Author: Web Site Administrator

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi speaks with a commuter at the Union train station about updates for “Union County Votes,” a mobile app that provides voters and election watchers with on-the-go information.

One update is a new button labeled “Presidential Candidates.” It provides direct links to the official campaign website of each candidate that have been certified by the New Jersey Department of State.

The existing “Where do I vote?” button has also been updated to reflect any new changes in polling places.

The “Are you 17?” button on the Union County Votes app provides information for eligible Union County residents who are currently age 17 but who can register in advance, if they turn 18 on or before November 8.

Ms. Rajoppi created Union County Votes in 2014, to help connect the public with critical information about voting and elections.

The free app enables voters to find their polling place, request voter registration forms and vote-by-mail ballots, view sample ballots, and follow unofficial election results in real time. The app also provides information for persons interested in becoming a poll worker or running for office, including election filing dates and district maps.

For all election information, including complete details and deadlines for registration and Vote-By-Mail, visit the County Clerk online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call the Election Division at 908-527-4996.

Come visit the Union County Division on Aging’s – Aging Services Kiosk (ASK) tomorrow, Thursday, May 26th at the Berkeley Heights Public Library, 290 Plainfield Ave, from 10am-2pm to get information and assistance on services for Union County residents ages 60 and older

Information includes medication assistance, utility assistance, support services for caregivers, adult day, home care, and much more! The Division of Aging can be reached at 1-888-280-8226 or by visiting www.ucnj.org/aging

Saturday, May 28 at Warinanco Park

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite youngsters ages 4 to 12 years old to participate “Paint by the Pond.” The newly created interactive art project will take place on Saturday, May 28 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. with a rain date of Sunday, May 29 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. At the end of the program all participants will be invited to help sail these special houses in the pond.

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

There will also be miniature houses made from out of cardboard boxes floating in the pond at Warinanco Park.

“The pond at Warinanco Park is the perfect place to host ‘Paint by the Pond’ and awaken our children’s interest in both art and nature,” said Union County Freeholder Angel G. Estrada. “This promises to be a fun and unique event to kick off the summer season.”

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

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that the next mobile paper-shredding program for personal, confidential documents will visit Cranford on Saturday, June 4.

“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 June 4^th shredding event will take place at the Union County College campus in Cranford, on Springfield Avenue opposite Nomahegan Park. 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 next shredding event will take place on Wednesday, June 8, at the Clark Public Works facility, 315 Westfield Ave. in Clark.

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 .

Two Community Actions Agency Events Offered This Week for Union County Residents

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites low-income residents to attend two resource events this week as part of National Community Action Month.

“The Freeholder Board is proud to partner with and support community action agencies during National Community Action Month and throughout the year to support our residents,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

The Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey will present “Community Resources for Older Adults and Choosing a Home Health Aide” at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, May 24 at the Senior Resource Center at The Lavy House, 748 East Broad Street, Westfield. Registration is recommended. Contact 908-352-8375 or info@jfscentralnj.org.

On Thursday, May 26, The Gateway Family YMCA will host a Housing/Homeless Services Open House from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. at 135 Madison Avenue, Elizabeth.

Earlier this year, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders unanimously adopted a resolution declaring May as “National Community Action Month” in recognition of Union County’s community-based social services agencies that work to help residents overcome poverty. Agencies throughout the nation hosted events during the month of May to assist low-income Americans. 

“The purpose of National Community Action Month is to highlight the important role community action agencies have in helping low-income families move out of poverty and achieve economic security,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen. “As National Community Action month comes to an end, I’d like to remind our residents of services and programs available throughout the year to support those in need through our Department of Human Services.”

The Union County Department of Human Services, in partnership with other community based social services agencies, provides safety-net services to thousands of residents with food; rent and other housing assistance; utility assistance; victims of domestic violence; emergency/disaster relief; financial literacy; emergency shelter nights; youth/family stabilization; counseling for alcohol, drug abuse, and other mental health issues; veterans assistance; assistance for the disabled; medical transportation; and, workforce development training, job search and placement.

This year marks the 52^nd anniversary of National Community Action.  On August 20, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act (EOA) which created a variety of programs, including Community Action Agencies, as part of his administration’s War on Poverty. Today, community action agencies cover 99% of America’s counties in suburban, rural, and urban communities. It is estimated that each year, these agencies help 20 million low-income people achieve economic stability.

For more information about the above mentioned May events, and services available for low income individuals and families, contact Leslie Gutierrez, Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Planning, (908) 527-4861.  For information about all other Human Services and Union County government services and programs, visit the Union County government website www.ucnj.org.

Pictured is Freeholder Vernell Wright with her granddaughter, Andrea Johnson, and NJAC Executive Director John Donnadio.

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi welcomes members of the Union County Municipal Clerks Association at the County Clerk’s annual appreciation luncheon in honor of Municipal Clerks Week. This year’s luncheon was held at Liberty Hall Museum in Union.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Become a 4-H volunteer and help create life-changing experiences for youth in your community. Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is seeking adult volunteer leaders for their 4-H LEGO Robotics Club and Pet Club this fall.

“Volunteer leaders are a valued and essential part of 4-H youth development programs helping students to explore their interests and share them with the community in a supportive and collaborative environment,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Freeholder Board is proud to support 4-H and its guiding principles of thoughtfulness, community service and healthy living.”

Union County’s 4-H LEGO Robotics Club engages students in 5^th and 6^th grades in hands-on technology experiments that focus on science, mathematics and language concepts. Students explore LEGO robot building with typical LEGO bricks, sensors, a motor and a few other specialty pieces. The basics of programming, engineering, and constructing are all part of the process. Students are encouraged to use creativity, teamwork and problem solving.

Union County’s 4-H Pet Club provides 1^st and 2^nd grade students who love pets a fun opportunity to learn all about pet care while developing key life skills including teamwork and decision making. Students explore animal ownership responsibilities including, grooming, training and exercise, feeding, and safety.

Both Union County 4-H clubs will meet at the Collen Fraser Building in Westfield on Saturday morning starting in September. The Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Program provides training for adult leaders and curriculum materials for each club. For more information or to apply for the Union County 4-H adult volunteer leader positions please contact Jim Nichnadowicz, Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Agent at 908-654-9854 or email him at jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

Union County 4-H Clubs are run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, supported in part by the Freeholder Board. The clubs belong to a 100-year American tradition established by the U.S Department of Agriculture by an Act of Congress, originally meant to help rural communities connect with useful information about agriculture and family health.

Over the years, 4-H has kept pace with the shift to urban and suburban life, using popular activities to help youngsters to engage in civic affairs and develop related skills such as teamwork and public speaking.

In Union County, the current 4-H slate includes modern clubs like Anime, Lego Robotics, S.T.E.M. and Fashion Design. The program also offers traditional favorites such as horticulture, cooking and archery. Students can also join a Variety Club and explore topics of their own creation. For older students, 4-H offers membership in the Community Service Club, which plans and conducts community service programs throughout Union County.

For more information about Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and the Union County 4-H clubs visit ucnj.org/rce or call 908-654-9854.