Category: Public Info

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation are pleased to announce the free lectures for adults 18 years and older and high school students, in the fall season at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. 

“Trailside offers engaging and diverse lecture topics at its popular Visitor Center.  The 2,060 acre reservation is a great destination in fall,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.        

On Tuesday, October 17 from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M., The American Historical Theatre offers a compelling theatrical re-enactment, made possible in part by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.  Theodore Roosevelt: American in the Arena recreates the time when President McKinley was assassinated in 1901, and Vice President Theodore Roosevelt bounded into Washington, D. C as the youngest President in history.   His vigorous persona helped catapult the U.S. into the new century.  His accomplishments were plentiful and diverse: War hero to Nobel Peace Prize winner, naturalist to imperialist. 

On Saturday, October 21 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.  NASA Solar Ambassador Paul Cirillo will speak on What’s Next For Human Space Travel.  Cirillo, a popular lecturer at Trailside,   will present a fascinating lecture about the future for human space programs planned in the United States, China and Russia.  The lecture also includes the project of the four U.S. commercial companies, Space X, Boeing, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic.  Space tourism, space stations, moon bases and a journey to Mars are the inspiring and thrilling topics discussed.  Learn about these exciting projects and others as we prepare for these upcoming new voyages.

For more information about these programs or other activities at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside.    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.

Union County Freeholders Alexander Mirabella, Angel G. Estrada, Vernell Wright, Bette Jane Kowalski and Christopher Hudak present former US Ambassador to Uruguay Julissa Reynoso and Union County College Vice President for Student Development Demond Hargrove with a resolution in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month during a Union County National Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Union County College in Cranford. Ms. Reynoso presented a lecture called “Challenges for a New Leadership,” followed by a Q&A session. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the 26^th annual Women of Excellence awards. The awards program honors women from all walks of life who make outstanding contributions to the quality of life in Union County.

The nomination process is designed to be simple and accessible, providing the whole community with an opportunity to recognize women who represent a wide variety of fields and interests. Individuals, businesses, non-profits and government agencies can submit names for consideration.

“Each passing year brings new challenges, and new opportunities to foster change, growth and progress in Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “If you know a woman who has made a notable difference in your community, I encourage you to submit her name for consideration.”

Women of Excellence nominations are open to all women 21 years or older, who live, work, or volunteer in Union County.

Women can be nominated for their distinguishing contributions in the fields of Arts and Humanities, Business and Entrepreneurial, Community Service, Education, Government, Law, Law Enforcement, Medicine and Health Care, or Women’s Advocacy.

The awardees are guests of honor at the annual Women of Excellence gala awards dinner, held each spring. Each awardee receives an engraved Women of Excellence plaque and a Freeholder Resolution recognizing their impact on the Union County community.

The Women of Excellence awards are sponsored by the Freeholder Board and the Union County Commission on the Status of Women, with the Union County Office on Women.

For more information about submitting a Women of Excellence nomination, or to download a nomination form, visit ucnj.org/women-of-excellence-award.

The Union County Office on Women was established in 2015 as an initiative of Chairman Bergen. Its mission is to help ensure that women connect with services and programs that enable them to reach their full potential at every stage of their lives, and to raise awareness of the many contributions that women make to life in Union County. More information is available online at 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 is seeking to contract a per-diem Forensic Nurse Examiner to perform medical forensic examinations on victims of sexual assault.

As a member of the County’s Sexual Assault Response Team, the Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE) will work closely with law enforcement agents, confidential sexual violence advocates, and emergency room personnel. The FNE also will provide comprehensive and compassionate care to victims of assault.

This position requires dedication, flexibility, the desire to embrace evolving advances in forensics, and the ability to function independently.

Candidates must have an active New Jersey RN license with a minimum of two years of experience, ideally in emergency department nursing or in OB-GYN nursing. Specialized FNE certification is required but may be obtained and reimbursed after commitment.

Please contact Dorothy DiFabio, Union County SART/FNE Coordinator, at 908-558-6948 for further details

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that a fully updated, redesigned version of the popular Union County Votes app is now available as a free download for mobile devices. Union County Votes helps members of the public quickly and easily access important information on voting and elections, while on the go.

“Mobile technology has revolutionized the way people obtain election information, so we re-designed Union County Votes to assist people with an inclusive menu, from registering to vote to filing a candidate’s petition and everything in between,” Ms. Rajoppi said.

The original Union County Votes app was the first mobile app of its kind in New Jersey, launched by Ms. Rajoppi in 2014. Since then it has been downloaded by thousands of users.

“People have become accustomed to getting information and alerts on all sorts of topics when they want it, and where they want it,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “Voting is the bedrock of our democracy, so voters should have the same kind of 24/7, on-the-go instant access to election information. With that in mind, we have updated Union County votes to make it even more user-friendly and accessible.”

The Union County Votes app includes almost two dozen functions, including polling sites, sample ballots, instructional videos, requests for forms, information for military and overseas voters, candidate statements and much more.

“Voters who download Union County Votes  have everything relevant to elections at their fingertips, including important dates, campaign finance information, district maps and information for 17-year-olds who will turn 18 by Election Day,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

Ms. Rajoppi also recently introduced a new, secure website for election information, unioncountyvotes.com.

“The website mirrors the content and format of the Union County Votes app, so online users can transfer seamlessly from one to the other,” said Rajoppi. “And of course, my staff is available to provide information by phone or in print to those who request it.”

To contact the County Clerk’s Elections Division, call 908-527-4996 during regular business hours or email ucvote@ucnj.org.

For more information about all Union County Clerk programs and services, visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787.

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

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County Freeholders Linda Carter, Bette Jane Kowalski and Christopher Hudak congratulate the Foluik family from Cranford, the Chen family from Westfield and the Capasso sisters from Cranford on winning the scarecrow building contest at the 36th Annual Harvest Festival at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

That’s why we ask for anyone interested to participate in this Disaster Relief Supply Drive that will go towards helping those affected areas with a big emphasis on Puerto Rico due to the lack of electricity and resources being provided.

170 New Jobs Available For Union County Residents Through Workforce Innovation Business Center

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the County’s Workforce Innovation Business Center is recruiting qualified Union County residents to fill 170 full and part-time positions at three prospective employers in Union County.

“We made the development of public-private partnerships a priority so we can maximize employment for our County residents,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, who is a liaison to the Workforce Development Board. “We’ve been able to create well over 1,500 new job opportunities over the past year for County residents with prospective employers and we look to forward to continuing to create even more opportunities through our partners in the private sector.”

Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen added:
“The Workforce Innovation Center has been a great success, and I encourage employers looking to hire in Union County to get in touch with us, and let us assist you in fulfilling your employment goals.”

The first employer, IHOP, is seeking to hire 20 Union County residents through the Workforce Innovation Business Center. Both full and part-time positions are available. Interested applicants are advised to attend an informational session on Tuesday, October 3, 10am at the Workforce Innovation Business Center at the Mills at Jersey Gardens Mall, 651 Kapkowski Road, Elizabeth. Applicants must also email their resume to isaias.rivera@ucc.edu and call Susan Gomez at 908-355-4444 to reserve a spot.

Available positions include servers, hosts and bus persons. Interested candidates must have customer service experience and a flexible schedule with the ability to work weekends.

The second employer is AirServ, a company that provides support to the airline industry. The company is seeking to hire candidates to fill 50 positions, including baggage handler, cabin cleaning, lavatory service agent, lobby agent, wheelchair agent and air terminal attendant. All jobs pay $10.10 an hour. Prospective candidates must be able to work weekends and holidays. Interested applicants should attend an informational session on Friday, October 6 at the Workforce Innovation Business Center. Pre-registration is required at https://ucnj.org/wdb/job-fairs-and-opportunities/. For additional information, please call 908-355-4444.

The third employer, GameStop, is seeking to fill 100 positions. Both full and part-time positions are available. An informational session will be held on Tuesday, October 10 at the Workforce Innovation Business Center. Available positions include store managers and sales associates. Salary will vary depending on experience, with a range of $9-13 an hour. All prospective candidates must have either supervisory and/or customer service and sales experience. Interested candidates should email their resume to isaias.rivera@ucc.edu stating their desired position and call 908-355-4444 to reserve a spot.

The Workforce Innovation Business Center is a partnership between the Freeholder Board, the Workforce Development Board and Union County College.

featuring speeches from Catiana Celentano, founder and owner of Let’s Play in Italian Language and Cultural Center in Scotch Plains, Nick Netta, Owner of Netta Architects In Mountainside and Dr. William Connell,  Seton Hall Professor and Italian Studies Historian

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced that Union County’s ninth annual Columbus Day Flag Raising event is set for Friday, Oct. 6th, at 1 p.m., on the steps of the historic Union County Courthouse.

“This year, we have a very diverse group of speakers who will address the audience on some interesting cultural topics,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, who is emceeing the event. “Italian-Americans continue to make extraordinary contributions to the rich, diverse fabric of  America—a country we all love, and who our ancestors helped discover and build.”

The keynote speakers are local business owners Catiana Celentano (“Let’s Play in Italian” language and cultural center in Scotch Plains), Nick Netta (founder and owner of Netta Architects in Mountainside), and Dr. William Connell from Seton Hall, an author, and a nationally-recognized historian on Italy.

“Let’s Play in Italian” language and cultural center presents a fun and an educational way for young children, adults, parents or caregivers to learn the Italian language and the Italian culture. The school is the only  state-licensed Italian educational school serving pre-K and kindergarten in New Jersey.

Since its founding in 1993 under Mr. Netta’s leadership and creative direction, Netta Architects have become a leading public sector design firm in Northern New Jersey, and has received numerous design awards. Under his direction, Netta Architects consistently achieves design excellence and has the unique opportunity to design a large number of landmark buildings.

The company has also left a significant footprint of its work in Union County, completing many major projects, including the Union County Family Courthouse (Cherry Street Annex), the Warinanco Park Sports and Skating Center, the Galloping Hill Clubhouse, Vo Tech West Hall, and Union County College expansion at Cranford.

 Mr. Netta maintains an active role in all projects and was as appointed by the Governor, to serve on the State Board of Architects which regulates the profession within the State of New Jersey. He has also served as a past President of that board.

Dr. Connell is the holder of the Joseph M. and Geraldine C. La Motta Chair in Italian studies at Seton Hall, and a leading specialist in the history of Italy and an authority on Renaissance Florence and Machiavelli, will also speak.  

Other scheduled speakers at the flag raising include: Union County Freeholder Al Mirabella, who is emceeing the event this year, County Manager Al Faella (who is being honored by the Elizabeth Chapter of UNICO as Man of the Year later this month),  Plainfields’ UNICO Founder Renato Biribin, Italian American ONE VOICE Coalition President Manny Alfano; and UNICO National Membership and Retention Director Anthony Bengivenga (also a business owner in Cranford).  Additionally, resolutions will be presented to all Chapters of UNICO in District X.

UNICO is the nation’s largest Italian American service organization whose chapters and members engage in promoting and defending Italian culture and heritage, as well as providing scholarships, engaging in community service and other philanthropic endeavors.

The courthouse is located at 2 Broad St. in Elizabeth at the corner of Rahway Avenue. In the event of rain, the program will be moved indoors to the County Courthouse Rotunda.

UNICO District X and Plainfields’ UNICO work to organize and co-sponsor the event.

Italian-style refreshments will be served after the program in the historic Union County Courthouse. Parking (pay) is available in the Midtown area at the J. Christian Bollwage Parking deck at Elizabethtown Plaza and Caldwell Place. A second deck is Elizabeth’s Parking Deck No. 6 on Jefferson Avenue and Dickinson Street—the entrance is on Dickinson Street. 

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite youngsters ages 4 to 12 years old to participate in “Paint by the Pond.” This will be the second year for this interactive art project which will take place on Saturday, September 30 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the pond in Warinanco Park. The pond is located near the snack bar and basketball courts. This event will allow children to paint cardboard model houses and create art on poster board.

The “Paint by the Pond” project will teach families about the importance of recycling while encouraging children to paint on cardboard, creating art from materials usually thrown away.

“Last year’s ‘Paint by the Pond was a tremendous success,” said Union County Freeholder Angel G. Estrada. “This year we will be back at the pond at Warinanco Park for young artists to capture the glorious colors of autumn.”

For more information on this exciting event, please call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at (908) 527-4900.