County of Union, New JerseyDefault category for all normal press releases
Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan, Undersheriffs Michael Frank and Amilcar Colon and Captain Dennis Burke congratulate newly promoted Sergeant Anastasio Anastasatos of Clark during a ceremony in the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Sergeant Anastasatos, a 13-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, is assigned to the Crime Scene Unit and also instructs at the John H. Stamler Police Academy. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County offers one of only two live web links in New Jersey for peregrine falcon nests
Union County, NJ – Visitors to the Union County website can now access a free link to the County’s first ever “Falcon Cam,” which provides a live stream of all the action in and around the peregrine falcon nest located on the roof of the County Courthouse in midtown Elizabeth.
The mother falcon laid four eggs earlier this spring, and they are expected to hatch within days.
“The new Falcon Cam is a wonderful opportunity to observe and study one of nature’s most fierce and fascinating creatures,” said Union County Freeholder Bruce H. Bergen. “It will provide an enriching experience for County residents of all ages, and for online visitors from all over the world.”
Peregrine falcons are known for their rapid dives, which can approach an astounding 200 miles an hour as they move in on their prey.
A pair first attempted to build a nest on the roof of the County Courthouse in 2005, but windy conditions were an obstacle. In 2006 County workers installed a repurposed dog house to provide a wind shield, acting on the guidance of wildlife experts with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. A nesting pair has raised chicks in the doghouse every year since then.
“Peregrine falcons are listed as an endangered species in New Jersey, and Union County has been part of ongoing efforts to ensure the survival of these remarkable birds statewide,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados, who is a member of the Parks and Recreation advisory board. “The new live feed will help build an appreciation for the role that we can all play in preserving our natural heritage, both in our parks and in the urban environment.”
In 2015 only 24 nesting pairs of peregrine falcons were reported in all of New Jersey. Of that total, only 16 are known to have made their homes in buildings like the County Courthouse.
Union County participates in a banding program with wildlife experts from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Thanks to the partnership, offspring from the County Courthouse pair have been observed around the tri-state region, where they have raised chicks of their own.
The same pair occupied the County Courthouse nest from 2006 to 2015. Last year they had four eggs, beating the statewide average of 2.25 young per active nest. They also hatched all four to achieve a 100 percent success rate, well above the average rate of 71 percent.
Earlier this year a new female took up residence in the nest. Leg bands indicate that she was born in a nest located at Throgs Neck Bridge in New York City in 2010.
The new Falcon Cam live stream includes two cameras. One provides a view of the nest interior. This camera also provides an infrared video image at night.
A second camera enables observers to track the falcons’ behavior while perched outside of the nest. An audio feed will also be available later this year.
With the Falcon Cam, Union County becomes one of only two places in New Jersey with a live peregrine falcon web link. The other web cam is located at a nest in Jersey City.
Until recent years, the peregrine falcon population was in steep decline along with other birds of prey due to habitat loss and the pesticide DDT. By 1964, peregrine falcons disappeared completely from New Jersey and all other states east of the Mississippi River.
Peregrine falcons were one of the first birds to be the focus of conservation efforts after the 1960’s. In the 1980’s an intensive re-introduction effort began in the tri-state region.
Since 2000 the New Jersey population has stabilized at approximately two dozen nesting pairs annually.
For more information about peregrine falcons, visit the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish & Wildlife.
A link for the new Falcon Cam is located on the County website at ucnj.org/falcon.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
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The Union County Mixed Bowling League, which is run by County employees, is opening up participation to the general public for the upcoming Fall season in September.
Anyone interested in joining or creating a team should call Ray Brigantino @ 908-403-2016, Charlie Dekowski @ 908-486-9031, and the Jersey Lanes @ 908-486 6300
Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados joined U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, Elizabeth Mayor. J. Christian Bollwage, Autism Speaks New Jersey Executive Director Heather Hayes and other officials at the Family Services Town Hall meeting in Elizabeth Saturday to bring together young adults with autism, families, adult service providers and state resources in a positive and collaborative atmosphere.
The town hall focused on the transition of young adults on the autism spectrum from adolescence into adulthood. The panel included advocates, experts and service providers, all of whom are educated and knowledgeable about adult autism services in New Jersey.
The event was co-sponsored by Autism Speaks and Senator Menendez, and hosted in partnership with Union County, City of Elizabeth, Elizabeth Public School District, Elizabeth Board of Education, and Moving New Jersey Forward Foundation.
For more information, visit www.autismspeaks.org.
WIn fulfillment of Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen’s “UCHERO” initiative assisting Veterans, collections are being taken up at five different County Government locations for Backpacks for Life, a New Jersey-based non-profit that assists Veterans in need, and the public is welcome to make a donation.
“There are many Veterans out there who are having trouble making ends meet and need our assistance,” said Freeholder Bruce H. Bergen. “We hope this collection helps in some small way to help make things better.”
Brett D’Alessandro, the founder of the New Jersey-based Backpacks for Life, thanked the County for setting up the donation effort.
“People tend to overlook homeless Veterans and stigmatize them and all homeless in general,” D’Alessandro said. “I created this organization to help our Veterans. At one point in my life, I needed help too, and I am living proof that a little bit of help can go a long way in turning a life around.”
D’Alessandro, a United States Marine Corps Sergeant and New Jersey native, founded Backpacks for Life after coming home from service in Afghanistan, and seeing a homeless man holding a sign that said “Vietnam Veteran.”
“I couldn’t help but think of that man for the rest of the day,” he said. Later that afternoon, D’Alessandro returned after filling his backpack from his tour with warming layers, socks and t-shirts. He went back to find the man and gave him the backpack. The next morning on his way into work, D’Alessandro saw the man, but this time with a small child wearing the backpack proudly.
“I stopped to say hello and the homeless man explained to me that his wife had become very sick and the warming layers were helping her tremendously. It was in this moment that I knew I wanted to help others get back on their feet and give them a second chance at life,” D’Alessandro said.
Collection bins/boxes are at the following County Government locations and accessible during normal business hours:
*Administration Building, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth—first floor elevator area. ( 9 a.m.-5 p.m. M-F)
*Prosecutor’s Office, 32 Rahway Avenue, Elizabeth— first floor lobby. (9 a.m.-5 p.m., M-F)
*County Courthouse—alley entry (before cafeteria, M-F, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.).
*County Clerk’s Office, 300 North Avenue East, Westfield—Office area (M,W,F 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Tues, Thurs 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.)
*County Police 300 North Avenue East, (24 HOUR COLLECTION SITE)—Lobby area.
The following items below are being requested as donations:
Backpacks For Life is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit that aims to provide veterans, those who are homeless or who cannot provide for themselves and their families, with the basic life necessities. They’re building backpacks full of daily essentials and other resources to help get homeless veterans back on their feet.
With each backpack, they aim to not only provide homeless veterans with the things they need for daily living but also, give them hope and resources for the future.
Backpacks For Life was founded by Verona resident and USMC Sgt. Brett D’Alessandro.
For more information, please go towww.backpacksforlife.org or about the County collection, contact Sebastian D’Elia atsdelia@ucnj.org or 908-527-4419.
Union County Freeholder Christopher Hudak presents Donald Givens with a resolution congratulating him on being named the 2016 Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year by the Linden Department of Public Property and Community Services during the city’s 57th annual Senior Citizen Day ceremony at the John T. Gregorio Recreation Center in Linden.
(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County, NJ – Gardeners can get free, reliable guidance by phone or email from the Master Gardeners of Union County, a group of trained, certified volunteers organized by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County with the support of the Freeholder Board. The service is designed to assist every level of gardening experience, from beginner to expert.
Among their many civic service programs, the Master Gardeners staff the free Garden Helpline from the Extension offices on the second floor of Union County’s Colleen Frasier Building in Westfield. Gardeners can also bring plant and insect samples to the office for evaluation, and get information about soil tests.
“Now is a good time to plan ahead for a successful garden,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “If you have any questions about plants and planting, the Master Gardeners are standing by to help you.”
Gardeners can call the Garden Helpline at 908-654-9852 from Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The Helpline may also be contacted by email at mastergardeners@ucnj.org. All voice mails and emails are answered promptly.
The Colleen Fraser Building is located at the County complex at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. Gardeners can bring plant or insect samples for evaluation during Helpline hours. A drop box is also provided to leave samples at other times. All samples must be in sealed containers.
In other gardening news, there is still time to apply for a 2016 Union County Community Garden Grant, a new grant program funded by the Freeholder Board and administered by the non-profit organization Groundwork Elizabeth. The application deadline is May 15. For more details visit ucnj.org/garden-grants or email Groundwork, elizabethnj@groundworkusa.org.
Garden enthusiasts are also invited to attend the Master Gardener’s 27th Annual Union County Spring Garden Fair and Plant Sale on Sunday May 15, 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Demonstration Garden by the Union County Trailside Nature and Science Center in the Watchung Reservation, at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.
This year’s Garden Fair features the new “Rutgers 250” tomato for sale along with popular favorites including many deer resistant, drought tolerant and fragrant plants, easy-to-grow plants for beginner gardeners and a large selection of tomatoes and herbs. Adding to the fun are children’s activities, baked goods and crafts for sale, garden tours and more.
Admission and parking are free. All sales are cash only. Proceeds from the sale go to fund Master Gardeners projects including neighborhood gardens, educational events, summer camps, scholarships, and the donation of thousands of pounds of fresh produce to local food pantries.
More information about the Helpline, Garden Fair and many other programs is available from the Union County Extension online at ucnj.org/rce, or call the Extension main number at 908-654-9854 (ext. 2).
For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
Connect with Union County on social media.
Photo credit: The new Rutgers 250 tomato variety, “a better tasting version of the classic New Jersey Rutgers Tomato,” by Peter Nitzscheby via Rutgers University.
Union County, NJ – Women who own or manage a business in Union County, or who run a non-profit organization, are invited to attend the fourth annual Union County Women Mean Business summit on Wednesday May 25, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth.
This year’s event promises to help attendees expand their circle of influence by creating new, powerful relationships with diverse and interesting businesswomen. while learning about relevant topics such as Art of the Ask, Turning Your Passion Into Profits and Uncovering Your Female Genius.
“Women represent fully half of the energy and talent in the Union County community, and this year’s seminar is designed to help more women realize their full potential, in the non-profit sector as well as in the public and private sectors,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “We are looking forward to an exciting and rewarding event.”
Union County Women Mean Business is sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders with the generous support of Diamond Level Sponsor ConnectOne Bank, a sponsor since the inception of the event.
“Female leaders are vital to the growth and development of our local communities and we are proud to once again partner with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Union County Women Mean Business,” said Elizabeth Magennis, EVP & Chief Lending Officer of ConnectOne Bank.
Other sponsors include KemperSports, Southwest, Winning Strategies Washington, Pitman Mindas Grossman Lee & Moore, P.C., and Suplee, Clooney & Company. Additional event sponsors may be announced shortly.
The special guest speaker will be Debra Vizzi, President and CEO of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey. Since its founding in 1982, the non-profit organization and its partner charities have distributed 600 million pounds of food valued at approximately $1 billion.
Union County Women Mean Business began as an initiative of Freeholder Linda Carter, when she chaired the Freeholder Board in 2013. It is intended to help women in business build foundational skills and form strong networks across the business, government, and nonprofit sectors.
Tickets are $40.00 per person in advance. Pre-registration is required. The fee includes the full program, lunch, networking cocktail hour (cash bar), and prize opportunities including round trip air fare. Attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to help support the Food Bank.
For more details about the program and to pre-register online visit ucnj.org/ucmb.
Businesses interested in sponsorships may contact the Union County Department of Economic Development at 908-659-7412.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
Connect with Union County on social media.
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that two free workshops on Thursday evening, May 19, will explain the application process for the 2016 Union County HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant Program and the 2017 Local Arts Grant Program. Both workshops will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Liberty Hall Museum, Wagon Shed Building, 1003 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083. The workshops are free of charge, but pre-registration is suggested.
The application process for a 2016 HEART grant for projects related to local history, the arts and humanities will be explained at the workshop for Union County non-profit organizations, individual artists and scholars.
“The response to the HEART Grant Program in past years has been exciting,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The recipients are a wonderful mix of creative individuals – poets and writers, historians, painters, photographers, musicians and dancers – plus arts, history and other cultural organizations and civic groups. Services they provide directly benefit the residents of Union County and increase appreciation for the arts, our history, and the humanities.”
The other workshop will provide guidelines for completing applications for the Union County 2017 Local Arts Grant Program. Funds for this program are made available through the New Jersey Council on the Arts, Department of State, a partner of the National Endowment for the Arts. Local arts activities taking place between January 1 and December 31, 2017, are eligible for consideration.
“Non-profit groups and arts organizations in search of funding need well-constructed grant proposals,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “This workshop will discuss the components of a successful application, including a description of the project, the budget and the marketing plan.”
For additional information or to register for the HEART Grant workshop or the Local Arts Grant Program workshop, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Telephone: 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users dial 711, or E-mail: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.
Photos from the 15th Annual Union County Employee Art Show at the opening reception at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union. The contest, co-sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and The National Arts Program Foundation, was open to Union County employees and their relatives. The exhibit will be open to the public weekdays until May 24, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Gas Company, located at Liberty Hall Center, 1085 Morris Avenue in Union Township.
Professional Category
Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Vernell Wright congratulate Richard Earl of Westfield on winning first place in the professional category.
Best of Show
Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Vernell Wright congratulate Michael Endy of Westfield on winning Best of Show.
First Place, Amateur Category
Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Vernell Wright congratulate Ryan Frees of Clark on winning first place in the amateur category.
First Place, Youth (12 and under) Category
Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Vernell Wright congratulate Diego Otero of Scotch Plains on winning first place in the youth (12 and under) category.
Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union
