Category: Public Info

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the County Manager congratulate Frank Guzzo of Fanwood on his retirement after 42 years of service with the County of Union. Frank was appointed Director of Human Services in 1990 and has since served as Union County’s Director of the Department of Human Services for 27 years. He leads Union County’s largest government service unit with a staff over 800 and is the longest serving active human service director in the State of New Jersey. The Freeholder Board thanks Frank for this extraordinary effort, hard work and dedication to public service and wishes him a full and happy retirement. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholders Linda Carter, Bette Jane Kowalski and Vernell Wright present a resolution to Chief YWCA of Union County Executive Officer Janice Lilien and YWCA Director of Development and Marketing Jennifer Vriens congratulating them on the work the organization performs and designating August 26 each year as Women’s Equality Day in Union County. August 26, 1920 was the day of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, securing for women the fundamental right to vote. The YWCA of Union County opened in 1920 and has been serving the women, children and families of Union County ever since.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ — Residents looking for a good place to observe the Solar Eclipse on Monday, August 21 are invited to do so at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Trailside is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.

An eclipse happens as the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun as seen from our location on the surface of the earth. When this happens, the Moon blocks the light of the Sun from reaching Earth. This will be the first eclipse to cross the entire continental United States in almost a century.

Members of the Amateur Astronomers, Inc. will be on hand for the viewing. The organization was founded in 1949 to promote an interest in the science of astronomy through activities and programs. 

“For those who don’t want to miss the Great American Eclipse, Trailside Nature and Science Center is the perfect venue to watch the skies and be part of this exciting event which is a once in a lifetime occurrence,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Looking directly at the sun is dangerous, so those planning to observe the solar eclipse should obtain a pair of solar viewing glasses before viewing.

Those in attendance should also bring along a chair or a blanket to partake in what will be one of the greatest astronomical moments in our lifetime.

Here in New Jersey the eclipse will reach about 77 percent.

More information on the solar eclipse, including guidance on eye protection, is available on the County website at ucnj.org/eclipse.

In case of inclement weather on the day of the eclipse call Trailside at 908-789-3670.

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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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So what do we tell the children?…about the past, that is.

After a successful pilot program at the Deserted Village last fall, Union County’s Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs is rolling out a History Trading Card series for youngsters to learn more about the history of the people and events that shaped Union County — and the country –we know today.

“We live in a County that is so rich in history — and I’m not talking just about the Revolution –I’m talking about a County whose residents played vital roles in every century since New Jersey was first settled in the 1600s,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen.

“And yes, sadly, much has been paved over and developed over our 400 years, but we should know the ground we walk on — the incredible people who came before us,” Bergen said.

Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr studied at The Academy in old Elizabethtown, while George Washington directed the Battle of the Short Hills from the Drake House in Plainfield, noted Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski.

John Philip Holland, who designed the first submarine capable of running submerged for a considerable distance, would build the US Navy’s first submarines at the Crescent Shipyard in Elizabeth. The famous scientist Nikola Tesla built his plant in Rahway while Marconi built his factory in Roselle Park, she said.

“And it was not all that long ago,” Kowalski said, “That in Linden, when America needed planes for World War II, when we were fighting totalitarian dictatorships, the General Motors Plant went from turning out cars to producing fighter planes.”

“When babies are born and they want to check to see if they’re okay,” Bergen said, “they administer the Apgar test. Dr. Virginia Apgar, who invented that test, lived in Westfield.”

Last year, the Cultural & Heritage Affairs Office, part of the Union County Parks Department, developed the first cards in the Union County Across the Centuries series: Alexander Hamilton, William Livingston, Jonathan Dayton and Hannah Caldwell.  Youngsters at Four Centuries in a Weekend had so much fun collecting the cards that work continued, with 14 cards now in the series and more on the way.

Because the County was celebrating the 240^th Anniversary of the Battle of the Short Hills in June with a reenactment of the battle at Oak Ridge Park, a lot of focus was put on the Revolutionary War era. But as the program rolls out, there will be cards from across Union County’s history.

The new cards were unveiled this week at the County’s Wednesday night free Summer Arts concert in Oak Ridge Park. They will be going out to historic sites across the county, with the goal of encouraging youngsters to visit the sites to collect specific cards. 

To see some of the cards now available, go to: ucnj.org/parks-recreation/cultural-heritage-affairs/trading-cards.

For more information, contact Cultural & Heritage Affairs at 908-558-2550 or culturalinfo@ucnj.org

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Photo Caption: STANDING BEHIND CAESAR…the new history trading card that is.  At Union County’s summer concert in the parks, the Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs unveiled its new Union County Across the Centuries History Trading Cards, featuring people and events from the County’s rich 400-year history. Standing left to right are Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen, Historical Society of Plainfield President Nancy Piwowar and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski.  Caesar was a freed slave who drove a supply wagon for the American troops at the 1777 Battle of the Short Hills. He is buried in Scotch Plains.

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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Union County, NJ – All business owners and managers in Union County are invited to attend the 2017 Union County Means Business Expo, coming up on Tuesday, September 12 at the new Warinanco Park Sports Center in Roselle, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

“The new Sports Center is a stunning, modern space that provides the perfect backdrop for showcasing the products, services and skills offered by our local business community,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “If you own or manage a business in Union County, I encourage you to participate and network with stakeholders and decision makers.”

The Expo is designed to help capture more contacts, develop new leads and enable local businesses grow.

Registration is available online at ucnj.org/union-county-means-business/expo. Admission for attendees is free.

Vendors and exhibitors tables are available for a fee of $100.00 and must be registered by September 5^th. The Expo also offers a complimentary food tasting featuring the event menu available at the Warinanco Sports Center.

Union County Means Business is an economic development initiative of the Freeholder Board with the support of community partners including the New Jersey Small Business Development Center, the Union County Economic Development Corporation, the Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, the Suburban Chamber of Commerce, Kean University, Union County College, Union Township Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, and the Cranford Area Chamber of Commerce.

For more information about Union County Means Business visit ucnj.org/ucmb or contact Deana Mesaros at 908-659-7412 or dmesaros@ucnj.org

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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 – Law enforcement will be monitoring traffic in the area of the Springfield Avenue Bridge over Snyder Brook in Berkeley Heights over the next several weeks in order to ensure that motorists adhere to detour signs during reconstruction of the bridge.

Motorists, especially those using GIS systems, are urged to pay strict attention to the detour instructions given on the road signs. GIS systems may not include accurate, up to date information on the required detour routes.

The detour routes were selected to enable traffic to flow as smoothly as possible while protecting local neighborhoods from traffic hazards.

Unauthorized detours are subject to penalty.

Work on the bridge began in July, necessitating the closure of Springfield Avenue between Snyder Avenue and Kuntz Avenue in Berkeley Heights.

The bridge reconstruction is a Union County project. Division of Engineering personnel are on the site daily with the consulting engineer to report progress.

The work is on schedule and the bridge will be open to vehicular traffic on or about October 1.

Additional work on sidewalks and other elements of the bridge will continue through October and November and may result in adjustments to traffic patterns. Motorists should continue to be alert for road signs with travel instructions until the project is fully completed.

Full completion of the project is expected in December.

To view the authorized detour routes, and to get updates on other Union County road and bridge projects, visit the interactive map at ucnj.org/traffic.

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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 – There is no summer vacation for phone fraud, and the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders advises Union County residents to be aware of a new scam circulating around the country.

“The Social Security Administration has issued a warning about a caller who poses as an employee in order to extract social security numbers and other personal information,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “There is one simple way to guard against becoming a victim: never give out personal information, unless the caller’s identity and place of work can be verified.”

According to the Social Security Administration, when its employees make contact by phone it is mainly for customer service purposes, not to request personal information.

Social Security employees may ask for confirmation of personal information only in rare instances. Residents can easily verify if the call is legitimate by contacting the Social Security customer service office toll free at 800-772-1213. Residents using TTY can call 800-325-0778.

The wave of fraudulent phone calls surfaced earlier this summer. It involves a caller who claims to be a Social Security employee, and asks the victim to verify all of their personal information including their name, date of birth, Social Security number and parents’ names.

Sometimes the caller claims to need the information to process a cost of living increase for the victim.

“Residents who receive a call like this or any other suspicious call from someone who claims to be a Social Security employee should report the caller to the Social Security Administration,” said Bergen. “Suspicious emails, letters and text messages should also be reported promptly.”

Residents can also use their cell phones, or Caller ID on their land lines, to screen numbers that are unfamiliar.

Suspected Social Security fraud can be reported to the Office of the Inspector General for the Social Security Administration at 800-269-0271 or online at oig.ssa.gov/report.

To report other types of fraud in Union County, residents can use the Union County Office of Consumer Affairs 24/7 online reporting service at ucnj.org/public-safety or call 908-654-9840 during regular business hours.

To help protect themselves against property and mortgage scams, property owners can sign up for an alert system at propertyfraudalert.com. More information about this service is available from the office of Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi at ucnj.org/county-clerk, or call the County Clerk at 908-527-4787.

For general information on protecting against fraud, especially scams targeting seniors, visit FightingFraud.nj.gov.

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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 Summer Arts Festival Concert Series continues at Oak Ridge Park in Clark on Wednesday evening, August 16, featuring Black Dog. Show time is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

Black Dog pays tribute to Led Zeppelin with an extensive catalogue of songs comprised of classic masterpieces like “Dazed and Confused”, Heartbreaker”, and “Stairway to Heaven”, as well as the less heard B-sides to satisfy the more discerning fans. The band has been playing together since early 2000.

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 16 will be Heads & Tails Yoga of Clark.

“There are only a couple of more Wednesday’s to enjoy the great musical entertainment in beautiful Oak Ridge Park, so gather your family and friends and spend an evening in the park,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

The Union County Summer Arts Festival series wraps up on August 23^rd with a tribute to Billy Joel, performed by New York State of Mind at Oak Ridge Park.

Union County Sheriff Joe Cryan congratulates the graduates of the 2017 Union County Sheriff’s Youth Police Academy during a ceremony at the Rahway High School Performing Arts Center. Seventy-five middle and high school students from throughout Union County graduated this year’s program.

Recruits in the youth academy received hands-on experience in a wide variety of emergency services and law enforcement functions and training. During the program, the teens engaged in physical training, attended lectures and through class trips and visits by guest speakers, the recruits met with representatives from several law enforcement agencies.

Sheriff Cryan also thanks the instructors and the law enforcement agencies who were involving in make the 10^th Union County Sheriff’s Youth Academy a success.

The Special Meeting of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 10, has been canceled. The Agenda Meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 10 will begin at 7:00 p.m.