Author: Web Site Administrator

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 27, 2014

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 4, 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 Christopher Hudak, liaison to the Solid Waste Advisory Council. “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 4th 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 22, 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 atwww.ucnj.org/recycle .

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 23, 2014

Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich swears in Adrian Gardner appointing her to the rank of Sheriff’s Detective during the Union County Sheriff’s Office 2014 Awards Ceremony in Elizabeth. Holding the Bible is Sheriff’s Detective Brian Dustin. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 23, 2014

Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich (3rd L) and Freeholders Vernell Wright (3rd R) and Bette Jane Kowalski congratulate Sheriff’s Officer Sean Conway on being named the 2013 Officer of the Year at the Union County Sheriff’s Office 2014 Awards Ceremony in Elizabeth. They are joined by Undersheriff Vincent Detrolio (L) and Union County Manager Alfred Faella. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich swears in Adrian Gardner appointing her to the rank of Sheriff’s Detective during the Union County Sheriff’s Office 2014 Awards Ceremony in Elizabeth. Holding the Bible is Sheriff’s Detective Brian Dustin. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

 

Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich (3^rd L) and Freeholders Vernell Wright (3^rd R) and Bette Jane Kowalski congratulate Sheriff’s Officer Sean Conway on being named the 2013 Officer of the Year at the Union County Sheriff’s Office 2014 Awards Ceremony in Elizabeth. They are joined by Undersheriff Vincent Detrolio (L) and Union County Manager Alfred Faella. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 22, 2014

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – With miles of hiking and bridle trails crisscrossing the Watchung Reservation, maintenance and repair is an important, on-going task. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation have the perfect opportunity for trail users who want to “give something back” to the trails they enjoy.

“If you love the great outdoors and love to hike or ride horses in the Watchung Reservation, then you can show your appreciation on National Trails Day,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “The 2,060-acre forest preserve is Union County’s largest park and it offers a variety of trails and scenery for all ages to enjoy.”

You can celebrate our local trails on National Trails Day, Saturday, June 7, by signing up to take a guided hike and/or participate in a trail work project in the Watchung Reservation. Participants should dress to get dirty and/or wet. Meet at the Scout Camping Area behind the greenhouse at Trailside Nature and Science Center’s Visitor Center, located at 452 New Providence Road (at Coles Ave.) in Mountainside.

National Trails Day begins at 8:30 a.m. with a continental breakfast for all pre-registered project volunteers. Anyone interested in doing some trail work should call 908-789-3683 to register, or e-mail: bkelly@ucnj.org. From 8:45 to 10:00 a.m., a Trailside naturalist will take hikers along one of many marked trails in the Watchung Reservation in search of wildlife sights and sounds, animal tracks and interesting plant life along the way. Listen and look for migratory birds that use the Reservation as a rest stop along their trip north.

A trail work project from 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. will offer volunteers the chance to repair a section of hiking trail. Volunteers will learn new skills, meet other trail users and have fun while working in the out-of-doors. Bring gloves, a shovel, loppers, pruning shears and/or pick axe if you have them. Some tools will be provided. The event will be held rain or shine. Trail work participants must be seven years of age or older and children must be accompanied by an adult.

For directions to Trailside Nature and Science Center, go to http://goo.gl/maps/WG4g5 or call Trailside: 908-789-3670.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  May 21, 2014

Union County Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak (right) listens as John Garofalo, Assistant Superintendent of the Union County Division of Weights and Measures, explains how gas pumps are inspected at a Shell station in Rahway. The demonstration was the kickoff of Union County’s annual gas pump inspection program, marking the start of the upcoming summer travel season.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

RAHWAY, NJ—The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders joined with the County’s Weights and Measures Division to kick off its annual gas pump inspection program with a demonstration of the service, marking the start of the upcoming summer travel season.

“With the Memorial Day holiday marking the start of the serious travel season in New Jersey,  we are highlighting this valuable consumer service and urging consumers to follow tips on how to save gas and protect yourself at the pump,” Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak said.

Hudak was joined by Public Safety Director Andrew Moran, Freeholder Vice Chairman Mohamed Jalloh, Rahway Mayor Samson Steinman, County Manager Alfred Faella, and personnel from the Weights and Measures Division. The event was held at the Shell Gas Station at the intersection of St. Georges and West Grand Avenues—a major travel artery that serves as a gateway to the Jersey Shore.

The Weights and Measures Division inspects all gas stations in the County,  with the exception of the City of Elizabeth, which has its own program. The County  inspects approximately 150 stations a year. The program finishes by the end of October.

Gas pumps may fail inspection for giving the incorrect amount of gas, having a leaky hose or for calculating the price incorrectly. Pumps that fail inspection cannot be used until they are repaired.

Once repaired, the pumps must undergo a reinspection from the County. The  penalty can be $100 per count if a violation is not addressed. Last year, the County tested 3,010 pumps. Approximately 2,857 were correct and 153 were incorrect.

While at the pump, Hudak noted consumers should always get a receipt to protect themselves. Consumers are also urged to watch the transaction to ensure the price gauge has been reset, and the requested type of gas and correct amount are served.

Aside from retail gas pump accuracy, Hudak also noted that County drivers can take steps to ensure that they get the most out of their gas budget this summer.

According to studies, the gas savings from safe, moderate driving can be substantial. Some of the basics are:

• Observe the posted speed limit.  Fuel efficiency drops greatly at higher speeds.
• Keep a safe following distance.  Passing, weaving and tailgating all involve needless accelerating and braking, which wastes gas.
• Avoid jackrabbit starts.  Accelerating gradually is more fuel efficient.

Idling is another major source of fuel waste. After just 15 seconds, an idling car uses more gas than shutting off the engine and restarting it. Idling for more than 3 minutes when not in traffic is also against the law in New Jersey because it affects local air quality, especially in school zones.

Keeping up with routine maintenance, especially oil changes and tire pressure, also results in significant savings.

Avoid “miracle” fuel additives and gadgets.  The Federal Trade Commission has studied dozens of these products and concluded that none of them work.  Some may cause engine damage or contribute to decreased fuel efficiency.

Union County has an ample stock of local recreation opportunities, which cuts the expense and hassle of travel down to a minimum.

“We have swimming, hiking, fishing, biking, boating, horseback riding, picnic areas, playgrounds with water features, free outdoor music and movies, nature programs and activities for children, and much more,” said Hudak.

For more information about Union County parks and recreation programs, visit ucnj.org/parks or call the Parks Department, 908-527-4900.

For questions about pump accuracy, fuel additives, or other consumer issues related to gasoline, contact the Union County Division of Consumer Affairs at 908-654-9840 and/or go towww.ucnj.org/gastips

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2014

On May 20th, over 300 participants from both the business and government sector, converged at The Lobby in Elizabeth for the Business 2 Business Networking Event hosted by the Workforce Investment Board (WIB). The Union County Workforce Investment Board directs training investments to create sustainable jobs for residents within the County.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2014

Union County Freeholder Sergio Granados (2nd L) joined (from left) Union County Director of Human Services Frank Guzzo, Union County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) Chairman Glenn Nacion of Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Carlos Medina, Chairman of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Workforce Investment Board Director Antonio Rivera, Alberto Goncalves, owner of The Lobby Restaurant, Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage, Elizabeth Councilman Frank Cuesta, The Savor Group President Jim Brady and Union County Deputy County Manager William Reyes at the WIB Business 2 Business Networking Event at The Lobby Restaurant in Elizabeth. The gathering, which was sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Workforce Investment Board, drew hundreds of people from the business community. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)