Author: Web Site Administrator

As county and local governments across the state explore shared services and other avenues to reduce spending, I would like to highlight a program from the Union County Sheriff’s Office that has been saving taxpayers more than a million dollars a year by offering some non-violent criminal offenders work sentences instead of costly jail time.

The Union County Sheriff’s Labor Assistance Program (SLAP) is essentially a supervised public work program for people who have received mandatory sentences in municipal and superior courts. The participants are carefully screened and must meet stringent eligibility requirements in order to work off their sentences and go home at the end of the day rather then face unproductive incarceration.

Since 1993, Sheriff’s Officers have directed SLAP details in all 21 Union County municipalities that have involved roadside cleanup, park maintenance, painting of municipal buildings and other community oriented projects.

In 2010, SLAP participants logged 50,464 supervised labor hours. At $14 per hour, the minimum wage with benefits, the labor hours mean the county received $706,496 worth of work.

They worked 6,308 daily assignments instead of spending those days in the county jail. Since incarceration in the jail costs the county $135 per day, per inmate, SLAP saved the county another $851,580 bringing the total savings to $1,558,076 for the year.

The offender benefits also, because he or she is able to keep their job and remain at home with family instead of experiencing an unproductive period of incarceration. It also serves as a deterrent to future criminal behavior.

The violator pays his or her debt to society while doing a productive job for the county rather then being jailed at the taxpayers’ expense. It is a win/win program that will continue to benefit the people of Union County.

Ralph Froehlich

Union County Sheriff

by Deborah P. Scanlon, Chairman, Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders
March 2011

When disaster strikes, Union County residents can be relied on to respond, and many are reaching out to help in the aftermath of Japan’s earthquake and tsunami. The tragedy also compels us to take stock of our emergency preparedness here at home.

The twin natural disasters in Japan have been compounded immensely by a man-made factor, the damage to a nuclear power plant. While Union County does not host nuclear energy, we are home to an infrastructure that can add significant complications to disaster response.

Union County’s coastline is packed with fuel and chemical facilities. We are an international transportation hub with a major seaport, airports, and vital interstate roadways, and we are one of the most densely populated counties in the most densely populated state in America.

For these reasons, emergency preparedness has long been a top priority for the Freeholder Board. We have diligently pursued federal and state grants to step up our efforts, including a new bomb squad vehicle, patrol boats, hazmat equipment, and advanced communications.

These are local solutions, but where nuclear accidents are concerned the potential impact ripples far beyond local borders. In the interests of long term security, our nation must transition to lower-risk sources of energy.

New Jersey has already started this transition, with the planned decommissioning of the Oyster Creek nuclear plant. This facility has been of particular concern to the many Union County residents with ties to the Barnegat Bay area. Aside from emergency response, environmental issues at the facility include harm to aquatic life in the bay, and the potential for groundwater contamination.

Another area of transition is New Jersey’s inclusion in the Atlantic Wind Consortium. This is an initiative of the Obama administration to develop offshore wind power. Two other Obama administration initiatives will provide another push in the right direction. These are the development of a national “smart grid” and advanced energy storage, which will enable New Jersey to receive and store more solar and wind energy from other states. Federal agencies, notably the Department of Defense, are also starting to tap into our nation’s vast geothermal resources.

On the local level, the Freeholder Board’s new Solar Energy Program has enabled many public entities in Union County to arrange for low cost solar installations. Utilities and businesses have also been aggressively installing solar power. Weatherization, smart meters, and new energy efficient technology will come into play, too.

Energy is vital when a natural disaster strikes, to bring in rescue teams and supplies, to power medical equipment, to evacuate survivors, and to shelter those left homeless. We must plan for a future in which energy provides us with the power to respond quickly and effectively, instead of creating the potential to make a terrible situation even worse.

Tina Casey
Deputy Director
Union County Office of Public Information
908-527-4346
tcasey@ucnj.org

Union County Freeholders Linda Carter (L) and Bette Jane Kowalski (R) present a resolution to Dr. Karen Ensle of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County commemorating March 2011 as “Living Well” month while also acknowledging the group’s Family & Community Health Sciences to support obesity prevention, school wellness and “Get Moving, Get Healthy NJ” programs.

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org

On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook

On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj

WESTFIELD, NJ – The Union County Clerk’s office in Westfield is hosting a Passport Fair on Saturday, April 9, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. to provide passport information to U.S. citizens and to accept passport applications.

“My office in Westfield is joining with the U.S. Department of State to celebrate ‘Passport Day in the USA’ – a national passport acceptance and outreach event,” said Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi. “Are you ready for that summer trip you dreamed about all winter? Now is the time to make sure your passport is up-to-date.”

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.”

To help make “Passport Day in the USA” fun for travelers of all ages, balloons and special give-away packets of travel tips will be available. County, state and federal elected officials have been invited to attend “Passport Day in the USA” to meet their constituents.

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.

Passport application forms may be obtained at the County Clerk’s office annex at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. Applications for passports and related information also can be found online athttps://ucnj.org/government/county-clerk/Passports. The phone number at the Union County Clerk’s Westfield Annex is 908-654-9859.

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Union County Juvenile Detention Center “Transcends the Usual Stereotypes” Wins Prestigious Worldwide Archictectural Award

Union County, NJ – Union County’s Juvenile Detention Center has just been named one of two co-winners in the first-ever World Architecture News Effectiveness Awards, a prestigious global competition that recognizes the profound effect that architectural design can have on society. The building was designed by Ricci Greene Associates, which submitted the winning application.

“The Union County Juvenile Detention Center’s award-winning design has set the trend for all others to follow in the industry,” said Charlotte DeFilippo, executive director of the Union County Improvement Authority, which financed and developed the facility. “All stakeholders, led by Union County Improvement Authority, and including the County of Union, the Freeholder Board, Ricci Greene–came together to carefully plan and execute a model development.”

Union County Human Services Director Frank Guzzo also played a key role in leading the project to fruition, DeFilippo noted.

Guzzo, in turn, thanked DeFilippo and the Improvement Authority for their efforts in bringing the project to fruition on time and under budget.

Opened in April 2008 in the City of Linden, the one-story, 70,000 square foot masonry and steel building can house up to 80 residents.

This facility incorporated an “evidence-based” design approach, which included research into the juvenile justice system in terms of sociology, demographics, technology and design.

“The Detention center is a highly functional space that enhances our ability to serve young people at a very critical and very sensitive juncture in their lives,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon. “This award is truly a distinction and it sets a high benchmark for new public facilities moving forward.”

The Effectiveness Awards are the first professional awards intended specifically to recognize projects in which the architect goes beyond designing a beautiful building that meets the requirements of the client. Instead, the judges focus on the benefits that a carefully designed physical space can provide for those who use it, and for the surrounding community.

Among many special features of the building that were influenced by the research, one standout design element is the generous use of open space and natural light. The facility includes almost an acre of outdoor courtyard space, and natural light from both the exterior and interior corridors flows into classrooms and living units. Full-spectrum lighting is known to have a positive effect on academic performance.

An editorial in World Architecture News stated that “the building has been described as ‘optimism that belies the building type’ and its ambitions and achievements make it a truly exceptional candidate and deserved winner of this award.”

For more information on the award, please go to: http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=16114

Former Plainfield City Administrator Bibi Taylor named County Finance Director

(Union County, NJ) – Bibi Taylor, a former municipal Finance Director with more than ten years of governmental experience, has been tapped to become the County’s Director of Finance later this year, County Manager George W. Devanney announced.

Taylor will commence working as Assistant to the Director as of Monday, March 21st, but will not assume the position of Director of Finance until at least May 1st, 2011 when the current Director, Lawrence Caroselli, retires. She is being brought on to ensure a smooth transition as the county undergoes its preparation of the 2011 fiscal budget, Devanney added.

“Bibi Taylor brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in financial management,” said Devanney. “She is highly regarded among her peers. I am confident Bibi Taylor will help Union County move ahead into a new era as a capable successor to Director Caroselli, who admirably served the county for the past 35 years.”

Taylor’s most recent responsibilities included overseeing the day to day operations of Plainfield’s city government with a staff of over 500 municipal employees and a budget of $72 million. Prior to serving as City Administrator, Taylor’s responsibilities as Director of Administration and Finance in Plainfield were also widely praised as she implemented Financial Corrective Action Plans of the City’s audit and effectively coordinating the finances of 11 municipal divisions, boards and agencies of government.

Taylor said she was “humbled” by this appointment, and looked forward to embracing the challenges ahead.

“I am thankful for this opportunity and grateful to the County Manager, Director Caroselli and the Freeholders for their support,” Taylor said. “My career has followed a natural progression that has prepared me to meet the inevitable budgetary challenges ahead. I look forward to working with our Board of Chosen Freeholders in meeting these new challenges and continuing the County’s fiscal stability.”

Vice-Chairman Alexander Mirabella, serving as Chairman of the Finance Committee, praised her appointment.

“I commend our County Manager for conducting an extensive search for Director Caroselli’s replacement and for bringing Ms. Taylor on board during this year’s budgetary process,” Mirabella said. “Her appointment ensures a transition that will help continue the smooth flow of operation and stability of our County’s finances.”

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj

The Union County Freeholder Board celebrated the 15th Anniversary of the Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Union Township, Saturday March 12, 2011. The early spring weather brought families and friends, regardless of heritage, out to celebrate with their community.

Photo courtesy of the Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Committee

The Union County Freeholder Board celebrated the 15th Anniversary of the Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Union Township, Saturday March 12, 2011. The early spring weather brought families and friends, regardless of heritage, out to celebrate with their community.

Photo courtesy of the Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Committee

The Union County Freeholder Board celebrated the 15th Anniversary of the Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Union Township, Saturday March 12, 2011. The early spring weather brought families and friends, regardless of heritage, out to celebrate with their community.

Photo courtesy of the Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Committee

The Union County Freeholder Board celebrated the 15th Anniversary of the Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Union Township, Saturday March 12, 2011. The early spring weather brought families and friends, regardless of heritage, out to celebrate with their community.

Photo courtesy of the Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Committee