Author: Web Site Administrator

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that a total of 18 new miles of County roads will be repaved this season in 14 municipalities. Work will begin later this summer.

“Keeping our roads in top condition ensures our residents and those traveling through our area a safe and enjoyable driving experience,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.  “Union County is one of the region’s most powerful and effective transportation hubs, and we aim to keep it that way.”

Freeholder Vice Chair Bette Jane Kowalski, who heads the Public Works and Facilities Freeholder Committee, added:  “The County maintains more than 174 miles of roadway. Resurfacing makes our roadways not only safer to navigate for both drivers and pedestrians, but also more efficient.”

The 2018 Roads Resurfacing program will begin later this summer after the County completes the 2017 Roads Resurfacing program.

The 2018 Road Resurfacing program will cost approximately $7.5 million, with an approximate 50-50 funding split between the County and the State Transportation Trust Fund.

The work will be conducted at night when possible, in order to minimize the need for detours during peak travel periods.

The roads scheduled for resurfacing in 2018 are:

For up-to-date information on road closures and other travel advisories related to County road and bridge projects, visit the interactive Road Construction Update page at ucnj.org/traffic.

To report potholes on County roads, use the convenient online form at ucnj.org/pothole.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Christopher Hudak joined Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli, Union County Police Chief Chris Debbie, Union County Prosecutor’s Office Acting Chief of Investigations Vincent Gagliardi, Union County Public Safety Director Andrew Moran, Linden Fire Chief Joseph Dooley and Bayonne Battalion Chief Robert Seeburger at a cross-state joint training exercise in Linden aimed at enhancing intelligence- and information-sharing between New Jersey and New York.

The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP), in conjunction with the Jersey City/Newark Urban Areas Security Initiative (USAI), worked with an array of municipal, county and state agencies in a series of drills and exercises to test operational coordination and response to terrorist/mass casualty simulated incidents. 

This exercise is the first of its kind between the two states and will test each state’s information-sharing ability to deliver a coordinated response during a complex attack that impacts both states.

The drill ran for two days and involved the Union County Police Department, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Union County SWAT and Union County OEM resources, including our County Fire Academy Training Facility in Linden. First responder agencies from several municipalities also participated. The drills involved active shooter, bomb and hazmat situations.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Office of LGBTQ Services, in collaboration with the Union County Performing Arts Center and with support from WellCare Health Plans, is proud to host the first Union County LIGHT UP THE NIGHT – TEEN PRIDE (the alternative prom) event for LGBTQ and ally high school youth (ages 16-19) on Friday, June 15 from 8:00 p.m. – 11 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.) at UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage located at 360 Hamilton Street, Rahway. Tickets are $25 each and are available online at ucpac.org.

“As prom season is fast approaching, the Freeholder Board is proud to offer LGBTQ and ally teens from throughout Union County an opportunity to experience this high school milestone in a space where all teens are welcome regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, how they dress, or any other reason,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “According to Human Rights Campaign, four out of ten LGBTQ youth say they live in a community that doesn’t accept their sexual orientation. As an elected official, I support all of our residents including our LGBTQ youth – we are proud to host Union County’s first teen Pride alternative prom event for them.”

Light up the Night – wear neon or white to shine all night, glam it up, or come as you are. Union County’s LIGHT UP THE NIGHT – TEEN PRIDE (the alternative prom) event is an affirming space where every young person can unapologetically be themselves and make memories that last a lifetime. Come on your own, with a date, or with a group of friends to enjoy an inclusive evening of fun, light refreshments, DJ, drag queen emcee, and the crowning of the Rainbow Court!

“Union County’s TEEN PRIDE (the alternative prom) provides an opportunity for diverse groups of LGBTQ students from different schools throughout Union County to celebrate their individuality together in an environment that affirms who they are,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella. “We are proud to lead New Jersey’s County government in supporting the LGBTQ community with programs and services that directly impact quality of life.”

We aim to ensure a safe experience for everyone. Security will uphold a strict no tolerance for drugs and alcohol policy. Bags will be checked upon arrival. High School Student ID, with parental consent and photo release is required to be admitted with each ticket.

This year’s Union County PRIDE events are organized by the Union County Office of LGBTQ Services. Established as part of Chairman Granados’ 2018 Moving Union County Forward initiatives, the Office of LGBTQ Services, under the Division of Outreach and Advocacy in the Department of Human Services, is the first County government office of its kind in the State of New Jersey. It provides a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, serving as a catalyst for advocacy, awareness and action.

For more information about the Office of LGBTQ Services, contact Danni Newbury, coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org.

ELIZABETH, NJ–The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite youngsters ages 4 to 12 years old to participate in “Paint by the Pond.” This will be the third year for this interactive art project which will take place on Saturday, May 12 from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the pond in Warinanco Park. The pond is located near the snack bar and basketball courts. This event will allow children to paint cardboard model houses and create art on poster board.

The “Paint by the Pond” project will teach families about the importance of recycling while encouraging children to paint on cardboard, creating art from materials usually thrown away.

There will also be miniature houses made with the cardboard boxes floating in the pond at Warinanco Park during the event.

“This year we will be back at the pond at Warinanco Park where young artists will be able to capture the glorious colors of spring,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

For more information on this exciting event, please call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at (908) 527-4900.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the opening of a new senior café in Scotch Plains on Tuesday, May 1 at the Shady Rest Clubhouse at the Scotch Hills Country Club, 820 Jerusalem Road. The historic site is a meeting place for Scotch Plains seniors, and is currently owned by the Township of Scotch Plains. Built in the 1920’s, it was the first African-American owned golf course in the United States. 

Seniors are invited to come to the opening of the café on Tuesday, May 1 for lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m. Food will be served until at approximately 12:15 p.m. The lunches will then continue to be served once a week—weekly on Tuesdays, during the same time span.

“This is the 24^th group meal site for senior adults, age 60 and older, in Union County and it is open to seniors from any of the 21 municipalities in the County,” stated Sergio Granados, Chairman of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. “We are pleased to offer new places for our seniors to meet and share lunch together. A nutritionally balanced lunch will be served with the help of local volunteers.”

Scotch Plains Mayor Al Smith said, “As Mayor, and on behalf of the entire Council, I am proud to continue our commitment to serve all seniors with well-rounded programming to address their needs. The Senior Café is a wonderful addition to the programing provided through the Township for seniors. I look forward to attending some of the lunches myself!”

Freeholder Al Mirabella, also Scotch Plains Municipal Manager, noted: “The Township of Scotch Plains is always looking for ways to expand our programming for our Senior Citizens. This weekly nutrition program, held in the newly refurbished Shady Rest, is a wonderful opportunity for our seniors to meet, socialize and share a meal.” 

The program will be run by Scotch Plains, under the supervision of County officials. The meals, which are paid through Federal grant funds, consist of a hot protein entre, vegetable or salad, potato, pasta or rice, bread, milk, and soup or juice.

The suggested donation is $1.75 per meal.  If one person in a couple is under age 60, the suggested donation is $4.00.

Countywide in 2017, the Union County Division on Aging delivered 166,835 group meals at 23 senior sites. Another 224,337 “Meals on Wheels” meals were delivered to the homes of the frail elderly, for a total of 391,172 meals.

A nutritionist in the Division on Aging designs meals that meet healthy nutrient requirements, also known as the Recommended Dietary Allowance. In addition, the nutritionist provides health and wellness presentations about food choices, physical activity, and seasonal produce.

For further information about nutrition programs offered by the Division on Aging, contact Kathleen Malkiewicz by phone at 908-527-4877 or by email at kmalkiewicz@ucnj.org.

For information about all services and programs for seniors and their families visit ucnj.org/aging.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Bruce H. Bergen joined State Senator Nicholas Scutari, Acting Union County Prosecutor Michael Monahan, Union County Police Chief Chris Debbie, Union County Undersheriff Amilcar Colon, Union County Public Safety Director Andrew Moran, Friends of the Union County Child Advocacy Center President Drew Ertman and Union County Assistant Prosecutor Lyndsay Ruotolo at the 4th annual Race 4 the Children 5K Fundraiser in Warinanco Park in Roselle.
 
All proceeds benefit the Child Advocacy Center of Union County. The event is co-sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the City of Elizabeth. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Joins Counties of Gloucester, Hudson, Camden, Middlesex, Essex and Mercer, and Wall Township, in Calling for Timely Passage of Statewide Legislation

Union County Freeholders Bruce H. Bergen and Mohamed S. Jalloh joined Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli, Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi and Union County Surrogate James LaCorte in congratulating the top winners of the 2018 “My County” poster contest sponsored by the Union County Constitutional Officers.

The top four winners of the contest are (from left): Ethan Lopes Moreira (1st place) from Our Lady of Guadalupe Academy in Elizabeth, Magda Wlodarski (2nd place) from St. Michael Elementary School in Cranford, Milani Washington (3rd place) from St. John the Apostle Elementary School in Clark and Rosa Rocio (4th place) from the Ronald Regan Elementary School No. 30 in Elizabeth.

More than 200 fourth grade students from schools throughout Union County entered the contest. Twelve winners in total will have their artwork featured in a poster calendar.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Youth Employment Pathways Program (YEPP)—a pilot program that is a partnership between the Union County Freeholder Board and the United Way of Greater Union County, has put 60 at-risk youth to work part-time in various industries throughout Union County starting this week through June.

“YEPP is designed to assist in school and out of school youth between the ages of 14-24 with the necessary tools they’ll need in order to successfully graduate high school and/or secure employment,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “The Freeholder Board is proud to be sponsoring this program through United Way, and we look forward to continuing a more expansive jobs program for at least 200 more youth later this year once the pilot is complete.”

James W. Horne, Jr., President and CEO of United Way of Greater Union County (UWGUC), added: “The United Way is working in collaboration with the Freeholder Board, non-profit agencies through the County, and our private sector partners to provide training and on-the-job experience to those who might otherwise lack access to these opportunities. The program is geared to helping disadvantaged youth achieve their goals and work toward obtaining credential certifications, enter higher education and/or secure employment.”

UWGUC was awarded a federal Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grant by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Workforce Development Board to implement YEPP. Non- profit agencies and private sector businesses recruited the youth, who were at-risk, financially disadvantaged or parenting teens– from various communities for the program.

Freeholder Chairman Granados added:

“We will continue to find new employment opportunities for our residents. Last year we provided over 2,500 opportunities through our Workforce Innovation Business Center, but this year we wanted to put an additional focus on helping to empower and employ at-risk-youth in our communities. As someone who grew up in an urban area, I strongly feel that if we had more of these types of opportunities, some of the people I grew up with wouldn’t have gone down a troubled path.”

The program provided training as needed, and part-time jobs (15-hours a week), pay was between $10-

$15 an hour, in various industries, including government, non-profits, and jobs in the private sector, including the retail and construction industries.

The non-profit agencies that UWGUC partnered with included:

• Community Access Unlimited
• Communities in Cooperation, Inc.
• Elizabeth Housing Authority
• Urban League of Union County, Inc.,
• Proceed, Inc.
• Second Street Youth Center
• HomeFirst, Inc.
• Plainfield Housing Authority
• Workforce Advantage Inc.
• YMCA

Information regarding the YEPP can be found on the United Way website at https://www.uwguc.org/yepp,or by calling 908-353-7171.