Author: Web Site Administrator

On Thursday, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the Office of LGBTQ Affairs and the Office for People with Disabilities and Special Needs partnered with the Union County Superintendent of Schools to host the Union County Inclusive Schools Presentation.

Interim Executive Superintendent Daryl Palmieri welcomed educators, administrators, principals, superintendents, and a few district Board of Education members to the Union County Inclusive Schools Presentation covering the importance of creating inclusive, affirming and welcoming classroom experiences for LGBTQ youth and students with disabilities with guest speakers Shannon Cuttle of New Jersey Safe Schools Coalition, Dr. Jan Kaminsky of Rainbow Health Consulting and Adrienne P. Robertiello of Children’s Specialized Hospital.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski and Freeholder Andrea Staten present a resolution to Union County Vocational-Technical School District Superintendent Gwendolyn S. Ryan and UCVTS students and faculty designating February 2020 as National Career and Technical Education Month in Union County.

The 21st-century career and technical education programs at the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools link rigorous academics, technical knowledge and real-world experiences to help students develop workplace skills to better prepare them for college and challenging careers.

For more information about Union County Vocational-Technical Schools, visit www.ucvts.tec.nj.us.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski and Freeholder Chris Hudak present a resolution to Union County Vocational-Technical School District Superintendent Gwendolyn S. Ryan, FFA Advisor and UCVTS Instructor Bonnie Baldasare and UCVTS FFA student members Aaron Etienne, Lucia Mauriello and Owen Miller designating the week of February 22, 2020 through February 29, 2020 as “National FFA Week” in the County of Union. The FFA and agricultural education provide a strong foundation for the youth of America for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices in global agriculture. It also provides a foundation for the future of the food, fiber, and natural resource systems. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Freeholder Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded present a resolution to Daniel Sullivan commending him on 50 years of service to the Scotch Plains Rescue Squad as well as a host of other responsibilities throughout the State of New Jersey. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Freeholder Vice Chairman Angel G. Estrada present a resolution to Sally Straus of the Township of Union congratulating her for her dedication to her community and all its residents. They were joined by State Senator Joe Cryan and former State Senator Anthony E. Russo.

Sally Straus has been directly involved in many programs on a daily basis in the Township of Union, including activities for the betterment of its youth and senior citizens, and she has been extremely active in all those organizations and committees that are devoted to helping the Township of Union to be a better place. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella, Vice Chairman Angel G. Estrada, Freeholder Angela Garretson and Freeholder Andrea Staten this morning welcomed leadership coach Tony Chatman as the keynote speaker at the 4th Annual Union County Means Business Networking Breakfast at Kean University in Union. Tony Chatman has worked with hundreds of corporations and government agencies including the Chase Bank, Estee Lauder, NOAA and NASA.

Union County Means Business is an initiative of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, aimed at connecting the business community with hands-on guidance and resources for growth. For more information about Union County Means Business programs, visit ucnj.org/ucmb.
(Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Angela Garretson and Freeholder Andrea Staten welcomed featured panelists Marilyn D. Davis and Richard T. Thigpen, Esq. to an educational “Lunch and Learn” event in the Union County administration building in Elizabeth. The 2020 Black History Month “Lunch and Learn” event paid tribute to “African-Americans and the Vote.” (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, Freeholder Angela Garretson, Freeholder Rebecca L. Williams, Freeholder Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, Freeholder Chris Hudak and Freeholder Andrea Staten presented Rahway Councilman David Brown with the eighth annual Chester Holmes Humanitarian Award during the County’s Black History Month celebration at the historic Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway. They were joined by New Jersey State Senator Nicholas Scutari, former State Senator Raymond Lesniak, Rahway Mayor Raymond Giacobbe, Holmes’ daughter Jackie Grey and friend Candice Frye-Teese.

“Councilman Brown has dedicated his life to public service and to assisting working families, youth and those less-advantaged through his various community endeavors,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “His outstanding contributions to both his hometown of Rahway and Union County exemplify the true meaning and essence of the Chester Holmes Humanitarian Award.”

The Humanitarian Award was created by the Freeholder Board in honor of the late former Freeholder Chester Holmes, who was known for his lifelong dedication to community service.

(Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, Freeholder Angela Garretson, Freeholder Rebecca L. Williams and Freeholder Chris Hudak joined New York Mets Greats Mookie Wilson and “Doc” Gooden, and Union County Baseball Association President Jim Iozzi in congratulating the new inductees of the Union County Baseball Hall of Fame at the organization’s 84th annual Hot Stove League Dinner in Clark. The Union County Baseball Association also honored student athletes Lauren Buchanan of Union and the players and coaches from the Elmora Youth League.

The four new inductees into the UC Baseball Hall of Fame include:

Jim Dietz of Summit, an All-American catcher at Moravian College (and starting quarterback) and minor leaguer with the Philadelphia Phillies, who returned to Summit to teach math and coach baseball and football for more than 30 years;

Al Mirabella of Fanwood, a Union County Freeholder since 1998 and five-time Chairman of the Board, who has been a longtime advocate for youth baseball leagues and other recreational opportunities throughout Union County;

Gene Mirabella of Roselle Park, an outstanding high school wrestler, AllState pitcher, and captain of the football team, whose pitching success at Brookdale College earned him Region 19 Tournament MVP and Pitcher of the Year, and a stint in the minors with the Cleveland Indians;

Karen Pedersen, formerly of Berkeley Heights and Scotch Plains, the longtime Secretary of the UC Baseball Association, who has helped administer the numerous activities of the UCBA for decades.

(Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Freeholder Angela Garretson present a resolution to Captain Gary Steitz, Sr. commending and congratulating him on his retirement as the Union County Fire Investigation Unit Coordinator. Captain Steitz of Union was a 20 year member of the Union County Fire Investigation Unit and served as their Coordinator for the past 15 years. He also served on the Union County Fire Services Advisory Board as the Fire Investigation Representative and served with the Union Fire Department for more than 40 years. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)