Author: Web Site Administrator

Union County –Spaces are still available for the Union County Women Mean Business Summit, which is set to take place on Wednesday, June 19th at 11:00 a.m. at the Club House at Galloping Hill Golf Course, located at 3 Golf Drive in Kenilworth.

Expanding on the popular Union County Means Business networking series, the Women’s Summit is expected to bring together women from the far reaches of Union County and beyond to enjoy a day of motivation, education and networking.

The program will include breakout sessions on topics such as starting a business, re-entering the workforce, enhancing your business through social media, breaking the glass ceiling, and networking; and will feature a keynote address from Karen Kessler, Chairman of the Board of Atlantic Health and founding partner of the public relations firm Evergreen Partners, Inc.

Lunch will be served and a cocktail reception (cash bar) will close out the day. There will also be raffles and door prizes including a chance to win roundtrip airfare for two, courtesy of SouthWest Airlines.

For a full schedule of events or to register for the Summit, visit https://ucnj.org/ucmb-register; a $25 registration fee is applicable, and pre-registration is required. Spaces are limited and registration will be closing soon.

The Union County Women Mean Business Summit is 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. Additional sponsors include SouthWest Airlines, PSE&G, Brown & Brown Metro, Inc., Suplee Clooney & Co., The Alternative Press, Jude Connally, and Union Center National Bank.

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SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – The County of Union will sponsor a recycling event for electronic equipment on Saturday, June 22, 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 2 p.m. at the Union County Vo-Tech Schools campus 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.

“Computer monitors, old televisions 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 Vice Chairman Christopher Hudak, liaison to the Union County Solid Waste Advisory Board. “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 22 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 22 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 22 recycling event sponsored by the County of Union, there are local businesses as well as 16 municipalities that provide E-cycling opportunities for residents. Visit the websitewww.ucnj.org/recycle or call your municipal recycling coordinator for more computer and electronics recycling options.

Goodwill and Dell have teamed up to recycle computers. Goodwill in Union County is located at 126 Route 22 West, Springfield 07081, next to Macy’s Furniture. Call Goodwill at 973-912-0156 for more details or visit their web site: www.reconnectpartnership.com.

Best Buy stores now offer electronics recycling, including TVs, computer monitors, DVD players and other consumer electronics. Visit their website (www.bestbuy.com/) for store locations, or call toll-free for information about electronics recycling: 1-888-237-8289.

Staples also offers a computer recycling program seven days a week. For more information, visit the Staples web site for store locations: www.staples.com.

Waste Management accepts “covered electronics” (televisions, monitors, computers, etc.) at  629-647 Amboy Ave., Elizabeth 07201, Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 908-629-9270.

An alternative drop-off program for recycling electronics equipment is available Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 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.

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MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Did you know that your group or organization can reserve a trail ride on horseback in the Watchung Reservation? Union County’s Watchung Stable invites birthday parties, scout groups, youth groups, block associations and all other groups to consider trying this unique recreational opportunity.

“Horseback riding in the Watchung Reservation is a real treat,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “What better way to experience nature as well as get a little exercise than on a horse in Union County’s own beautiful forest? Bishop, Brutus and Happy are some of the horses just waiting to take you for a leisurely walk.”

You can call now to book a special private ride for groups of up to 15 people who are nine years of age and older. These rides need to be set up in advance at a mutually convenient time, on weekdays and weekends. The cost of a one-hour ride is the horse rental fee (Union County residents $32; out-of- county riders $45 per person) and an additional single fee of $32 for one of the Stable’s riding instructors to accompany you. Public trail rides are also offered on Saturdays at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 and 3:00 p.m., first-come first-served.

For younger riders under nine years old, Watchung Stable also offers lead lines on Sundays from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. Lead lines are also available on Saturday afternoons and during the week (weather permitting) and are accommodated on a first-come first-served basis. The cost for a half-hour lead line is $18 for Union County residents and $26 for out-of-county riders.

Trail rides and lead lines are held at Watchung Stable, located at 1160 Summit Lane in Mountainside. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. – noon and 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

For further information, call (908) 789-3665 during the normal office hours or email questions tostablequestions@ucnj.org.

“TROOPER OF THE YEAR” –  Courtney Maier, 14, of Mountainside, was awarded the “Trooper of the Year” trophy and medal for accumulating the most points during the 2012 Troop season at Watchung Stable in Mountainside. Courtney has been riding horses for five years. She received her trophy from stable manager Rachel Bechtold during Watchung Stable’s 80th Anniversary Spring Troop Horse Show on May 24-26. Watchung Stable, a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal, is administered by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. For more information regarding equestrian programs, group trail rides, tours or birthday parties at Watchung Stable, call (908) 789-3665, or e-mail questions tostablequestions@ucnj.org.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Summer is just around the corner and Union County’s Watchung Stable in Mountainside is busy preparing for the start of Summer Camp for young equestrians.

“Horseback riding in the Watchung Reservation has been a local treat for generations,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “Our Summer Camp program at Watchung Stable is a great way to learn how to ride. It has been in existence since 1935, and I am proud to say that more than 40,000 boys and girls have participated in this wonderful program.”

All applicants must be nine years of age or older. Classes are based upon riding ability as determined by the Watchung Stable management. Applicants with previous experience may be asked to demonstrate their riding ability in order to be placed in the appropriate class. Classes are held Tuesdays through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There are nine weeks to choose from starting June 18th and ending the week of August 13th. Summer Camp will culminate with the Summer Camp Horse Show on August 17 in which all campers are eligible to participate.

During the camp, participants will have a chance to feel what it is like to own their own horse for a week. Grooming, tacking up, ring riding, trail riding and general care of horses will all be taught to each rider. A camp T-shirt will be given to every participant.

The cost to participate for Union County residents is $385 per week. Helmets and heeled boots are required and must be provided at the rider’s expense. Registration forms and fees must be submitted in-person at the Watchung Stable office, 1160 Summit Lane in Mountainside. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

Watchung Stable is a facility of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. For further information, and to obtain registration materials, call 908-789-3665 or email: stablequestions@ucnj.org

Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski (2nd L) and Alexander Mirabella (3rd L) present resolutions to Casleny Augustin of Rahway, Katie Lennon of New Providence and Petra Semelova of Maplewood, members of the Union County College Men’s and Women’s Track Team, congratulating them on their achievements at the National Junior College Athletic Association (Division III) championship games. They are joined by UCC President Margaret McMenamin (L) and Tammy Smith, Dean of College Life (R). (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Westfield – Elected officials, transportation professionals and the public are invited to the third Raritan Valley Rail Coalition meeting of 2013 on Monday, June 10, 2013 at 8:30 a.m. in the Town of Westfield Council Chambers located at 425 East Broad Street.

Mr. Mr. William Nierstedt, AICP/PP, Director of Planning/Zoning Officer, City of Plainfield will discuss Plainfield’s Transit Oriented Development Ordinances that encompass the Downtown and Neitherwood Train Stations and their implications for redevelopment and economic revitalization in areas adjacent to the Train Stations.

Also Coalition Trustees will update the members on the Coalitions One Seat Ride Campaign including: supporting municipal resolutions, the results from recent meetings in Westfield and Cranford and ongoing outreach activities.

The meeting will be held in the Town of Westfield Council Chambers in the Town of Westfield Municipal Building located at 425 East Broad Street Westfield. Free parking is available in the parking lot adjacent to the municipal building.

NJ Transit rail and bus service is a short walk from NJ Transit’s Westfield 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

For questions, directions or more information about the meeting, 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

If inclement weather is predicted for June 10th call (908) 281-9569 the day before the meeting to determine if the meeting has been postponed.

Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich (center) announced today Union County Sheriff and Corrections vehicles will now feature NJ Cop Shot bumper stickers which offer a $20,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of those responsible for killing or seriously wounding a law enforcement officer. He is joined by (from left) Policemen’s Benevolent Association officials Ken Burkert, Joe Krech, Robert McLaughlin and Mike Heller. For more information, visit www.njcopshot.com.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

CRANFORD – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholder has approved a project to improve three intersections and a busy, quarter-mile section of Centennial Avenue this year, to ease congestion and make a safer turning area for parents dropping off their children at a school.

“This project was a long time coming, in part because it is so complicated,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski. “It required a great deal of cooperation between the Cranford Board of Education, the Township, the county and utilities. But in the end we will make this busy intersection safer.”

The County will widen Centennial Avenue from the Lehigh Valley Railroad Trestle to Wall Street, a 1,100 foot stretch, by up to 10 feet. This will allow for a left turn-only lane for Hillside Avenue in the northbound lane and a new left turn-only lane for Myrtle Avenue on the southbound side.

A new traffic signal will go up at the T-intersection of Hillside and Centennial Avenues and the county will replace the traffic light at Myrtle Avenue. The lights will be timed together to improve the flow of traffic there. The traffic light at Wall Street and Centennial Avenue will also be replaced.

Sidewalks and curbing would be rebuilt along the school’s side of the property. All of the land used for the project will come from the Board of Education’s property on the western side of Centennial Avenue.

“Making a left turn onto Centennial Avenue during rush hour is no picnic,” said Mayor Tom Hannen. “Parents take their chances or depend on the courtesy of other drivers to get onto Centennial Avenue. Hundreds of children walk to school or are dropped off here, so this was really a public safety issue for us. We’re glad the county was able to move this project forward.”

This summer, Union County will also be resurfacing a 1.17 mile section of Centennial Avenue from North Avenue to Raritan Avenue, part of the county’s annual resurfacing program.

The new traffic lights will utilize LED lighting, which is brighter and 90% more efficient than old incandescent bulbs. This allows them to be operated by batteries (located in the base of the post) in a power loss. Cameras mounted above the lights measure traffic flow and help set the timing.

Construction will cost $821,705 and Fai-Gon Electric of Piscataway was awarded the contract for the project. Construction is expected to begin in late summer after school has let out. This project is funded by state highway grants.

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Discussing Centennial Avenue intersection improvements are (from left): Dr. Gail Carrick, Cranford Superintendent of Schools; Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski; Cranford Commissioner Kevin Campbell, the Township’s Public Safety Commissioner; and Mayor Tom Hannen (photo by James Lowney)

Vo-Tech receives grant for community garden project

Union County, NJ – A group of high school students at Union County Vo-Tech Schools has been hard at work transforming a corner of their Scotch Plains campus into a vegetable garden, with the aim of growing fresh produce for use within the school and for donation to local food banks.

Called a Sustainability Community Outreach Garden, the project is part of a national youth service learning program under The National FFA Organization, which provided $2,500 for garden supplies and materials.

“The Sustainability Garden project is a valuable addition to the education and career development resources available to our residents through the Vo-Tech schools,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “The urban agriculture movement is a diverse, growing economic sector that offers unique learning experiences and rewarding new career pathways in densely developed areas like Union County.”

The Sustainability Garden consists of raised beds for fruits, vegetables and herbs along with space for plants that attract pollinators.

“One key mission at Vo-Tech is to form a campus-wide community of responsible citizens, and this project is an outstanding demonstration of the service learning model,” said Vo-Tech Superintendent of Schools Peter Capodice. “It is designed to dovetail with the National FFA theme of acting locally to help prevent hunger.”

In addition to providing direct hands-on learning for students involved in Vo-Tech’s Agricultural Science curriculum, the garden will help raise awareness about interrelated agriculture, nutrition and food scarcity issues among students throughout the Vo-Tech campus.

As part of that goal, the entire Vo-Tech campus will be involved in projects related to sustainable gardening practices, such as composting and rainwater harvesting.

The garden project also aims to recruit student ambassadors at Vo-Tech from all 21 municipalities, who can share news and information about sustainable gardening and related issues with their home communities.

“Urban and suburban agriculturists of the future will play a vital role in the health and welfare of their communities, and the Freeholder Board is very proud that Union County students at Vo-Tech are helping to lead the way,” said Carter.

National FFA is a national youth career development organization that operates under Congressional charter through the U.S. Department of Education.

Originally founded in 1928 as Future Farmers of America, in 1988 it changed its name to The National FFA Organization, to signify the embrace of 300 diverse careers identified with contemporary agricultural practices.

At Union County Vo-Tech, the Union County FFA Chapter of the National FFA serves as the Career and Technical Student Organization for students enrolled in agricultural education.

Union County high school sophomores who are interested in applying to Vo-Tech’s share time Agricultural Science Program for the fall can find out more about the curriculum at case4learning.org.

For more information about the award-winning, nationally recognized Union County Vo-Tech Schools visitucvts.tec.nj.us.

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