Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to partner with the Hyacinth Foundation to present Leadership Hyacinth, a two-day advocacy training course for community leaders who want to increase their awareness and advocacy efforts. Leadership Hyacinth also marks the launch of the Union County End the Epidemic public awareness campaign, aimed at increasing participation in advocacy efforts for HIV/AIDS, STI & Hep C.

The free training program will be held on Monday, May 18 and Tuesday May 19 from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM each day at the Warinanco Sports Center, located in Warinanco Park at One Park Drive in Roselle.

Seating is limited and preregistration is required online at ucnj.org/lgbtq.

“Community involvement is crucial to ending the HIV epidemic,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Freeholder Board is proud to partner with Hyacinth Foundation to increase the impact of their work in our communities. As a special initiative for 2020, Union County joins Governor Murphy in implementing a strategy to end the dual epidemics of HIV and HIV-related stigma, by empowering people with and vulnerable to HIV with accurate and meaningful information.”

Leadership Hyacinth is organized by the Union County Office of LGBTQ Affairs in partnership with Hyacinth Foundation. Upon completion of the program, participants will attain fluency in federal and state HIV/AIDS strategies and policies, and they will be able to use science-based evidence to communicate effectively on broad public health issues, including presentations to policy makers at the local, state and federal level through letters, email, phone calls and face to face meetings. 

 “Today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, held annually on February 7. Here in the United States, even as we have seen some decreases, the statistics remain alarming for African Americans. Black people continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, and today is a day that we can use to talk about HIV/AIDS – but not only today,” said Freeholder Rebecca Williams, liaison to the Union County LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “Today leaders in all communities affected by HIV/AIDS are encouraged to join the Freeholder Board and Hyacinth Foundation for the leadership advocacy training to learn strategies for increasing their efforts throughout the year to end the epidemic.”

“It’s critically important that the voices of the communities impacted by HIV be heard by legislators and state leaders. Leadership Hyacinth empowers individuals to find their voice and share their stories so that decisions about them are made with them at the table. We are thrilled that Union County has shown its commitment to ending the HIV epidemic, as it will take all of us, working together, to end this epidemic,” said Kathy Ahearn-O’Brien, Executive Director, Hyacinth.

Presented as part of Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella’s 2020 special initiatives, the Union County End the Epidemic HIV/AIDS awareness and advocacy campaign will include a series programs and resources for community leaders and organizations in communities throughout Union County.

Union County’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, under the Department of Economic Development, was established by the Freeholder Board in 2018 and is the first and only county government office of its kind in the State of New Jersey.

The Office of LGBTQ Affairs provides a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, and serves as a catalyst for advocacy, awareness and action on current and emerging issues that impact the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals.

For more information about the Office of LGBTQ Affairs, contact Danni Newbury, Coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org or visit ucnj.org/LGBTQ.

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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.

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Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, Freeholder Angela Garretson, Freeholder Andrea Staten, Freeholder Rebecca L. Williams and Freeholder Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded joined the entire Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders in recognizing and commemorating February 9th 2020 as the Centennial Anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment and the right of women to vote in State of New Jersey. (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)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Freeholder Chris Hudak present a resolution to Ron Manzella commending and congratulating him upon his retirement as the Township Administrator for the Township of Union. They were joined by Union Deputy Mayor Joseph Florio. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the 2020 schedule for free countywide recycling events available to all residents, beginning in March and running through November.

“These free recycling events are among Union County’s most popular programs, with thousands of residents participating every year,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “It’s an easy, convenient way to help conserve resources and protect the planet.”

Union County offers free drop-off events for household hazardous wastes and secure paper shredding at different sites throughout the County. Personal and confidential documents only are accepted at the paper shredding events.

Union County also offers two bi-monthly drop-off programs for a wide range of scrap metal. Residents can bring scrap metal for free drop-off at designated sites in Cranford and Rahway.

The County also provides for recycling of other special items through local recycling centers, including ten municipalities that are participating in Union County’s block-type Styrofoam recycling program. There are also drop off locations for motor oil and filters.

Residents seeking to recycle televisions, computers, printers, and other covered electronic items can contact their municipal recycling coordinator.

Union County residents are also advised to keep plastic bags out of their recycling bins. Recycling vendors will reject cans and bottles mixed with plastic bags, raising the cost of recycling for local municipalities.

In support of the statewide “Choose to Reuse” anti-litter effort, Union County has launched #MakeOneChangeUC, a public awareness campaign aimed at encouraging residents to reduce their use of plastic bags and other single-use plastic items.

To keep up to date with all local and County-sponsored recycling programs, residents can download the free Recycle Coach app for mobile devices.

For more details about all free County-sponsored recycling programs and other recycling opportunities, including contact information for local recycling coordinators and instructions for downloading the Recycle Coach app, visit the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning online at ucnj.org/recycle or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

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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, NJ – Union County residents seeking an opportunity to help during the 2020 Presidential election cycle can apply to become poll workers this year. All poll workers must attend a mandatory training session and will earn a $200 stipend for their services on Election Day.

“If you are following this year’s Presidential Election, and are interested in learning more about the election process, becoming a poll worker is an exciting and rewarding way to participate,” said Union County Board of Elections Administrator Nicole DiRado.

Poll workers perform essential services on Election Day, by ensuring every eligible voter is afforded an opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

Any Union County resident who is 18 years or older, and registered to vote in Union County, can apply to become a poll worker.

No experience is needed. All new poll workers must attend a single-session training course. Returning poll workers take a refresher course every two years.

Persons interested in becoming a poll worker for the Primary Election on June 2nd and the General Election on November 3^rd are advised to apply now to reserve a spot.

To apply, download an application form at the Board of Elections website, ucnj.org/Poll-Worker-Application-2020.pdf, or request an application form by mail by calling the Board of Elections at 908-527-4120.

For more information, follow the Poll Worker Resources link at ucnj.org/ucboe.

For all Union County Board of Elections information visit online at ucnj.org/ucboe.

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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.

The Union County Jail, for the first time in its history, earned accreditation from the American Correctional Association with a perfect score of 100.

The 100 percent score is considered rare among jails, and only 150 jails nationwide out of 3,000 are accredited. The audit of the Union County Jail was conducted last year by the ACA.

The American Correctional Association is the body tasked with developing nationwide standards for policies and procedures that safeguard life, health and safety of corrections personnel and inmates.

ACA accreditation covers all areas of a facility, including safety, security, order, inmate care, programs, justice, and administration.

ACA standards are the national benchmark for the effective operation of correctional systems throughout the United States and are necessary to ensure that facilities are operated professionally.

Union County Department of Corrections Director Ron Charles was on hand to receive the news with his accreditation team members at the American Correctional Association’s Congress of Corrections in San Diego, California, last month.

From an interactive nature museum and a public ice skating rink, to an eye-popping model train display and a lavishly restored 1920’s vaudeville theatre, Union County is full of unique and unusual activities for residents and visitors in search of indoor fun during the cold winter months.

The winter activities are included in 52 Great Things to Do in Union County This Year, a newly updated, season by season list of indoor and outdoor events and programs offered or supported by Union County, available on the County website at ucnj.org/52.

“We hope this newly updated list will help residents and visitors discover all that Union County has to offer, especially in the winter months when it can be difficult to get out,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

The Union County park system includes the Deserted Village of Feltville, an Olympic-scale archery range, a riding stable, and skateboard parks among other unique features.

Coming up on February 15 and February 17 is Union County’s annual “February Festivities” series of family friendly, indoor and outdoor nature programs at the Trailside Nature and Science Center, in the Watchung Reservation in Mountainside.

In addition to programs in the parks, Union County sponsors numerous art and history events throughout the year including the Sensory Friendly Theatre series for audiences with sensory sensitivities. The next Sensory Friendly Theatre presentation will be a special performance of Cinderella by the New Jersey Ballet, at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway on March 8.

The County’s environmental volunteer activities also attract hundreds of participants yearly.

For more information visit the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation online at ucnj.org/parks.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities visit The Green Connection at ucnj.org/green-connection.  

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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, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the expansion of business hours for its Division of Social Services (DSS) within the Department of Human Services effective February 1, 2020.

The new hours are 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. They apply to the DSS offices in Elizabeth at 342 Westminster Avenue and in Plainfield at 200 West 2^nd Street.

“The new office hours are designed to provide Union County residents with more opportunities to contact DSS while minimizing disruptions to daytime work schedules and other commitments,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

“Last year the Anti-Poverty Network of New Jersey recognized DSS with its 2019 ‘Social Services Champion’ award for excellence, and the expanded hours are part of our commitment to continue building on that record,” said Mirabella.

The Union County Division of Social Services administers federal and state programs that provide income eligible residents in need of help with food, shelter, medical assistance, and other services to secure individuals and families.

Last year the Division of Social Services provided food assistance to a total of 37,076 Union County residents, including 17,432 children, and the Immunization Clinic provided 1,610 free immunizations to children. Hours of operation for the Immunization Clinic, located at 40 Parker Road in Elizabeth, will remain at 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

DSS also assists with nursing home placement, traumatic brain injury cases and refugee resettlement. Union County handles more refugee resettlement cases than any other county in New Jersey.

For more information about DSS and other offices of the Union County Department of Human Services, call the DHS Action Line, 888-845-3434, or 908-558-2288, or email DHSaction@ucnj.org for quick, personal service.  For all Union County government services, visit www.ucnj.org.

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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 Vice Chairman Angel G. Estrada, Freeholder Angela Garretson, Freeholder Chris Hudak, Freeholder Andrea Staten and Freeholder Rebecca L. Williams joined Union County Manager Ed Oatman, Deputy County Manager Amy Wagner, Clerk of the Board Jim Pellettiere, Union County Human Services Director Debbie-Ann Anderson, Office of Community Engagement and Diversity Coordinator Nathalie Hernandez, Assemblywoman Linda Carter, Elizabeth Councilwoman Patricia Perkins-Auguste and others at the Black History Month Flag Raising this morning outside the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)