Category: Public Info

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents and friends to celebrate National Black History Month this February with a series of engaging events that highlight the voices, cultural contributions, and historical significance of African Americans throughout history. This year’s theme, “African Americans and Labor,” emphasizes the profound ways that Black Americans have impacted the workforce, from enslaved domestic workers, to agricultural and industrial employees, to leadership roles in modern times.

“The history of Black Americans is one of resilience, strength, and hope in the face of discrimination and the struggle for freedom and equality,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes Leon. “This February, we honor this journey by reflecting on the profound contributions of the Black community and celebrating its vital role in shaping our shared past. I invite you to join us for vibrant events as we honor this rich culture together.”

The month-long celebration kicked off earlier this afternoon, Monday, February 3rd at 1:00 p.m. with a raising of the Pan-African flag, also known as the Black Liberation Flag, on the front steps of the historic Union County Courthouse, located at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth.

“We proudly raise this flag each year to honor our ancestors and their enduring legacy,” said Union County Commissioner James Baker. “With each wave, we celebrate their strength and contributions, fostering pride in our children and community for generations to come.”

The series continues on Thursday, February 13th at 7:00 p.m. with a jazz performance at Union County Performing Arts Center’s Hamilton Stage, located at 360 Hamilton Street in Rahway. Co-sponsored by the City of Rahway, guests will enjoy a performance by the jazz trio Grown Groovin’, led by multi-instrumentalist and Plainfield native Anthony Nelson, Jr., and featuring musical talents Kenny Davis on acoustic bass and Winard Harper on drums. The event will begin with a presentation of the 2025 Chester Holmes Humanitarian Award by the Union County Board of County Commissioners.

The show is free, but registration is required. Each household may reserve up to four (4) tickets while supplies last. For larger group reservations, please contact Judith Guest at the Union County Office of Community Engagement and Diversity at 908-527-4388. Seating is first come, first served. Reserve your free tickets today at ucpac.org/events.

The Jazz Performance is made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts. This event was organized by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, and held in collaboration with the Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC).

“Black History Month is a time to honor the achievements of the past, celebrate the creativity and spirit of the present, and inspire hope for the future,” said Union County Commissioner Michèle S. Delisfort. “This year, as we reflect on the theme of African Americans and labor, we are proud to showcase the talents of Anthony Nelson, Jr. and the Grown Groovin’ trio. Their artistry is a testament to the enduring influence of Black culture and its ability to transcend barriers, build community, and uplift us all. I invite everyone to join us for an unforgettable evening of jazz, as we come together to celebrate the richness of Black history and the vibrant contributions of the Black community in Union County and beyond.”

The 2025 Black History Month event lineup concludes Wednesday, February 26^th at 12:00 p.m. with a special history seminar by secretary-treasurer of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), Ms. Petal Robertson. The event will take place at Union College of Union County, NJ, Victor M. Richel Student Commons area, located at 1033 Springfield Avenue in Cranford. To register for this free event, visit ucnj.org/bhm.

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The Black History Seminar is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, part of the Division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State. The event was organized by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs and held in collaboration with UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ.

“The contributions of Black people, upon whose backs the nation and its economy were built during the era of American enslavement, and which continue today in business, government, the arts, and various other fields, have been crucial in founding and strengthening communities like ours and all across America,” said Union County Commissioner Rebecca Williams. “This is a time to reflect on the progress we have made, recharge, and continue forth together on our journey towards equality and justice for all.”

Additionally, the Union County Commissioners will be showcasing inspiring artwork from local Black Artists in an exhibit at the Commissioners Gallery, located on the 6th floor of the Union County Administration Building at 10 Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth. Residents and guests may visit the free exhibit Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. throughout the month of February.

Residents seeking more information, including a full lineup of events for Black History Month, can visit ucnj.org/bhm.

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The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites seniors and caregivers to the upcoming Aging Services Kiosk (ASK) events to explore the wide range of senior programs and resources available. These events allow attendees to meet with experienced professionals who can offer expert guidance and assistance with a variety of services, including form completion. Bilingual staff will be available at all dates in February to provide support in Spanish.

“This program was primarily designed to improve the day-to-day lives of our seniors and caregivers by connecting them to vital resources and providing them with real human support when they need it most,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes Leon. “Alongside our Division on Aging and their knowledgeable and friendly staff, we bring this program to local libraries each month to make it as convenient and accessible as possible for our senior community to receive assistance. I encourage you to take advantage of this great service and visit our Aging Services Kiosk on the next available date.”  

The Aging Services Kiosk is operated explicitly by the Division on Aging, a branch of the Union County Department of Human Services. It offers adults aged 60 and older, along with their caregivers, a friendly and convenient avenue to discover valuable programs and services and speak individually with a Division on Aging professional.

Staff at ASK locations can help older adults and caregivers connect with various services, including home-delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care, and support services for caregivers. Any Union County senior or caregiver can visit any ASK kiosk, regardless of their hometown.  No appointment or pre-registration is needed. Below are the upcoming ASK events in February:

Wednesday, February 5th

Garwood Public Library

411 Third Avenue, Garwood

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Thursday, February 13th

Clark Public Library

303 Westfield Avenue, Clark

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Tuesday, February 18th

Westfield Memorial Library

550 East Broad St., Westfield

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Thursday, February 20th

Elizabeth Public Library – Main

11 South Broad St., Elizabeth

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Thursday, February 27th

Hillside Public Library

1409 Liberty Avenue, Hillside

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

“We deeply appreciate the senior community in Union County and want nothing more than to see them thriving, and enjoying life with all the ease, comfort, and support available to them,” said Union County Commissioner James Baker, Liaison to the Advisory Council on Aging. For more information about the ASK events and any other services for seniors in Union County, contact the Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection at 1-888-280-8226 toll-free or visit online at ucnj.org/dhs/aging.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners and the Union County Department of Parks & Recreation invite all nature-loving residents to help preserve our local parks by becoming a Trail Steward through Union County’s Adopt-A-Trail Program. This volunteer opportunity is a great way to positively impact your community and make new friends while enjoying the outdoors.

“I’m excited for the return of this important and rewarding opportunity for residents to join us in safeguarding our open natural spaces,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes Leon. “It genuinely takes a village to care for and preserve the beautiful trails and pathways we hike, bike, and otherwise enjoy throughout the seasons.  If you love the outdoors and want to make a difference, we encourage you to consider becoming a Trail Steward and attend the orientation meeting in February.” 

Union County’s Department of Parks & Recreation is hosting a Trail Stewards Orientation on Saturday, February 8^th from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Trailside Nature & Science Center, located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside. The session will provide prospective Trail Stewards with an overview of the program, indoor training, and a presentation by Union County Park Environmental Services staff. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the specific responsibilities and benefits of becoming a Union County Trail Steward.

Participants of the program are asked to commit to a trail stewardship, during which they will actively monitor and clean their adopted trail and submit quarterly reports on trail conditions and larger maintenance issues.

The Union County Adopt-A-Trail Program is designed to engage the community in the stewardship of local parks by providing volunteers with the training and tools needed to monitor and maintain the trails and pathways. Trail Stewards play a vital role in keeping these outdoor spaces safe, accessible, and enjoyable for all.

For more information or to register for the Trail Stewards Orientation, visit ucnj.org/trail-stewards-orientation/ or contact the Union County Park Environmental Services at park.env.services@ucnj.org or call 908-789-3683.

How do you see yourself getting around in the future? Would you consider driving an electric vehicle or riding in a self-driving car or shuttle? Are there regional transportation projects that you want prioritized for funding?

These are some of the questions the public will be asked as Union County works with the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) on the region’s next long range transportation plan, Connecting Communities. The plan will detail new programs and recommend policies and transportation investments for the next 25 years, including projects in Union County.

“As our communities grow and evolve, so must the ways we move within and between them. Union County residents have a unique opportunity to shape a future that prioritizes sustainability, accessibility, and innovation in transportation,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes Leon. “I encourage everyone to make their voices heard—your input is essential to creating a transportation system that supports the needs and aspirations of our diverse population.”

The NJTPA region includes 13 counties in northern and central New Jersey and is home to 7 million people, with the population expected to hit 7.8 million in 2050. The NJTPA works with local partners and state agencies to provide more than $3 billion in transportation investments annually. In order for the region to be eligible to receive federal transportation funds for programs and projects, the NJTPA must adopt a long-range transportation plan every four years.

“Union County has worked closely with the NJTPA to secure federal funding for infrastructure projects that improve safety, and advance our rails-to-trails efforts,” said Union County Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, who serves as Third Vice Chair of the NJTPA Board of Trustees. “I encourage Union County residents to share their ideas about the future of transportation with the NJTPA so we can continue this important work and create a long-range plan that meets the needs of our diverse communities.”

The NJTPA has approved funding for several projects in Union County, including construction of the recently reopened Gordon Street Bridge in Roselle Park and Roselle Borough. The NJTPA has also approved funding for several local safety projects, including $1.3 million in improvements to three intersections along East Front Street (CR 620) in Plainfield, which is currently under construction; and $11 million for improvements to another four intersections in Plainfield and 10 intersections in New Providence, Summit and Roselle, which are currently in the design phase of work. In addition, the NJTPA approved $1.5 million for the Rahway Valley Rails-to-Trails Project in Kenilworth and Roselle Park. The NJTPA has also funded transportation planning studies, including the Union County Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Study completed in 2023 and the Union County Truck Mobility Study completed in 2021.

Public input plays a critical role in the plan. The feedback the NJTPA gathers through an online survey and events will be considered and incorporated into the plan, which the NJTPA Board of Trustees is expected to adopt in September. Everyone who lives in the NJTPA region is encouraged to participate.

The survey launched today and is available in six languages – English, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Chinese and Korean. Virtual public outreach will begin later this month with a Let’s Talk Transportation event on January 28 at 11:30 a.m. focused on creating a safe biking and walking transportation network.

The NJTPA will also be conducting pop-up outreach at events throughout the region this spring. To share your ideas, interests, and concerns about the future of transportation in northern and central New Jersey, please take the NJTPA’s brief survey and sign up for virtual events at the Connecting Communities website: njtpa.org/connecting.

The NJTPA is the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for 13 northern New Jersey counties. Under federal legislation, MPOs provide a forum where local officials, public transportation providers and state agency representatives can come together and cooperatively plan to meet the region’s current and future transportation needs. It establishes the region’s eligibility to receive federal tax dollars for transportation projects. The NJTPA Board consists of one local elected official from each of the 13 counties in the region (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren), and the cities of Newark and Jersey City. The Board also includes a Governor’s Representative, the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, the Executive Director of NJ Transit, the Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and a Citizen’s Representative appointed by the Governor.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that the 2024 Teen Arts Touring Exhibit is currently on view at the Plainfield Public Library located at located at 800 Park Avenue.

This year’s exhibit is a selection of 21 works selected from the 2024 Union County Teen Arts Festival, an annual two-day event celebrating creativity in the literary, performing and visual arts held at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside.

“Union County is proud to showcase the incredible talents of our young artists through the Teen Arts Touring Exhibit,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “As a former educator, I have always believed in the power of the arts in education. This program not only highlights the creativity of our students, but also brings communities together to celebrate the arts. I encourage everyone to visit the Plainfield Public Library and experience the works on display.”

The Union County Teen Arts Touring Exhibit, now on display at its final stop the Plainfield Public Library, has made its way across the County, inspiring audiences at each destination. Visitors can enjoy the exhibit in Plainfield through March 7, 2025. Admission is free and open to the public. The 2024 Teen Arts Tour includes the following exhibiting students:

Berkeley Heights

Governor Livingston High School
Sophia Castrovinci

Cranford

Cranford High School
Madison Cardona

Lincoln School CAP Program
Anthony Scherer

Elizabeth

Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy
Valentina Ocampo

Elizabeth High School at Frank J. Cicarell Academy
Angelina Correia

JVJ STEM Academy
Andy Medina

J. Christian Bollwage Finance Academy
Maria Galarza

John E. Dwyer Technology Academy
David Mateo Garavito Ariea

Thomas Edison Career & Technical Academy
Halley Lowe Cabreja and Vanessa Ponce

Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy
Keziah Hanson

Kenilworth

David Brearley High School
Laura Limon

Linden

Linden High School
Lenara Osborn

New Providence

New Providence High School
Ava Cominsky

Plainfield

Plainfield Academy of Arts
Emanuel Perry

Roselle

Abraham Clark High School
Trinity Moore and Carla Torres

Roselle Park

Roselle Park High School
Anna da Silva and Emma Lantiqua

Scotch Plains

Union County Academy of the Performing Arts
Maria Thomas

Union County Vo-Tech High School
Anthony Granados

The Union County Teen Arts Festival & Touring Exhibit is coordinated each year by the Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs and the Department of Parks & Recreation. For more information about all Cultural & Heritage Affairs programs and services, please contact the Office at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202; telephone (908) 558-2550; or e-mail: culturalinfo@ucnj.org. NJ relay users dial 711.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to present a collection of artworks by students from Inroads to Opportunities in an exhibit at the Commissioners Gallery, located on the 6th floor of the Union County Administration Building at 10 Elizabethtown Plaza. Gallery hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm, weekdays. The exhibit will be displayed through February 3, 2025.

“The Inroads to Opportunities art program exemplifies the profound impact that art can have in fostering creativity, confidence, and inclusion,” said Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes Leon. “It is truly inspiring to see the dedication and talent of these artists, and we are thrilled to share their work with the public through this exhibit.”

This art program is made possible by a HEART Grant (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) from the Union County Board of County Commissioners. HEART grants serve as a way to strengthen Union County’s non-profit organizations, artists and scholars, so they can provide innovative projects related to the arts, humanities, and history.

Inroads to Opportunities, a not-for-profit organization, provides an environment where individuals with disabilities can develop and become productive and employable. Making works of art provides a therapeutic and creative outlet for the participants. The artists share their inner talents using a wide range of media, such as acrylic, watercolor, crayon, pastel, pen, and pencil. The center started this art program in 2003 and continues to achieve great success.

“Union County is a community built on the strength of its people, and this exhibit exemplifies the incredible talents that make our county unique,” said Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, Liaison to the Cultural & Heritage Advisory Board. “Through the HEART Grant program, we are proud to support initiatives that empower individuals and create opportunities for all to express themselves through art.”

The Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, part of the Department of Parks and Recreation, coordinates the exhibits displayed at the Commissioners Gallery.

For more information about this exhibit or other arts and history programs in Union County, please contact the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. You can reach them by phone at 908-558-2550, via NJ Relay at 711, or by email at culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that the Board of Education of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District Special Election will take place on Tuesday, January 28th. All vote-by-mail ballots will be sent out today, January 7th, and residents who requested them can expect to receive a large yellow envelope containing their ballot in the mail later this week.

Vote-by-mail ballots will also be available starting tomorrow at the Union County Clerk’s Westfield Office, located at 300 North Avenue East in the Colleen Fraser Building.

“The special election is an important opportunity for residents to make their voices heard on local funding issues,” said Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi. “I encourage all voters to watch for their vote-by-mail envelopes and take the necessary steps to ensure their voices are heard.”

The ballot will include a spending proposal to raise additional funds for administration, staffing, nursing, security, custodial services, operational costs, various services, supplies, and related equipment. For more information about voting in Union County elections, visit www.unioncountyvotes.com or call 908-527-4996.