Author: Web Site Administrator

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella and State Senator Nicholas P. Scutari today joined with members of the various chapters of UNICO District X in holding the 11th Annual Union County Columbus Day Flag Raising event today in Elizabeth. Mirabella and Scutari, the keynote, were among a card of speakers that included Union County Surrogate James LaCorte, Freeholder Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, and Anthony Bengivenga, the UNICO District X Governor, which represents 8 chapters in Union County.

Bob Bengivenga, the President of Plainfields Unico, led the UNICO prayer. Sheriff Peter Corvelli led the Pledge of Allegiance and the posting of the colors, and Marie Oakie sang “God Bless America.” Others in attendance included Freeholder Sergio Granados, Freeholder Angel Estrada, County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, Acting Prosecutor Lyndsay Ruotolo, Mountainside Mayor Paul Mirabelli, County Manager Ed Oatman, Deputy County Manager Amy Crisp Wagner, Elizabeth Board of Education members Nathalie Hernandez and Charlene Bathelu.

Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski and Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella present resolutions to Chief of Detectives Vincent Gagliardi and Assistant Prosecutor John Esmerado congratulating them on their retirement from the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and thanking them for their many years of public service to the residents of Union County.

Chief Gagliardi of Westfield has served as Chief of Detectives since 2017. In 2018 Assistant Prosecutor Esmerado of Berkeley Heights was named Investigations Supervisor before assuming the role of Counsel to the Prosecutor on Policy and Procedure earlier this year.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The County of Union, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the We Are One New Jersey Center sponsored a Naturalization ceremony for 30 residents from 18 countries in the courtroom of the Honorable Judge Karen Cassidy.

Judge Cassidy administered the Oath of Citizenship. Freeholder Angel Estrada, himself a naturalized citizen, served as Master of Ceremonies. Heath Officer Annarelly McNair, also a naturalized citizen, performed the National Anthem. County Manager Edward Oatman led our newest citizens in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the 2019 Union County Library Grant awards for 20 public libraries in Union County. The grants are designed to assist public libraries with funding that enriches and supports children’s programming.

The awards will help cover the cost of STEAM and STEM programs as well as arts enrichment, new books and computer equipment, SAT prep and more.

“This grant program helps local libraries keep their programming up to date and relevant to the needs and aspirations of children in their communities,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski who originated the grant program in 2016. “The Freeholder Board is proud to support public libraries in their efforts to provide children with resources that cultivate creativity and critical thinking.”

Each of the 20 municipalities with a public library applied for a 2019 Library Grant and received an award, including Berkeley Heights, Clark, Cranford, Elizabeth, Fanwood, Garwood, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden, Mountainside, New Providence, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park, Scotch Plains, Springfield, Summit, Union and Westfield.

The Library Grant program amount this year totaled $99,937.80. The 2019 Library Grants are funded by the Union County Kids Recreation Trust Fund.

For more information about the 2019 Union County Library Grant awards contact the Office of Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund at 908-558-2277.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County residents seeking information about services for adults age 60 and older can come to convenient locations throughout the County and speak in person with experienced staff from the Union County Aging and Disability Resource Connection, a division of the Department of Human Services.

The community visits are scheduled every month through Union County’s ASK (Aging Services Kiosk) program. In November, the ASK program will come to public libraries in Elizabeth, Cranford, Clark, Garwood, Mountainside, Summit, Union, and the Rahway Senior Center.

“Our goal is to help senior residents access the resources they need to stay connected with their communities,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The ASK program helps seniors, their families, and their caregivers get expert guidance in person, in a comfortable setting close to home.”

Guidance offered through the ASK program includes home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care, and support services for caregivers.

Assistance with completing applications and forms is also provided.

All Union County residents are welcome to attend any ASK event. The dates and locations for November are:

Monday, November 4

Elizabeth Library – LaCorte Branch

418 Palmer Street

Elizabeth, NJ 07202

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Wednesday, November 13

Cranford Public Library

224 Walnut Street

Cranford, NJ 07016

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Thursday, November 14

Rahway Senior Center

1306 Esterbrook Avenue

Rahway, NJ  07065

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Monday, November 18

Clark Public Library

303 Westfield Avenue

Clark, NJ 07066

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Thursday, November 21

Garwood Public Library

411 Third Avenue

Garwood, NJ 07027

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Friday, November 22

Mountainside Public Library

Constitution Plaza

Mountainside, NJ 07092

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Monday, November 25

Summit Public Library

75 Maple Street

Summit, NJ 07901

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 26

Union Public Library

1980 Morris Avenue

Union, NJ 07083

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection is modeled on a national program aimed at of promoting wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families, and for people with disabilities. In addition to ASK and other outreach events, printed information is available in English and Spanish.

For more information about the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, visit the Department of Human Services online at ucnj.org/departments/human-services or call 888-280-8226 (toll free), 908-527-4870, or 908-527-4858. Spanish speakers may call 908-527-4863. 

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media:

Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski, Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Freeholders Rebecca Williams and Andrea Staten joined Union County Deputy County Manager Amy Wagner, Scotch Plains Mayor Al Smith, Township officials and student athletes at the opening of the new turf fields at Union County’s Ponderosa Park in Scotch Plains. The two multi-use fields will serve local lacrosse, soccer, field hockey and football teams. Other improvements include tree planting, repaving the entrance and a general “sprucing up” of the 23-acre park that opened in 2012. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski, Freeholder Chris Hudak, Freeholder Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, and Freeholder Sergio Granados and Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage joined former County Manager Al Faella and other County officials at the Ryan Patrick Faella Foundation’s 5 K Run and Walk at Oak Ridge Park in Clark on Sunday.
The Ryan Patrick Faella Foundation was established in memory of Ryan Patrick Faella, a thirteen-year-old boy from Mountainside, who passed away in 2000. Since 2001, over $125,000 has been provided toward scholarships and youth-based activities.

The organization was founded by Ryan’s parents. Al Faella, the former Union County Manager, and his wife Mary, Speech-Language Pathologist, both natives of Elizabeth who currently reside in Mountainside. John Amalfe, nephew of former Freeholder Anthony Amalfe, is also a founder and continued supporter.

Featuring State Senator Nicholas P. Scutari, Freeholder Vice Chairman Al Mirabella, County Surrogate Jim LaCorte, UNICO representatives, Italian American ONE VOICE Coalition

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced that Union County’s 11th Annual Columbus Day Flag Raising event is set for Friday, Oct. 11th, at 1 p.m., on the steps of the historic Union County Courthouse. Senator Nicholas P. Scutari will be this year’s special guest speaker.

“We have a great program this year in honor of the achievements and contributions of Italian Americans,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella, who is emceeing the program, and founded the flag raising event. “Italian Americans continue to make extraordinary contributions to the rich, diverse fabric of America.”

Speakers include:  State Senator Scutari; Union County Surrogate James S. LaCorte; Andre’ DiMino, Communications Director of the Italian American ONE VOICE Coalition; UNICO District X Governor Anthony Bengivenga,

UNICO is the nation’s largest Italian American service organization whose chapters and members engage in promoting and defending Italian culture and heritage, as well as providing scholarships, engaging in community service and other philanthropic endeavors.

UNICO District X and Plainfields’ UNICO work to organize and co-sponsor Union County’s Columbus Day event. The Italian American ONE VOICE Coalition is an Italian-American anti-bias organization formed of members nationwide that fights stereotypes, and promotes Columbus Day.

Italian-style refreshments and pastries will be served after the program 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 No. 6 on Jefferson Avenue and Dickinson Street—the entrance is on Dickinson Street. In the event of rain, the event will be held in the Freeholder Chambers in the Union County Administration building.

The courthouse is located at 2 Broad St. in Elizabeth at the corner of Rahway Avenue.  

Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski, Freeholder Angel G. Estrada and Freeholder Christopher Hudak joined Union County Public Safety Director Andrew Moran and Union County Police Chief Chris Debbie in congratulating Union County Police Lieutenant Raymond Berry, Sergeant Matthew Schaible and Sergeant Bernard Gerrity on their promotions during at a ceremony in Mountainside. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)