Author: Web Site Administrator

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Angela R. Garretson and Mohamed S. Jalloh present a resolution to the players and coaches of the Roselle Catholic High School Lady Lions Girls Basketball Team congratulating them on winning the 2018 Union County Tournament Championship. They were joined by Assemblywoman Linda Carter. The Lady Lions, under the guidance of Head Coach Joe Skrec, captured their sixth championship in school history as the second seed in the tournament. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Alexander Mirabella present a resolution to the players and coaches of the Westfield High School Blue Devils Football Team congratulating them on winning their third straight North Jersey, Section 2, Group 5 Championship with a 20-7 victory over Bridgewater-Raritan. They were joined by Assemblywoman Linda Carter. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Angel G. Estrada present a resolution to members of the Elizabeth Portugal Day Committee congratulating Grand Marshal Leonilde Mateiro, Marshal Manuel Pinho (posthumously) and Honorary Marshal Marie Costa while recognizing the longest-running Portuguese Parade in the State of New Jersey. The 40th annual Portuguese Day Parade on June 3, 2018 in Elizabeth. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Will Allow For Bridge’s New Jersey-Bound Span To Open Monday Morning

The New Jersey-bound lanes of the Goethals Bridge will be closed this weekend, May 18 to 21, to accommodate construction work that will allow the bridge’s westbound span to open no later than early Monday morning, May 21.

The bridge’s current New Jersey-bound lanes will be closed beginning at 9 p.m. on Friday, May 18, and will reopen no later than 4 a.m. Monday, May 21. 

The closing will allow the existing ramps – which now serve New Jersey-bound traffic on the eastbound span – to be realigned  to the westbound structure.  During the closing, travelers heading into New Jersey will be diverted to the Outerbridge Crossing or the Bayonne Bridge.  The bridge’s New York-bound lanes will not be impacted.

To receive real time traffic updates, travelers should register for Bridge and Tunnel Alerts atwww.paalerts.com, call 511 or visit www.511NY.org or www.511NJ.org.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Alexander Mirabella present resolutions to local residents honoring those who served in the military and those who provide services to military veterans while expressing gratitude during Military Appreciation Month. Those honored are: Joe O’Neil who is the President of Benner’s Auto Body in Cranford, members of the New Jersey Veterans Network, the Union High School JROTC –Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, U.S. Navy Petty Officer Josue Jaramillo and U.S. Navy Operations Specialist Jorge Vasquez, now a Sgt. in the Union County Sheriff’s Office. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Angel G. Estrada present a resolution to Elizabeth Councilman Frank Cuesta recognizing and commending him for his efforts with Elizabeth’s Promise Awards Inc. Elizabeth’s Promise is a non-profit organization that dedicates one hundred percent of its gross proceeds to the college-related costs of deserving Elizabeth high school seniors. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders marks International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia (IDAHOT) today, May 17, and sends a message of solidarity against homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, and all forms of hate facing LGBTQ people in our communities and across the globe.

This year’s IDAHOT theme is “alliances for solidarity,” because progress is possible together.  The Freeholder Board calls upon the people of Union County to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate the great diversity of all people.

For many people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ), community environments where we live, learn, work, play and pray are unsafe and unwelcoming spaces.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), homophobia (and other forms of bias hate) can affect one’s physical and mental health, including increased risk of depression and suicide. Homophobia can also result in limiting access to high quality health care, and negatively affect income and employment status.

Today, we recognize IDAHOT to raise awareness of violence, discrimination, and repression of LGBTQ communities locally and worldwide – which in turn provides an opportunity to take action and engage in dialogue to strengthen alliances, build acceptance and advance equal rights.

May is National Community Action Month which was created by the Community Action Partnership to highlight Community Action Agencies’ role in helping low-income individuals and families to move out of poverty and achieve economic security.

During National Community Action Month and throughout the year, Community Action Agencies put a human face on poverty while helping people and changing lives.  For 54 years they have advocated for limited-income citizens without a voice, so that they may enter the middle class and reach for the American dream, replacing their despair with opportunity.  Community Action builds and promotes economic stability as an essential aspect of enabling and enhancing stronger communities, which in turn promotes self-sufficiency, ensuring that all Americans are able to live in dignity.  Community Action has enhanced the lives of hundreds of people in Union County and millions of people across America by providing essential, life-changing services and opportunities such as housing, job training and placement, nutritional services; health care, energy assistance, linkages to entitlement and workforce development programs; and behavioral health counseling for substance abuse and mental health.

National Community Action Month is an opportunity to call attention to poverty-related problems.  As Community Action Agencies are showcasing their programs, they are also giving local residents—many who are unaware of the poverty in their communities—a first-hand look at the struggles low-income families face and how Community Action programs help them.

In honor of National Community Action Month, Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey, The Gateway Family YMCA, PROCEED, Inc. and The Salvation Army of Elizabeth will join Community Action Agencies across the country in hosting events and activities in the month of May.  For over 50 years, Community Action Agencies have assisted millions of low-income Americans in achieving financial stability through a variety of programs.

Please note: due to the weather forecast, tonight’s concert originally located at Echo Lake Park is now MOVED INDOORS to the Main Stage of the Union County Performing Arts Center, at 1601 Irving Street in Rahway.

Come an enjoy an evening with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra at this beautifully restored 1920’s era former vaudeville hall. Concert begins at 7:30 sharp (sorry, no yoga tonite).

More information on the Union County Performing Arts Center: ucpac.org.

Orchestra will kick off Union County’s Summer Arts Festival Series with program featuring Broadway favorites, opera overtures and more

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ—The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders are pleased to announce the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) will kick off the 57^th annual Summer Arts Festival Concert Series at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside on Friday June 22nd at 7:30 p.m.

Settle in under a starry sky and enjoy glorious Broadway songs and rousing opera overtures with the NJSO. Watch the fireflies dance along to the overture from Crazy for You and catch a glimpse of a shooting star during Rossini’s fiery overture to William Tell.

The show is free, and visitors are urged to pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets. Refreshments and snacks will also be available from vendors. As with all festival concerts throughout the Summer, attendees can also participate in Union County Get Fit Yoga program beginning at 6:30 p.m. Bring a mat or beach towel and participate in the healthy activities for the entire family. In the event of rain, the concert (only) will be held on the same date and time at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway.

“What a great way to kick off our summer of music with New Jersey’s own Orchestra bringing live symphonic music to our community,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “We encourage our residents to enjoy the music under the stars, and a memorable night of classical entertainment.”

Named “a vital, artistically significant musical organization” by The Wall Street Journal, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) embodies that vitality through its statewide presence and critically acclaimed performances, education partnerships and unparalleled access to music and the Orchestra’s superb musicians.

The NJSO presents classical, pops and family programs, as well as outdoor summer concerts and special events throughout the state. For more information about the NJSO, please go to http://www.njsymphony.org/

The other free concerts in the Union County Summer Arts Festival series are scheduled for Wednesday nights throughout July in Echo Lake and then in August at Oak Ridge Park in Clark:

Echo Lake Park, Mountainside

June 22 New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

July 11th Black Dog (The Led Zeppelin Tribute)

July 18th 5 Against 1 (Tribute to Pearl Jam)

July 25th The Vinny’s / Katfish Lucy

Oak Ridge Park, Clark

August 1st JoBonanno & the Godsons of Soul

August 8th American Rapture

August 15th Brother John Brown (The Woodstock Era)

August 22nd Dead On Live (The Grateful Dead Experience)