to create photo displays for children. Also available will be information regarding programs that the Police Department offers to the community, such as a prescription drug drop box, the Explorer Program, and a residential security survey program.

Complimentary hot dogs, Italian ice, and beverages will be available, along with giveaway prizes for children.

Cranford

National Night Out festivities will take place from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2 in Patrolman Robert F. Hand Plaza and on the front lawn of the Cranford Police Department headquarters, 8 Springfield Avenue.

Numerous police and emergency vehicles will be on display, as well as equipment from the Union County Office of Emergency Management and NJ Transit Police Department. Public safety personnel will be on hand to answer questions.

A disc jockey, face painter, and magician will also be on site to provide entertainment for children and adults, and the local AAA, the Cranford Department of Recreation, PSE&G, and other organizations will be handing out literature and giveaways. In addition, Hands of Life Martial Arts of Garwood will be conducting free demonstrations. 

New this year will be a rock wall and bungee run, offered courtesy of generous donations made by PSE&G and the Cranford Municipal Alliance. For the eighth year in a row, a blood drive will also be held during National Night Out, and as in the past, members of the Cranford PBA Local No. 52 will be present to provide refreshments. Residents and visitors may also obtain information about the Township’s many youth, educational, safety and public awareness programs.

The event is being coordinated by Detective Kelly Rieder, who can be reached at 908-709-7344.

Elizabeth

The City of Elizabeth and Mayor J. Christian Bollwage will be holding its 33^rd annual National Night Out from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, August 2 at Carteret Park, near the intersection of Elmora Avenue and Murray Street.

The event will feature health, safety, and security exhibits, free refreshments, and demonstrations, as well as citizen awards, music, and more. For more information, call 908-820-4238.

Fanwood

National Night Out festivities will directly precede an installment of the Borough’s Free Summer Movies in the Park, as “Cinderella” (2015 version) will be screened at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2 at LaGrande Park.

The event will feature free refreshments, games, raffles, a dunk-a-cop booth, bounce house, and Union County dispatch 911 table, and the Fanwood Fire Department and Rescue Squad will have equipment available for children to take photographs with.

Garwood

The Garwood Police Department will be sending personnel, patrol vehicles, and tactical equipment to the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders National Night Out event being held at Meisel Park in Springfield (see below for details). The police personnel will also have DWI goggles on hand for demonstrations.

Hillside

National Night Out will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2, with all events to take place at the Hillside Community Center, 285 Hillside Avenue.

Linden

National Night Out will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2 at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade, 400 North Wood Avenue. In the event of inclement weather, the event will take place at the John T. Gregorio Recreation Center, 330 Helen Street.

The Linden Police Department will be participating and there will be free refreshment, entertainment, and giveaways.

Mountainside

The Mountainside Police Department will be sending personnel and vehicles to the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders National Night Out event being held at Meisel Park in Springfield (see below for details).

New Providence

National Night Out will be celebrated in the borough from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2 in Centennial Park, adjacent to Borough Hall at 360 Elkwood Avenue.

Members of the public are invited to join the New Providence Police Department, Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services, and Lions Club, as borough police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians will have their equipment on display and will be on hand to interact with the community. Refreshments will be provided by the New Providence Business and Professional Association and entertainment will be provided by Al Elefante. A bounce house, dunk tank, face painting, and a magician will be present as well.

Children under the age of 18 will be eligible for a free chance to win a Microsoft Xbox One, and other free prizes will be available for people of all ages, donated by Ricciardi Brothers, Providence Bar and Kitchen, New Providence Hand Car Wash, Skin Deep Spa and Salon, and Martial Arts for Life.  JCP&L also graciously donated $500 to help sponsor the event.

Plainfield

The City of Plainfield will once again host its annual National Night Out from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, August 2 at City Hall Plaza and Parking Lot, 515 Watchung Avenue. This year the event will service low-income students in Plainfield by providing at least 400 free backpacks and sets of school supplies.

In addition to the backpacks campaign, there will be a car show, kids’ zone, live music, refreshments, and demonstrations by the Plainfield Police Division and the Plainfield Fire Division. All residents of Plainfield are encouraged to attend, and anyone seeking to donate is being asked to please contact Plainfield Action Services at 908-753-3519.

Rahway

The Rahway Police Department is inviting members of the public to join its National Night Out festivities scheduled for 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, August 4 at the intersection of Elizabeth Avenue and Irving Street. The event will not occur on the traditional first Tuesday of the month in order to allow it to coincide with the Rahway Mayor’s Summer Concert Series, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 4 with The Company Men, a nationally recognized pop vocal group that has appeared on numerous national television shows. They will be joined by local performer and opening act Paris Williams. 

The summer concerts take place directly outside of the Union County Performing Arts Center at 1601 Irving Street each Thursday night in August. In the event of inclement weather, the concerts will be held inside the Union County Performing Arts Center on the venue’s main stage.

The Rahway Police Department has traditionally used National Night Out as a platform for recruitment for our volunteer groups. Please contact Detective William Eicholz at the Community Relations Office at 732-827-2079 for more information.

Roselle

National Night Out festivities will take place starting 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2 at West 2^nd Avenue and Pine Street.

Free refreshments, entertainment, and prizes will be available.  

Roselle Park

The Borough’s 16th annual National Night Out and free town-wide picnic will take place from 5-9 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2 at the Casano Community Center, 314 Chestnut Street.

There will be live music, free refreshments, and giveaways.

Scotch Plains

National Night Out will take place from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2 at the Alan Augustine Village Green, 430 Park Avenue.

Sponsored by The Espeland Group, Allstate, and K9 Resorts, the event will feature giveaways and vehicle and equipment demonstrations by the Scotch Plains Fire Department, Rescue Squad, and Police Department SWAT Unit and K9 Unit. The Scotch Plains-based band The Broadcasters will provide live music throughout the event, and there will be free inflatable rides and other amusements for children. 

Springfield

The Springfield Police Department will be participating in the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders National Night Out event being held at Meisel Park in Springfield (see below for details).

Summit

National Night Out festivities will take place from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2 at the Summit Village Green, 356 Broad Street. A rain date will be scheduled for the same time the next day, Wednesday, August 3.

Food trucks are scheduled to open at 6 p.m., with a bike show featuring Chris Clark set for 6:15 p.m. and a World of Rock concert at 7 p.m. There will also be a blessing of the badges, a guitar giveaway, dunk-a-cop for a cause, obstacle course, bounce house, fitness demonstrations, free hot dogs, and displays and demonstrations by the Summit Police Department, Fire Department, EMS, Public Works, Department of Community Programs, Free Public Library, PAL, Police Youth Academy, Elks Club, YMCA, and D.A.R.E.

There will also be displays and demonstrations by the Union County Division of Youth Services, Union County Emergency Response Team (UCERT) SWAT Unit, Union County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit, NJ Transit Police, New Jersey Forest Fire Service, New Jersey U.S. Army National Guard, New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit, Truck Unit, and Traffic Unit; and the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the FBI Response Team and Prescription Drug Fraud Team.

Also participating in the festivities will be numerous local vendors and community organizations.  

Union County

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced this week that its National Night Out festivities will begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2 at Meisel Park on Meisel Avenue in Springfield.

The main sponsor of the event is Investors Bank. The event will begin with free activities including inflatable rides, games, and live music, with County emergency vehicles and equipment staged on site for children and their families to explore up close. Members of the Union County Sheriff’s Office will also be on hand to offer parents an opportunity to have their children’s fingerprints taken, and the Union County Police Department will have specialized equipment and representatives from its Bomb Squad along with other vehicles and personnel on site as well. The Union County Prosecutor’s Office executive staff members, assistant prosecutors, and detectives will also be present.  

Free hot dogs and popcorn supplied by Performance Food Group will be available, and TG & Sons Ice Cream and Snacks will also have refreshments available for sale. At 8 p.m., as part of Union County’s regular Family Fun and Flix series, there will be a free public screening of the critically acclaimed animated film “Zootopia.”

“National Night Out gets families together to enjoy the outdoors and fresh air while getting to know their local police officers and first responders,” Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen said. “It’s one of the highlights of our summer schedule of free outdoor activities in County parks, and I thank Investors Bank for helping to bring this event to the Union County community.”

Union Township

National Night Out will be held from 5-9 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2 at Union Township Police Headquarters, 981 Caldwell Avenue. Complimentary food and drinks will be available, as well as a disc jockey, bounce rides, and free face painting for children. There will also be a dunk-a-cop tank and demonstrations by the Union Township Fire Department, Emergency Medical Squad, Emergency Response Team, and Police Department Motorcycle Unit. In addition, there will be a DWI tricycle demonstration and a tae kwon do demonstration, as well as a photographer on hand for children to pose for photos in a police patrol car.

There will also be tours of police headquarters available, as well as tables with safety information and giveaways sponsored by the Union Township Target, the Automobile Association of America, Walgreens, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Union Township Police Department ID Unit, the Department Police Family Relations Bureau, and Union Police D.A.R.E.

Westfield

National Night Out festivities involving members of the Westfield Police Department will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2 at the North Side Train Station near municipal parking lot No. 2, at the intersection of North Avenue West and Elm Street.

For more information about National Night Out, go online to www.natw.org.