Author: Web Site Administrator

Union County Freeholders, members of the State’s 22nd District legislative delegation, the Linden Youth Soccer Association, and City of Linden municipal officials, including Mayor and Council, were on hand to formally dedicate and cut the ribbon on new soccer and softball playing fields at Wheeler Park in Linden on Saturday.

The County fields were renovated and made new with field turf and new lights, enabling their year-round usage for soccer, softball and other usage. (Photo by Sebastian D’Elia)

l. to r. Linden Councilwoman Michele Yamakaitis, Charisse Cosby-Hurling, Linden Ward 5 Councilwoman Rhashonna Cosby-Hurling, Union County Freeholder Vice Chair Christopher Hudak, Catie Hudak, Union County Freeholder Chair Linda Carter, Union County Freeholder Mohamed Jalloh, Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, Ward 6 Linden Councilman Robert Sadowski, Linden Mayor Richard Gerbounka, State Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D-22) and State Senator Nick Scutari (D-22). At bottom are honorary uniforms given to the Freeholders by the Linden Youth Soccer Association.

SPRINGFIELD, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the 2013 Teen Arts Touring Exhibit will begin this year’s tour at the Springfield Public Library, located at 66 Mountain Avenue in Springfield. It will be on display through June 10th during regular library hours.

The exhibit consists of 65 pieces of art selected from more than 650 visual art works shown at the 2013 Union County Teen Arts Festival held in March at Union County College. The annual event is administered by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Department of Parks and Community Renewal.

“The artwork in this exhibit is exceptional and the fact that the artists are teenagers makes the show even more outstanding,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “I encourage everyone to get out and see this fun, lively exhibit as it goes on tour throughout Union County.”

The public is invited to a reception honoring the student artists on Tuesday, May 21, at 7:00 p.m. in the Springfield Library. For information about the Teen Arts program contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth 07202; telephone (908) 558-2550. NJ Relay service users call 711, or E-mail: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

2013 TEEN ARTS EXHIBIT

The exhibiting students are:

Berkeley Heights
Columbia MS
Alice Gao

Governor Livingston HS
Michael Horwath
Case Krause

Clark

Mother Seton RHS
Nathalia Palacios
Jovana Georges

Elizabeth

Abraham Lincoln School
Evelyn Huiloti

Benedictine Academy
Angie Mery

Charles Hudson School
Isidra Alvarado Vasques

Dr. Orlando Edreira
Jezebel Jimenez
Joseph Huezo

Elizabeth HS – Dwyer House
Jefferson Torres

Elizabeth HS – Edison House
Robert McCall

Elizabeth HS – Hamilton Academy
Evelyn Lopez

Elizabeth HS – Jefferson House
Chrysthel Jean-Louis
David Simancas
Cindy Montalvo

Elizabeth HS – Lower Academy
Yilian Borroto
Patrick Castro

Elizabeth HS – Upper Academy
Nicole Capelo
Sung Soon DeSouza

Elmora School
Jayline Rodriguez

Louveture-Lafayette School
Katuiska ZunigaLuis Mercado

Mabel G. Holmes School

Santiago Hoyos

Nicholas M. Butler School
Ramon Rivera

Nicholas S. LaCorte School
Oscar Heredia

T.C. Reilly School
Eqequiel Carvalo

William F. Halloran School
Harmonie Garcia

Woodrow Wilson School
Irene Negron
Gilbert Moreno

 

 

Hillside
Hillside HS
Kameron Kee

Walter O. Krumbiegel MS
Samantha Felipe

Kenilworth

David Brearley HS
Brian Almeida
Erick Soriano
Melissa Dudukvich

Linden

Linden HS
Adrianna Rendon
Kylie Vorob

McManus MS
Kara Depczynski

Soehl MS
Nicholas Francisco

Mountainside

Deerfield MS
Isabella DiCosmo
Deidre McLaughlin

New Providence

New Providence HS
Adrienne Cirotti
Christie Shaw
Danielle Pagano

New Providence MS
Licheng Yang

 

Plainfield

Cook School
Fritz Mersola

Plainfield Academy of Arts
Sebastian Nunez
Gabrielle Lugbauer

Plainfield HS
Erika Jackson

Union County TEAMS Charter School
Gabrielle Labady
Stephany Vargas

Roselle

Abraham Clark HS
Zulis Linares
Ti-Reece Vaughn

Grace Wilday Jr. HS
Agape DeLeon

Scotch Plains

Union County Vo-Tech HS
Bre’on Johnson
Austin McCaffrey

Summit

Oratory Preparatory School
Alex McDonald
Thomas Snyder

Union

Union HS
Wislet Dazime
Armando Flores
Anidale Naguit

Westfield

Hillcrest Academy South
Kadeem Venus

Lamberts Mill Academy
Genesis Malacara

Winfield

Winfield School
Corey Hallari

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“The purpose of Community Action Month is to highlight community action agencies’ role in helping low-income families move out of poverty and achieve independence and economic security,” said Linda Carter, Freeholder Chairman.

According to the 2010 US Census, approximately 53,310 (9.8%) of Union County’s 539,494 children and adults are living in poverty. Last year, the Union County Department of Human Services, in partnership with other community based social services agencies, assisted thousands of residents with food, rent, mortgage, and utility assistance.

Agencies also aided victims of domestic violence, provided emergency, short term assistance to help people avoid foreclosure on their homes, provided emergency/disaster relief; financial literacy training, home buyers education, and workforce development training.

 

The following agencies will be hosting events on May 17th in celebration of National Community Action Month:

• Jewish Family Services of Central New Jersey
• The Salvation Army in Elizabeth
• Trinitas Regional Medical Center
• The Urban League of Union County

For more information about National Community Action Month events, and services for low income individuals and families contact Leslie Gutierrez, Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Planning, (908) 527-4861.  For information about other Union County services and programs, visit www.ucnj.org.

 

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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.

 

Union County – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, in connection with Union County College, invite County residents with an interest in the fields of Transportation, Logistics and Distribution to attend an information session on free job training, offered through the Union County Choices program, taking place Thursday, May 16, at Union County College’s Elizabeth Campus, located at 40 West Jersey St.

“Transportation and Logistics is a growing and promising industry,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “There are endless opportunities for trained professionals in these fields, and our goal is to ensure that Union County residents are adequately prepared to compete in the market.”

Careers in these areas are usually found in a wide range of companies in various industries. Occupations in Transportation, Logistics and Distribution generally fall into the following areas: Transportation and Port Operations; Maintenance; Warehousing and Distribution; Supply Chain Management and Logistics; Whole­sale Trade; and Corporate Administration (Sales, Marketing, Safety, Purchasing, Information Technology, etc.).

The Union County Choices program, which is one of Carter’s initiatives as Chairman, is geared towards providing a range of skills and sector training to eligible job seekers in Union County’s priority economic development sectors.

 

The information session is free of charge to attend, and walk-ins are welcome although pre-registration is preferred. To register, or for more information on the Union County Choices program, please contact Gina Tuesta at gtuesta@ucnj.org; for registration purposes, please include your name, contact information and email address.

In addition to attending the information session, to be considered for the Union County Choices program candidates must have a high school diploma or GED, take the TABE test and score at 8th grade level or above, be WIA eligible and complete a criminal background check prior to the start of the training program.

 

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 athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the County’s long-running Horticulture for People with Disabilities program has been recognized for Excellence in Programming by the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association, the state’s leading professional organization in the field of recreation services and land stewardship.

The program was created by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County through its volunteer Master Gardener program, in conjunction with the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal.

“Horticulture for People with Disabilities began 25 years ago on a somewhat modest footing, and over the years we have seen it blossom into a state and national role model,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “The Freeholder Board is very proud of our Master Gardener volunteers, and of all who have worked to make the program an effective and successful one.”

Directed horticulture projects have long been recognized as an effective way to exercise the mind, spirit and body, leading to improved outcomes for people with disabilities. Horticultural therapy can also serve as a pathway to a vocation for both volunteers and participants.

The roots of the Union County program date back to 1988, when Master Gardener volunteers began offering a biweekly horticultural therapy program at a local health care facility.

The program was an overwhelming success, with a ripple effect that included the establishment of fully accessible outdoor vegetable gardens and an arboretum.

In 2009, Union County expanded its offerings to focus on children with autism, resulting in the Horticulture for Children with Disabilities collaboration between the County, Master Gardeners, Children’s Specialized Hospital, and the local advocacy group Autism Family Times.

“When you see how children in this program gain confidence through participating in new activities and new social situations, you begin to realize how essential these enriching experiences are,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella. As Chairman last year, Mirabella initiated the Sensory Friendly Theater series at the Union County Performing Arts Center, for audiences with autism and other sensory sensitivities.

Horticulture for Children with Disabilities consists of six sessions, each led by Master Gardener volunteers at the Demonstration Gardens in Union County’s Watchung Reservation, in Mountainside.

Each volunteer has been trained and certified as a Master Gardener by experts with the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, and they also receive sensitivity training from autism educators with Children’s Specialized Hospital.

One important feature of the program is an illustrated weekly “social story,” which participants and their families or caregivers read together in advance of each session.

The reading exercise helps prepare the children to accept a new, unfamiliar event in their weekly routine. Many families also bring a copy with them to the sessions, to help their child navigate the steps in the projects.

Autism Family Times has also played a vital role in the program’s success. The group provides trained peer mentors to offer social support for the participants, engaging them with new friends. That helps the session leaders focusing on providing one-on-one assistance when needed.

In additional to general plant care and garden experiences, the program includes special projects like terrarium planting, herb dish gardens and decoupage.

In addition to the focus on children, the Rutgers Extension and Master Gardeners also developed a specially designed eight-session Introduction to Horticultural Therapy program for all ages.

For this program, which does not require access to a garden, Master Gardeners lead horticultural therapy sessions at care facilities. Staff members at the facility also attend and learn the program, so they can continue to offer as part of their ongoing therapy programming.

For more information on Union County programs for people with disabilities, contact Margaret Heisey of the Department of Parks and Community Renewal, 908-527-4806 or mheisey@ucnj.org.

All Union County recreation events and programs are available online at ucnj.org/parks, or call 908-527-4900.

Master Gardener volunteers perform many acts of community service in Union County, including management of the Demonstration Gardens. No previous experience in horticulture is required to join. For information contact Madeline Flahive at the Rutgers Extension office in Westfield, 908-654-9854 or visit the Master Gardeners online at mastergardeners-uc.org.

 

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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.

The Union County Baseball Association invites young baseball players – boys and girls – ages 8 to 15, to register for its Summer Youth League baseball teams. This annual youth baseball program is sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Union County Baseball Association, and the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal.

“Since 1945, Union County has offered opportunities for young ballplayers to strengthen their skills and have fun during the summer,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “The Summer Youth League continues this long tradition of providing coaches, umpires, shirts and baseball caps to boys and girls who enjoy participating in baseball games at Warinanco Park.”

All games during the Summer Youth League are played in Warinanco Park, on the border of Elizabeth and Roselle, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The games are coached and supervised by Union County Baseball Association staff.

Sign-ups for the summer league will be held at the Warinanco Park Boat House in Roselle on Saturdays June 1, 8, 15 and 22, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon each day. Participants also may register online at www.ucba-nj.org . All those who register will participate in play.

Each player is required to bring a $25 registration fee and a birth certificate to the sign-up. Players must be at least 8 years old by June 21 and cannot be 16 before August 1.

The Summer Youth League is divided into three divisions: a Teen League for 13, 14 and 15-year-olds; a Major League for 11 and 12-year-olds; and a Minor League for 8, 9 and 10-year-old players. Registered players will be notified about Team Assignment Day and the first day of play. There will be no refunds after Team Assignment Day.

An awards picnic will be held on Friday, August 2, to mark the end of the Summer Youth Baseball League. For more information call 908-917-2523, or visit the Union County Baseball Association Website at www.ucba-nj.org .

 

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Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that a “One-Stop” service is available for Union County voters at the Westfield and Elizabeth offices of the County Clerk.

“Eligible voters are able to apply for a Vote-By-Mail ballot for the New Jersey Primary Election in person at either one of my offices, receive their ballot and cast the ballot at the same time,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “This one-stop voting service is available at my Westfield office as well as at the main office in Elizabeth.”

“The service in Westfield and Elizabeth makes voting more accessible, particularly at the Westfield office with its convenient Saturday office hours and evening hours during the week,” Ms. Rajoppi added. “With the important June 4 Primary Election for Governor, State Legislature, County and Municipal offices approaching quickly, my office is working to make the voting process as fast and convenient as we can for everyone who is registered to vote.”

The opportunity to Vote-By-Mail in Westfield and Elizabeth is another service available at the County Clerk’s two offices, along with passport application and renewal services, registration of Trade Names, and the application and swearing in of Notaries Public.

The Westfield Annex of the County Clerk is located at 300 North Avenue East, Westfield 07090. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

The Main Office of the County Clerk is located at the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Room 113, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. Regular office hours in Elizabeth are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Vote-By-Mail is an easy, secure process that has replaced the Absentee Ballot. Voters do not need to give a reason why they wish to Vote-By-Mail. To obtain an application form, voters also may pick up the form at their local municipal building; they can download the form at the Union County Clerk’s website: www.ucnj.org/vote-by-mail or they can contact the Union County Clerk at 908-527-4996. The Clerk’s website also includes a video that explains how to fill out the Vote-By-Mail application form.

 

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Union County, NJ – Using rainwater collected from a roof, last weekend Cub Scout Pack 145 performed the first known “green” car wash fundraiser in Union County, at the public works building in Clark. The event was a success for the Scouts, who washed almost 100 cars while demonstrating how to conserve water and reduce pollutants.

“I’d like to thank Cub Scout Pack 145 for helping to raise public awareness about the different ways in which we can help clean up our local waterways,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “They all did a great job.”

The green car wash was designed by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program with assistance from Arthur L. Johnson High School students, under a grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Also partnering in the project were Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County (supported in part by the Freeholder Board) and the Township of Clark.

The green car wash is a complete system for harvesting fresh water and disposing of wash water.

The two key features of the system are a 5,000 gallon cistern located on the roof of the public works building, which collects rainwater, and an adjacent rain garden.

Rain gardens are designed to soak up excess storm runoff like a sponge, using special soils and low maintenance plants. They require little or no irrigation, fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides.

Rain gardens are effective ways to prevent pollution from storm runoff in urban areas. In particular, runoff from washing a car at home includes high levels of sediment, heavy metals, oil, grease, surfactants (from soap), and other chemicals that harm fish and other aquatic life.

At the green car wash, runoff is directed to the rain garden, where pollutants are trapped in the soil and are broken down by natural processes.

Otherwise, these pollutants would have entered local storm drain system that eventually leads to the Robinson’s Branch stream, a tributary of the Rahway River.

“It is estimated that 20 gallons of water are used to wash one car with a hose. That’s a lot of wasted water,” said Michele Bakacs, Environmental Agent with the Union County Extension. “Harvesting rainwater is a great alternative for car washing because it helps save the public drinking water supply.”

The green car wash is part of a series of “green infrastructure” projects for the Robinson’s Branch watershed. The goal is to demonstrate environmentally friendly techniques that reduce stormwater runoff and improve water quality in urban neighborhoods.

“Our first County parks date back to the 1920’s and they are some of the earliest examples of green infrastructure,” said Carter. “Now it’s up to our generation to improve upon that legacy.”

The project for the Robinson’s Branch is slated for Rahway, where rain gardens are being installed on residential properties. For more about this project contact Michele Bakacs, 732-398-5274 orbakacs@njaes.rutgers.edu.

For more information about Union County Extension programs and activities, including rain gardens and rain barrels, visit or ucnj.org/rce.

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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.

Union County –The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that registration is now open 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 Clubhouse at Galloping Hill Golf Course, located at 3 Golf Drive in Kenilworth.

“Union County recognizes that Women who know how to compete in the workforce are vital to the economic security of not only our state, but our nation as a whole,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “As the first female African American Chairman, I am excited that we can put together a women’s program of this caliber.”

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 to enjoy a day of inspiration, education and networking.

The program will focus on topics such as starting a business, re-entering the workforce, enhancing your business through social media, breaking the glass ceiling, and networking.

The schedule of events for the day is as follows:

• 11:30 a.m.: Registration Opens
• 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.: Lunch & Key Note Address
• 1:45 p.m.: -2:45 p.m.: Breakout Session 1
• 3:00 p.m.: -4:00 p.m.: Breakout Session 2
• 4:00 p.m.: -5:30 p.m.: Networking Cocktail Reception (Cash Bar)

 

To register visit www.ucnj.org/ucmeansbusiness; a $25 registration fee is applicable, and pre-Registration is required. The first 50 women to register will receive a complimentary golf lesson at 11:00a.m. on the day of the event.

The Union County Women Mean Business Summit is sponsored by the Union County 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.

For additional information on the Summit or the Union County Means Business Series, please visitwww.ucnj.org/UCMeansBusiness or contact the County Manager’s office at 908-527-4200.

 

 

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 athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County Freeholder Angel G. Estrada congratulates Emilia Gabryszewska of Linden on completing the Union County Freeholders College for Teens program at Union County College in Cranford. This summer more than 60 students from throughout Union County completed the three-week program which offers teens in grades 8 through 12 opportunities to explore a variety of career choices while experiencing life on a college campus. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)