Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (R) and Chrissy Szpond from the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife show turtles to Daniel Guerrero, 11, (L) of Westfield and Francisco Londono, 8, of Berkeley Heights during the 11th Annual Union County Bio-Blitz at the Watchung Reservation. Bio-Blitz is a 24-hour sampling of the flora and fauna in a particular location with the twin goals of studying the biodiversity of the area and making the public aware of that diversity. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – The County of Union will sponsor a recycling event for electronic equipment on Saturday, June 27, 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.
“Old televisions, computer monitors, 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 Mohamed S. Jalloh. “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 27 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 27 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 27 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.
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.
Vice Chairman Bruce Bergen gave welcoming remarks at the 3rd Annual Union County Fatherhood Initiative Conference. The conference was part of the National U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development call to action to strengthen the bond between fathers and their children.
Many workshops were held throughout the day including a Men’s Health Forum given by Dr. Barry S. Levinson of Trinitas Regional Medical Center and a Barbershop Talk, a dialogue about the culture that shapes today’s men, given by Reginald Williams. The event was sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
On Saturday, June 13th, Freeholder Angel G. Estrada was inducted into the Hispanic/Latino Alumni Council Society of Scholars for his long standing leadership in the Hispanic community. Freeholder Estrada’s long-time friend Dr. Orlando Edreira had the honor of presenting his tassels.
Freeholders Vernell Wright and Sergio Granados were also at the special event with Freeholder Wright presenting Freeholder Estrada with a resolution on behalf of the entire Union County Freeholder Board. The HLAC, which also celebrated its 15th anniversary, awarded four students with scholarships for their academic success. The students were Pablo V. Monteros, Maria L. Olaya, Karen P. Pina and Shakira K. Berroa.
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.
Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh (L) and Freeholder Alexander Mirabella present a check and certificate to students Billy McGloin, Jessica McGloin and Melissa McGloin who are representing Union Catholic High School. Union Catholic came in first place in the 2015 Union County Student Training and Enrichment Program (UC STEP) challenge. They are joined by Guidance Counselor Jennifer Dixon.
“Donate to Educate”- Schools Supplying Schools, was the county-wide UC STEP community service challenge undertaken by participating Union County high schools in 2015.
UC STEP was created to provide high school students the opportunity to develop a countywide community service around a topic they feel is important, while teaching them leadership and personal growth skills and responsibility within their communities.
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 28, 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 Mohamed 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 28th 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 9, 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 .
Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen (3rd L) and Freeholder Sergio Granados (2nd R) joined (from left) Dr. Lisa Hiscano, Director of Continuing and Professional Education, Victor M. Richel, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Union County College President Margaret M. McMenamin, Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage and Elizabeth Council President Patricia Perkins-Auguste in cutting the ribbon officially opening the Mobile Learning Lab parked at Union County College’s Kellogg Building in Elizabeth.
The six-ton trailer is outfitted with the latest in advanced manufacturing training equipment that will provide customized assessment and education to more than 500 local residents.
Union County College’s Industry Business Institute has connected with 16 employers that have expressed an interest in hiring the newly trained workers.
The classroom-on-wheels will remain at Union County College through the fall.
Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce Bergen, a New Jersey Connect Trustee, announced that the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plainfield & Middlesex County is collaborating with New Jersey Connect to build a new home for a disabled veteran and family as part of an initiative called “Habitat for Heroes.” Interested families are being sought for the upcoming application period, launching in September 2015.
Two local Nonprofits Seek Interested Families for upcoming “Habitat for Heroes” Project
Two local nonprofits continue the collaboration to begin a joint project. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plainfield & Middlesex County with New Jersey Connect will partner to build a new home for a disabled veteran and family for an initiative called “Habitat for Heroes.” Interested families are being sought for the upcoming application period, launching in September 2015.
“We are excited to partner with New Jersey Connect and grateful to them for committing the initial funding of $50,000,” said Rev. Jeremy Montgomery, Executive Director of Greater Plainfield Habitat for Humanity. “We will be honored to work together alongside a disabled veteran and his or her family to provide an accessible and barrier-free home.”
New Jersey Connect was founded in 1994 by local Westfield resident Elisa Sananman to address the housing needs of people with physical disabilities, who can direct their own care yet seek accessible, non-institutional housing. Fostering independent living and respect for individuality is the core philosophy behind the mission of the nonprofit organization.
Habitat for Humanity builds “simple and decent” homes affordably for families in need, such as this one on West Fourth Street in Plainfield.
“I am proud to work with these two outstanding organizations on this wonderful initiative,” commented Union County Freeholder Vice-Chairman Bruce Bergen, a New Jersey Connect Trustee. “Giving a disabled veteran the opportunity to purchase a barrier–free, affordable home is one substantive way to show our appreciation for the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much to keep our nation safe.”
As is required of all new Habitat homeowners, veterans selected to partner with “Habitat for Heroes” will repay zero-interest loans covering the costs of new home. Loan amounts will be determined on a sliding scale based on the veteran’s income to ensure affordability for the veteran’s family. The program works to help veterans get back on their feet and live their lives with dignity, respect, and a feeling of community.
Affordable housing solutions for veterans and military members have become a priority in U.S. policy over the recent years, and Habitat for Humanity is a leading organization in providing solutions. In fact, more than 45% of veterans need help finding a job and 37% of veterans need help finding housing. Habitat for Humanity engages veterans as volunteers, homeowners and employees through their Repair Corps program, an initiative funded by The Home Depot Foundation to help repair, renovate or construct the homes of U.S. veterans.
“This is our small way to give back to those who have sacrificed so much,” describes Charles Newman, President of New Jersey Connect and Director Union County Office for the Disabled. “Working with the sterling reputation of Habitat for Humanity, our new ‘Habitat for Heroes’ initiative can turn tragic times for our community’s disabled veterans into hopeful futures.”
For more information on the “Habitat for Heroes” project, view the interactive website of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plainfield & Middlesex County at www.gphabitat.org. Interested families should fill out the “Housing Interest Form” for receive email updates and notifications of future application deadlines.
About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plainfield & Middlesex County
Founded over 26 years ago, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plainfield & Middlesex County, an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, is committed to improving the lives of low-income families by helping them build and buy their own simple, decent homes. Habitat offers families a hand up, not a hand out. Every partner family devotes at least 200 hours per adult of sweat equity to help build their home or a neighbor’s home and secures a 0% mortgage provided by Habitat. To date, thirty‐nine homes locally have been built totally by volunteer labor using donations of money and materials from the community – with seven homes under construction in the coming year. To volunteer, donate, or own a Habitat home, visit www.gphabitat.org.
