Author: Web Site Administrator

CLARK, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that its next mobile paper-shredding program for confidential personal documents will be available on Wednesday, June 3, at the Township of Clark DPW facility in Clark.

“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents fight identity theft and eliminate clutter in their homes,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “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 3^rd shredding event will take place at the Department of Public Works facility in Clark, located at 315 Westfield Avenue. 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 Sunday, June 28, at the Union County Vo-Tech campus in Scotch Plains.

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 .

 

Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados (L) and Vernell Wright congratulate Dave Chango of New Providence on being named the 2014 Union County Volunteer of the Year by the Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA) at the group’s annual volunteer recognition dinner in Garwood. Chango was also named the 2014 Municipal Volunteer of the Year from New Providence. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

 

Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados (L) and Vernell Wright (R) congratulate Mary Datillo on being named the 2014 Municipal Volunteer of the Year from Westfield by the Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA) at the group’s annual volunteer recognition dinner in Garwood. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

 

Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados (L) and Vernell Wright congratulate Dr. Frank Deo on being named the 2014 Municipal Volunteer of the Year from Hillside by the Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA) at the group’s annual volunteer recognition dinner in Garwood. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

 

Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados (L) and Vernell Wright congratulate Ron Ferrara on being named the 2014 Municipal Volunteer of the Year from Clark by the Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA) at the group’s annual volunteer recognition dinner in Garwood. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

 

Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados (L) and Vernell Wright congratulate Brian Gorgoroso on being named the 2014 Municipal Volunteer of the Year from Roselle by the Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA) at the group’s annual volunteer recognition dinner in Garwood. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

 

Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados (L) and Vernell Wright (R) congratulate Jacquelyn Mattoon on being named the 2014 Municipal Volunteer of the Year from Springfield by the Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA) at the group’s annual volunteer recognition dinner in Garwood. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

 

Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados (L) and Vernell Wright congratulate Jack McGuire on being named the 2014 Municipal Volunteer of the Year from Garwood by the Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA) at the group’s annual volunteer recognition dinner in Garwood. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

 

Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados (L) and Vernell Wright (R) congratulate Clarissa Robles on being named the 2014 Municipal Volunteer of the Year from Elizabeth by the Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA) at the group’s annual volunteer recognition dinner in Garwood. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

 

Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados (L) and Vernell Wright (R) congratulate Kathy Shelus on being named the 2014 Municipal Volunteer of the Year from Scotch Plains-Fanwood by the Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA) at the group’s annual volunteer recognition dinner in Garwood. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders has announced the schedule for the county’s 2015 Road Resurfacing program. The project will resurface 13 County roads, over 12 miles of county roadway in 12 towns.

“Resurfacing makes travel on our roadways safer and more efficient,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “We also make improvements to signage and striping to improve visibility, and to curbing to improve safety and accessibility for people with disabilities.”

 The program is scheduled to begin in late June and run through September. Work is scheduled for nighttime in all but one instance.

The following locations are scheduled for resurfacing:

• East Broad Street in Westfield will be resurfaced from South Chestnut Street to Springfield Avenue, a distance of about 1.2 miles. Work is scheduled to begin around June 25.
• Hillside Avenue in Springfield will be resurfaced from Route 22 to South Springfield Avenue, a distance of about .3 miles. Work is scheduled to begin around July 1.
• Mountain Avenue in Springfield will be resurfaced from  Morris Avenue to Clinton Avenue, a distance of about .3 miles. Work is scheduled to begin around July 6.
• South Avenue in Cranford will be resurfaced from Centennial Avenue to the Roselle Borough line, a distance of about .9 miles. Work is scheduled to begin around July 20.
• Galloping Hill Road in Kenilworth and Union will be resurfaced from Kenilworth Boulevard to Kimberly Road, a distance of about .5 miles. Work is scheduled to begin around July 24.
• West 3rd Avenue in Roselle will be resurfaced from Amsterdam Avenue to Chestnut Street, a distance of about .8 miles. Work is scheduled to begin around August 3.
• South Broad Street in Elizabeth will be resurfaced from Bayway Avenue to Rahway Avenue, a one-mile stretch. Work is scheduled to begin around August 5.
• Morris Avenue in Summit will be resurfaced from Springfield Avenue to Route 24, a two-mile stretch. Work is scheduled to begin around August 10.
• Raritan Road in Cranford and Linden will be resurfaced from Wood Avenue to Centennial Avenue, a distance of .9 miles. Work is scheduled to begin around August 24.
• Amsterdam Avenue in Roselle will be resurfaced from Wood Avenue to West First Avenue, a distance of .6 miles. Work is scheduled to begin around September 1.
• La Grande Avenue in Fanwood will be resurfaced from Terrill Road to South Avenue, a 1.3 mile stretch. Work on this roadway will be conducted during the day and is expected to begin around September 7.
• Front Street in Scotch Plains will be resurfaced from Park Avenue to Terrill Road, a distance of .7 miles. Work is expected to begin around September 21.
• Scott Avenue in Rahway will be resurfaced from Route 27 to Routes 1&9, a distance of 1.4 miles. Work is expected to begin around September 28.

Paving will be done by Schifano Construction Corporation of Middlesex. The project is expected to cost $5,075,586.

Resurfacing removes the 2-inch riding surface of the roadway and replace it with fresh asphalt using a milling machine and paving machine. In addition, street signs are replaced and roads are restriped for better visibility. curbs cuts are installed to ensure that intersections are ADA compliant.

Stay up-to-date on paving and road related closures by visiting https://ucnj.org/traffic.

ELIZABETH, NJ–Four chicks were hatched by a pair of Peregrine Falcons nesting above the Union County Courthouse. State and County naturalists banded one of the chicks, and County officials visited the nesting location on the rooftop of what is highest building in the City of Elizabeth.

Peregrine falcons have been living on the courthouse tower for ten years  They are crow-sized predatory birds and only 2,000-3,000 breeding pairs exist in Canada, Mexico and the United states, according to state wildlife officials.  These falcons are known to be formidable hunters that prey on other birds (and bats) in mid-flight. Peregrines hunt from above and, after sighting their prey, drop into a steep, swift dive that can top 200 miles an hour (320 kilometers an hour).

Twenty-six pairs of peregrines now occupy appropriate nesting habitat in New Jersey. Peregrines can be found nesting on bridge towers, water towers, and high buildings. Some peregrine falcons relocated from New Jersey have even been used to help rebuild populations in West Virginia. Peregrines relocated from New Jersey between 2006 and 2011 have been confirmed inhabiting the mountain areas of West Virginia and western Maryland.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders today cut the ribbon on a new playground/sprayground in Warinanco Park in Elizabeth. The new facilities are located across from the Boat House and include the playground, sprayground (which has more than 100 spray jets) and is the seventh sprayground to open in the County parks system; new basketball and volleyball courts and renovated restroom/concession buildings.  

1. to r. Anibal Sedano, of Elizabeth, with his grandson, Adam Sedano; Freeholder Sergio Granados; Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce Bergen cutting ribbon; Freeholder Chris Hudak; Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski; Elizabeth Third Ward Councilman Kevin Kiniery; Parks Director Ron Zuber; Ellie Wilson-Newbury; and County Manager Al Faella.

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi will open her offices in Elizabeth and Westfield on Saturday, May 30, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for voters seeking last-minute mail-in ballots. The office in Elizabeth at the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, and the office in Westfield at the Colleen Fraser Building, 300 North Avenue East, will be open as a public service for voters who choose the Vote-By-Mail option for the Primary Election to be held on Tuesday, June 2.

“Every voter should have the opportunity to cast his or her ballot in the primary election for state, county and municipal offices,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “We want to ensure that even those who have a last-minute change of plans can have a chance to vote.”

“By opening the Elizabeth office on the Saturday before the primary election, as we have done for the past 19 years, along with the Westfield office, which has regular Saturday hours throughout the year, we hope to assist those citizens whose work schedules or other commitments keep them from applying to Vote-By-Mail during the work week,” Rajoppi said.

“This option makes voting more accessible, particularly for senior citizens.”

Completed ballots will be kept in a secure lockbox under the control of the Union County Board of Elections, who will collect them for counting. The Clerk’s office has processed more than 1,000 mail-in ballots to date for the Primary Election.

To obtain a Vote-By-Mail application, voters may download the form at the County Clerk’s website: https://ucnj.org/vote-by-mail, but they must bring the completed application to either of the County Clerk’s offices on Saturday, May 30, between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., or on Monday, June 1, before 3:00 p.m. For more information, please contact the County Clerk’s office at 908-527-4996.

This alert over-rides all previous posts about the fire danger level(s)

UNION COUNTY, NJ – The Union County Nonprofit Consortium will hold its Second Annual Networking conference addressing a wide range of topics  on Thursday, May 28th, beginning 8:30 a.m. at L’Affaire Fine Catering in Mountainside. 

“The conference is designed to enable nonprofit organizations throughout Union County to collaborate with one another, strengthen their organizations, and ensure the provision of a strong social services safety net for the people of Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh, who is speaking at the conference.  “The Freeholder Board is committed to working with the county’s nonprofits in providing essential services, and we appreciate the efforts of Sid Blanchard (Executive Director of Community Access Unlimited) for taking the lead to organize this important event.”

Through panel and roundtable discussions, the conference will address a wide range of topics, including: creating financial sustainability; governance and the role of agency Board members; strategic development; advocacy; funding and financing. A presentation will also be made by Linda Czipo, Executive Director of the Center for Nonprofits, that will examine the future of nonprofits.

“The mission of the Union County Nonprofit Consortium is to “promote the common good of vital services to Union County citizens by maintaining a strong system of social service agencies in Union County,” said Blanchard.  “The conference is an effort to engage agencies and create an ongoing dialogue.”

Any nonprofit agency in Union County is welcome to attend.  Registration deadline is May 21.  Registration fee is $35 and includes breakfast and lunch.  To register online, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/union-county-nonprofit-consortium-networking-conference-tickets-16221619300.  For further information call Community Access Unlimited at 908-354-3040.

###

Moving New Jersey Forward and Vet 4U Present 1s^t Annual Walking In My Boots Walkathon at Warinanco Park to Benefit Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Walkathon is set to begin May 30^th,  10 a.m.; Eric Peters, noted Clark veteran who walked across country to raise awareness, to speak on issue

UNION COUNTY, NJ—A pair of non-profit organizations, Moving New Jersey Forward and VET4U, are teaming up to present the First Annual Walking in My Boots Walkathon to benefit Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The event takes place on Saturday, May 30^th at Warinanco Park in Roselle. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m. The County of Union and the Historic Midtown Elizabeth SID are also co-sponsors.

 “There are not enough people who know or understand what PTSD is, and it’s something we need to change,” said Sergio Granados, Union County Freeholder and a founder of Moving New Jersey Forward, a community-based non-profit that works to raise awareness and education efforts at the local and national levels on issues pertaining to social justice.  “Raising awareness helps to overcome the stigma of PTSD and effectuate treatment and positive outcomes. We need to work to provide more services for our Veterans that have sacrificed so much to improve our quality of life.”

Eric Peters, a 24-year-old Veteran from Clark, will speak at the event. Last year, Peters walked to raise awareness for PTSD. Born out of his frustration to get the proper medical care from the VA and suffering from PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) himself, he decided to make a pilgrimage from his home in Clark, NJ to California to raise awareness. Eric was in the 101st Airborne Division and has received a Purple Heart for his sacrifices. Knowing that he is not alone in his situation, he hopes to open many eyes to the reality of life for many veterans post war with unfortunate outcomes.

“Many of those veterans who are suffering with PTSD  just don’t fit in with civilian life. Many are angry, afraid, irritable and just lost,” Peters said. “These veterans lose their appetites, their friends and any hope of recovering. Every night, they wake up in a cold sweat after having another nightmare.”

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it, such as war, a physical assault, or a disaster. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Getting effective treatment after PTSD symptoms develop can be critical to reduce symptoms and improve function.

“There are several million Veterans who suffer from PTSD and many of them cannot—for a number of reasons–access the resources they need to treat it,” said Janna Williams, a United States AirForce Veteran and founder of VET4U, a non-profit in formation, which advocates for and assists military veterans. “We need to work together to find the best ways to treat PTSD and assist the service members, Veterans and family members who are suffering from its impact.”

The event is a 5K walk in the park, and those who wish to register online may do so at walkinginmyboots.eventbrite.com. Anyone wishing more info can call Janna at 908-590-3869 or email vet4u2@gmail.com.  Entry fees are $15 before May 20^th, and $20 after May 20^th.

“Many cases of PTSD remain unreported and undiagnosed due to a lack of awareness and the stigma of mental health issues,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “We are proud to co-sponsor an event aimed at helping our Veterans suffering from these invisible wounds of war receive proper treatment.”

“The brave men and women of the Armed Forces proudly served our country, risked their lives to protect our freedom, and deserve our efforts to ensure their physical, mental, and emotional well-being,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, Freeholder Liaison to Veterans’ Affairs.

The walk leads up to the month of June, which has been designated PTSD Awareness Month.  Those seeking more information on PTSD, can go to http://www.ptsd.va.gov/index.asp or if living in Union County, can call the Union County Office of Veterans’ Affairs at 908-659-7407 for referral information or reach the office toll free, at 1-866-640-7115.

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds residents that Tuesday, May 12, is the last day for registering to vote in New Jersey’s upcoming Primary Election.

“With the Primary Election approaching on June 2, the deadline is just days away for first-time voters and new residents in Union County to register to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primaries,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “To be eligible to vote in the June 2 Primary Election, new voters must be registered by Tuesday, May 12.”

To register to vote or to register an address change, forms are available in every municipality at the office of the municipal clerk. Forms also may be obtained by visiting the County Clerk’s office at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth or at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield, or by visiting the Union County website: www.ucnj.org/county-clerk.

Information about the upcoming Primary Election also can be obtained by using the free new app, “Union County Votes,” which is designed to help Union County residents connect quickly and easily with accurate information about voting and elections. The app is available for Apple and Android devices and it has active hyperlinks, phone numbers and e-mail addresses.

“The Union County Votes app enables voters to find their polling place, request voter registration forms and vote-by-mail ballot applications, and view sample ballots,” Ms. Rajoppi added. “The app also provides information for people interested in becoming poll workers or running for office, including election filing dates and district maps.”

The office hours of the Westfield Annex of the County Clerk are 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Regular office hours in Elizabeth are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Voter registration forms and change of address forms must be received by the Union County Board of Elections, 271 North Broad Street, Elizabeth NJ 07208 no later than Tuesday, May 12, in order to be eligible to vote in the Primary Election on June 2. To qualify to vote, you must be a citizen of the United States and at least 18 years old, not serving a sentence, probation, or parole because of a felony conviction, and a resident of New Jersey and Union County for at least 30 days. For more information about voter registration, please call the Union County Board of Elections at 908-527-4123.