Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – As the holiday shopping season gets into full swing, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that a few simple steps can help reduce the risk of falling victim to theft and scams.

“Staying alert and aware of your surroundings is an effective way to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable season,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Please ensure that your purse, wallet and shopping bags are always securely on your person as you go about your holiday errands.”

When checking out at stores, shoppers are advised to remain at the cash register until they collect their change or credit cards, secure their purse or wallet, and gather their shopping bags firmly in hand.

“It’s easy to get carried away by the holiday rush, but taking a deep breath and making sure that all belongings are organized is an effective first step to reduce risks,” said Bergen.

To avoid theft in parking lots, check surroundings before opening the car, and keep all purchases out of sight in the trunk or under seats. Park in well-lit areas and ask store personnel for assistance with any concerns about parking lot safety.

Online shoppers also need to be aware and alert.

“Always ensure that you are on a legitimate site before making purchases, and take steps to secure your deliveries,” said Bergen.

Online shoppers who are concerned about delivery theft at their home address can designate an alternate delivery address. Some delivery companies have also set up secure package pickup locations for their customers.

Phone scams are another problem that can emerge during the holiday season. Residents are advised to contribute only to trusted charities, and never give out personal information over the phone.

To assist consumers in avoiding scams and fraud, including phone scams, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs provides access to an Anti-Fraud Toolkit.

To view the Toolkit online or to download the Toolkit in English or Spanish, visit fightingfraud.nj.gov.

Consumers in need of assistance with suspected consumer fraud in Union County can call the Union County Office of Consumer Affairs at 908-654-9840 or use the Consumer Affairs online fraud reporting form at ucnj.org/public-safety.

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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 Freeholders Vernell Wright and Mohamed S. Jalloh present a resolution to Dasia “DasiaVu” Edmond of Union congratulating her on officially publishing two books. They were joined by her mother, Belinda Salley. The 12-year-old Burnet Middle School student released “Uniquely Made: ‘Girls Don’t Play Football’” in 2016 and “Hair Chronicles: ‘The Struggles of Natural Hair’” this summer. The books are available on www.amazon.com. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

 

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados speaks with Liza Chowdhury, Ph.D, Criminologist/Assistant Professor with expertise in the field of juvenile delinquency, youth gangs, intersectionality and correction, Gang Specialist and Mental Health Advocate Jason Davis, Union County Performing Arts Center Executive Director Brian Remo, Prevention Links CEO Pamela Capaci and Union County Prosecutor’s Office Assistant Prosecutor Susan Gleason at the Prevention Links 2017 Family Engagement Conference at Community Access Unlimited in Elizabeth. The County of Union sponsored the event that featured presentations that focused on engaging youth, parents, and professionals in improving the outcomes for justice-involved youth.

Prevention Links is a private, not-for-profit organization, which takes a leadership role in the prevention of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and related issues.

For more information about Prevention Links, visit www.preventionlinks.org.

Union County, NJ — Union County residents seeking services for senior adults age 60 and above have a choice of six dates and locations for the “ASK” Aging Services Kiosk program in December, to speak with staff from the county’s Department of Human Services, Division on Aging.

Division on Aging staff will come to public libraries in Clark, Elizabeth, Fanwood and Union. They will also be at the Westfield Community Center and the Mountainside Municipal Building.

Any Union County resident or caregiver can visit any of the ASK sessions.

“The ASK program brings our residents together with knowledgeable professionals, for guidance on programs and services for seniors and their caregivers,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, who is the Freeholder Board liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board. “Our goal is to reach more people with useful information, by bringing our staff out to convenient locations across Union County.”

Staff from the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) have been traveling throughout Union County providing information about services such as home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care and support services for caregivers through the ASK community outreach effort.

Assistance with completing applications and forms is also provided.

The first ASK program in December took place on Monday morning at the Clark Public Library. Remaining December dates and locations are:

 

Wednesday, December 13

Mountainside Municipal Building

1385 Route 22 East

Mountainside, 07092

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

 

Thursday, December 14

Westfield Community Center

558 W. Broad Street

Westfield, 07090

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

 

Tuesday, December 19

Union Public Library

1980 Morris Avenue

Union, 07083

12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday, December 20

Fanwood Public Library

5 Forest Road

Fanwood, 07023

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday, December 27

Elizabeth Public Library

11 South Broad Street

Elizabeth, 07202

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The ADRC’s goal is to promote wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families. It is one of 670 Area Agencies on Aging nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act. The division has information printed in both English and Spanish.

For more information about the Union County Division ADRC call 888-280-8226 toll-free, or 908-527-4870 or 908-527-4858, or visit the Union County website 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, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds women business owners that they may be eligible for discounted loans offered by the Union County Economic Development Corporation.

UCEDC has been named the exclusive New Jersey lending partner for discounted loans available to women-owned businesses, through a grant from the Tory Burch Foundation Capital Program. The program is supported by Bank of America.

“With this generous grant from The Tory Burch Foundation, the pathway to success is open to more women,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Freeholder Board is proud to support UCEDC and its mission of helping small businesses grows and thrive in Union County.”

“Women in Union County contribute a rich diversity of skills and talents to the Union County community,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski. “The loan program is a good opportunity to increase the entrepreneurial impact of women and foster innovation, too.”

The UCEDC loan discount for women owned businesses is the third time that the non-profit agency has partnered with the Tory Burch Foundation on a loan initiative.

“The Tory Burch partnership has made it possible for Union County’s women entrepreneurs to achieve their vision,” said Maureen Tinan, president of UCEDC. “The Foundation’s enthusiasm and respect for self-starting women has made a real difference in our community.”

The Tory Burch grant will enable UCEDC to offer a two point discount on loans up to $50,000 for women borrowers. The loan can be used for practically any business purpose, including paying off more expensive debt.

Prospective applicants can start with UCEDC’s online Pre-Qualification Application, or call UCEDC loan officer Mark Leichtling at 908-527-1166 for assistance.

Designer Tory Burch launched her eponymous fashion brand with one small shop in 2004. She established the Tory Burch Foundation in 2009 as a platform for giving back and supporting women entrepreneurs.

For more information about all UCEDC programs visit online at ucedc.com, email info@ucedc.com or call 908-527-1166.

The Freeholder Board has recognized outstanding women in Union County through the long running Women of Excellence program. In 2016, Chairman Bergen launched a new Union County Office on Women to help more residents connect with resources that enable them to reach their fullest potential at every stage of life.

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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 Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Union County Manager Alfred Faella joined Rabbi Mordechai Kanelsky and representatives from Bris Avrohom of Hillside to light the menorah for Chanukah in Phil Rizzuto Park in Elizabeth. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholders Christopher Hudak, Linda Carter and Alexander Mirabella congratulate the recipients of the Susan Hudak Leadership Award at the 5th annual Union County Student Training and Enrichment Program (UC STEP) Summit at Kean University in Union. UC STEP is a day-long summit that invites high school sophomores and juniors from throughout Union County to participate in hands-on activities focused on leadership, personal growth, and civic engagement.

More than 200 students from 22 high schools in Union County broke into 11 groups to attend breakout sessions focused on personal growth and leadership while collaborating with others to work through the day’s activities. One student from each group received the Susan Hudak Leadership Award.

The recipients are: Thomas Gilmartin from Cranford High School, Giovanna Castaneda from Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy, Alexis Waites from Plainfield High School, Destiny Walker U.C. TEAMS, Jose Calixto from Cranford High School, Milly Azcona from Hillside High School, Alexis Brooks from Jonathon Dayton High School, Caity McTernan from Jonathon Dayton High School, Nina Suske from New Providence High School, Cristina Altamirano from Benedictine Academy and Virendra Ghate from U.C.V.T.S.

For more information about UC STEP visit www.ucnj.org/uc-step. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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.