Author: Web Site Administrator

Union County, NJ – The Office of Union County Clerk Joann Rajoppi advised Union County voters that new options have been made available for early voting by email or fax. The procedures are designed to help ensure that registered voters can participate in the election, even if they cannot get to their regular polling place. These procedures are available only to registered Union County voters who have been forced to leave Union County due to Hurricane Sandy.

Many Union County residents have been forced to leave the area, either for their own safety or to look after other family members, and the gas shortage has added to the difficulty in getting around. With these new options, voters can participate from any location without having to travel back to their regular polling place.

The new options were issued by the State of New Jersey Division of Elections and apply statewide. Basically, they enable displaced voters to use electronic procedures that are normally available only to military and overseas voters.

If you are a Union County resident displaced by Hurricane Sandy, the first step is to visit the County Clerk’s website, ucnj.org/ctyclerk/votebymail and download an application for a Vote-by-Mail ballot.

After you fill out the application, email it to the County Clerk’s office at lbobish@ucnj.org or fax it to 908-558-3592. The deadline for submitting applications by fax or email is 5:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday November 6.

The next step is conducted by the Union County Clerk’s office, which will verify that you are registered to vote in Union County. The Clerk will then send a ballot back to you by email or fax, whichever you have chosen.

The last step is to fill out your ballot and send it back by email to UCBOE@ucnj.org or by fax to 908-527-4127. Be sure to include the secrecy waiver form that came with your ballot. The deadline for sending your ballot and waiver is 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday November 6.

Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union

Chestnut St. in Roselle

Rahway River Park

Rahway River Park

Springfield Ave in Cranford next to Nomahegan Park

Watchung Reservation in Mountainside near the Trailside Nature & Science Center

Watchung Reservation in Mountainside near the Trailside Nature & Science Center

Warinanco Park in Roselle

Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union

Cranford

Echo Lake Park

Echo Lake Park

Fanwood

Plainfield

In response to the effects of Hurricane Sandy, Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi will open her offices in Elizabeth and Westfield on Saturday, November 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Sunday November 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for voters seeking last-minute Vote-By-Mail ballots.

The office in Elizabeth at the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Room 113, and the office in Westfield at 300 North Avenue East, will be open as a public service for those voters who choose the Vote-By-Mail option for the Presidential Election to be held on Tuesday, November 6.

“In the after-math of Hurricane Sandy, there have been many inquiries as to how power-outages and mail delays will effect voting procedures for the general election,” Rajoppi said. “In order to ensure that every Union County resident has the opportunity to have their vote counted, we’ve made the decision to extend hours for the Vote-By-Mail service.”

Sample ballots for the Presidential Election in each Union County municipality may be viewed by going to the County Clerk’s website: https://ucnj.org/sample-ballots.

The Vote-By- Mail option allows voters to pick up their ballots, vote in privacy and deposit them in a secured lockbox – all at the same office through 3:00 p.m. on Monday, November 5. Completed ballots will be kept in a secure lockbox under the control of the Union County Board of Elections, who will collect them for counting.

“We are hoping that this option will make voting more accessible, particularly for senior citizens and those who have been adversely affected by the severe weather this week.” Rajoppi said.

Regular office hours at the Westfield Annex of the County Clerk are 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

Regular office hours in Elizabeth are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The County Clerk’s office has processed more than 10,000 mail-in ballots to date for the Presidential Election and expects the number to exceed 17,000 by Election Day, Tuesday, November 6.

To obtain a Vote-By-Mail application, voters may download the form at the Clerk’s website: https://ucnj.org/vote-by-mail, or obtain one in person at the Clerk’s office. For more information, please contact the County Clerk’s office at 908-527-4996.

###

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders advises residents that a free public charging station for mobile phones only is available in the lower lobby of the Ralph Froehlich Public Safety Building at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.

Only mobile phones are permitted, and they should be left off while charging. Laptops, notepads and other devices cannot be accommodated due to excessive charging times.

Residents traveling to and from the Public Safety Building are urged to exercise caution and be aware that repair crews and first responders are working in the roads. Some roads are still blocked and some traffic signals are not functioning.

Visitor parking, if available, is at the west end of the parking lot and on the street.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders has issued the following alerts and updates for residents seeking emergency shelter:

“The Union County Medical Reserve Corps has been activated and is working with the Red Cross, Salvation Army and local officials to ensure that emergency shelter is available to all who need it,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “If you plan to use a shelter, please take steps to make your stay more comfortable for yourself and those sheltering with you.”

To use a municipal evacuation shelter, use the NON-EMERGENCY phone number for your local police department. Use 911 only to report life threatening emergencies.

To use the Union County Regional Evacuation Shelter at 220 Walnut Avenue in Cranford, contact the Cranford Police Department at 908-272-2222. The Union County Department of Human Services will have professional staff on site to provide mental health counseling for those who desire it.

All residents planning to use emergency shelter are asked to:

·         Bring any necessary medications and medical equipment.

·         When possible, bring bottled water and non-perishable, ready-to-eat food.

·         Bring books and other age-appropriate activities for yourself and any children with you.

·         Be aware that sleeping arrangements for overnight stays are determined by shelter staff and are meant to ensure the health, safety and comfort of all.

Residents with pets are strongly advised to shelter their pet with a friend or relative, use a commercial kennel or stay at a pet-friendly hotel. Most shelters do not accept pets for sanitary and safety reasons.

As a last resort, the Union County Regional Shelter in Cranford will make every effort to accommodate residents with pets. However, placement cannot be guaranteed.

###

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders has issued the following updates and alerts for Union County residents:

“So far it appears that Union County has come through the worst of the storm without loss of life and we are grateful for that,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Linda Carter. “However, conditions remain hazardous with numerous downed power lines and trees blocking streets, and flooding in some areas. Please do your part to help out during this period by staying indoors and off the roads, so emergency responders and repair crews can get through.”

Union County remains under a State of Emergency today, Tuesday October 30 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. All Union County offices and facilities are closed, as well as Union County Superior Court. Paratransit services have been suspended. A complete list of closings is available on the County website, ucnj.org.

Residents should call 911 only to report life-threatening emergencies.

To report downed power lines or outages, contact your utility company. PSE&G customers call 1-800-436-7734. JCP&L customers call 1-800-545-7738 or use the automated reporting line at 1-888-544-4877.

For questions about your gas service, call Elizabethtown Gas at 800-492-4009.

Currently there are no boil-water advisories in effect for Union County. However, residents are advised to fill water bottles now in case they are needed later. You can also use heavy duty plastic storage bags to save water.

To contribute to disaster relief, contact the Red Cross.

Following is the text of the alert on the Union County home page:

The County of Union has declared a State of Emergency from 6 p.m. October 29 to 6 p.m. tonight. All County buildings and offices will be closed and only essential personnel and emergency responders will be required to report to work.

Union County Superior Court and Vicinage closed today, Tuesday, October 30.

Paratransit services are cancelled for today, Tuesday, October 30.

The Warinanco Skating Center, Trailside Nature & Science Center, and Watchung Stable are closed today, October 30 and until further notice.

All Union County Golf Properties: Galloping Hill, The Learning Center and Ash Brook will be closed today, Tuesday October 30th.

Meals on Wheels and home delivery has been suspended for today, October 30.

Union County, NJ – With Hurricane Sandy still on track to hit the Union County area by Monday, the Freeholder Board is urging residents to take steps to prepare this weekend.

“Union County will be at the ready with personnel and equipment, and everyone can help our community get through this safely by taking a few simple steps,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Mirabella reminded County residents that basic steps include stocking up on a few days’ worth of food and water, including ready-to-eat food. Persons using prescription drugs or medical equipment should check those supplies, too.

Because strong winds are predicted, it is also important to bring trash cans, plastic lawn furniture and other items inside or take extra precautions to secure them.

Additional guidance from the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management is available at the “Be Prepared for Hurricane Sandy” link on the Union County website, www.ucnj.org.

“Follow the news closely this weekend and make sure you have a battery-operated radio with fresh batteries at hand,” said Mirabella. “When more people are well prepared, that frees up our first responders to focus on worst-case situations that require special training and equipment.”

Union County residents will automatically receive alerts by telephone, as needed. For those with mobile devices, alerts by text message and email can be obtained by signing up for UC FirstAlert at ucfirstalert.org.

For Union County alerts and updates online, visit ucnj.org or follow Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, or Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County residents are also reminded to call 911 only to report life threatening emergencies.

To report power outages, PSE&G customers should call 800-436-PSEG (800-436-7734). For JCP&L the number is 888-LIGHTSS (888-544-4877).

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders welcomes residents to attend “Prescription 101: Prescription Medication and Heroin Abuse & Addiction,” the last installment in the free Fall Speakers Series funded by the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse through the Municipal Alliance. The series has been coordinated by the Union County Department of Human Services.

“Prescription 101” will be presented by Michael Litterer of Prevention Links on Wednesday, November 14 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Kean University’s STEM Auditorium, 1000 Morris Avenue in Union.

Prevention Links is a private, not-for-profit organization based in Roselle, which has taken a leadership role in the prevention of drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse. The agency’s goal is to provide substance abuse information and resources for individuals, families, schools and businesses throughout Union County.

For more information about the Fall Speaker Series call Union County Alliance Coordinator Deborah LaNier, Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Planning, 908-527-4852.

More information about Prevention Links is available at http://preventionlinks.org.

Union County, NJ – Eating more meals at home is a great way to practice good nutrition, but it’s not so easy for busy families on the go. A new class called “Home is Where the Health Is” can help you solve the dilemma by providing simple, tried-and-true tips for healthy habits. Taught by a Rutgers University expert, the class is scheduled for Thursday, November 8 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Union County Rutgers Extension offices in Westfield, at 300 North Avenue East. Pre-registration is required by contacting Judi Laganga at 908-654-9854 or jlaganga@ucnj.org. A fee of $5.00 will be collected at the door.