Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that the county’s Bureau of Mosquito Control is continuing its annual program of scheduled pesticide sprayings in order to reduce the risk of West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases in the region. As in past years, the spraying program began in May and will end when cooler weather prevails, in October.

The locations for the sprayings are determined on a weekly basis and have always been publicized through print media as required by statewide regulations. Last summer, Union County also began posting the schedules on its website, ucnj.org.

“Union County has a 100-year history of leadership in the mosquito control field, and that includes keeping the public informed about our operations,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “By posting schedules on the web we can reach a much wider audience than before.”

Persons who wish to minimize direct exposure to pesticides, whether from Mosquito Control activities or from their personal use, can take the following standard precautions:

• When possible, stay indoors when pesticides are in use outdoors.
• Close air conditioner vents or choose the “re-circulate” function.
• Remove outdoor toys, or wash them before using again.
• Remove laundry from clotheslines, or wash it.
• Wash all produce thoroughly with water.

Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, and a single female needs only a small amount of water to lay hundreds of eggs. To help keep the mosquito population down, residents and business owners are advised to check their property for any places where small amounts of water can collect such as empty flower pots, pool covers, and children’s toys.

In particular, roof gutters should be checked for sagging or blocked areas where water can collect. Litter and debris, especially discarded tires, are other favorite breeding sites.

The following standard precautions help to reduce the risk of mosquito bites:

• When possible, limit time outdoors between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Weather permitting, wear long and light-colored clothing.
• Use a repellent approved for use on skin and clothing, and to follow all instructions on the label carefully. Additional guidance on mosquito repellents is available from the Centers for Disease Control.
• Use window screens and check them periodically for tears or holes.

Mosquito infestations can be reported by calling the Union County Mosquito Hotline at 908-654-9834 during business hours. County inspectors will examine the property and provide guidance on eliminating breeding sites. If needed, the inspectors will also survey the surrounding area.

For more information about mosquito control efforts in Union County, visit the Bureau of Mosquito Control online at ucnj.org.

HILLSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal announce the concluding evening of “Family Fun and Flix” – the free summer entertainment and film series on Tuesday evenings – on August 13 at Conant Park in Hillside. The evening will feature a discussion and display about turtles, snakes and other reptiles followed by the animated comedy “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted,” which will give families a chance to enjoy an outdoor activity and catch a movie under the stars in a Union County park.

“Family Fun and Flix begins at dusk, but come early to the park to enjoy an interesting preview activity at 7:30 p.m. that is fun for the whole family,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “Bring a blanket or beach chair to claim your spot on the lawn or save a seat in the bleachers – either way, the early birds are sure to like the preview activity before the movie.”

Come to Conant Park, along Conant Street in Hillside, Tuesday, August 13 at 7:30 p.m. when naturalists from Trailside Nature & Science Center will be on hand with the Eco Van to talk about the turtles, snakes and other reptiles that live in Union County. Learn the difference between a land tortoise and a water turtle. Touch a turtle shell, feel a shed snake skin and meet a live snake and turtle from Trailside’s collection. Then, at dusk, sit back and watch the animated adventure comedy “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted,” as Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Gloria the hippo and Melman the giraffe travel through Europe with a circus as they try to get home to the Big Apple; featuring the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, David Schwimmer, and Frances McDormand.

The Aug. 13 movie starts at dusk, weather permitting. For more information, call the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal at 908-527-4900 or visit the Union County website: www.ucnj.org. For program and rain information call 908-558-4079 after 3 p.m. on the day of the show.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that an evening of free, family friendly activities is on tap in celebration of National Night Out starting at 6:00 p.m. this Tuesday evening, August 6, at Meisel Park on Meisel Avenue in Springfield. The event is free and open to all Union County residents and visitors.

“National Night Out is a great chance to enjoy an evening in the fresh air with family, friends, and neighbors, while becoming more familiar with the public resources and programs that help keep us safe and secure,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “I encourage everyone to come out and join in the festivities.”

This year marks the 30th anniversary of National Night Out, which was established in 1984 as a community partnership aimed at preventing crime and drug abuse.

The Union County event starts at 6:00 p.m. Among the many free activities for children and families are free inflatable activity rides, magic, balloon art, bubble mania, bingo, crafts, and music, along with free hotdogs.

Union County’s Bomb Squad, SWAT team, and K-9 Unit will stage live demonstrations, and there will be a hands-on exhibit of two dozen police and emergency vehicles.

The evening will be capped by a free outdoor movie as part of Union County’s summer Family Flix series,Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, beginning at dusk (approximately 8:45 p.m.). Free popcorn will provided to moviegoers.

“The Freeholder Board would also like to thank our sponsors for this event, who have pitched in to make it a truly memorable one,” said Carter.

For the Union County National Night Out event this year, Target is providing free hotdogs and condiments along with a donation of charcoal for the grill, Shoprite of Clark is providing trays of cookies, AAA and Union Center National Bank have donated bike safety lights and helmets to raffle, and JMK BMW has donated two children’s bicycles to raffle.

Union County’s free Family Flix series continues after National Night out on August 13 with a screening ofMadagascar 3 at Conant Park in Hillside, and the free Summer Arts outdoor concert series continues through August 14, 21, and 28 at Oak Ridge Park in Clark.

For information on all Union County recreation programs and events call the Department of Parks and Community Renewal, 908-527-4900 or visit online at ucnj.org/parks.

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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.

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs are pleased to announce that the First Place hanging art works from the 2013 Union County Senior Citizens Art Contest and Exhibit are showing at the Freeholders Gallery located on the 6th floor of the Union County Administration Building at Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth. The winning pieces can be seen weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibit will run through Wednesday, August 21.

“Professional and non-professional winners in different categories will go on to compete at the New Jersey Senior Citizens Art Show at Meadow Lakes in East Windsor in September,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “These senior artists have diverse artistic backgrounds. Some are members of art associations who meet regularly to paint together with a hired teacher; others are self-taught and make art by themselves.”

The annual Union County Senior Citizen Art Show is open to artists who are 60 years of age or older and reside in Union County. The show is held from early June to mid-July in the atrium of the Elizabethtown Gas Company in Union.

The non-professional artists whose two-dimensional art works are included in the Freeholders Gallery exhibit are: Henry Buntin of Berkeley Heights (acrylic); Lynn Shereshewsky of Westfield (craft); Roberta Frimpter of Rahway (drawing); John Biel of Westfield (mixed media); Anna Szabo of Union (oil); Marjorie Picard of Scotch Plains (pastel); Donna Farrell of Linden (photography); Peter Brogan of Union (print); and Elizabeth Weiss of New Providence (watercolor).

The professional artists in the exhibit are: Gennady Rozhkov of Springfield (acrylic); Frank Marshall of Roselle (mixed media); Eileen Bonacci of Berkeley Heights (oil); Dolores Brink of Roselle Park (pastel); Richard Earl of Westfield (photography); and John Curch of Scotch Plains (watercolor).

The first place winners for sculpture are not exhibited at the Freeholders Gallery, but will also go on to compete at the New Jersey Senior Citizens Art Show. They are: Pauli Verridicci of Springfield (non-pro sculpture); and Dolores Steward of Plainfield (pro sculpture).

For further information and to learn more about exhibiting at the Freeholders Gallery, please contact Teya David, curator, at the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202; telephone, 908-558-2550; or email: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

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Sample Ballots May Be Viewed on County Clerk’s Website

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that a “One-Stop” service is available for Union County voters at the Westfield and Elizabeth offices of the County Clerk.

“With the August 13th Special Primary Election for a U.S. Senate seat approaching quickly, my office is working to make the voting process as fast and convenient as we can for everyone who is registered to vote,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “Eligible voters may apply for a Vote-By-Mail ballot in person at either one of my offices, receive their ballot and cast the ballot at the same time. They also may apply by mail for a Vote-By-Mail ballot by Tuesday, August 6th.”

The Main Office of the County Clerk is located at the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Room 113, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. Regular office hours in Elizabeth are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office also will be open on Saturday, August 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for voters seeking last-minute Vote-By-Mail ballots.

The Westfield Annex of the County Clerk is located at 300 North Avenue East, Westfield 07090. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

“By opening the Elizabeth office on the Saturday before the primary election, as we have done for the past 17 years, along with the Westfield office, which has regular Saturday hours throughout the year, we hope to assist those citizens whose work schedules or other commitments keep them from applying to Vote-By-Mail during the work week,” Rajoppi said.

Sample ballots for the U.S. Senate Special Primary Election may be viewed at the County Clerk’s website:https://ucnj.org/sample-ballots. These sample ballots are important because in some instances polling places have changed, particularly in Westfield, Linden and Winfield.

Vote-By-Mail is an easy, secure process that has replaced the Absentee Ballot. Voters do not need to give a reason why they wish to Vote-By-Mail. To obtain an application form, voters also may pick up the form at their local municipal building; they can download the form at the Union County Clerk’s website: www.ucnj.org/vote-by-mail or they can contact the Union County Clerk at 908-527-4996. The Clerk’s website also includes a video that explains how to fill out the Vote-By-Mail application form.

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Union County, NJ – Every year, dozens of Union County students in grades one through twelve join a local 4-H club to explore their favorite interests and activities, and this year a select group of six was invited to demonstrate their knowledge at the statewide 4-H Presentation Contest, held at Rutgers University last month.

“On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I’d like to congratulate our Union County 4-H contest entrants for a job well done,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “Participating in this statewide event is a wonderful testament to their hard work and dedication.”

Union County 4-H clubs cover a broad range of interests and activities including horticulture, history, archery, Lego robotics, cooking, pet care and much more.

4-H is a long running national youth development program. It originated in efforts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to connect rural youth with up-to-date farming practices and related subjects, through a nationwide network of county-based Extension offices.

In its modern iteration, 4-H offers young people the chance to develop expertise in a wide range of topics while gaining experience in public speaking, organization, team building and other essential skills.

The 4-H schedule runs concurrently with the school year. Each spring the students can provide a formal presentation of their project before a live audience. The presenters who earn a score of “Excellent” are invited to participate in the statewide contest each June.

This year, 175 4-H students participated in the statewide contest, including six from Union County:

• Kyle Grant of Union (Teen Council) gave a formal speech entitled “High School Expectations.”

• Adrian Lam of Westfield (Lego Club and Archery Club) spoke about What is PCR? ( PCR stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction).

• Neeraj Shekhar of Westfield (Teen Council) delivered a talk entitle “Every Drop Counts”

• Vivek Sreenivasan of Westfield (Lego Club) spoke about “Rubik’s Cubes: The puzzle that puzzled the world.”

• Michael Stokes of Westfield (Archery Club) spoke about Pole Vaulting.

• Kirsten Waldmann of Roselle (Living History Club) spoke about Cornhusk Dolls and how to make them.

For those interested in joining or leading a Union County 4-H club, an Open House will be held on Friday September 27 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension offices in Westfield, 300 North Avenue East.

To find out more about the open house and all Union County 4-H programs, contact 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz,  Nichnadowicz@njaes.rutgers.edu or 908-654-9854 (ext. 3), or visit the Extension online atucnj.org/rce.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

WESTFIELD, NJ—Joined by community activists, non-profit leaders and government officials, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders dedicated a new multi-use building at the County Public Safety Complex in the name of disability advocate Colleen Fraser, the Elizabeth resident killed in the 9/11 attacks who earlier in her career headed the Union County Office for the Disabled.

Fraser, 51, was on board United Airlines Flight 93, en route to a grant writing seminar in Reno, Nevada. The plane crashed in Shanksville, PA after passengers fought back against the terrorist hijackers, who were likely to target a federal government location in Washington DC.

“Colleen Fraser may be gone, but her impact on others and her advocacy lasts,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “She would be proud to know that the Colleen Fraser building will help residents in need, provide life-saving EMS services, assist those looking to vote, and foster those looking to make our planet a greener place.”

Among those on hand to pay tribute to Fraser were Fraser’s family including her sister, Christine, Union County Freeholders and Department heads including members of the County’s Office for the Disabled, Westfield officials, and colleagues including Ethan B
. Ellis, former Executive Director of the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Sid Blanchard, the Executive Director of Community Access.

Officials unveiled the building’s marquee with Fraser’s name and an interior plaque and held a ceremony in the building’s courtyard and plaza area.

Recalling the passenger’s heroic efforts in fighting back against the plane’s hijackers, Carter quoted a tribute to Fraser from a colleague and friend of Colleen’s, Robin (Zimenoff) Bolduc:

“I can picture her on that plane — flaming red hair, cane flying — leading the charge — ‘We are Americans — we rule our own destinies.’ ”

A native of Elizabeth, New Jersey and a graduate of Rutgers University, Fraser carried a tiny copy of the Constitution with her to encourage the disabled to become their own advocates. Born with a condition that affected her legs, Fraser stood 4’6” but was well-known as a “firebrand” and relentless advocate. At the time of her death, she was serving as Executive Director of the Progressive Center for Independent Living, and vice chairwoman of the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities.

After graduating from Rutgers University, where she studied English literature, Fraser took a job as a case manager with Community Access Unlimited, an advocacy group in Elizabeth for people with disabilities. She was director of DIAL Inc., a center for independent living in Clifton, and also served as director of Union County’s Office for the Disabled in the 1980s.

The three-story Fraser building, located at the County’s Public Safety Complex at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield, contains offices for the County Clerk, the Medical Examiner’s Office, Weights and Measures, Consumer Affairs, houses the County EMS operations, the Union County Superintendent of Schools, and the Rutgers Cooperative Extension program of Union County. It has a garage and deck for emergency operations vehicles and resources.

The LEED-certified Fraser building also features an energy efficient exterior skin, solar panels and an innovative geothermal heat pump system—a renewable energy source. The building cost $11 million to construct.

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Union County, NJ – In an official resolution adopted yesterday, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders called upon New Jersey state representatives to override a veto and pass the Marriage Equality Bill. The resolution also calls upon the 20 other counties in New Jersey to join with Union County in supporting the override.

“As the site of pivotal events in the Revolutionary War, New Jersey has played a historic role in the fight for equal rights under the law,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “Union County is proud to carry on this great tradition by working to ensure that the uniquely important social contract of marriage is equally available to all men and women.”

The resolution urges the New Jersey Senate and Assembly to override the veto of bill A-1, the Marriage Equality Bill. The bill passed with bipartisan support in February 2012 but was vetoed by Governor Chris Christie shortly after.

The Marriage Equality Bill defines marriage as “the legally recognized union of two consenting persons in a committed relationship.”

“Our Founding Fathers declared that ‘all men are created equal,’ but it is up to each generation to ensure that this declaration of principle is reflected in the law of the land,” said New Jersey State Senator Ray Lesniak (D-20). “The Marriage Equality Bill is consistent with the recent Supreme Court ruling, and it should become law in New Jersey.”

Earlier this summer the U.S. Supreme Court found key provisions of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) to be unconstitutional. That law defined a marriage as only between a man and a woman.

“Especially when you consider the many New Jersey residents from all walks of life who go the extra mile to serve our nation and our communities, both as professionals and volunteers, it is high time to ensure that all who choose to adopt the responsibilities of marriage be accorded equal recognition under the law,” said Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, who is the Freeholder Board’s liaison to the Union County Veterans Affairs Committee.

Currently, about a dozen other states and the District of Columbia have marriage equality laws. Now that parts of DOMA have been struck down, all married couples in these states have equal access to federal benefits.

Complete text of the resolution (#597, July 25, 2013):

WHEREAS, in February of 2012, both the New Jersey State Assembly and the New Jersey State Senate voted in a bipartisan effort to pass a Marriage Equality Bill (A-1). Under the bill, marriage is defined as “the legally recognized union of two consenting persons in a committed relationship.” Under the bill, same-sex civil unions would no longer be permitted; and

WHEREAS, on the very next day the bill was passed, Governor Chris Christie vetoed the legislation, reaffirming his view that voters should decide whether to change the definition of marriage in New Jersey. The Legislature has until January 2014 to round up enough votes to over-ride the Governor’s veto; and

WHEREAS, on June 26, 2013, the United States Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, struck down a key part of a law that denies to legally married same-sex couples the same federal benefits provided to heterosexual spouses. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defines marriage as only between a man and a woman. But the Supreme Court ruled DOMA violates equal protection guarantees in the Fifth Amendment’s due process clause as applied to same-sex couples legally married under the laws of their states; and

WHEREAS, since December 2005, the County of Union has supported and adopted the policies set forth in the Domestic Partnership Act, Chapter 246, P.L 2003 and has recognized the same-sex domestic partners of employees, as defined by the Act, and has deemed them eligible for the same dependent benefits as are provided to a spouse under the State-administered pension funds. All spouse and family health benefits including major medical, dental and insurance available to a spouse or family of a Union County employee or retiree are also available under similar co-pays, premiums, or deductibles to the same sex domestic partner of a County employee or retiree.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Chosen Freeholders of the County of Union urges the New Jersey General Assembly and the State Senate to vote to over-ride Governor Chris Christie’s veto of the Marriage Equality Bill, and afford the same rights and privileges to same-sex couples that are given to other marriage couples under the law; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to each County in the State of New Jersey, requesting that they join with Union County in urging swift action in the Legislature on this important issue.

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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.

SPRINGFIELD, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks & Community Renewal announce that the next evening of “Family Fun and Flix” – the free summer entertainment and film series on Tuesday evenings – will team-up with National Night Out organizers on August 6 at Meisel Park, off Meisel Avenue in Springfield.

National Night Out activities start at 6 p.m. and then at sunset, after 8 p.m., the audience can enjoy the animated family comedy “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” This will give families a chance to participate in the 30thannual nationwide community safety event – including free hot dogs, popcorn and refreshments; balloons, inflatable slides and activities for kids; and an assortment of emergency vehicles – and then catch a movie under the stars in Meisel Park.

“Family Fun and Flix begins at dusk, but come early to the park to enjoy free refreshments, activities and raffles for kids, meet Springfield and Union County police and emergency personnel, and learn about youth, educational, safety and public awareness programs,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “Bring a blanket or beach chair to claim your spot on the lawn for a good view before the movie begins at sundown.”

Children of all ages will enjoy the animated comedy family film “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” about a young inventor whose unique devices inadvertently create a massive food storm that threatens the town of Chewandswallow. The 2009 movie features the voices of Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Mr. T, Lauren Graham, Al Roker and Will Forte.

This summer’s Family Fun and Flix will conclude on Tuesday, August 13, at Conant Park in Hillside, where the Trailside Eco Van will feature a display about turtles, snakes and other local reptiles, before the animated comedy movie, “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.”

Family Fun and Flix movies start at dusk, weather permitting. For more information, call the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal at 908-527-4900 or visit the Union County website:www.ucnj.org. For program and rain information call 908-558-4079 after 3:00 p.m. on the day of the show.

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UNION, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that its next mobile paper-shredding program for personal documents will be available on Saturday, August 10, at Kean University in Union.

“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 August 10th shredding event will take place on the Kean University campus, located at 1000 Morris Avenue in Union. 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 Thursday, Sept. 12, at the Linden Recycling Center.

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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