Author: Web Site Administrator

by Alexander Mirabella

Chairman, Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders

 

September 2012

 

We in Union County are fortunate to enjoy a relatively moderate climate. However, within the past couple of years we have experienced a series of extremes from destructive storms to heat waves, and that calls for a new level of awareness about preparing your household for weather-related emergencies.

The basics of planning ahead haven’t changed much over the years, such as keeping a supply of bottled water and nonperishable food in a handy spot along with a first aid kit.

There are also some useful new gadgets on the market, including portable radios and flashlights you can power by hand if the batteries run down.

One of the most effective things you can do is to keep informed about conditions before, during and after an extreme weather event, and this is where some significant changes have taken place.

Staying tuned in to your local television and radio broadcasts has always been important, and for many people that now means access to news on the go through laptop computers, netbooks and other portable devices.

For those of you who use a conventional telephone at home, Union County’s reverse 9-11 system automatically dials your home number to provide alerts about weather emergencies.

Mobile phone users can sign up to receive those alerts by text message from Union County’s First Alert system, by visiting ucfirstalert.org. There is no charge for this service if you are on your phone company’s free text plan.

You can also sign up at ucfirstalert.org to receive free alerts by email to your computer, smart phone and other electronic devices.

Checking the Union County home page at ucnj.org is another way to stay informed about local resources. For example, during the heat wave last summer we posted alerts at ucnj.org to keep residents up to date about high temperatures, and to provide information on places to cool off including local community centers, County swimming pools and spray parks.

The Union County Department of Public Safety also posts guidance on preparing for emergencies at ucnj.org.

For the many Union County residents with smart phones, the new Hurricane App from the Red Cross could prove useful for navigating a wide variety of weather events. Launched just last month, the Hurricane App provides up-to-the-minute information about local conditions and it enables users to stay in touch with family and friends through online social networks.

Among other features, the Hurricane App lets you broadcast an “I’m safe” message to your social network with the touch of a button.

The Hurricane App also provides information on Red Cross shelters along with guidance on creating a family emergency plan. More information is available at redcross.org.

One especially important thing to keep in mind is that by staying informed and planning ahead, you are performing a valuable community service. Your ability to help yourself can enable our first responders to focus more of their efforts on the elderly, the infirm and others who need may need an extra hand, helping us all to have a better chance of making it safely through, together.

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 Nov. 6 Presidential 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 Nov. 6 Presidential Election 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. 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.

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/government/county-clerk/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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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 .

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal are pleased to offer a workshop about cooking with wild edibles for adults, ages 18 and older, on Thursday, October 11, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Trailside Nature and Science Center in the Watchung Reservation.

“Many of us don’t stop to think that some of the weeds we remove from our yards may be a nutritious food source,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “You won’t look at weeds the same way after this workshop.”

Trailside senior park naturalist Joe Filo will show you how to collect, prepare and cook familiar backyard greens. Participants will sample delicious foods such as acorn bread and sassafras tea, and take home some recipes utilizing plants familiar to all of us.

The fee for this class is $15 for Union County residents and $20 for out-of-county participants.  Pre-registration is required. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space permits. For information about the Wild Edibles Cooking Class or other programs and upcoming events, call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visitwww.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Trailside Nature & Science Center senior naturalist Joe Filo holds acorns and white oak leaves. Join him in a workshop for adults, 18 and older, on Oct. 11 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. and learn how to cook wild edible plants. Sample acorn bread and sassafras tea and take home recipes. The fee is $15 for Union County residents and $20 for out-of-county participants. Pre-registration is required. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space permits. For information about this workshop or other programs and special events at Trailside, call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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 Vernell Wright (3rd L) joined Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr (C), and Thomas Powers (L), Mario Checchio (2nd L) and David Checchio (3rd R) of Elite Properties at the official opening of the mixed use development known as Fanwood Crossing. Marci (2nd R) and Semel (R) are looking at opening Mara’s Cafe and Bakery in the retail space.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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

 

Union County, NJ- Union County residents are invited to take part in “Grocery Shopping Basics”, a seminar geared at teaching participants about lowering grocery bills while keeping a stock of healthy, enjoyable foods for the family. The two-hour seminar, developed by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, will take place on Thursday October 4 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the county services building located at 300 North Ave East in Westfield.

“With so many options to choose from, grocery shopping can be a daunting task,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “‘Grocery Shopping Basics’ is a great tool to help shop for the most nutritious options while saving money and promoting healthy eating habits.”

Sponsored in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the program will cover topics like the value of buying in bulk, and whether or not buying organics is really the healthier option.

To register, please contact Judi Laganga at the extension offices at 908-654-9854 or via email atjlaganga@ucnj.org. A $5 fee will be collected at the door and pre-registration is required.

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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 athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

 

“Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. Contact your local Extension Office for information regarding special needs or accommodations. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 732-932-5000, ext. 584.

Union Country Freeholder Vernell Wright (M) joins Store Manager Dominic Romeo (L) and Damaris Posadas (R) at Shoprite of Clark’s “Help Bag Hunger” event on September 19, 2012. Cashiers collected donations for the Shoprite Partners in Caring Fund to help fill the shelves of local community food banks. Freeholder Wright presented Shoprite of Clark with a commendation for being an outstanding community partner. (Photo by Barry Geller/County of Union)

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 athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal are pleased to offer an all-day Primitive Skills workshop for adults, ages 18 and older, on Saturday, October 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in the Watchung Reservation.

“This is an empowering workshop, which is sure to make you feel more comfortable when camping or hiking,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The class will sharpen the survival skills you will need if you are separated from your gear or become lost in the woods.”

Peter Sananman, an emergency room doctor at the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia, chairman of the Disaster Preparedness Committee for the University of Pennsylvania Health System and instructor of wilderness survival and disaster relief medicine, will teach the hands-on skills for survival focusing on water, shelter and fire building. Working individually and in teams, participants will learn to make fire with a bow drill, build a warm shelter, create a coal-burned bowl and use that bowl to stone-boil food. Students should bring lunch and a knife, preferably a fixed-blade knife.

Registration is required and patrons should plan to arrive at 9:30 a.m. The program starts promptly at 10:00 a.m. The fee is $60 for Union County residents and $70 for out-of-county participants. Course content may be modified to accommodate constraints of weather and time.

For additional information about the Primitive Skills Workshop or for information on any other programs or upcoming events, call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside.

Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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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 athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

Elizabeth—Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella today announced the County’s fourth Annual Columbus Day Flag Raising event set for Friday, October 5th, at 1:30 p.m. on the steps of the historic Union County Courthouse.

Speakers include Former Governor James J. Florio, Cesarina Earl, publisher of the Italian Voice,  UNICO Past National President Renato Biribin, Italian American One Voice Founder Manny Alfano, and Mike Giunta, President and founder of Bayway Catering

Freeholder Mirabella will host and emcee the event. The Courthouse is located at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth at the corner of Rahway Avenue. In the event of rain, the program will be moved in doors to the County Courthouse Rotunda.

“Italian Americans continue to make amazing contributions to America, and we celebrate those contributions as well as a culture that has made great contributions to modern society,” said Mirabella, whose father, Gene, was the first Italian-American Police Chief of Elizabeth, NJ.

UNICO District X and Plainfields’ UNICO works to organize and co-sponsor the event.

Italian-style refreshments will be served after the event in the historic Union County Courthouse.

Parking (pay) is available in the Midtown area at the J. Christian Bollwage Parking deck at Elizabethtown Plaza and Caldwell Place. A second deck is Elizabeth’s Parking Deck #6 on Jefferson Avenue and Dickinson Street—the entrance is on Dickinson Street.

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ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee invites the public to hear a special lecture by Dr. Linda Caldwell Epps about the Underground Railroad and view new displays in the Civil War Exhibition at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth on Thursday, October 11, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

“Union County is honored to have Dr. Linda Caldwell Epps speak here about the Underground Railroad in the period leading up to the Civil War as we commemorate the 150th anniversary of the 1861-65 conflict,” said Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, chairman of the committee. “We welcome visitors to the Courthouse to learn more about New Jersey’s crucial role in the movement of runaway slaves northward before the Civil War and the experiences of Union County residents during the war.”

Born and raised in Elizabeth, Dr. Epps is a lifelong resident of New Jersey and a career educator. She earned degrees from Rutgers University and Seton Hall University, and her doctorate from Drew University. A past-president of the New Jersey Historical Society, she is the current President and CEO of 1804 Consultants, an organization that works for the advancement of not-for-profit educational and cultural institutions.

The lecture by Dr. Epps will be presented in the Courtroom of the Hon. Karen M. Cassidy, Assignment Judge of the Superior Court, beginning at 2:00 p.m. To reserve a seat for the lecture, please call 908-527-4999.

The Civil War Exhibition is on display until 2015 in the rotunda of the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street in historic midtown Elizabeth. The exhibit may be viewed weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The displays will change from time to time. Anyone wishing to loan historical artifacts from the Civil War era for the exhibit can contact committee member Katherine Craig at 908-282-7617. All objects will be secured, locked and acknowledged.

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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 athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

 

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (2nd R) and Freeholder Vice Chairman Linda Carter congratulate Union County Police Captain John White (3rd R) on being honored by Kenneth Hamilton (3rd L) and Lou Amoriello (R) of Rolling Thunder New Jersey Chapter 2 for his years of dedicated support of the POW-MIA mission. They are joined by Union County Police Chief Dan Vaniska (L). Thousands of motorcyclists gathered for Ride for Freedom XVII on September 16 in Warinanco Park in Roselle and rode to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Holmdel. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders was a co-sponsor of the event.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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 www.twitter.com/countyofunionnj