Category: Public Info

WESTFIELD, NJ – The Union County Clerk’s office in Westfield is hosting a Passport Fair on Saturday, April 9, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. to provide passport information to U.S. citizens and to accept passport applications.

“My office in Westfield is joining with the U.S. Department of State to celebrate ‘Passport Day in the USA’ – a national passport acceptance and outreach event,” said Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi. “Are you ready for that summer trip you dreamed about all winter? Now is the time to make sure your passport is up-to-date.”

U.S. citizens must present a valid passport book when entering or re-entering the United States by air. U.S. citizens entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean islands and Bermuda at land borders and sea ports of entry must present a passport book, passport card, or other travel documents approved by the U.S. government.

“Some countries require passports to be valid for an additional three, six or nine months after your visit,” Rajoppi added. “If your passport is due to expire within nine months of your international travel, you should renew your passport to ensure a smoother journey.”

To help make “Passport Day in the USA” fun for travelers of all ages, balloons and special give-away packets of travel tips will be available. County, state and federal elected officials have been invited to attend “Passport Day in the USA” to meet their constituents.

Information about the cost and how to apply for a passport book and/or passport card is available athttp://travel.state.gov. U.S. citizens may also obtain passport information by phone, in English and Spanish, by calling the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 1-877-487-2778.

Passport application forms may be obtained at the County Clerk’s office annex at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. Applications for passports and related information also can be found online athttps://ucnj.org/government/county-clerk/Passports. The phone number at the Union County Clerk’s Westfield Annex is 908-654-9859.

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Union County Juvenile Detention Center “Transcends the Usual Stereotypes” Wins Prestigious Worldwide Archictectural Award

Union County, NJ – Union County’s Juvenile Detention Center has just been named one of two co-winners in the first-ever World Architecture News Effectiveness Awards, a prestigious global competition that recognizes the profound effect that architectural design can have on society. The building was designed by Ricci Greene Associates, which submitted the winning application.

“The Union County Juvenile Detention Center’s award-winning design has set the trend for all others to follow in the industry,” said Charlotte DeFilippo, executive director of the Union County Improvement Authority, which financed and developed the facility. “All stakeholders, led by Union County Improvement Authority, and including the County of Union, the Freeholder Board, Ricci Greene–came together to carefully plan and execute a model development.”

Union County Human Services Director Frank Guzzo also played a key role in leading the project to fruition, DeFilippo noted.

Guzzo, in turn, thanked DeFilippo and the Improvement Authority for their efforts in bringing the project to fruition on time and under budget.

Opened in April 2008 in the City of Linden, the one-story, 70,000 square foot masonry and steel building can house up to 80 residents.

This facility incorporated an “evidence-based” design approach, which included research into the juvenile justice system in terms of sociology, demographics, technology and design.

“The Detention center is a highly functional space that enhances our ability to serve young people at a very critical and very sensitive juncture in their lives,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon. “This award is truly a distinction and it sets a high benchmark for new public facilities moving forward.”

The Effectiveness Awards are the first professional awards intended specifically to recognize projects in which the architect goes beyond designing a beautiful building that meets the requirements of the client. Instead, the judges focus on the benefits that a carefully designed physical space can provide for those who use it, and for the surrounding community.

Among many special features of the building that were influenced by the research, one standout design element is the generous use of open space and natural light. The facility includes almost an acre of outdoor courtyard space, and natural light from both the exterior and interior corridors flows into classrooms and living units. Full-spectrum lighting is known to have a positive effect on academic performance.

An editorial in World Architecture News stated that “the building has been described as ‘optimism that belies the building type’ and its ambitions and achievements make it a truly exceptional candidate and deserved winner of this award.”

For more information on the award, please go to: http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=16114

Former Plainfield City Administrator Bibi Taylor named County Finance Director

(Union County, NJ) – Bibi Taylor, a former municipal Finance Director with more than ten years of governmental experience, has been tapped to become the County’s Director of Finance later this year, County Manager George W. Devanney announced.

Taylor will commence working as Assistant to the Director as of Monday, March 21st, but will not assume the position of Director of Finance until at least May 1st, 2011 when the current Director, Lawrence Caroselli, retires. She is being brought on to ensure a smooth transition as the county undergoes its preparation of the 2011 fiscal budget, Devanney added.

“Bibi Taylor brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in financial management,” said Devanney. “She is highly regarded among her peers. I am confident Bibi Taylor will help Union County move ahead into a new era as a capable successor to Director Caroselli, who admirably served the county for the past 35 years.”

Taylor’s most recent responsibilities included overseeing the day to day operations of Plainfield’s city government with a staff of over 500 municipal employees and a budget of $72 million. Prior to serving as City Administrator, Taylor’s responsibilities as Director of Administration and Finance in Plainfield were also widely praised as she implemented Financial Corrective Action Plans of the City’s audit and effectively coordinating the finances of 11 municipal divisions, boards and agencies of government.

Taylor said she was “humbled” by this appointment, and looked forward to embracing the challenges ahead.

“I am thankful for this opportunity and grateful to the County Manager, Director Caroselli and the Freeholders for their support,” Taylor said. “My career has followed a natural progression that has prepared me to meet the inevitable budgetary challenges ahead. I look forward to working with our Board of Chosen Freeholders in meeting these new challenges and continuing the County’s fiscal stability.”

Vice-Chairman Alexander Mirabella, serving as Chairman of the Finance Committee, praised her appointment.

“I commend our County Manager for conducting an extensive search for Director Caroselli’s replacement and for bringing Ms. Taylor on board during this year’s budgetary process,” Mirabella said. “Her appointment ensures a transition that will help continue the smooth flow of operation and stability of our County’s finances.”

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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 at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj

The Union County Freeholder Board celebrated the 15th Anniversary of the Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Union Township, Saturday March 12, 2011. The early spring weather brought families and friends, regardless of heritage, out to celebrate with their community.

Photo courtesy of the Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Committee

The Union County Freeholder Board celebrated the 15th Anniversary of the Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Union Township, Saturday March 12, 2011. The early spring weather brought families and friends, regardless of heritage, out to celebrate with their community.

Photo courtesy of the Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Committee

The Union County Freeholder Board celebrated the 15th Anniversary of the Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Union Township, Saturday March 12, 2011. The early spring weather brought families and friends, regardless of heritage, out to celebrate with their community.

Photo courtesy of the Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Committee

The Union County Freeholder Board celebrated the 15th Anniversary of the Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Union Township, Saturday March 12, 2011. The early spring weather brought families and friends, regardless of heritage, out to celebrate with their community.

Photo courtesy of the Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Committee

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Trailside Nature & Science Center would like to recognize and honor the young environmental heroes in our community. Small steps can lead to big changes for our planet and young people are taking the initiative and inspiring children and adults alike to help the planet.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal are pleased to announce this opportunity for our young residents to be commended for their efforts in protecting the environment.

“We encourage our residents to nominate the young people in their community who have taken action to help the environment so they can be recognized for their efforts,” said Freeholder Daniel Sullivan, liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. “These young people deserve to be acknowledged for their leadership in activities such as recycling, litter pick-ups, planting trees and living greener.”

Participants may nominate young individuals or groups who have taken action for environmental change in their community. Nominees must be 18 years of age or younger. Each nomination must include an essay of 250 words or less 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.

Nominations for the Environmental Hero Award can be emailed to bnovorro@ucnj.org or delivered to Trailside Nature & Science Center, 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside, NJ 07092. All entries must be postmarked by April 15.

Winners of the Environmental Hero Award will be acknowledged at Wild Earth Fest on Sunday, May 1, at Trailside.

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 a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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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 .

Union County, NJ – In celebration of Arbor Day, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is once again donating free trees to Union County schools along with a free session on tree care. This year’s selection is the Red Bud, a flowering tree that produces brilliant magenta blossoms in the spring. Many schools use their free trees for Arbor Day educational activities.

“Tree care is an important part of a well rounded environmental education for children in Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon. “As an urban and suburban region, we need a healthy tree population to help reduce air pollution and dust, absorb excess stormwater, and keep our neighborhoods cooler in hot weather.”

The free Red Bud trees are available, one per school on a first come first served basis, while supplies last. Requests must be submitted by April 1. Schools that are interested in obtaining a tree can contact Barbara Knapp, Union County Bureau of Shade Tree and Conservation, 908-789-3653. Parent volunteers who wish to represent their child’s school should contact their child’s principal.

Each Red Bud is 5-6 feet tall and comes with a free protective cage. For schools that receive a tree, free sessions in tree planting and tree care are also available to students, teachers, and parent volunteers through the Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Master Tree Steward Program. The tree care sessions will be held at Williams Nursery, 524 Springfield Avenue in Westfield.

In addition to Arbor Day donations, Union County supports local tree planting efforts through the Greening Union County grant program, which provides matching funds for municipal trees. Union County also sponsors an annual Arbor Day poetry contest in support of environmental education and outreach efforts by local school districts.

Union County maintains approximately 15,000 trees alongside county roads, through the Bureau of Shade Tree and Conservation. Under the terms of a Freeholder resolution, when a roadside tree is removed it must be replaced with another. To date, Union County has exceeded this statutory requirement. The Bureau is also responsible for thousands of trees in more than 6,700 acres of county parkland.

“Trees are serious business in Union County,” noted Scanlon. “Aside from being important from an environmental perspective, studies show that trees are a sound investment of public funds. They yield a positive impact on public safety, economic activity, community health, and many other areas.”

The U.S. Forest Service provides free public domain software to calculate the dollar value of trees in an urban community. The latest version, i-Tree v. 4, is user-friendly for individuals, students and community groups as well as professional planners.

Arbor Day has been a national observance since 1872, encouraging the public to plant and care for trees. This year it will be celebrated on Friday, April 29.

To find out more about tree care in Union County, or to volunteer to be a Master Tree Steward, contact James Nichnadowicz, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, 908-654-9854 or jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

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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.

Union County, NJ – All Union County residents are invited to take part in a free online course, designed by Rutgers University experts, that shows how a few modest changes in daily habits can lead to better nutrition and financial improvement. Called the “Spring 2011 SSHW Challenge,” the course is based on the Rutgers Cooperative Extension’s Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ program.

The five-week program is free and open to all who enroll online from now until the start date of Sunday, April 10. Participants keep track of their progress through a point system, and a daily bar graph shows how their score compares with the average. Prizes will be awarded for participants who report the highest point totals.

To get more information or to join the SSHW Challenge, follow the “Challenges” link on the Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ Web site at http://njaes.rutgers.edu/sshw/. Set up a user name and password. Then download a simple user’s guide that describes how to proceed, and enroll in the Challenge titled “Spring 2011 SSHW Challenge.”

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is supported in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. To contact the Union County Extension by phone, call 908-654-9854.

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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