Category: Public Info

Update – NJ Transit Raritan Valley Line service has since resumed normal operations

At or around 2:25 p.m. today, two separate derailments occurred involving a CSX/Conrail freight train headed from Philadelphia to New York City. There were no injuries or known chemical spills, but a substantial amount of track between the Union Train station and Galloping Hill road was damaged, suspending train service on both directions on the Raritan Valley Branch of NJ Transit. Train service could be out  indefinitely.  Union County OEM, Police, Public Safety and other state and municipal agencies have responded. Cleanup crews will be on hand shortly to assess and begin cleanup. The train contained some scrap materials and empty tankers.

Union County, NJ – The last Saturday Trail Work Day of 2017 was a success as 26 volunteers stepped out into the cold to install steps in three newly re-routed sections of the Orange Trail in Union County’s Watchung Reservation. The steps will help visitors get a close-up view of unique geological features including an ancient lava flow and glacial erratics, the non-native rocks left behind following the retreat of the Wisconsin Glacier. The volunteers also pruned back vegetation that was encroaching into the trail bed, and closed down old trail sections that are no longer in use.

Saturday Trail Work Days take place on the first Saturday of every month except January and February. The program will resume on March 3.

Any individual or group is welcome to join Saturday Trail Work Days and other volunteer activities in Union County Parks. For more information, call 908-789-3683 or visit Adopt-a-Trail/Adopt-a-Park online at ucnj.org/parks.

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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 would like veterans to know they may be eligible for an exemption on their income taxes this year.

Military veterans honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active duty by the last day of the tax year are eligible for a $3,000 exemption on their Income Tax return.

Spouses and civil union partners are also eligible for the exemption if they were honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances and are filing a joint return.

“On behalf of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, I would like to pass along the Board’s appreciation and thanks to veterans and their service to our country and all they continue to do in our county,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “I encourage all veterans who qualify for the exemption to obtain the necessary documentation so they can claim it on their returns.”

Veterans seeking to claim the Income Tax exemption must fill in the oval or check the box when completing the returns in order to indicate they will claim the exemption. If it is the first time claiming the exemption, veterans must also submit a DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, with the return.

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi also encouraged veterans to learn more about the new exemption.

“Veterans who need a copy of their DD-214 can visit my office, and my staff will assist in obtaining one,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “There is no charge for this service, and proof of a DD-214 is needed to claim the exemption.”

As part of the effort to assist veterans in Union County, the Freeholder Board created UC-HERO, an initiative of Chairman Bergen for 2016 and 2017. This initiative has assisted veterans with healthcare, recreation, social activities, job opportunities and training, legislative advocacy, and sponsorship of different programs that veterans can utilize throughout the year.

The UC Hero website has all the information a veteran living in Union County would need, including information on home loans, registration, discounts, education, health services and clinics and various loans and forms.

For more information on UC-HERO, please visit ucnj.org/UCHERO or call Janna Williams at 908-527-4918.

For more information on the new Income Tax exemption for veterans, visit state.nj.us/treasury.

Information on all Union County Clerk services, including free honorable discharge identification cards for eligible military veterans, is available at ucnj.org/county-clerk.

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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 Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds eligible military veterans that her office provides free veterans discharge identification cards that can be used to obtain discounts at participating restaurants and other businesses.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently began providing a similar card, but an overload put a temporary halt to the online application process earlier this week.

“My office has a longstanding practice of issuing ID cards to eligible veterans and we will continue to offer the cards free of charge,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

The County Clerk’s ID card, proving honorable discharge documents were duly recorded in the County Clerk’s office, enables veterans to show proof of honorable discharge in a convenient, wallet-sized form.

“The card makes it easier for veterans to participate in discount programs, without having to carry a DD-214 on their person,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

Veterans can call 908-659-7403 for information on obtaining a free military honorable discharge identification card through the Union County Clerk.

Veterans who wish to apply online for a Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans ID Card can visit the “Apply for Printed Veteran ID Card” link at vets.gov. If the site is still down, veterans can leave their email address for an update.

Ms. Rajoppi also reminded veterans to check their eligibility for a new state income tax exemption of $3,000 that went into force in New Jersey this year.

Additional County Clerk services for veterans includes assistance with obtaining a copy of their Honorable Discharge form DD-214 free of charge, the issuance Veterans Peddlers Licenses free of charge to Union County residents, and an online directory of discounts for goods and services offered to veterans by local businesses.

The directory is available at ucnj.org/county-clerk/veteran-discounts.

“Businesses interested in participating are welcome to visit the Veterans Discount Directory and provide their information in a brief online form,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

For quick links to additional services and programs of interest to veterans in Union County visit ucnj.org/uc-hero.

Information on all Union County Clerk services is available at ucnj.org/county-clerk.

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Visit the County Clerk’s new elections website, unioncountyvotes.com.

Connect with Union County on social media.

ELIZABETH – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the County Manager invite you to the annual “Christmas Carol Sing-a-long Around the Rotunda Christmas Tree” on Friday, December 22nd, at 11:00 a.m.

The event will be held in the rotunda of the Union County Courthouse building, 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ.

Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen is the master of ceremonies. The event includes caroling, musical entertainment, and a visit from Santa.

Ms. Carol Guevarez of Linden donated this year’s Christmas tree, a 40ft. tall blue spruce. She and her family planted the tree in honor of her late father who passed away in 1990.

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Union County Freeholder Christopher Hudak moderated a Knock Out Opioid Abuse Town Hall hosted by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey at Kean University in Union. The panelists included Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan and Union County Acting Prosecutor Thomas Isenhour. For more information visit, knockoutopioidabuse.drugfreenj.org. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

If you know of an individual, organization, or business that stands out for helping others, the Union County Human Relations Commission would like to know about them.

The Commission is seeking nominations for its prestigious 2018 Unity Achievement Awards, which honor volunteerism and public service in all of its forms. Award nominees must live, work, or attend school in Union County. 

“We want to hear about the people you know who dedicate their time and effort to do wonderful things that not only enhance others’ experiences and quality of life, but raise and honor the human spirit,” Commission Co-Chair Nora Mislan said. “Those who are nominated for these Awards are regular people who do extraordinary things. Their efforts improve the lives of others, and by doing so, they truly make a difference in our world.”

“These Awards recognize programs, services, activities, and efforts being put forth by local role models who promote cultural diversity, strong community relations, and human rights,” Mislan added. 

Past Unity Achievement Award recipients have included corporations, business organizations, community organizations, nonprofit organizations, individuals, law-enforcement representatives, public servants, clergy, faith-based organizations, members of the media, students, educators, and veterans. The 2017 Awards will mark the 16th annual year in which honorees have been named.

The Commission’s 2017 Awards honored grief counselors, an eighth-grade student, a high-school senior, a retired police lieutenant, volunteers who assist foster children, three mothers, two veterans, and our neighbors who volunteer their time. Their efforts included helping children cope with loss, providing meals to seniors, making available child-to-child encouragement for children combatting cancer, increasing youth understanding of autism to encourage acceptance and friendship, and more.

A listing of all of the previous Unity Achievement Award recipients in all categories can be found on the county website, ucnj.org.

The commissioners who volunteer their time and energy to serve on the Union County Human Relations Commission unequivocally agree that the best way to strive to accomplish their mission — to actively encourage, develop, promote, and strengthen respect for human rights and cultural diversity among the people of Union County — is to publicly honor those who already do it well. 

Nominations for the 2018 Awards are being accepted now, and they must be received no later than Wednesday, December 27, 2017.

The nomination form is available online at www.ucnj.org/uchrc. You can also request the form by calling Commissioner Karen Positan at 908-889-9028 or emailing her at kpositan@ucnj.org.

Union County Freeholder Mohamed S. Jalloh welcomes Thomas Jefferson (Steven Edenbo) and Alexander Hamilton (Eben Kuhns) to the Union County Preforming Arts Center in Rahway where the actors performed “Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton: Conflict and the Constitution.”

The show, sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, was designed for middle school students and features a one hour meeting and debate between two of the most controversial founding fathers. Hundreds of students from schools throughout Union County will see the show.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholder Angel G. Estrada visit the Veterans Memorial Grove in Rahway River Park which is being refurbished. Missing trees are being replaced and the area around the memorial marker is being refurbished in the historic tree grove. They were joined by Union County Deputy Manager Amy Wagner, Union County Parks and Recreation Director Ron Zuber and Janna Williams of the Union County Office of Veterans Affairs. The project is part of Chairman Bergen’s UCHERO initiative. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

This morning, the blue spruce tree, donated by Miss Carol Guevarez of Linden, arrived at the Union County Courthouse Rotunda just in time for the Holiday season. The public is invited to view the tree, which will be on display until about the second week of January.                                                  

The tree will be the centerpiece of the annual “Christmas Carol Sing-along around the Rotunda Christmas Tree” on Friday, December 22nd. Hosted by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the sing-along features a visit from Santa Claus. All are invited to participate and share in the joy of the holiday season. The Union County Courthouse is located at 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth. (Photo by County of Union)