Category: Public Info

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski welcomed Boxed co-founder and CEO Chieh Huang to a Union County Means Business Lunch & Learn event in Mountainside. Mr. Huang, one of the country’s top entrepreneurs, was the guest speaker offering insights about Boxed, an app-driven, online national bulk retail company. Business owners and managers from Union County attended the session, sponsored through the Freeholder Board’s Union County Means Business initiative in support of local businesses. For more information about Union County Means Business visit ucnj.org/ucmb or contact Deana Mesaros at 908-659-7412 or dmesaros@ucnj.org. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders proudly recognizes Wednesday, October 11 as National Coming Out Day in support of safe spaces for the LGBTQ community and allies.

The County of Union celebrates the strength of our diversity and supports equality for all people. County employees showed their support for LGBTQ allies and individuals.

Imaginative Acrobatic Fun for the Whole Family

Union County – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to bring a sensory-friendly performance featuring the visually stunning acrobatics of GALUMPHA to the stage at the Union County Performing Arts Center on Sunday, October 29 at 2:00 p.m.

All tickets are $8 per person and can be purchased through the Union County Performing Arts Center at ucpac.org or by calling the Box Office at 732-499-8226.

“Union County’s series of sensory-friendly music, theater, and dance performances are specially adapted to help reduce disturbances and increase access for children and adults of all abilities,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Freeholder Board is proud to partner with DCA Productions to bring the imaginative and exciting artistry of Galumpha as a sensory-friendly performance to the community.”

Galumpha combines stunning acrobatics, striking visual effects, physical comedy, and inventive choreography to bring to life a world of imagination and beauty; a sensory feast of images, consistently bringing audiences to their feet.

For each of the performances in Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series the theatre environment at the Union County Performing Arts Center is adjusted to provide a sensory-friendly, comfortable and judgment-free space that is welcoming for all families.

Save the dates – mark your calendar for additional upcoming Sensory-Friendly Theatre series performances sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. On Sunday, November 19 bring the entire family to experience the beloved classic Nutcracker performed by American Repertory Ballet. Then, on Sunday, January 21 Champions of Magic take the stage for a spectacular evening of mystery and magic.

Autism Friendly Spaces implements the supportive atmosphere at each of the sensory-friendly performances. For more information on what to expect at a Sensory Friendly Theatre performance visit ucpac.org/sensory-friendly-theatre.

For more information or to purchase tickets call the Union County Performing Arts Center, 732-499-8226 or visit ucpac.org. The UCPAC Box Office, located at 1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM and is also open late on Thursdays until 8:00 PM.

For information on additional Union County recreational programs for people with disabilities age five and up, call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4781 or visit 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.

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Photo Caption: Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series brings a sensory friendly performance featuring the visually stunning acrobatics of GALUMPHA to the stage at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway on Sunday, October 29 at 2:00 p.m.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Vernell Wright, Bette Jane Kowalski, Alexander Mirabella and Angel G. Estrada joined Union County College President Dr. Margaret McMenamin, Union County College Board of Trustees Chairman Victor Richel and members of the Union County College community in cutting the ribbon officially opening the Veterans Center at the Union County College campus in Cranford. The service center for military veteran students is part of Chairman Bergen’s UC HERO initiative. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Freeholder Board today held a groundbreaking for the new $8.9 million Ash Brook Golf Course Clubhouse that is anticipated to open in September, 2018.

Once constructed, the new 21,000 square foot building will house a full-service restaurant (with terrace) with capacity for 120 people, a full retail pro shop, administrative offices and public restrooms, underground cart barn for a new electric fleet of 90 carts, and a full service turn stand.

“These improvements continue to solidify Union County’s reputation as a state leader in this sport and the home of public golf,” said Freeholder Bruce Bergen. “Our courses are known for their playability, customer service and top-notch amenities, comparable to private courses.”

Freeholder Alexander Mirabella added: “Over the past seven years, the County completely transformed what was once a decaying, money-losing golf operation into state-of-the-art facilities that have become a profit center. Our Galloping Hill Golf Course (in Kenilworth) has become one of the state’s leading public golf courses, and now Ash Brook will take its place beside it.”

In recent years, the County completed a golf course renovation project at Ash Brook with famed architect Rees Jones.  The scope of work included updating course drainage, tree work and bunkers, which were renovated and rebuilt to industry standards.  The end result is a golf course that is amenable for golfers of all skill levels.

Ash Brook Golf Course features 7,040 yards of golf from the longest  tees for a par of 72. The course was designed by Alfred Tull and opened in 1953. Ash Brook is a parkland style golf course with tree lined fairways and large greens. Ash Brook has four sets of tees to accommodate golfers of all skill levels.

In addition to the 18-hole facility, Ash Brook offers a Pitch & Putt course for players of all ages that has proven to be a family favorite in the community. The Pitch & Putt course features 673 yards of golf for a par of 27.

In January 2010, KemperSports began managing Ash Brook Golf Course as part of the Union County Golf Properties. KemperSports is recognized as a leader in the golf course management industry and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the facility.

For more information on Ash Brook Golf Course, please go to www.ashbrookgolfcourse.com/

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders celebrated the ninth annual Union County—UNICO District X Columbus Day Flag raising event at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth.

The program, which was emceed by Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, featured speakers from UNICO and County government along with Catiana Celentano, founder and owner of the Let’s Play in Italian Language and Cultural Center in Scotch Plains, and Nick Netta, of Netta Architects in Mountainside.

Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen, Freeholders Alexander Mirabella, Bette Jane Kowalski, Vernell Wright, Angel Estrada and County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi were in attendance.

Union County, NJ – Union County Surrogate James S. LaCorte has provided Union County residents with the following alert on bank policy impacting the orderly processing of estates:

As some of you may know the Surrogate’s Office is responsible for assisting residents in the orderly process of estates after the death of a Union County Resident.   As Surrogate of Union County, one of my obligations is to alert residents of potential problems with the processing of residents estates.  

Recent events concerning Bank of America, Chase and Wells Fargo Banks compel me to warn residents that their loved ones may confront severe problems when they attempt to manage their deceased loved ones assets at the time of their death.  Chase Bank has displayed in the recent past a refusal to follow New Jersey Law and instead follow their own bank instituted policy which adds expense and delay to the orderly processing of the decedents estates.  Bank of America and Wells Fargo have acted in a similar manner on many occasions.

I am therefore advising Union County Residents that commencing or continuing a banker-customer relationship with Bank of America, Chase and Wells Fargo Banks may cause several unforeseen impediments with the timely processing of your estate after your death or the death of a loved one. 

Please remember this alert when deciding to commence or continue a financial relationship with Bank of America, Chase Bank or Wells Fargo Bank. 

The Surrogate’s Office is established under Constitution of the State of New Jersey. The Surrogate is responsible for assisting residents in the orderly process of estates after the death of a Union County resident, and is obligated is to alert residents of potential problems with the processing of estates.  

For information on the programs and services of the Surrogate’s Office, visit online at ucnj.org/surrogate or call 908-527-4280.

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, NJ — Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds Union County residents who are not registered to vote that they have until Tuesday, October 17 to register in time for the upcoming General Election and School Board Election on November 7.

“Voters who would like to request a registration form can call my office or visit us during our regular business hours, and my staff will be happy to provide assistance with any question or concern,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

Voters also can request a registration form through the County Clerk’s elections website, unioncountyvotes.com, or through the free Union County Votes mobile app.

Voters can call the Union County Board of Elections at 908-527-4123 to request a registration form or to get assistance with any other question about voting. Each municipal clerk’s office also has voter registration forms available.

To register, a voter must be a citizen of the United States and at least 18 years old by Election Day, not serving a sentence, probation, or parole because of a felony conviction, and a resident of New Jersey and Union County for at least 30 days.

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

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Union County, NJ – Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella greeted students at the Brunner School in Scotch Plains on Wednesday to help celebrate Walk to School Day.

“Walk to School Day is all about building healthy habits that last a lifetime, and it’s wonderful to see how the students enjoy sharing this positive message with their teachers, peers and parents,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella.

Union County supports walking and hiking through its system of 36 parks, including miles of rustic trails and paved paths. The County also offers guided nature hikes and bird-watching events as regular features in its public recreation programming.

“The Freeholder Board also supports national trail programs that encourage exploring our urban neighborhoods on foot or by bicycle,  including the Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail and the East Coast Greenway,” said Mirabella.

For more information about Union County’s trails, paths, greenways and hiking activities visit the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation online, ucnj.org/parks-recreation.

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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.

Scotch Plains, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that the next mobile paper-shredding event for personal documents will take place on Saturday, October 7 in Scotch Plains. The events are free for all Union County residents.

“Union County’s free document shredding service helps residents fight identity theft, by providing a secure, convenient way to dispose of sensitive documents,” says Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen. “This program also complements our other green initiatives by promoting recycling and environmental conservation.”

The October 7 shredding event will take place at the Union County Vocational Technical School, located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains, rain or shine.

The next shredding will be offered on Thursday, October 12 at Galloping Hill Golf Course, located at 3 Golf Drive in Kenilworth.

Both shredding events will run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Shredding events may end before 1:00 pm if the shredding trucks reach capacity.

All Union County residents are eligible to use the paper-shredding service. Participants should bring their documents in paper bags, and must remove plastic bindings and paper clips. All documents must be dry and unbound.

In an effort to accommodate everyone, there is a limit of four 10-pound bags or boxes per person. Residents should use their municipal recycling program to dispose of magazines, mailers and other non-confidential papers. A list of recycling contacts for all 21 municipalities in Union County is available at ucnj.org/recycle.

The mobile shredding program is funded through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Enhancement Act Grant Funds. For directions to the October shredding events, and for information on all Union County recycling programs, call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit online at ucnj.org/recycle.

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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.