Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – The Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County have been part of the Union County community for almost 30 years, and last month the outstanding members of this all volunteer program received some well-deserved recognition from their peers, and Joint Legislative Resolutions in their honor from the New Jersey Senate and Assembly.

“Every year our Master Gardener volunteers enrich the lives of hundreds of residents, and on behalf of the Board I would like to thank each of them for their dedication to improving the quality of life in our Union County community,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, who attended the group’s 27^th annual Volunteer Recognition celebration in September.

The joint resolution was introduced by Assemblywoman Annette Quijano and supported by Senator Raymond Lesniak and Assemblyman Jamel Holley. It reads in part:

Throughout many seasons of change and countless hours of volunteer service, the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County have worked tirelessly and effectively in benefit of the community and are recognized and saluted for their exemplary dedication and motivation.

“For many years, the Master Gardeners have worked behind the scenes to improve our neighborhoods and help others,” said Assemblywoman Annette Quijano. “It’s a real pleasure to bring attention to their efforts.”

Anyone can join the Master Gardeners. The program is run by Rutgers University experts through the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, supported in part by the Freeholder board. No previous experience in horticulture – or gardening — is needed. Each volunteer receives University-level training leading to certification as a Master Gardener. A nominal fee covers the cost of the training course.

The 2015 honorees included 11 Master Gardeners who reached or far surpassed the 500-hour service milestone, as well as 20 newly certified Master Gardeners, each of whom logged at least 60 hours of volunteer service after completing a training program.

The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation also provided a total of 29 Master Gardeners with Bronze, Silver or Gold awards based on hours of service in 2014, ranging from 100 to more than 500 hours.

In addition, special awards went to seven Master Gardeners in celebration of 10 years of service, and one for 20 years of service.

Special recognition this year went to Joanne Krueger in honor of more than 10,000 hours of service. Among her numerous volunteer projects, Ms. Krueger is committee chair for two of the programs’s major initiatives: care of the elaborate Demonstration Gardens, and organization of the annual Spring Garden Fair and Plant Sale, which draws more than 1,000 people each year to raise funds for Master Gardeners community projects.

Another special recognition went to T.J. Karns, who received the annual Wesley Philo award representing the highest honor for a Master Gardener. In addition to many other activities, Ms. Karns chairs the Grants and Publicity Committee and has been instrumental in raising thousands of dollars in grants for special projects, including a new kitchen for preparing produce for donation.

“This year’s recognition ceremony really underscores the important role that the Master Gardeners play in Union County, and I encourage every County resident with a yen for gardening – and for giving back to the community — to come and join,” said Kowalski.

The Demonstration Garden is the platform for many ongoing Master Gardeners community projects, including the Sharing Garden, which has donated more than 25,000 pounds of fresh produce to local food pantries since 2002, and the Cutting Garden, which has donated 42,289 flowers and greens to local cancer treatment centers and hospitals.

The source of the Master Gardeners’ community mission is the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, part of the national Extension program established more than 100 years ago by Congress under the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Extension program aims to connect the general public with up-to-date, science based information on nutrition and community health.

The Master Gardeners program receives the bulk of its funding from the Freeholder Board in the form of land for the Demonstration Garden, located on the grounds of a former County tree and shrub nursery in the Watchung Reservation in Mountainside, and administrative support and office space in the Colleen Fraser County Services Building in Westfield.

The County’s Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund also contributes substantially to the program. One recent example is a grant of more than $240,000 for a new greenhouse at the Demonstration Garden that will help expand the Master Gardeners’ community service mission.

To join or to get more information about the Master Gardeners, Master Tree Stewards, 4-H and other Rutgers Extension programs in Union County visit ucnj.org/rce.

2015 Master Gardeners of Union County Recognition Ceremony

State Legislature Joint Resolution Recipients and Newly Certified Master Gardeners:

Billie Baron

Mary Blacklock

Diane Borman

Margaret Chowdhury

Joan Dickason

Eulalia Kuga

Richard Lear

Dennis Lenahan

Art Mathews

Deborah Meslar

Adrienne Miller-Kubicz

Thomas Mulligan

Nancy Pietrulewicz

Anne Rigassio

Carol Skrocki

Robin Sternal

Nina Sylvester

Mary Anna Tramontana

Uschi Ueltzhoeffer

Dennis Valiga

Class of 2005 (10 years and still active):

Julia Allen

Vanessa Casserly

Stacey Draper

Eileen Fay

Sandra Schroeder

Susan Thomson

Carol Walczuk

Class of 1995 (20 years and still active):

James Keane

Lifetime Hours of Service Honorees:

500

William Hopkins

Kenneth Ilgavizis

Tertia Moore

David Regal

Dean Talcott

1000

Dolores Batz-Culp

2000

Bridget Mracek

2500

Norma Cohen

TJ Karns

James Keane

10,000

Joanne Krueger

The Wesley Philo Award for Volunteer Excellence:

T.J. Karns

President’s Volunteer Service Awards for hours donated in 2014:

Bronze — 100 to 249

Dolores Batz-Culp

Norma Cohen

Deborah DiMaggio

Marion Goldberger

Tina Helmstetter

William Hopkins

Kenneth Ilgavizis

James Keane

Richard Leister

Jane Manniello

Bob Markey

Mary Mastropietro

Charlotte Meling

Tertia Moore

Bridget Mracek

Karen Mulvihill

David Regal

Toni Rinehart

Sandra Schroeder

Molly Sternal

Susan Stevens

Mary Stewart

Debra Stuart

Dean Talcott

Dianne Thompson

Lorraine Wallace

Silver — 250 to 499

Deborah Berman

TJ Karns

Gold (500 or more)

Carol Walczuk

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Union County, NJ – Whether it’s train, bus, car, bicycle, feet, or any other means, the ability to go places is a key issue for everyone in Union County. You can help plan the direction of transportation in Union County by coming to an open house hosted by the Union County Transportation Master Plan, on Monday November 9, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue in Cranford.

Visitors can drop in any time, stay as long as they want, and talk to experts from the Master Plan team one-on-one. The team will provide brief presentations at 4:30 and 6:00.

A Spanish translator will also be there during the entire open house.

This is your chance to share your vision about mobility and sustainability issues that affect how people and goods move in, through and around the Union County community.

Work on the new plan is being conducted by the Union County Bureau of Transportation Planning, Division of Strategic Planning & Intergovernmental Relations in the Department of Economic Development. Completion is expected by June 2016.

The Union County Transportation Master Plan is funded by the New Jersey Transportation Planning Authority and Union County.

For complete details visit ucnj.org/union-county-transportation-master-plan.

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The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites residents to participate in the nation-wide American Medicine Chest Challenge on November 14, 2015.

For safe prescription disposal, Union County residents can take the five-step American Medicine Chest Challenge:

• Take inventory of your prescription and over-the-counter medicine.
• Secure your medicine chest.
• Dispose of your unused, unwanted, and expired medicine in your home or at an American Medicine Chest Challenge Disposal site.
• Take your medicine(s) exactly as prescribed.
• Talk to your children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

“To help combat the growing drug abuse threat to our nation’s children and families, Union County is proud to support and host this important initiative,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “I encourage residents to bring their unused, unwanted, and expired medicine to any of eight year-round collection sites in Union County.”

24/7 access is available to medicine drop boxes located at the Union County Division of Police at the Froehlich Building at 300 North Ave. East in Westfield, and at seven police stations in Union County including Clark, Elizabeth, Rahway, Roselle Park, Springfield, Summit and Westfield. Medicine drop boxes have been installed at these locations as part of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs’ Project Medicine Drop program.

Residents can get more information about the program and find a local collection site on ucnj.org/prosecutor/outreach/project-medicine-drop-locations/ or www.americanmedicinechest.com or dispose of their medicine at home by following the guidelines on the AMCC website.

The most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows prescription medicines to be the most abused drugs by Americans, other than marijuana and found that 70% of people who abuse prescription pain relievers say they got them from friends or relatives. A recent study on drug use by of teens by the Partnership for a Drug Free America (PDFA) found that one in 9 children are abusing prescription pain relievers to get high.

“This Challenge will raise awareness about the dangers of abusing prescription drugs and reduce the availability of potent drugs that lead kids down a path to addiction,” explained American Medicine Chest Challenge Chief Executive Officer Angelo M. Valente.

“With the American Medicine Chest Challenge we are calling on residents to see their medicine cabinets through new eyes — as an access point for potential misuse and abuse of over-the-counter and prescription medicine by young people,” explained Valente.

The American Medicine Chest Challenge has gained the national support of PhRMA, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), and Covanta.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to bring a sensory-friendly performance of American Repertory Ballet’s Nutcracker to the stage at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway on Sunday, November 22 at 2:00 p.m.

Available now, 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.

“The sensory-friendly performance series is designed to offer a relaxed and safe theatre environment for children and adults with sensory sensitivities, developmental and learning disabilities,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “The Freeholder Board is proud to help make this holiday classic accessible to families with children and adults of all abilities and needs.”

This abridged, one-hour Sensory Friendly performance of American Repertory Ballet’s (ARB) Nutcracker is adapted especially for children and adults with special needs.

ARB’s Nutcracker, a holiday tradition for New Jersey families since 1964, tells the story of a young girl named Clara and how her mysterious gift of a nutcracker doll brings about enchanted dreams and fantastical scenes. The dancers bring to life the production’s original party scene, choreographed by company founder Audrée Estey, before entering a snow forest and Land of Sweets, featuring choreography by Douglas Martin. Spectacular sets by Carl Sprague, including a spectacular growing Christmas tree, and costumes by Gina Ricca create the atmosphere of dreamlike magic.

Whether it’s your first time, an annual tradition, or an once-in-a-lifetime experience, ARB’s Nutcracker is a perfect holiday treat for your entire family to be transported and inspired.

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

Save the dates – mark your calendar for upcoming Sensory-Friendly Theatre series performances sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders: Sundays – January 10, 2016, March 20, 2016, May 1, 2016 and July 31, 2016.

Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series is made possible, in part, by funding from the NJ Department of Community Affairs through a Recreational Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities Grant.

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 908-527-4806 or visit ucnj.org.

Learn more about how to use the voting machines.

View more videos on the Union County Video Channel

If you have been thinking about adopting a child, come and learn about the process from the professional staff of adoption agencies at the Adoption Information Fair sponsored by The Superior Court of NJ on Friday, November 20, 2015 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Adoption agencies will be on hand to answer your questions and to provide information about adoption.

Location: Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth NJ 07207

“There are no unwanted children.Just unfound families!”
-National Adoption Center

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Clerk’s Office in Elizabeth Open on Halloween

Polls open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday November 3

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds voters that polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3 for the 2015 General and School Board Elections. 

“To ensure that your voice will be heard on Election Day, plan ahead and make plenty of time to get to your polling place before it closes,” said Rajoppi.

To find polling places, voters can use a simple online search tool at the “Where do I vote?” link on the County Clerk’s website, ucnj.org/county-clerk.

Union County residents can also get polling place locations and other important election information on their mobile devices by downloading the Union County Votes app, or by calling the County Clerk at 908-527-4996.

“If you don’t think you can get to the polls in person, there is still time to use a Vote-By-Mail ballot,” said Rajoppi, “But don’t delay, as the Vote-By-Mail deadlines are coming up soon.”

Any registered voter can use a Vote-By-Mail ballot. The deadline for applying for a Vote-By-Mail ballot in person at the County Clerk’s main Elizabeth office and Westfield annex office is November 2, before 3:00 p.m. Voters can apply for the ballot, receive it on the spot, fill it out, and return it to a secure drop box at these two offices, all in one visit. 

The Clerk’s Office in Elizabeth will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. this Saturday, October 31, 2015 for voters wishing to obtain a Vote-By-Mail Ballot.  The Westfield Office is also open on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday October 27 is the last day to apply for a Vote-By-Mail ballot by mailing in an application form. Downloadable forms are available at ucnj.org/county-clerk.

For more information about voting in Union County visit ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4996.

For all other County Clerk programs and services visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787.

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Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Freeholders Alexander Mirabella, Vernell Wright and Christopher Hudak joined Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi in welcoming Brian Smith, founder of UGG Australia, to the Union County Means Business networking breakfast event at the STEM Building at Kean University in Union. Smith was the featured speaker at the event. The networking breakfast is part of the Freeholder Board’s Union County Means Business initiative, which provides free networking sessions, workshops and other services for the local business community. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Freeholders Alexander Mirabella and Angel G. Estrada and Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi joined Union County Sheriff’s Captain Dennis Burke in congratulating the winners of the 5th Annual Union County Sheriff’s Pistol Competition at the Union County Sheriff’s Firearms Training Facility in Springfield. Cpl. Sean Dougherty of the Union County Police Department won 1st Place. Sgt. Jerry Plum of the Plainfield Police Department took 2nd Place. Union County Sheriff’s Officer Keith Rhyner took 3rd Place. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)