County of Union, New Jersey
(From left) Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski, Vernell Wright and Bruce Bergen listen as Union County Undersheriff Vincent DeTrolio, a Vietnam Veteran, speaks during Union County’s annual remembrance ceremony honoring prisoners of war and those missing in action (POW/MIA) outside the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed each year on the third Friday of September. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County, NJ – The Board of Chosen Freeholders would like to remind residents about the ongoing prescription drug discount program designed to help reduce prescription drug costs. The program operates through the use of a discount card that was mailed to Union County households in late June.
The discount program may help reduce prescription drug costs for residents who do not have a prescription drug plan and for residents who take prescription medicine that is not covered by their current insurance. For senior citizens, the program can help defray costs related to the Medicare prescription coverage gap in which Medicare recipients are required to pay 100 percent of their prescription drug costs.
There are no enrollment forms to fill out, no membership fees, and no age or income requirements. There is no cost to Union County or participating residents. The cards are completely anonymous and one card can be used by an entire family.
Participants simply present the card when they are filling a prescription and they will automatically receive savings. The discount program covers all prescription medications, brand or generic. The program even covers prescription pet medications that can be filled at a regular retail pharmacy.
On average, participants can expect to save 10 to 20 percent on brand drugs and 20 to 70 percent on generic drugs. The prescription discount card can be used at any participating pharmacy in Union County and at over 55,000 pharmacies nationwide.
The cards cannot be used in conjunction with any other type of insurance, to reduce co-pays or with other discount programs.
For more information on the program contact Union County’s Department of Human Services at 908-527-4808. Additional cards are available at County offices and online at https://ucnj.org/prescription/.
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Union County – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders recently announced that the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) Board of Trustees has approved $396,000 to replace antiquated traffic signal equipment and other safety improvements at three intersections on Vauxhall Road (CR 630) in Union Township.
“This stretch of Vauxhall Road carries a steady flow of commuter traffic through a residential neighborhood, where it mixes with pedestrians waiting to pick up the bus and walking to school,” said Union County Freeholder and NJTPA Board member Angel Estrada.
The project will target existing signalized intersections at Vauxhall Road and Caldwell Avenue, Glenn Avenue and Barbara Avenue/Pine Avenue where crash rates exceed state averages. Long-time Vauxhall resident and Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright acknowledged the existing dangers here and said, “these upgrades will help protect the road’s most vulnerable users – pedestrians and bicycle riders – while providing clearer guidance to motorists.”
The project was one of 11 in the region approved for a grant through the NJTPA’s Fiscal Year 2014 Local Safety Program, which provides federal funds to counties and cities for high-impact safety improvements that are relatively “quick-fix” in nature and ready for construction.
The improvements for Vauxhall Rd., which were determined as a result of the a 2008 safety study presented to the NJTPA, will include new traffic lights, signs, high visibility crosswalks, push button-activated pedestrian countdown signals, restriping and new pavement markings and the replacement of non-Americans with Disabilities Act compliant sidewalk ramps.
“We feel blessed to have been approved for a Safety Grant this fiscal year. This project will contribute much needed improvements and modernizations to our community, and for that we are extremely grateful,” said Union Mayor Clifton People Jr.
In total, the NJTPA action allocated approximately $9.7 million for Local Safety Program projects in FY 2014, which represents the largest investment since the program’s inception in 2004. The NTJPA Board approved the funding at its regular meeting on Tuesday.
Committeewoman Suzette Cavadas commented on the grant saying, “Nothing makes us happier than knowing that our community is being taken care of and that the township is continuing to evolve and progress. This grant is another positive step in the right direction for Union.”
The NJTPA is the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for 13 northern New Jersey Counties. Under federal legislation, MPOs provide a forum where local officials, public transportation providers and state agency representatives can come together and cooperatively plan to meet the region’s current and future transportation needs. It establishes the region’s eligibility to receive federal tax dollars for transportation projects.
The NJTPA Board consists of one local elected official from each of the 13 counties in the region (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren), and the cities of Newark and Jersey City. The Board also includes a Governor’s Representative, the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, the Executive Directors of NJ Transit and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and a Citizen’s Representative appointed by the Governor.
More information on these programs is available on the agency’s website, www.njtpa.org.
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Enjoy the Music of Jeff Lloyd & the Cadillac Cowboys and Learn to Square Dance
BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal are pleased to offer people living with disabilities, their families and friends an afternoon hoe-down on Sunday, October 6, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Masker’s Barn in Berkeley Heights. The party will include music, dancing, refreshments and hayrides in the woods and fields of the Watchung Reservation.
“This is an event you, your family and friends won’t want to miss,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “It’s a great way for everybody to get outdoors, enjoy the renovated Masker’s Barn, play games, dance and meet some new friends.”
Put on your cowboy boots and hat and get ready for fun as Jeff Lloyd and the Cadillac Cowboys perform classic country music and a square dance caller teaches you the basic square dance steps. Take a break from dancing and hop on a hay wagon to enjoy a beautiful autumn afternoon hay ride in the Watchung Reservation. Then grab a plate and enjoy snacks and refreshments back at the barn, a prominent structure in the Deserted Village of Feltville/Glenside Park.
The deadline to register for the barn dance is Monday, September 30. The fee is $10 per person. To register for the October 6 barn dance and for additional information about this event or other upcoming programs and special activities, please call 908-527-4096 or visit us on the web at www.ucnj.org.
Masker’s Barn and the Deserted Village of Feltville/Glenside Park are located on Cataract Hollow Road, off Glenside Avenue in Berkeley Heights. These facilities are services of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
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TRAILSIDE HAY RIDES & CAMP FIRE FUN – Tickets are on sale for autumn hay rides and fun around the campfire at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside. These fun-filled family activities include hay rides, folk songs, hot chocolate and marshmallows toasted over the camp fire. Hay ride tickets are available at Trailside Nature and Science Center, 452 New Providence Road, in Mountainside; the Union County Administration Building, Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth; or at the Colleen Fraser Building, 300 North Avenue East, in Westfield. Tickets for these popular outings must be purchased in advance – so don’t wait until it’s too late! The cost is $6 for Union County residents and $12 for out-of-county participants for rides on the Friday evenings of Sept. 20; Oct. 4, 11, 18; and on Sunday, Oct. 13. For more information, call Trailside Nature and Science Center at 908-789-3670; or the Union County Department of Parks & Community Renewal at 908-527-4900; or visit the Union County website at www.ucnj.org.
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Union County Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski congratulate volunteers on hosting a successful Back To School Community Fair at St. John’s Baptist Church in Scotch Plains. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders donated pens, pencils, and backpacks for the event. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce two new additions to the fall lineup of the Union County Means Business (UCMB) Networking Breakfast Series: The Affordable Care Act and its Impact on Business, and Maximizing Your Business with the Internet. Both events will take place in the month of October.
“I’m extremely proud of this year’s series,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “These are hot topics and addressing them allows us to not only energize the business community, but also keep the momentum of networking and communication going.”
The next event in the installment and will be held on October 1st from 8:00-10:00 a.m. at Overlook Medical Center in Summit. Titled The Affordable Care Act and its Impact on Business, it will feature a panel discussion on the Act, and answer FAQ’s about its effects. Panelists include Christine Stearns Vice President of Health Affairs of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, Al Titone, Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Newark district office, and Alan Lieber Vice President, Atlantic Health System and President, Overlook Medical Center.
Maximizing Your Business with the Internet will follow on October 30th, and will be held at Union County Performing Arts Center’s Hamilton Stage in Rahway from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. Featuring Tara Dowdell, former “Apprentice” contestant and Founder of the Tara Dowdell Group, topics covered will include ecommerce, internet marketing and website development.
The UCMB series is open to all interested parties, specifically people who own or manage a business in Union County, or who are planning to start a business in Union County. It is designed to bring local business owners, prospective owners and managers in contact with government representatives who can help them obtain information about grants, loans, social media, employee recruitment, and other resources pertinent to their endeavors.
All sessions are free but pre-registration is required by visiting the Union County website athttps://ucnj.org/UCMeansBusinessor call 908-527-4200.
UCMB Programs are sponsored by the Board of Chosen Freeholders in partnership with the Union County Alliance, Union County Economic Development Corp., Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, Suburban Chambers of Commerce, Union Township Chamber of Commerce, Kean University, and Union County College. The Affordable Care Act and its Impact on Business is being cosponsored by Overlook Medical Center.
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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chose Freeholders is pleased to announce that 200 ready-to-plant flowering dogwood and willow oak trees are available free to Union County residents, under a partnership with the New Jersey Tree Foundation, the New York/New Jersey Super Bowl XLVIII Host Committee, and the US Forest Service. The tree giveaway is part of the Host Committee Environmental Program.
“This generous offer of free trees is a wonderful complement to Union County’s longstanding efforts to keep our neighborhoods green, healthy and pleasant,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “Our thanks go out to the Tree Foundation, the Host Committee, and the Forest Service for recognizing the importance of trees in our urban and suburban communities.”
Flowering dogwood is a medium sized, widespread tree with cream-colored flowers. It grows up to 30 feet high. Willow oak is a large shade tree with pretty willow-like leaves that can reach heights of up to 80 feet.
Both trees were selected especially for Union County because they are hardy native species that contribute to the local habitat for birds and other wildlife. They thrive without pesticides or herbicides.
The young trees are only about 2-3 feet tall and they will be distributed in 3-gallon containers, so they can easily fit in a car.
The free trees are available on a first come, first served basis only to Union County residents who reserve online, by visiting the Tree Foundation at surveymonkey.com/s/ZRPJLD9 and filling out their contact information. Residents can also pick their first and second choice of tree (one tree per household).
The Tree Foundation will send a confirming email to the first 200 Union County residents who complete the form, along with instructions for picking up their trees. The reservation deadline is October 10 or until all of the trees are reserved.
The trees will be distributed by County personnel at Rahway River Park on Saturday, October 12. Only residents who have reserved a tree online will receive one; walk-ins cannot be accommodated.
In densely developed areas like Union County, trees have long been valued for their use in trapping dust and other airborne pollutants, and helping to cool off summertime “heat islands.”
More recently, a growing body of evidence has linked urban trees to improved public safety and economic activity along with other quality of life enhancements.
In addition to regularly planting and replacing trees in County parks and along County roads, the Union County Freeholder Board supports local urban forestry initiatives through Greening Union County matching grants, Arbor Day activities, and the Master Tree Stewards, a program of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County.
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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.
MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – On Sunday, September 29, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks & Community Renewal will host the 32nd annual Union County Harvest Festival, rain or shine at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
“The 32nd annual Union County Harvest Festival promises to be a fascinating, fun-filled event for visitors of all ages,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “Walking through the festival grounds in the picturesque Watchung Reservation will give everyone a chance to see early American culture and history come to life.”
There is no shortage of things to do at Trailside on Sept. 29th. Visitors to the Harvest Festival have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of displays, demonstrations and activities, including music and entertainment, children’s toys and games, Native American cooking and Early American crafts. An always popular feature will be the “Build a Scarecrow” contest, which requires a nominal fee for participation. Vendors will be on site selling a variety of food and beverages.
Entertainment will be provided by David Frost and the Family Traditions country-rock band; the Danny Weiss Trio playing Bluegrass, Americana and Swing music; the Rahway Valley Jerseyaires barbershop singers; and the Native American singers and dancers of the Red Storm Drum and Dance Troupe.
The festival will include Early American artifact displays, storytelling and performances; colonial and Native American crafts and work skills, including a potter, a canoe builder, a flintknapper, a loom weaver, and a fur trader; a petting zoo; pony rides; the New Jersey Frontier Guard re-enactment group; and so much more.
The 32nd annual Harvest Festival will be held rain or shine. So mark your calendar, harvest your family and friends and come on down. Admission is $4 per person, with children ages seven and younger admitted free of charge. Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road (at Coles Avenue) in Mountainside. Additional information can be obtained by calling 908-789-3670 or by visiting the Union County website at www.ucnj.org.
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Union County – Spaces are still available for the next Union County Women Mean Business Event: Wine, Women and Wealth, which is taking place on Tuesday, September 17th from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at the Clubhouse at Galloping Hill in Kenilworth.
The program, which features a wine tasting, is geared towards teaching women the principles of personal financial success with seminars like “The 7 Deadly Mistakes of Social Security,” and “#SNSL: Save Now, Succeed Later.”
Participants will be able to choose their preferred wealth seminar and enjoy the tasting as well as a networking cocktail reception featuring hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.
To register, visit https://ucnj.org/ucmb, or contact the County Manager’s office at 908-527-4200. There is a $25 registration fee, and pre-registration is required.
The Wine, Women and Wealth seminar is being co-sponsored by Union Center Bank and is part of the Union County Women Mean Business, and the Union County Means Business Networking Series’. Programs are sponsored by the Board of Chosen Freeholders in partnership with the Union County Alliance, Union County Economic Development Corp., Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, Suburban Chambers of Commerce, Union Township Chamber of Commerce, Kean University, and Union County College.
The wine tasting portion of the Wine, Women and Wealth program is being sponsored by Gallo Wines and Mionetto Wines.
For additional information on the Women’s Summit or the Union County Means Business Series, please visitwww.ucnj.org/UCMeansBusiness.
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