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Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (R) and Freeholders Angel G. Estrada (L) and Vernell Wright (2nd L) join U.S. Senator Robert Menendez and Diane Johnson, Field Director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Newark Office, at the Union County National Community Development Week Celebration on April 12 at the John T. Gregorio Towers in Linden. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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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. On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County, NJ – In celebration of National Volunteer Week 2012 from April 15 to April 21, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders extends a message of appreciation to the volunteer members of the Union County Medical Reserve Corps.

“The Medical Reserve Corps is an exemplary group of Union County residents from all walks of life, who have made the commitment to step up during an emergency and help provide for the health and safety of the whole community,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

The Union County Medical Reserve Corps consists of more than 200 medical and non-medical professionals. It was organized seven years ago in order to help the County prepare for emergencies on a regional basis.

Through the Reserve Corps, disaster planners can swiftly identify community members who have a professional background that enables them to provide assistance during an emergency. The additional volunteers enable trained responders to focus their efforts on priority situations that require specialized skills.

The Reserve Corps also helps to ensure that more citizens throughout Union County are prepared to provide assistance in an emergency. In case an extreme event makes travel difficult, Reserve Corps members can help out locally until career responders arrive.

“Whether it’s a destructive storm, a public health threat or a purposeful attack in the metro region, Union County is now better prepared to respond to emergencies, thanks to citizen involvement through the Medical Reserve Corps,” said Mirabella.

Many Medical Reserve Corps volunteers have a background in health care fields, but medical training is not needed in order to join. Communications, transportation, emergency shelter management and other related skills play a critical role in effective emergency response.

Medical Reserve Corps volunteers participate in training and planning sessions, and they also conduct public outreach efforts on a regular basis.

For more information on the Union County Medical Reserve Corps, contact the Union County MRC Unit Coordinator, Ella Shaykevich, at 908-518-5620 or email mrc@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 athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County, NJ – With another week of dry weather ahead, Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella asked all County residents to be extremely cautious when using barbecue grills, outdoor power equipment, fire pits, candles, and torches.

“We are an urban area that is not usually subject to forest fire warnings, but these are unusually dry conditions,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Fires can easily start in our parks and wooded areas, and spread to nearby homes. We are asking everyone to be especially vigilant.”

Last month a brush fire cropped up in Cranford, an unusual occurrence for Union County.

Last week a “High” fire danger rating was issued by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service for northern New Jersey  and it may be stepped up to “Extreme.”

Union County residents can help prevent wildfires in public parks by using only the elevated grills provided at designated areas for cooking with charcoal or wood. Keep extra water handy, watch the grill for sparks while cooking and douse the fire thoroughly when finished.

Cigarette smokers should dispose of their butts only in trash cans, portable ash trays or car ashtrays.

County residents who live next to parks and other wooded areas can help in the following ways:

> Exercise extra care with grills and candles or other decorative fires.

> Keep an eye out for sparks when using power mowers and other outdoor equipment.

> Dispose of cigarette butts properly.

> Keep property clear of debris and fire hazards.

Union County offers free drop-off days to collect used motor oil, paint thinner and other flammable substances from residents. For information call the recycling hotline, 908-654-9889 or visit ucnj.org/recycle.

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that free passport photographs are available from Monday, April 23, through Saturday, April 28, when customers apply for a U.S. Passport at her offices in Elizabeth and Westfield.

“My offices will waive the normal $10 fee for having your photograph taken when you apply during the last week in April for a passport book or passport card at our offices in Elizabeth and Westfield,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “Besides encouraging you to get your passport ready for summer vacations, this will also assist people who are renewing their driver’s license.”

New federal security rules set to begin May 7 will require additional proof of identification to secure a new driver’s license. A current U.S. passport is one of the primary documents citizens can use to verify their identification.

Passport application forms may be obtained at the County Clerk’s main office in the Union County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth or at the County Clerk’s office annex at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. Applications for passports and related information also can be found online at: ucnj.org/government/county-clerk/Passports.

“Our Elizabeth office opens at 7:30 a.m. and it has experienced, helpful, English and Spanish-speaking certified passport agents ready to assist you in any way we can,” Rajoppi said. “Our Westfield office has convenient evening and Saturday hours and also is fully staffed.”

The Westfield Annex is the only County Clerk’s office in the state that is open during evening hours. The Westfield Annex is open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The telephone number at the Westfield Annex is 908-654-9859.

The Elizabeth office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The telephone number in Elizabeth is 908-527-4966. Clients are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to closing time to allow for staff assistance with the passport process.

For more information about obtaining a U.S. passport, please call (908) 527-4966.

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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 (L) and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (2nd L) join Union County College President Dr. Margaret McMenanmin (R), Union County College Foundation Chair Carol Hertling (2nd R) and Union County College Trustee Chairman Victor M. Richel in congratulating Romina Duarte of Kenilworth at the Union County College Scholarship Reception in Cranford. Romina Duarte was the student speaker at the event and received a Union County Freeholders Scholarship. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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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. On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

PLAINFIELD, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that its next mobile paper-shredding program for personal documents will be available on Friday, April 27, at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield.

“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents fight identity theft and eliminate clutter in their homes,” said Freeholder Christopher Hudak, liaison to the Solid Waste Advisory Council. “It is a cost-effective way to assist our recycling efforts and it ties in with Union County’s other Go Green Initiatives.”

The April 27th shredding event will take place at Cedar Brook Park, located off Park Avenue in Plainfield, near the border with South Plainfield. NEXCUT Shredding of Teaneck will be shredding documents at the site from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. The shredding event will end before 1 p.m. if the shredding truck reaches capacity.

All Union County residents are eligible to use the paper-shredding service. In an effort to accommodate everyone, there is a limit of four, 10-pound bags or boxes per person. Documents should not be bound. Please remove plastic binders and paperclips. Paper that is wet/damp will not be accepted. Residents should continue to recycle non-confidential papers and magazines with their municipal recycling program.

Documents are put into 96-gallon containers provided by the shredding company. The items are then dumped onto a conveyor belt and shredded on site. Participants are welcome to view the shredding process via a closed-circuit television. The shredded documents are then recycled, shipped to paper mills and used as pulp. The next shredding event will take place Saturday, May 5, at Union County College in Cranford.

The mobile shredding program is paid for through New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Enhancement Act Grant Funds. For more information about future events or directions please call the Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/recycle .

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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) speaks with Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz (C), TD Bank Vice President and Retail Marketing Manager Beatrice Romao, TD Bank Vice President and Market President Dominick Miceli (2nd L) and Union County Manager Alfred Faella during the third session of the Union County Means Business networking breakfast series. The series, an initiative of Freeholder Chairman Mirabella, is designed to bring local business owners, prospective owners and managers in contact with information about grants, loans, social media, employee recruitment, and other resources. All sessions are free but pre-registration is required by visiting the Union County website at  https://ucnj.org/UCMeansBusiness or call 908-527-4200.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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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. On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski helps (from left) Jazmina Dux, Kayla Lyles and Ava Paige, all of Plainfield, water a tree they just helped plant at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield. Dozens of volunteers attended the tree-planting party on April 10. The event, sponsored by the Union County Board of Freeholders and the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County brought together residents and professionals from various nature groups to plant 20 flowering crabapple trees.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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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. On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

NEWARK – Union County’s 7-mile section of U.S. Highway 1&9 plays a vital economic role in  the movement of goods and people through the cities of Elizabeth, Linden and Rahway, and for this reason it was the focus of the Route 1&9 Corridor Study conducted by Union County and funded by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA). The Study explores the changing needs of the region and the local goals of improved safety, better quality of life and emerging redevelopment opportunities.

The study found show congestion during peak hours, relatively high vehicle and pedestrian crash rates, and a lack of wayfinding signage for motorists and riders seeking transit facilities. A list of improvements focuses on corridor-wide improvements as well as upgrades to specific locations. Some examples of recommendations are crosswalk and traffic signal improvements at intersections, more pedestrian safety measures, better roadway drainage and a thorough evaluation and upgrade of deficient lighting and signage.

“The strategies highlighted in the study could greatly improve vehicle and pedestrian safety at crash hot spots and ease congestion throughout the corridor,” said Union County Freeholder and NJTPA Board Member Angel G. Estrada. “These and other quality of life improvements outlined in the report can help attract new development and opportunity to the area.”

A concise summary of the study is available in a new NJTPA publication highlighting study findings around northern New Jersey. Research for the project concluded in 2011, and a final study report was recently released and posted online. Both the publication and final report can be downloaded at NJTPA’s Subregional Studies Program web page.

The NJTPA’s Subregional Studies Program provides federal grants every two years on a competitive basis to the 13 counties and two cities represented by the NJTPA Board. Studies include an analysis of existing and future conditions in a particular area or transportation system, as well as strategies for improvements. Strategies are developed and refined into detailed concepts that can advance to implementation phases involving appropriate agencies (such as counties, municipalities, the Department of Transportation, etc.).

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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

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to offer educators an opportunity to learn about environmental issues at Trailside Nature & Science Center on Thursday, April 26. The Teacher-Training Workshop: Project Learning Tree will be held from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and is recommended for formal and non-formal educators of students in grades K-8. The fee for this workshop is $15 and pre-registration is required.

“This teacher-training workshop is a great opportunity for our educators to utilize the resources of Trailside Nature & Science Center to get the curriculum and tools they need to give their students a greater awareness and understanding of our environment,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Project Learning Tree (PLT) is a nationally recognized environmental education curriculum supplement that provides educators with tools for increasing student environmental awareness.  Using the forest as a “window” into exploration of local and global environments, students of PLT are made aware of the ecological, historical, cultural and economical perspectives of resource management. Through this awareness students are able to make wise decisions concerning the conservation and stewardship of our natural resources.

The PLT lessons are correlated to the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards and engage students in interdisciplinary, hands-on experiences that develop skills in problem solving, evaluation and research. The PLT guide also presents a balanced approach to instructing current issues and topics, while stimulating students’ critical thinking.

Each workshop participant will receive six NJDOE credits. Morning refreshments will be provided but participants are asked to bring lunch.

For information about this Teacher-Training Workshop call 908-789-3670 or visit www.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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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 atwww.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.