Union County Freeholders Angela R. Garretson and Alexander Mirabella attended the Union County College Black History Month Celebration with Assemblyman Jamel Holley and Union County College President Margaret McMenamin at the college’s campus in Cranford. They were joined by the keynote speaker Candy Lewis, Student Government Association President Brian Burger, Vice President for Student Development Dr. Demond Hargrove, Executive Assistant to the VP for Student Development Zulema Cheek and Student Life Specialist Auraine Scott. Mrs. Lewis is the National Sales Director for the Ruby Unit at Mary Kay Inc. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Linda Carter, Bruce H. Bergen, Angel G. Estrada and Alexander Mirabella unveil banners in the lobby of the Union County Administration Building in Elizabeth announcing Friday, February 2, 2018 as the 15th Annual National Wear Red Day for Woman. They were joined by Union County Deputy County Manager Amy Wagner, Union County Department of Human Services Director Debbie-Ann Anderson and Office of the County Manager Office Manager Sharda Badri.
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders supports the American Heart Association’s Go Red campaign to promote women’s cardiovascular health awareness and encourages all residents to wear red on February. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Angel G. Estrada joined Nathalie Hernandez, Coordinator of the Union County Office of Community Engagement & Diversity, and Jen Erdos of the Union County Office on Women in delivering donations to YWCA Eastern Union County Executive Director Janice C. Lilien and YWCA Director of Development and Marketing Jennifer M. Vriens at the YWCA Union County Domestic Violence Shelter in Elizabeth.
Four large boxes of items for women and children were collected at Union County office buildings in January during the Union County Women’s Donation Drive that was coordinated by the Office of Community Engagement & Diversity with the Office on Women to benefit the domestic violence shelter
Update: Please note, the meeting originally scheduled for February 10 has been postponed. A new date will be announced shortly.
MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ—The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation will host an annual meeting for new and seasoned Trail Stewards at Trailside Nature & Science Center on _____________.
“Throughout the years Trail Stewards have volunteered many hours to ensure that our trails are kept safe and accessible to trail users,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “We appreciate all the help that has been provided in the past, and look forward to welcoming new stewards to the program”.
Being part of the Adopt-A-Trail program allows trail users to ‘give back’ to the trails they use throughout the year by helping to keep drainage ditches clear of debris, trails free of litter, branches and fallen trees and water diverted off trails to prevent erosion and many other tasks.
New trail stewards will be given basic instruction on how to monitor and maintain a section of trail in the Union County Park System, including the Watchung Reservation, Passaic River Park in Berkeley Heights and Summit, Lenape Park in Cranford, Ash Brook Reservation in Scotch Plains and various other locations.
All stewards are required to attend an annual meeting, must commit to monitoring and maintaining their trail for a minimum of two years and submit quarterly reports through the year.
Registration for the meeting on February 10th is required. To register you can email Betty Anne Kelly at bkelly@ucnj.org or call 908-789-3683.
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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.
Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Union County Deputy County Manager Amy Wagner thank members of the New Jersey Youth Corps and Groundwork Elizabeth for the gift of “Kindness Rocks!,” painted rocks featuring upbeat sayings that are on display in the atrium of the Union County Administration Building in Elizabeth.
Award ceremony features concert style performance of famed American opera, Porgy and Bess
Union County, NJ – On Saturday, February 10, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will recognize lifelong Elizabeth resident Kim Nesbitt Good with the annual Chester Holmes Humanitarian Award during a Black History Month celebration at the historic Union County Performing Arts Center, 1601 Irving Street in Rahway. The award was created by the Freeholder Board in honor of the late former Freeholder Chester Holmes.
The event begins at 8:00 p.m. and features a free concert-style performance of the iconic American opera Porgy and Bess, by composer George Gershwin with a libretto written by author DuBose Heyward and lyricist Ira Gershwin, presented by the Freeholder Board and the City of Rahway with support from SUEZ and Covanta Energy.
“Ms. Nesbitt Good represents Union County at its best and brightest,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Her persistent fight for justice and equality motivates us all to keep working to make our Union County community stronger every day. Kim is a great friend, and she is someone who is widely admired for her advocacy work. She is a powerful voice for all, fostering good will throughout the community and reminding of us of the importance of giving back.”
“Ms. Nesbitt Good has touched thousands of lives here in Union County and beyond, with an unflagging determination to help others reach their full potential,” said Freeholder Mohamed Jalloh, who is the Freeholder Liaison to the Performing Arts Center. “She is an inspiration and role model for us all.”
“Chester Holmes was legendary for his actions on behalf of the community and I know he would be very proud of Ms. Nesbitt Good, who pursues her goals with outstanding passion and energy,” said Freeholder Linda Carter, who is the Freeholder liaison to the Advisory Board on the Status of Minorities.
“Ms. Nesbitt Good is a phenomenal public servant and business leader who understands our community can rise together, when we turn our attention to teaching, guiding and leading,” said Freeholder Angela Garretson. “She is truly visionary and unites so many, and it is truly an honor to recognize her with the Chester Holmes Award.”
Kim Nesbitt Good is the proprietor of the Nesbitt Funeral Home in Elizabeth with her husband of 39 years, Ted. They are the proud parents of two children, Lawrence and Leah.
With a long list of awards and advanced degrees to her name, Ms. Nesbitt Good is listed in Who’s Who among Americans, Who’s Who Among African American Funeral Directors and Who’s Who Among Entrepreneurs.
Ms. Nesbitt Good’s insistence on the highest standards in her profession is matched by her unstinting efforts on behalf of the African American community in and around Union County. She has been honored by scores of local, state, federal and national organizations, highlighted by receiving the Presidential Pin from President Barack Obama in recognition of her extraordinary service to others.
Ms. Nesbitt Good is the co-founder of “Friends,” an organization of Black Women committed to uplifting the Black Community, and the founder of Friends of the New Jersey Legacy Foundation, whose mission is to acknowledge the legacy of African Americans in New Jersey. Under the leadership of President Obama and Mr. Thabiti Boone, Ms. Nesbitt Good was the founder of the Union County New Jersey Fatherhood Initiative Foundation which aims to promote responsible fatherhood and healthy relationships.
With the late Congressman Donald M. Payne Sr., and Senator Raymond Lesniak, Ms. Nesbitt Good lead the effort to establish the only monument in the United States memorializing earthquake victims in Haiti, located at Rosehill Cemetery in Linden.
She has hosted the largest Juneteenth Celebration in the State of New Jersey with relatives of Harriett Tubman, the Black Cowboys and Elected officials throughout the state along with Mr. Roland Martin. A strong believer in Jesus Christ, Ms. Nesbitt Good is a member of the Shiloh Baptist Church in Elizabeth.
Porgy and Bess has been recognized as one of the most important American musical works of the last century. The show began its journey to the Broadway stage in 1936 featuring an all-African American cast of classically trained singers, a casting choice that was considered revolutionary in its time.
This concert style presentation of Porgy and Bess is musically directed by Khy Garner and features a full orchestra pit conducted by Bruce De La Cruz.
Admission is free but tickets are required to guarantee seating. For more information and to reserve tickets, visit ucpac.org/events. The Box Office can be reached via email at boxoffice@ucpac.org or phone at 732-499-8226.
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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.
Union County, NJ – Union County residents and visitors are invited to enjoy two free educational programs at the Trailside Nature and Science Center, a talk on African-American history in February focusing on Union County, and a “photographic tour” of outer space in March.
“Trailside is a wonderful public resource that inspires us to explore the hidden corners of our world – here on Earth and beyond the stars, too,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “It’s a real pleasure to offer these unique and exciting programs for all to enjoy, free of charge.”
On Friday, February 16, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. John Prescott, History Programs Coordinator of the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, will trace the history of African-Americans going back to the Revolutionary War, in recognition and celebration of African American contributions to the Union County community.
On Saturday March 24, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. NASA Solar System Ambassador Paul Cirillo will present a breathtaking photographic tour of the planets, asteroids and comets in our Solar System.
The talk will also highlight the current and future space missions being planned by NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
For more information about all programs, classes and activities at Trailside call 908-789-3670 or visit ucnj.org/trailside.
The Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. Trailside is free and open to the public seven days a week, except for holidays.
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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.
Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados meets with members of Make the Road New Jersey (l. to r.) Lauren Herman, Sara Mora, Nedia Morsy and Sara Cullinane, the director of Make the Road New Jersey.
Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, County administrators met today with representatives from the Union County WE ARE ONE NEW JERSEY immigration center and members of Make the Road New Jersey to discuss immigration issues concerning the greater Union County community.
“Now more than ever, with the onslaught of anti-immigration policies being put forth by the Trump administration, we need to ensure that we are well-versed on the impact these actions are having on immigrants, and what we can do to address these issues,” said Granados. “This Freeholder Board is proactively working with non-profit groups such as Make the Road New Jersey to provide solutions to our community’s concerns.”
“I would like to thank Make the Road New Jersey for this meeting. Based on the discussions that occurred today, I will work with my colleagues on the Freeholder Board to set forward additional policies that show our immigrant community that we consider Union County a safe place for all and not to fear any interactions with County government for services,” said Granados.
Some of the topics included in the discussion involving the immigrant community were access to services, protecting the privacy of all residents, ICE, Dreamers (DACA), and deportation (not using tax dollars to separate families.)
Sara Cullinane, Esq., who is the Director of Make the Road New Jersey, said:
“I thank Chairman Granados for organizing this very productive meeting. As ICE ramps up attacks on our communities, we look forward to partnering with the Freeholder Board to establish policies that ensure Union County is a fair and welcoming place for all residents, regardless of immigration status. Our county resources must be used to promote our health, education and public safety, not to separate families.”
Make the Road New Jersey (MRNJ), based in Elizabeth, seeks to build the power of immigrant and working class families to achieve dignity and respect through community organizing, high-quality legal and support services, and transformative education.
In addition to Granados and Cullinane, others in attendance included: County Manager Alfred Faella, Deputy County Manager Amy Wagner, incoming County Manager Ed Oatman, Elizabeth Montes of the WE ARE ONE NEW JERSEY immigration center, Brandon Givens, Director of Community Development in the Department of Economic Development, Human Services Director Debbie-Ann Anderson, Corrections Department Director Ron Charles, Lauren Herman, Sara Mora and Nedia Morsy of Make the Road New Jersey.
Also involved in discussions was Mora, a resident of Hillside and Make the Road New Jersey organizer whose family immigrated from Costa Rica when she was three, received DACA status when she turned 16, allowing her to get her driver’s license. Her immigration status made her ineligible for state and federal financial. Despite this, because of DACA, she was able to get a work permit and worked to put herself through Union County College. Mora was recently honored by the Freeholder Board for leading the Pledge of Allegiance at Governor Phil Murphy’s Swearing-In Ceremony in Trenton earlier this month.
Nedia Morsy, an organizer with Make the Road New Jersey originally from Hillside, spoke on behalf of students:
“This was a good opportunity to speak with some of our representatives in government who are decision makers,” said Morsy, noting that a large percentage of students throughout Union County are immigrants. “The timing could not be any more appropriate with the State of the Union coming up, and students living in fear of being deported.”
The Union County Freeholder Board has blazed a trail in supporting immigrant rights during the past several years, including the creation in 2015 of the Union County WE ARE ONE New Jersey immigration and naturalization center, which is sponsored through the Union County Freeholder Board.
In 2014, Union County also became the first New Jersey county to formally adopt a policy declining to hold individuals in its jail based on requests issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without sufficient legal proof. The County Freeholders have sponsored various measures supporting immigrant rights, including most recently this month, a resolution in support of the DREAM act, and Chairman Granados, who is of Salvadoran descent, issuing a statement condemning the Trump Administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nearly 200,000 Salvadorans.
Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to welcome the president and CEO of JAG Physical Therapy, John Gallucci, Jr. as the featured speaker in a special edition of the Union County Means Business networking breakfast series titled “Are You –ABLE?” on Wednesday, February 21, 8:00 a.m. at the Kean University STEM building, 1075 Morris Avenue in Union.
“With his considerable experience and keen insights, Mr. Gallucci has much to offer business owners who are seeking ways to sharpen their focus, burnish their skills and realize their full potential,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “If you own or manage a business in Union County, I encourage you to attend this special event and build your network in our community.”
Mr. Gallucci, MS, ATC, PT, DPT, is known throughout the area as a frequent guest on radio and television, including ESPN’s award-winning “Outside the Lines,” NJ News 12, WFAN, PIX 11, Fox 5 News and MSG Varsity.
Among his numerous credits as a medical practitioner, businessman, speaker and author, Mr. Gallucci was recently honored as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist and has been featured as one of the “20 People to Watch in Health” by 201 Magazine. JAG Physical Therapy has been named a Future 50 Award Winner by Smart CEO Magazine among many other recognitions.
The former Head Trainer of the New York Red Bulls Major League Soccer team, Mr. Gallucci and is currently the Medical Coordinator for the 600 players of Major League Soccer, and is a Sports Medicine consultant for professional athletes in the NHL, NFL, NBA, and MLB. He has also worked in the Athletic Departments of Columbia University, New York University and Long Island University, and has been a Clinical Instructor at Columbia University, Seton Hall University, Rutgers University, and Dominican College.
Mr. Gallucci’s philanthropic work has included a leading role in fundraisers for the Arthritis Foundation and the American Cancer Society among others He supports more than 100 high schools, college programs and athletic clubs throughout the Tri-State Area.
In “Are you –ABLE?” Mr. Gallucci will cover a variety of topics including:
Harness the power of networking: directing without dictating
Millennial mindset
Death by meetings: creating an executable plan
The Union County Means Business networking series began as an initiative of Freeholder Alexander Mirabella in 2012, helping local entrepreneurs regain their footing after the global financial crash of 2008.
“The Freeholder Board has continued to support Union County Means Business every year since then, and each year we offer new programs to help our local businesses connect with new opportunities,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “We are always looking at new and innovative ways to make sure our residents, including our local businesses, are well informed and up to date with strategies to help them succeed.”
The registration fee for “Are you –ABLE?” is $10.00 and includes breakfast. Advance registration online is required by visiting ucnj.org/union-county-means-business.
For more information about Union County Means Business visit ucnj.org/ucmb or contact Deana Mesaros at 908-659-7412 or dmesaros@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.
Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that eligible students may attend Union County College tuition-free through the Freeholder Scholars Program. The next round of scholarships applies to the 2018-2019 academic year.
“A college education should be available to any qualified student regardless of their family income, and upon graduation they should be able to start their careers without a crushing load of debt,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, who is himself an alumnus of Union County College. “The Freeholder Scholars program has helped make college affordable for a generation of Union County students, and we are looking forward to helping many more students start their college careers at UCC, which provides outstanding educational resources and is one of the top two-year colleges in New Jersey.”
Since 1999, nearly 2,000 students have attended Union County College through the Freeholder Scholars Program.
The Freeholder Scholars Program is funded by the Freeholder Board. To be eligible, students must be Union County residents who have attained a record of academic success in high school. The scholarship covers tuition and fees at Union County College for two years, for students pursuing an associate’s degree.
Eligibility requirements include:
Full time enrollment status at Union County College (12 credits or more per semester)
A minimum of 3.0 (or B average) achieved in high school
Union County resident (per existing Union County College residency policy)
Annual family income of $75,000 or less
Students applying for the Freeholder Scholars Program must file for federal and state financial aid. Those who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are automatically considered for the Freeholder Scholarship Program. The Freeholder Scholarship will cover the difference between full-time (12 credit hours) Union County College tuition and fees and the grant and scholarship assistance received.
Continuing students who maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA at Union County College and earn a minimum of 12 non-remedial credits per semester are eligible to receive the scholarship for four consecutive Fall/Spring semesters.
For more information about the Freeholder Scholarship, contact Brian Birch, Associate Director of Financial Aid at Union County College, 908-965-2342.
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Photo Caption: In 2016 Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, Freeholders Christopher Hudak and Angel G. Estrada, and recently retired Freeholder Vernell Wright joined Union County College President Dr. Margaret McMenamin, Union County College Board of Trustees Chair Victor Richel and Union County College Foundation Chair Jeffrey Katz last year to congratulate some of the Union County College students who received Freeholders Scholarships that year. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
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.
Union County, NJ – Union County residents and visitors are invited to enjoy two free educational programs at the Trailside Nature and Science Center, a talk on African-American history in February focusing on Union County, and a “photographic tour” of outer space in March.
Laboratory.
Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to welcome the president and CEO of JAG Physical Therapy, John Gallucci, Jr. as the featured speaker in a special edition of the Union County Means Business networking breakfast series titled “Are You –ABLE?” on Wednesday, February 21, 8:00 a.m. at the Kean University STEM building, 1075 Morris Avenue in Union.
Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that eligible students may attend Union County College tuition-free through the Freeholder Scholars Program. The next round of scholarships applies to the 2018-2019 academic year.