County of Union, New Jersey
Freeholder Alexander Mirabella visited with the owners of Nick’s Pizza and Deli on Martine Avenue in Fanwood who hosted a party for parents and children from many community based agencies. The families enjoyed an evening of dinner, gifts, a bit of magic, and of course Santa.
l. to r. In order left to right: Paul Watterson, owner of Nick’s Pizza. Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, Santa Claus, Tony an employee at the restaurant, and Jessica Watterson, Paul’s wife.
SOMERVILLE – Elected officials, transportation professionals and the public are invited to the next meeting of the Raritan Valley Rail Coalition on Monday, Dec. 16.
The featured presentation will be a recapping of the December 9th meeting with James Weinstein, Executive Director discussing NJ Transit’s timetable for implementing one seat ride service on the Raritan Valley line. A public discussion will review strategies that will be used to formulate the next steps in promoting the benefits of one seat ride service to residents and businesses that live and work along the Raritan Valley line.
The Rail Coalition trustees will provide an update on the organization’s One-Seat Ride Campaign, including the launch of the one seat ride website and social media campaign.
The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the 3rd Floor Freeholder meeting room in the Somerset County Administration Building. The mapping address is 20 Grove Street, Somerville NJ 08876. Free parking is available in the Bernie Field parking deck connected and adjacent to the Somerset County Administration Building.
NJ Transit rail and bus service is a short walk from NJ Transit’s Somerville Train Station and various NJ Transit bus routes. For NJ Transit bus and rail schedule and fare information, call (973) 275-5555 or visitwww.njtransit.com
If inclement weather is predicted for Dec. 16, please call (908) 281-9569 the day before to find out if the meeting has been postponed.
For questions, directions or more information, contact the Raritan Valley Rail Coalition at (908) 231-7021, by fax at (908) 707-1749 or by e-mail at rvrc@co.somerset.nj.us
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Officers from the Union County Sheriff’s Office arrested more than three dozen people on warrants for unpaid child support across Union County this week.
During a three-day intensive Non Support Sweep, teams of officers knocked on doors in every municipality in the county making thirty-eight arrests without incident.
The officers cleared 48 warrants for a total of $970,332 that is owned in back child support.
“Once again, I am proud of the professionalism of these officers who can safely apprehend these men so they can face their responsibilities,” said Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich.
The pre-holidays roundup of deadbeat dads is part of a statewide effort to apprehend those who owe back child support.
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ELIZABETH – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the County Manager invite you to the 58thannual “Christmas Carol Sing-a-long Around the Rotunda Christmas Tree” on Tuesday, December 24th, at 11:00 a.m.
The event will be held in the rotunda of the Union County Courthouse building, 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ.
County Manager Alfred J. Faella is the master of ceremonies. The event includes caroling, musical entertainment and a visit from Santa
For more information, please contact Marie Oakie at 908-527-4101
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Photo Caption: Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados (2nd row, center) and Angel G. Estrada (2ndrow, right) attend the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at the Roselle United Methodist Church. The Luncheon was coordinated to honor members who have given 10 or more years of service ministering to, and volunteering with inmates at the Union County Jail. Featured are (from left): 1st row (seated): Julio Resto, Thomas Strickland, Richard Hogans and Santiago Perez. 2nd row: Reinerio Fonseca, Union County Department of Corrections Assistant Director George Blaskewicz, Joseph Hutchinson, Freeholder Sergio Granados, Roselle Councilman Yves Aubourg, Samuel Campbell and Freeholder Angel G. Estrada.
WESTFIELD, NJ – During the month of December, the Union County Clerk’s offices in Westfield and Elizabeth are offering a special incentive for residents to apply for a passport. The cost of each passport photograph will be reduced to $5.00. This half-price photo offer applies only to applicants for a new passport or a passport renewal during December.
“Are you ready for that winter getaway you’ve been dreaming about? Now is the time to make sure your passport is up-to-date,” said Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi. “My offices are giving travelers a break on their vacation expenses while still providing a full range of passport services with no need for an appointment.”
U.S. citizens must present a valid passport book when entering or re-entering the United States by air. U.S. citizens entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean islands and Bermuda at land borders and sea ports of entry must present a passport book, passport card, or other travel documents approved by the U.S. government.
“Some countries require passports to be valid for an additional three, six or nine months after your visit,” Rajoppi added. “If your passport is due to expire within nine months of your international travel, you should renew your passport to ensure a smoother journey.”
Information about the cost and how to apply for a passport book and/or passport card is available athttp://travel.state.gov. U.S. citizens may also obtain passport information by phone, in English and Spanish, by calling the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 1-877-487-2778.
“Our Elizabeth office opens at 7:30 a.m. and it has experienced, helpful, English and Spanish-speaking certified passport agents ready to assist you in any way we can,” Rajoppi said. “Our Westfield office, which opens at 8 a.m. weekdays, has convenient evening and Saturday hours and also is fully staffed.”
Passport application forms may be obtained at the County Clerk’s main office in the Union County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth or at the Colleen Fraser Building at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. Applications for passports and related information also can be found online at: ucnj.org/Passports.
The Westfield office is the only County Clerk’s office in the state that is open during evening hours. It is open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday; from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The telephone number in Westfield is 908-654-9859.
The Elizabeth office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The telephone number in Elizabeth is 908-527-4966. Clients are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to closing time to allow for staff assistance with the passport process.
For more information about obtaining a U.S. passport, please call (908) 527-4966.
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The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites residents and visitors to enjoy winter sports at designated areas in the Union County Parks System, with safety in mind.
Five areas are advised for sledding in County parks: Briant Park (Summit), Echo Lake Park at the “Summer Arts Hill” near Springfield Avenue (Westfield), areas of Lenape Park that are not close to waterways (Cranford), Meisel Park detention basin area (Springfield), and Unami Park (Garwood).
Persons visiting the parks for winter sports should note that the Union County park system is heavily wooded, and the parks sit in proximity to roadways and bodies of water. Toboggans, bobsleds and other non-steerable devices are strongly discouraged, and children should be supervised at all times.
The park supervisor may suspend sledding activities if there is not enough snow to protect underlying grass and soil, or if there are severe ice conditions.
Cross-country skiing is currently permitted at Ash Brook Golf Course in Scotch Plains, Oak Ridge Golf Course in Clark, and the Watchung Reservation.
There is no location in the park system suitable for downhill skiing. Downhill skiing in the Union County Parks is strictly forbidden.
For ice skating, the County’s indoor Skating Center at Warinanco Park is open for the season. Checkucnj.org/skate for more information or call 908-298-7850 for a recorded message.
Skating on natural waterways in the park system is limited and is contingent on the availability of at least four inches of clear ice as measured by Parks officials in accordance with widely accepted safety standards.
Several locations that were routinely open for skating in the past are no longer available and the list of skating sites is being updated accordingly. Skaters are advised to take note of signs posted at designated areas.
Winter sports at any County park may be cancelled at any time if the conditions of the park are such that the safety of the public is in jeopardy.
For additional information regarding winter sports visit ucnj.org or call 908-527-4900 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. For a recorded message at any time, call the Union County Parks hotline, 908-352-8410.
Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Christopher Hudak (2nd L) and Freeholders Mohamed Jalloh (L), Sergio Granados and Vernell Wright (R) thank Patricia (3rd R) and Lori Smith of Roselle for donating their blue spruce tree for display at the Union County Courthouse. The public is invited to view the Christmas tree on weekdays in the Courthouse Rotunda until it is removed in early January. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
ROSELLE, NJ – Santa Claus will visit the ice skating rink at Warinanco Park in Roselle on Sunday, Dec. 15, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal, ice skating with Santa offers families a cool way to enjoy an afternoon out together during the holidays.
“Come skate along on the ice with Santa and warm up later by the fireplace as you listen to your favorite Christmas carols,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “This family-oriented afternoon will offer a mixture of holiday classics, candy canes and an opportunity to take photos with Santa on ice skates.”
Regular admission fees apply: Adults $6.00; youths 17 years and younger, $5.00; seniors (62 and older) $4.00. Ice skate rental is available for an additional $4.00.
The Warinanco Ice Skating Center is conveniently located in Warinanco Park, off St. Georges Avenue on the Roselle/Elizabeth border. For further information please visit the Union County website, www.ucnj.org/skating or call (908) 298-7850.
Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright (L) congratulates Celeste Sitarski on being named the 2013 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)