Category: Public Info

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi will host a Notary Training Seminar for New Jersey Notaries Public at the John H. Stamler Police Academy at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains on Friday, September 8, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Union County Surrogate James LaCorte, Esq. will present the legal aspects of the Notaries Public.  Ms. Rajoppi will outline the application process.

“The notary training seminar is designed to provide notaries with insights and information from experienced, knowledgeable professionals in the community,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “The course covers all aspects of being a Notary.”

“The seminar is also popular with current notaries who wish to ensure that they are up to date on issues affecting Union County,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “We offer this opportunity as a professional courtesy that benefits the whole community, and all are welcome.”

To register, use the downloadable registration form on the County Clerk website, ucnj.org/county-clerk or contact Donna Connell at 908-527-4999 or dconnell@ucnj.org.

Space is limited to the first 50 registrants.

A registration fee of $5.00 includes a light breakfast and is required in advance to secure registration.

Attendees should note that the Business Casual dress code at the John J. Stamler Police Academy is strictly enforced. Jeans and sneakers are not permitted, and men must wear shirts with collars.

For more information about programs and services of the Union County Clerk visit ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-572-4787.

Visit the County Clerk’s new elections website, unioncountyvotes.com.

Connect with Union County on social media.

The Union County Summer Arts Festival Concert Series continues at Oak Ridge Park in Clark on Wednesday evening, August 2, featuring Dead Space. The group will feature a Grateful Dead Experience. Show time is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

Dead Space is New Jersey’s premier Grateful Dead Tribute Band, playing an authentic mix of Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia Band and more. Each performance presents an original interpretation of music that Deadheads have loved and listened to for decades.

The show is free, and visitors are urged to pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets. Refreshments and snacks will also be available from Café Gallo and the Good Humor Man. 

As always the Union County Get Fit Yoga program will precede the concert, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Bring a mat or beach towel and participate in the healthy activities for the entire family. Conducting the yoga program on August 2 will be Ohmies Coffee Bar and Yoga Studio of Roselle.

“As we head into August and shift our concerts to Oak Ridge Park, we hope everyone will find some time to join their neighbors and friends for a great night of music under the stars,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

The Union County Summer Arts Festival series is presented on Wednesday evenings at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. Below are the remaining shows:

Oak Ridge Park, Clark

• August 2nd Dead Space (The Grateful Dead Experience
• August 9th American Rapture
• August 16th Black Dog (The Led Zeppelin Tribute)
• August 23th New York State of Mind (Tribute to Billy Joel)

Union County Freeholder Christopher Hudak joined Union County Manager Alfred Faella and Union County Baseball Association President Jim Iozzi in congratulating Jason Weaver of Roselle Park and Jacob Cermak of Cranford on being named the Most Valuable Players in their respective leagues in the Union County Baseball Association’s 2017 summer youth leagues during the end-of-season picnic at the Warinanco Sports Center in Roselle. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic, celebrating marriage equality in the State of New Jersey, has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 16 at Rahway River Park in Rahway from 12 Noon until 5 P.M.

“Unpredicted inclement weather forced us to postpone the Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic, which was originally scheduled for last month,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Freeholder Board is pleased to announce that the event, in its entirety, has been rescheduled for September. This celebration of life, love and liberty is about offering LGBTQ and ally parents and children a space to connect, support and celebrate together.”

A celebration of all families, the free Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic will include music, arts and crafts (featuring a “LOVE Makes a Family” poster making station), inflatable bounce houses for all ages, face painting, music, and much more.

A Family Equality Rally will kick off at 1:00 P.M. with special guest speakers and performances. Parents and children are encouraged to show your family’s Pride with a sign or banner. Bring a rally sign or join us at the Rally Poster Making Station between noon and 1:00 p.m. to create one.

The day’s celebration will also include a live family concert starting at 2:30 P.M.

Family field day team games will kick off at 3:30 P.M. Families and individuals of all ages (adults, teens, and children are all welcome) interested in participating in the field day competition should register online at ucnj.org/Pride so that teams can be formed.

Families are invited to pack a picnic lunch and head out to the park with blankets and lawn chairs for an afternoon of fun. Food trucks will also be on site for those who wish to purchase lunch.

LGBTQ family and marriage equality advocacy and ally organizations will also set up tables, alongside the Freeholder Board information van, with general information and resource material.

“Pride events matter because inequality is not always obvious. Union County’s pride event demonstrates the support for diversity and full equality,” said Chairman Bergen. “Marriage equality rights are in part the result of years of Pride events. The Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic brings advocates, allies, and families of the LGBTQ community together to celebrate individuality and raise awareness for the need to meet the equality challenges of the LGBTQ community.”

In the event of inclement weather the Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic will be held at the Warinanco Sports Center, Warinanco Park in Elizabeth/Roselle.

For more information visit ucnj.org/Pride, or find the Union County Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic event page at Facebook.com/CountyOfUnion, or call the Union County Office of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900.

A local group of volunteers spent several hours on Sunday, July 23 at Milton Lake Park in Rahway removing recently sprayed graffiti on a stone wall along the lake. The effort, organized through a Facebook group page by Union County Adopt-a-Park adopters Marlene and Nate Hamm, highlights the significance community volunteers can make in Union County’s vast parks system.

Armed with an environmentally-friendly cleaner and a power washer, provided by Rahway Councilman Jeremy Mojica, the crew of volunteers successfully restored the stone wall.

“On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I extend sincere gratitude to the Hamm Family and the community of volunteers in Rahway who made the natural beauty of Union County’s Milton Lake Park a priority on their Sunday morning,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The commitment of Adopt-a-Park volunteers helps to keep our parks beautiful, clean, and safe for everyone in the community to enjoy.”

The Union County Parks System includes 36 parks spanning 6,200 acres. It is a rich and diverse system of parks maintained with the help of hundreds of dedicated volunteers throughout the year.

Any individual or group is welcome to join Adopt-a-Park. For more information call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-789-3683 or visit online at ucnj.org/parks.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the ground services company AirServ will hold an information session at the County’s Workforce Innovation Business Center for persons interested in applying for positions at Newark-Liberty Airport including Baggage Handler, Cabin Cleaning, Lavatory Service Agent, Lobby Agent, Wheelchair Agent, and Air Terminal Attendant.

A total of 50 full-time and part-time positions are available starting at $10.20 per hour.

“The WIB Center has worked with private sector employers to provide over 2,000 local job opportunities to Union County residents,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “This latest round of hiring offers another opportunity for our residents to work with a highly regarded company in our area.”

Previous WIB Center hiring rounds have matched Union County job seekers with top employers including Whole Foods, Farmland Fresh Dairies, Blue Apron, FedEx, PGK Clubhouse, and OTG Management, among others.

“Employers in Union County know they can come to the WIB Center for experienced, professional assistance that helps streamline the hiring process and ensure a pool of qualified recruits,” said Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, who is Freeholder liaison to the Union County Workforce Development Board. “This public-private partnership is a win-win for companies, for our residents, and for the whole Union County community.”

The information session will be held at the Union County WIB Center, at The Mills at Jersey Gardens, 651 Kapkowski Road in Elizabeth on Thursday August 10, 2017 at 10:00 am. Attendance at the session is mandatory for job seekers to be eligible to apply for a position.

Attendees should observe the following requirements:

• Bring copies of your resume to give to employers.
• Provide necessary information including date of birth and county of residence.
• Be able to work weekends and holidays.
• Have reliable transportation to work.
• Agree to a background and drug screening test per employer requirements.
• Have matching ID with Social Security Card.

The WIB Center was established by the Freeholder Board with Union County College through a $2.4 million investment in 2014, leveraging the employment services and education experience of both partners.

Pre-registration is required online at ucnj.org/wdb/job-fairs-and-opportunities.

For more details about the new round of hiring and other information about the WIB center visit online at ucnj.org, call 908-355-4444 or email Isaias Rivera, isaias.rivera@ucc.edu.

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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:

Union County, NJ – The summer recreation season is kicking into full swing, and the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that resources are available to help ensure safe travel by car and bicycle.

 “Child safety seats and bicycle helmets are two simple yet effective ways to prevent serious injury when riding in a car or cycling around Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “I encourage you to take advantage of programs that help ensure safety on the road for you and your loved ones.”

Union County’s Child Safety Seat Inspection Program provides free guidance for correctly installing and using car safety seats.

The program is available on a drop-in basis on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at the Garwood Rescue Squad 401 2nd Avenue in Garwood. Parents and other care givers can bring their vehicles and car seats and receive hands-on instruction from certified technicians.

Trained personnel from Union County’s Department of Public Safety are also available to present guidance on bicycle safety and the proper use of bicycle helmets to civic groups and other organizations.

 “A properly fitted helmet can make all the difference between a minor accident and a life-changing tragedy,” said Bergen.

According to the office of the New Jersey Attorney General, head injuries are the most common cause of death among bicyclists.

New Jersey state law requires helmets for persons under age 17 using a bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates and conventional roller skates.

Other bicycle safety tips include:

• Ride in single file with traffic, not against it. Stay as far to the right as possible while keeping an eye out for sewer grates and other hazards.
• Use hand signals when making turns: hold left arm straight out to the left for left turns, hold left hand with forearm up for right turns.
• In case of heavy traffic or other hazards at intersections, play it safe: dismount and walk the bicycle across.

Cyclists should also take care to make themselves visible. Bright colors should be worn during the day and bicycles should have front, rear and pedal reflectors. Cycling at night should be avoided, but when necessary cyclists should wear reflective clothing and use a headlamp.

Drivers should be aware that bicycling is popular for sport, recreation and commuter travel. Be alert for bicycles on the road and be prepared to slow down or stop when necessary.

For more information about Union County’s car seat and bicycle safety programs, or to request a presentation on bicycle safety for a community group or other organization, contact Christine Marcantonio, Traffic Safety Program Coordinator at cmarcantonio@ucnj.org or 908-789-6830.    

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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.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Freeholders is pleased to announce that the County has begun to dredge and make additional improvements to the Meisel Park Pond at Meisel Park in Springfield.

“The 2-1/2 acre pond was built in 1948 and was designed to be 2-5 feet deep, but decades of sediment accumulation reduced much of the pond to 1 foot or even less,” said Freeholder Bruce H. Bergen. “This new project will help restore the pond to health, and provide Meisel Park’s many visitors with a more enjoyable environment for relaxation and recreation.”

The work involves dredging Meisel Park Pond and replacing the old outlet structure and piping.

The new concrete outlet structure is designed to be easier to clean and less prone to clogging, and an electric aerator will be installed to increase dissolved oxygen in the pond.

Dissolved oxygen is necessary for aquatic life and is one of the key measures of a healthy body of water.

The shoreline will also be rehabilitated and improved with native plants to help reduce excess nutrient runoff into the pond. The new plants will also attract butterflies and other important pollinators.

Weather permitting, the entire project is expected to be completed this fall.

Meisel Park is part of the Union County parks system. It is located off Meisel Avenue in Springfield.

The pond is fed by nearby Van Winkle’s Brook and it forms a link in the Rahway River Parkway. One of the first greenways established in the United States, the Rahway River Parkway provides a protective buffer of public open space along the Rahway River from Union Township to Rahway

“The pond at Meisel Park has provided recreation for generations of County residents as well as preservation of habitat for flora and fauna,” said Bergen. “This long-awaited project will address some longstanding issues with the pond and improve the entire park for visitors and wildlife.”

The dredging project is being conducted by Grade Construction of Paterson, under a contract of $841,730 awarded by the Freeholder Board last November.

For more information about activities in Union County Parks visit ucnj.org/parks.

Quick links to all Union County programs related to open space, the environment and sustainability are available at The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connect.

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Photo: The pond at Union County’s Meisel Park in Springfield has been temporarily transformed into a worksite as crews conduct dredging and other major improvements. With completion expected this fall, the project will create a healthier aquatic habitat and a more pleasant environment for park visitors.  Credit: Jeffrey Jotz/County of Union.

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 and the Department of Parks and Recreation announce that the next evening of “Family Fun & Flix,” the free summer entertainment and film series on Tuesday evenings, will team-up with National Night Out organizers on August 1 at Meisel Park, off Meisel Avenue in Springfield. The National Night Out event is presented with support from AAA Northeast, ShopRite of Clark and Target in Union.

National Night Out activities get underway at 6 p.m. and last until 8 p.m. A number of law enforcement agencies will be on hand, including the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, the Union County Sheriff’s Department, the Mountainside Police Department and the Springfield Police Department. The Union County Bureau of Recycling & Planning will also be on hand to provide important information.  The event will also feature roving entertainment provided by a local magician and a photo booth to capture the fun moments.

Following the National Night Out activities, those in attendance can enjoy the animated adventure comedy “Secret Life of Pets,” which tells the story of two squabbling pet dogs who end up in the outside world and find common ground against a gang of angry animals preparing an attack on humans. The film features the voices of Louis C.K., Erick Stonestreet and Kevin Hart.  Free popcorn will be given to all children in attendance and there will be inflatables for the kids to enjoy.

“National Night Out provides an opportunity for members of our law enforcement community to p        rovide important information to residents to assist them in keeping themselves and their family’s safe,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.  “And when the sun goes down, relax in your chair or on your blanket and enjoy the movie.”

This summer’s Family Fun and Flix will conclude on Tuesday, August 8, returning to Warinanco Park in Elizabeth for the presentation of “Moana.”

Family Fun and Flix movies start at dusk, weather permitting. For more information, call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900 or visit the Union County website: www.ucnj.org.  For program and rain information call 908-558-4079 after 3:30 p.m. the date of the show.

Union County’s summer tour performance of Shakespeare’s outrageously fun comedy The Taming of the Shrew, which was postponed last weekend due to predicted inclement weather, will take the stage at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade amphitheater in Linden this Sunday, July 30 at 1:00 p.m.

“The Freeholder Board is pleased to announce the rescheduled performance of one of Shakespeare’s greatest romantic comedies in Linden this weekend,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “This summer’s tour of Shakespeare’s classic romantic-comedy The Taming of the Shrew in our parks provides an opportunity for residents of all ages to experience the clever and compelling language of Shakespeare.”

Bring the entire family to enjoy The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Next Stage Ensemble’s abridged performance of the zesty, romantic comedy of male chauvinism and women’s rights in the 16th century. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, this free performance is too fun to miss.

Petruchio, a poverty-stricken gentleman from Verona, journeys to Padua in search of a wealthy wife. There, he encounters the fiery Katharina, a self-willed shrew who engages Petruchio in a humorous battle of wit and insult with Kate as determined to maintain her independence as Petruchio is to “tame” her.

The final performance of this summer’s Shakespeare in the Park tour of The Taming of the Shew will be on Friday, August 4 at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside at 7 p.m. Admission is free to all of the performances.

The Next Stage Ensemble, the Shakespeare Theatre’s summer touring company of early career actors, is part of the Theatre’s Summer Professional Training Program which offers students working toward a career in the performing arts clear instruction, individual attention, and thoughtful and candid evaluation in a professional theatre environment. The Next Stage Ensemble works with The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s resident and guest directors to fully develop abridged productions of classic plays. Come out to Union County parks this summer to the see Next Stage Ensemble’s performance of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

For more information or for a complete listing of summer events visit ucnj.org.