Category: Public Info

Union County – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce two new additions to the fall lineup of the Union County Means Business (UCMB) Networking Breakfast Series: The Affordable Care Act and its Impact on Business, and Maximizing Your Business with the Internet. Both events will take place in the month of October.

“I’m extremely proud of this year’s series,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “These are hot topics and addressing them allows us to not only energize the business community, but also keep the momentum of networking and communication going.”

The next event in the installment and will be held on October 1st from 8:00-10:00 a.m. at Overlook Medical Center in Summit. Titled The Affordable Care Act and its Impact on Business, it will feature a panel discussion on the Act, and answer FAQ’s about its effects. Panelists include Christine Stearns Vice President of Health Affairs of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, Al Titone, Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Newark district office, and Alan Lieber Vice President, Atlantic Health System and President, Overlook Medical Center.

Maximizing Your Business with the Internet will follow on October 30th, and will be held at Union County Performing Arts Center’s Hamilton Stage in Rahway from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. Featuring Tara Dowdell, former “Apprentice” contestant and Founder of the Tara Dowdell Group, topics covered will include ecommerce, internet marketing and website development.

The UCMB series is open to all interested parties, specifically people who own or manage a business in Union County, or who are planning to start a business in Union County. It is designed to bring local business owners, prospective owners and managers in contact with government representatives who can help them obtain information about grants, loans, social media, employee recruitment, and other resources pertinent to their endeavors.

All sessions are free but pre-registration is required by visiting the Union County website athttps://ucnj.org/UCMeansBusinessor call 908-527-4200.

UCMB Programs are sponsored by the Board of Chosen Freeholders in partnership with the Union County Alliance, Union County Economic Development Corp., Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, Suburban Chambers of Commerce, Union Township Chamber of Commerce, Kean University, and Union County College. The Affordable Care Act and its Impact on Business is being cosponsored by Overlook Medical Center.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chose Freeholders is pleased to announce that 200 ready-to-plant flowering dogwood and willow oak trees are available free to Union County residents, under a partnership with the New Jersey Tree Foundation, the New York/New Jersey Super Bowl XLVIII Host Committee, and the US Forest Service. The tree giveaway is part of the Host Committee Environmental Program.

“This generous offer of free trees is a wonderful complement to Union County’s longstanding efforts to keep our neighborhoods green, healthy and pleasant,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “Our thanks go out to the Tree Foundation, the Host Committee, and the Forest Service for recognizing the importance of trees in our urban and suburban communities.”

Flowering dogwood is a medium sized, widespread tree with cream-colored flowers. It grows up to 30 feet high. Willow oak is a large shade tree with pretty willow-like leaves that can reach heights of up to 80 feet.

Both trees were selected especially for Union County because they are hardy native species that contribute to the local habitat for birds and other wildlife. They thrive without pesticides or herbicides.

The young trees are only about 2-3 feet tall and they will be distributed in 3-gallon containers, so they can easily fit in a car.

The free trees are available on a first come, first served basis only to Union County residents who reserve online, by visiting the Tree Foundation at surveymonkey.com/s/ZRPJLD9 and filling out their contact information. Residents can also pick their first and second choice of tree (one tree per household).

The Tree Foundation will send a confirming email to the first 200 Union County residents who complete the form, along with instructions for picking up their trees. The reservation deadline is October 10 or until all of the trees are reserved.

The trees will be distributed by County personnel at Rahway River Park on Saturday, October 12. Only residents who have reserved a tree online will receive one; walk-ins cannot be accommodated.

In densely developed areas like Union County, trees have long been valued for their use in trapping dust and other airborne pollutants, and helping to cool off summertime “heat islands.”

More recently, a growing body of evidence has linked urban trees to improved public safety and economic activity along with other quality of life enhancements.

In addition to regularly planting and replacing trees in County parks and along County roads, the Union County Freeholder Board supports local urban forestry initiatives through Greening Union County matching grants, Arbor Day activities, and the Master Tree Stewards, a program of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County.

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

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – On Sunday, September 29, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks & Community Renewal will host the 32nd annual Union County Harvest Festival, rain or shine at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

“The 32nd annual Union County Harvest Festival promises to be a fascinating, fun-filled event for visitors of all ages,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “Walking through the festival grounds in the picturesque Watchung Reservation will give everyone a chance to see early American culture and history come to life.”

There is no shortage of things to do at Trailside on Sept. 29th. Visitors to the Harvest Festival have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of displays, demonstrations and activities, including music and entertainment, children’s toys and games, Native American cooking and Early American crafts. An always popular feature will be the “Build a Scarecrow” contest, which requires a nominal fee for participation. Vendors will be on site selling a variety of food and beverages.

Entertainment will be provided by David Frost and the Family Traditions country-rock band; the Danny Weiss Trio playing Bluegrass, Americana and Swing music; the Rahway Valley Jerseyaires barbershop singers; and the Native American singers and dancers of the Red Storm Drum and Dance Troupe.

The festival will include Early American artifact displays, storytelling and performances; colonial and Native American crafts and work skills, including a potter, a canoe builder, a flintknapper, a loom weaver, and a fur trader; a petting zoo; pony rides; the New Jersey Frontier Guard re-enactment group; and so much more.

The 32nd annual Harvest Festival will be held rain or shine. So mark your calendar, harvest your family and friends and come on down. Admission is $4 per person, with children ages seven and younger admitted free of charge. Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road (at Coles Avenue) in Mountainside. Additional information can be obtained by calling 908-789-3670 or by visiting the Union County website at www.ucnj.org.

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Union County – Spaces are still available for the next Union County Women Mean Business Event: Wine, Women and Wealth, which is taking place on Tuesday, September 17th from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at the Clubhouse at Galloping Hill in Kenilworth.

The program, which features a wine tasting, is geared towards teaching women the principles of personal financial success with seminars like “The 7 Deadly Mistakes of Social Security,” and “#SNSL: Save Now, Succeed Later.”

Participants will be able to choose their preferred wealth seminar and enjoy the tasting as well as a networking cocktail reception featuring hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

To register, visit https://ucnj.org/ucmb, or contact the County Manager’s office at 908-527-4200. There is a $25 registration fee, and pre-registration is required.

The Wine, Women and Wealth seminar is being co-sponsored by Union Center Bank and is part of the Union County Women Mean Business, and the Union County Means Business Networking Series’. Programs are sponsored by the Board of Chosen Freeholders in partnership with the Union County Alliance, Union County Economic Development Corp., Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, Suburban Chambers of Commerce, Union Township Chamber of Commerce, Kean University, and Union County College.

The wine tasting portion of the Wine, Women and Wealth program is being sponsored by Gallo Wines and Mionetto Wines.

For additional information on the Women’s Summit or the Union County Means Business Series, please visitwww.ucnj.org/UCMeansBusiness.

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WESTFIELD, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that its next mobile paper-shredding program for personal documents will be available on Saturday, September 28, at the Westfield Memorial Pool in Westfield.

“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents fight identity theft and eliminate clutter in their homes,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Christopher Hudak, liaison to the Solid Waste Advisory Council. “It is a cost-effective way to assist our recycling efforts and it ties in with Union County’s other Go Green Initiatives.”

The Sept. 28th shredding event will take place at the Westfield Memorial Pool, located at 713 Cumberland Street in Westfield. NEXCUT Shredding of Teaneck will be shredding documents at the site from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. The shredding event will end before 1 p.m. if the shredding truck reaches capacity.

All Union County residents are eligible to use the paper-shredding service. In an effort to accommodate everyone, there is a limit of four, 10-pound bags or boxes per person. Documents should not be bound. Please remove plastic binders and paperclips. Paper that is wet/damp will not be accepted. Residents should continue to recycle non-confidential papers and magazines with their municipal recycling program.

Documents are put into 96-gallon containers provided by the shredding company. The items are then dumped onto a conveyor belt and shredded on site. Participants are welcome to view the shredding process via a closed-circuit television. The shredded documents are then recycled, shipped to paper mills and used as pulp. The next shredding event will take place Saturday, Nov. 2, at Alcatel-Lucent in New Providence.

The mobile shredding program is paid for through New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Enhancement Act Grant Funds. For more information about future events or directions please call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/recycle .

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Union County, NJ – With the beginning of the 2013-2014 flu season, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that flu vaccines are available at many locations in Union County, including pharmacies, private medical practices and public clinics run by local health departments.

“With school back in session and more people spending time indoors, the likelihood of catching the flu rises in the fall and winter,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “The best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated early in the season, before a flu virus starts to spread.”

Fees for the vaccine can be free or quite low, and they may be waived for those with Medicare cards, though they may be higher at some locations. Residents are advised to call ahead for information on fees before going for a flu shot.

The following health departments have announced public flu clinics for September and October in Union County:

• Clark (732-428-8405)
• Kenilworth (via Union Health Department, (908-851-8507)
• Plainfield (908-753-3092)
• Roselle (908-259-3032 or 908-259-3039)
• Springfield (via Madison Health Department (973-593-3081)
• Union (908-851-8507)

Individuals who get a flu vaccine in September or early October will be protected throughout the entire flu season.

Flu season typically peaks in the northeast in the fall and winter months. The seasonal flu virus is always changing, so a new vaccine is required every year.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends the flu vaccine for everyone over the age of six months, especially for persons aged 65 years and older regardless of whether or not they have chronic health conditions.

Other groups that are especially recommended for an annual flu vaccine are residents of long-term care facilities, persons aged 2–64 years who have chronic health conditions, children aged six months or older who attend licensed child care centers or preschool activities, pregnant women, healthcare personnel who provide direct patient care, and caregivers of infants less than six months old.

Flu viruses spread through coughing and sneezing. They may also spread when people touch something with flu virus on it and then touch their mouth, eyes, or nose.

People infected with flu may infect others before symptoms start and up to 5-7 days after becoming sick. That means infected persons can spread the flu before, during and after they feel sick. Young children, those who are severely ill, and those who have severely weakened immune systems infect others for longer than 5-7 days.

The best way to prevent the spread of the flu is to get vaccinated, wash hands with warm water and soap often, always cover coughs, and stay home when feeling sick.

For more information on flu prevention, including an online pharmacy locator and more details on health department clinics in Union County, visit ucnj.org/what-to-do-about-the-flu.

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

With the assistance of a K-9 team, Union County Sheriff’s Officers apprehended an Elizabeth man last week on two outstanding warrants.

Jumani Terrell, 20, was wanted for failure to appear for sentencing on manufacturing and distribution of heroin and cocaine charges. He also had a warrant for contempt of court.

On the morning of September 5, Sheriff’s Officers arrived at Terrell’s Anna Street residence in Elizabeth. One officer was speaking with a resident of the house at front door when another officer noticed a man fitting the description of the suspect attempting to exit a second floor rear window. Seeing the officer, he ducked back inside.

After more backup arrived, including a K-9 unit, a searched of the residence began. In the attic, an unregistered shot gun was recovered. A short time later, Terrell was found in a down stairs closet full of clothes.

He was taken into custody without further incident and transported to the Union County Jail.

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MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Autumn is on its way and Union County’s Watchung Stable is offering guided trail rides on Saturdays and  Sundays for everyone nine years of age and older.

The public trail rides are held Saturdays at 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. weather permitting. Groups of 15 or more people ride on the bridle trails in part of the wooded 2,000-acre Watchung Reservation in Mountainside. The rides are on a first come, first served basis and are available to anyone with or without experience. The cost of a trail ride is $32 for Union County residents and $45 for out-of-county riders.

Watchung Stable also features special private group rides for individuals or groups of up to 15 people. These rides need to be set up in advance at a mutually convenient time and can be held on weekdays or weekends. The cost of the private rides is the rental fee (in-county $32 and out-of-county $45) and an additional $32 for the instructor.

For younger riders under nine years old, Watchung Stable offers lead lines on Sundays from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. Lead lines also are held during the week if the weather permits and are held on a first come, first served basis. The cost for a lead line is $18 for Union County residents and $26 for out-of-county riders. Lead lines are half-hour rides only.

Watchung Stable is located at 1160 Summit Lane in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. daily. For further information, call 908-789-3665 during the normal office hours or email questions to stablequestions@ucnj.org.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites all residents and visitors to attend the commemoration of POW/MIA Remembrance Day in front of the Union County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth on Friday, September 20. The ceremony will start promptly at 11:15 a.m.

“Each year, we hold this public ceremony to set aside time to pause and reflect on the sacrifices that our military personnel and their families have made throughout the years, in order that we may enjoy the fruits of a safe and secure community,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “If you are in Elizabeth on September 20, please stop by and join us.”

In the event of rain, the ceremony will take place inside the Courthouse, in the first floor Rotunda. For more information, call the Freeholder Board at 908-527-4117.

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