Category: Public Info

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, along with the Trailside Museum Association, will once again pair up to honor and recognize some of Union County’s environmental heroes as part of Trailside Nature and Science Center’s annual Wild Earth Fest Event on Sunday, April 26.

“Small steps can lead to big changes for our planet, and one person can make a difference.  Recycling, planting, cleanup projects, habitat improvements and living more sustainably are some of the ways people and groups are taking strides and inspiring others to help the planet,” comments Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh, “These active community members deserve to be acknowledged for their commitment to helping the environment.”

Last year’s environmental heroes represented an impressive array of Union County residents of all ages and collaborations whose endeavors are bettering the earth and creating an eco-friendly society.  Joe Seebode of Clark was acknowledged for his work spearheading an annual cleanup of the Rahway River for the past 15 years; securing donations and recruiting participants to haul trash and recyclables out of the river and from its shoreline.  Alyson Miller of Springfield was recognized for her dedication to the earth as a member of the Environmental Commission for Springfield and the Rahway River Watershed Storm Advisory Board.  She is working toward reaching a goal of building 1,000 rain gardens within the watershed’s community, hanging bat boxes in the woods and lobbying to put a stop to idling vehicles.   Both Steve Yafchak  of Winfield Park and Robert Kammlott of Linden can be seen out in the Rahway River watershed almost daily removing debris from the wetlands.  These men were also honored last year for their devotion to improving the health of our County’s river. 

Do you know an environmental hero in your community?  Participants may nominate individuals or groups who have taken action for environmental change in their community.  Each entry must include an essay describing why the nominee is qualified to receive the award, along with contact information for the nominee and the person submitting the nomination.  Photographs may accompany the essay, and all entries must be received or postmarked by Friday, April 10, 2015.

Along with certificates of recognition for their work, the Trailside Museum Association board members will once again award prizes to the winners of the Environmental Hero Award at Wild Earth Fest on Sunday, April 26, 2015.    Nominations for the Environmental Hero Award can be emailed to bnovorro@ucnj.org or sent to Trailside Nature & Science Center, 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside, NJ, 07092.

For additional information on the Environmental Hero Award or other upcoming programs or events, call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visit online at www.ucnj.org/trailside.  Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Union County, NJ – Just in time for the balmy weather coming our way, members of YMCA Youth in Government and the Kean University Center for Leadership teamed up for a Union County Adopt-a-Park cleanup at Upper Echo Lake last weekend, in Echo Lake Park in Mountainside. They raked leaves, repaired fences, cleared away branches and invasive plants, and swept the walking path. Their hard work is greatly appreciated! To join Adopt-a-Park as a group or individual, contact Betty Ann Kelly at the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation, 908-789-3683 or visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation.

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Event will give immigration information to local residents; Sponsored by Mayor Bollwage, County of Union and We Are One New Jersey – Union County

ELIZABETH, NJ – Working in partnership with the County of Union and the non-profit group We Are One New Jersey, Mayor J. Christian Bollwage and the City of Elizabeth will present a free Citizenship and Deferred Action Information Session on April 1, 2015.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the citizenship process and to hear information about the Deferred Action program, including the expansion announced last year by President Barack Obama. Attorneys and experts in immigration law will be available to answer questions from residents.

“The City of Elizabeth’s rich diversity is one of our greatest assets and the individuality of our many cultures strengthens our community,” said Mayor J. Christian Bollwage. “Working in partnership with the County of Union and We Are One New Jersey, this important event will raise awareness regarding the availability of resources and opportunities as well as explore how families can improve their quality of life by connecting with valuable services throughout our region.”

“”We are pleased to be a partner and sponsor in this effort to assist our working immigrant community to realize the American Dream,” Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh said. “Immigration has always been a key to revitalizing America, and providing a path for those who are making a positive contribution will not only inspire a national sense of identity in these residents, but also spur economic prosperity and strengthen our communities.”

“We are proud to assist thousands of New Americans to become more engaged in our democracy by realizing their dream of U.S. citizenship,” said Charles Wowkanech, Chair of the We are One New Jersey. “We are pleased to partner with Union County officials to help make these dreams come true for so many New Americans living in Union County.”

The We Are One New Jersey Union County Center provides U.S. citizenship application guidance, citizenship interview preparation classes, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) application and renewal assistance, and Notary services. The goal of the center is to build stronger communities by educating and engaging new Americans to become active participants in our Democracy. Services are provided at-no-cost.

For any additional information please contact Elizabeth Montes at 908-355-4444

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Image credit: “Liberty-statue-from-below.” Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons. 

Contact/More Info: friendscacunjpal@gmail.com

The Friends of the Union County Child Advocacy Center – a nonprofit group whose mission is to provide support for the facility at which local victims of physical and sexual child abuse receive treatment and needed services – is hosting a 5K fundraiser, Race 4 the Children, on Sunday, April 19 in Elizabeth’s Warinanco Park.

The 5K and a two-mile “fun walk” are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., rain or shine. The event is being co-sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the City of Elizabeth, in memory of late Union County Prosecutor Andrew K. Ruotolo, who served from 1991 until his death in 1995.

Funding for a psychologist to be stationed at the Center previously had been covered by grants that are no longer available, according to Friends of the Union County Child Advocacy Center Chairman Drew Ertman, who added that the 5K was organized in an effort to secure replacement funding.

“As the Center celebrates 20 years of helping victims of child abuse in Union County, we hope to build awareness of its mission and help raise needed funds to expand treatment programs,” Ertman said. “The Race 4 the Children 5K /2-mile walk is a healthy way to show support for the Center and its tremendous staff, who are dedicated to helping child abuse victims throughout the County.”

Those interested in participating can register online at www.friendscacunj.org; the cost to register is $25 up until April 3 and $35 thereafter. All entrants who register early will receive a T-shirt commemorating the race, while male and female first-, second-, and third-place finishers of the 5K will receive Visa gift cards valued at $250, $150, and $100, respectively. Sponsorships are also available for purchase, and all sponsors will be recognized on the nonprofit group’s website, on printed promotional materials, and in various other formats on the day of the race.

The Union County Child Advocacy Center is located on West Jersey Street in downtown Elizabeth. Nearly 30 staff members work at the 11,000-square foot facility that opened in 2012, tending to the more than 1,100 people who visit and utilize the Center’s resources each year.

The “one-stop” service facility houses prosecutors, detectives, child protection workers, nurses, physicians, and therapists who work with children of Union County who have been sexually and/or physically abused. At the Center, these children disclose the details of abuse in a friendly environment where each child and family member receives appropriate referrals for medical and psychological follow-up treatment.

A therapist from Trinitas Regional Medical Center’s Child and Adolescent Outpatient Psychiatric Unit meets with each family following disclosure to perform crisis counseling, stabilize the family, and make future counseling recommendations. Finally, an Assistant Prosecutor then begins the two-year process of shepherding each family’s case through criminal litigation. A social worker also coordinates additional medical, child protective, and psychological services for each family.

“Crimes against children are among some of the most heinous and disturbing that we in law enforcement come across,” Union County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit Supervisor Caroline Lawlor said. “It is essential to assist all victims of crime – especially those who are particularly vulnerable and in need of sustained assistance.”

Register online

Union County, NJ – Major storms and heavy rains have left a trail of mold in homes around Union County over the past several years. To help homeowners identify a mold problem and take steps to remove it, seven free mold workshops have been scheduled in Linden, Elizabeth Plainfield, Roselle, Hillside, Westfield, and Cranford.

Union County residents can attend any of the seven sessions. Those who pre-register will receive a free mold mitigation kit and a moisture meter worth $75.

“Mold has been a health issue in many communities that were affected by flooding Hurricane Irene, Superstorm Sandy, and other recent storms,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “If you think mold is in your home, I encourage you to come to one of the workshops.”

Mold can stain walls and ceilings, and cause other property damage.

The health effects of mold exposure include nasal and throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation and in some cases skin irritation. Individuals at highest risk include those with pre-existing health conditions such as allergies, lung conditions, asthma or emphysema, as well as infants and the elderly. Persons who suspect they might have symptoms of mold exposure should contact a physician. 

At the workshops, attendees will learn how to identify and safely remove mold. The presenter will be an experienced health and safety trainer from the New Jersey Work Environment Council and the International Chemical Workers Council for Health.

The seven workshops are:

• Borough Hall Court House, 210 Chestnut Street, Roselle on April 23, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Family Success Center, 209 Berckman Street, Plainfield on April 25, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Township Courthouse, 1409 Liberty Avenue, Hillside, on May 11, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Froehlich Building, 300 North Avenue East, Westfield, on May 20, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Rahway Public Library, 2 City Hall Plaza, Rahway, on May 28, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.     (NEW)
• Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue, Cranford, on June 6, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Pre-registration is preferred, though walk-ins will be accepted. To register contact Andrea Navas, Public Health Planner, at the Union County Office of Health Management at 908-518-5630 or UCHEALTH@ucnj.org.

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Union County elected officials visited Community Access Unlimited’s Community Networking Breakfast held the morning of March26th at the Suburban Golf Club in Union.  Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce Bergen also delivered remarks on behalf of the County of Union during the morning agenda.

The Community Access Unlimited’s Community Network is a group of representatives from Union County businesses and public officials who are dedicated to changing people’s lives for the better. The purpose of the Community is to build relationships to improve the lives of people with disabilities and at-risk-youth and to strengthen business relationships.

l. to r. Sid Blanchard, Executive Director of Community Access Unlimited, Freeholder Vernell Wright, County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, and Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Union County, NJ – A chilly, windy spring will eventually give way to warmer weather, so plans are already way for the annual Union County Bio-Blitz in June. Bio-Blitz is a 24-hour, ‘round the clock nature survey that provides a snapshot of wildlife and plant life in County parks, with the generous help of volunteer scientists and naturalists.

“Whether you are a professional or a seasoned amateur, you are welcome to join a field team and help us assess the flora and fauna that enrich our County parks,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “Bio-Blitz provides a window into the amazing diversity that exists side-by-side with thousands of County residents.”

Scientists and naturalists are needed to help sample, observe, identify, and record the plant and animal species, including fungi and insects, that make their homes in Union County parks.

Bio-Blitz takes place in a different location each year. This year’s Bio-Blitz, scheduled for June 12 and 13, will take place within more than 2,000 acres of forests, fields, wetlands, streams, and lakes in the Watchung Reservation.

“Watchung is by far our largest — and wildest — park, so this year’s Bio-Blitz promises to be both interesting and challenging for our volunteers,” said Jalloh. “If you are a professional scientist or a knowledgeable amateur, you can register to join one of our field teams online at ucnj.org/bio-blitz/expert.”

In addition to the scientific surveys, Bio-Blitz includes exhibits, displays, and free public walk-in activities for children and adults. Information on this year’s public walk-in activities will be available soon.

For more information about joining Bio-Blitz as a scientist or knowledgeable amateur, or to reserve an exhibit table, visit ucnj.org/bio-blitz or contact Betty Ann Kelly at bkelly@ucnj.org.

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Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi hosted an educational seminar open to all Notaries Public featuring Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh, Esq. as the main speaker at the John H. Stamler Police Academy in Scotch Plains.

The Notary Public course is a new service being offered by the Office of the Union County Clerk. It is designed to instruct Notaries Public on how to perform their duties with confidence and diligence. Notaries will learn about the new online application process and the legal aspects of performing the duties of a Notary Public in an effort to avoid liability issues.

The Union County Clerk’s Office administers Oaths of Office to commissioned Notaries at two convenient locations in Westfield and Elizabeth. The Elizabeth office, located at 2 Broad Street, Room 114, is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Westfield Annex Office, located in the Colleen Fraser Building, 300 North Avenue East, in Westfield, is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

For more information, call the Union County Clerk’s Office, 908-527-4787.

Photo credit: Jim Lowney/County of Union

ELIZABETH, NJ – The conclusion of the American Civil War will be the subject of a special lecture by Dr. Jonathan Lurie of Rutgers University on Wednesday, April 15, at 2:00 p.m. at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Sponsored by the Union County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee, the free afternoon event entitled “The Ongoing Relevance of the Civil War: Ambiguity and Ambivalence” is open to the public and includes exhibits about the Civil War and a special display case focusing on President Abraham Lincoln.

“As we commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the end of the Civil War, we are honored to have Dr. Jonathan Lurie speak here about the legacy of the conflict,” said Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, chairwoman of the committee. “We welcome visitors to the Courthouse to learn more about the Civil War, the presidency of Abraham Lincoln and the experiences of Union County residents during the war.”

Dr. Lurie is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of History at Rutgers University (Newark), where he was a Professor of History and Law from 1985 to 2009. During his career at Rutgers, Dr. Lurie also was a Visiting Fellow in Law and History at Harvard Law School; an Historian and Archivist to the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces; and a Visiting Professor of Law at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

The lecture by Dr. Lurie will be presented in the Courtroom of the Hon. Karen M. Cassidy, Assignment Judge of the Superior Court, at 2 p.m. Musicians from the Continuo Arts Foundation will perform songs from the Civil War era. To reserve a seat, please call 908-527-4999.

The Civil War Exhibition is on display until May in the rotunda of the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street in historic midtown Elizabeth. The exhibit may be viewed weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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