Category: Public Info

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholders Alexander Mirabella, Linda Carter, Bette Jane Kowalski and Vernell Wright welcomed Janice Huff, Chief Meteorologist for NBC 4 New York, to the fifth annual Union County Women Mean Business (UCWMB) Summit at the Clubhouse at the Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth. They were joined by Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi.

Huff delivered the keynote address at the event that was designed to help women grow their business networks and build critical skills. UCWMB is an initiative of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Union County, NJ – A free training course is available for persons interested in volunteering with the Union County Rape Crisis Center. The Rape Crisis Center has been offering guidance and support to victims of sexual violence since 1984, as a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the Department of Human Services.

“A steady hand and a calm, reassuring voice can go a long way toward restoring a sense of community and self-worth to Union County residents facing a crisis,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Often a victim of sexual violence has no family or friends to call upon for support while navigating the medical and legal aftermath of attack, and our volunteers step up to fill that critical need.”

The training course qualifies volunteers to be Confidential Sexual Violence Advocates, who answer phone calls to Union County’s Rape Crisis Hotline and offer in-person support.

No previous experience in counseling, law or medicine is required to become an Advocate. Volunteers must be Union County residents at least 18 years of age. They must hold a valid driver’s license and have their own vehicle.

The training course includes sessions on crisis counseling, and medical and legal accompaniment in a supportive, empathetic environment.

All sessions take place at the Rape Crisis Center office in the Colleen Fraser county services building at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. Prospective volunteers will also come to the Westfield office for an informal interview prior to undertaking the training course.

To learn more about volunteering and get information about the next training course, call the Rape Crisis Center at 908-233-7273 or email rcc@ucnj.org.

For more details about the Rape Crisis Center, including personal stories by volunteers, visit the Rape Crisis Center blog at unioncountyrapecrisiscenter.blogspot.com.

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Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi and Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen welcome members of the Union County Municipal Clerks Association at the County Clerk’s annual appreciation luncheon in honor of Municipal Clerks Week. They were joined by Ellen Dotto of Union County College.

This year’s luncheon was held at Union County College Cranford campus.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados visits with students and faculty at John Marshall School # 20 in Elizabeth where Groundwork Elizabeth was installing a vegetable garden as part of the Union County Kids Dig In! grant program.

The grant covers establishing/building of gardens, garden boxes and/or tools and equipment. It is aimed at educating students about gardening and fostering the growth and creation of community gardens at the schools.

The County awarded 31 schools in 12 county municipalities Union County Kids Dig In! grants through its Open Space Trust Fund, offering a total of just under $40,000 in grant.

The grant program covers produce gardens including vegetables, fruits, nuts, berries, herbs and spices, pollinator-attracting plants and plants for pest management. It does not cover ornamental plants or non-producing gardens.

Schools must agree to set aside 30% of their harvest for community donation and enroll in Come Grow With Us!, a free countywide information and resource sharing network for community gardens.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

56-year-old facility, including skating rink, doubles in size, and becomes year-round sports center

The Warinanco Park Skating facility—a familiar old friend and landmark for Union County skaters since 1961—has doubled in size and become the Warinanco Sports Center after undergoing an extensive $7 million modernization that has transformed it into a year-round venue for skating, baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced.

The project, which was financed through the County’s Park’s Department, was completed over a two-year period. Later this year, the County will host a full celebration marking the start of skating activities.

“Our vision was to provide modernized amenities while creating a venue that can remain in use year-round for other purposes,” said Freeholder Bruce H. Bergen. “We are excited to be opening an exciting update that has restored the skating rink to full prominence.”

“The new Warinanco Sports Center is a place where families will continue to make great memories,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, who is also the Freeholder Board’s parks liaison. “We’ve completed an imaginative recreation of the landmark.”

Elements of the renovation/modernization included:

• A new state-of-the-art field house measuring 11,000 square feet, including two rooms for parties, a large food concession area, a video game room, and skate rental room;
• A new exterior seating area that will be covered, protecting patrons from the elements;
• The rink’s refrigeration system has been renovated;
• A new ice rink floor has been installed (covering the same foot print), including new refrigeration piping, LEED lighting and reflective ceiling, which is made from a material which will help prevent humidity build-up;
• New flooring in the rink as well as new boards, glass and nets;
• An all new gas fireplace–stone covered and running the height of the field house and big screen TVs throughout;
• Team locker rooms have also been remodeled.

Later this Summer, Field turf will be laid on the rink floor and baseball/softball batting cages will be added as well as an infield so as to service the large number of baseball and softball leagues in the area. The turf will also be able to service the large number of soccer clubs and lacrosse teams throughout Union County.

Mar-Bridge Enterprises of Matawan was the general contractor, and Netta Architects of Mountainside designed the new facility. The complex will  be managed by Sports Facility Management (SFM) of Clear Water, Fla.

SFM Founding Partner and CEO, Jason Clement remarked, “We believe in the power of sports, fitness and recreation and its ability to improve the health & economic vitality of the communities we serve and are inspired by the vision and continued investment in the park by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. We are excited about bringing our national network of resources and results-driven approach to help provide a new level of service to the iconic Warinanco Park and Union County community.”

As a part of the engagement, Sports Facilities Management will also be involved in both the re-branding and marketing of the new Warinanco Sports Center, as well as the Park itself.

“The national resources, experience and expertise that SFM brings to the table is not unlike our successful collaboration with KemperSports, a leader in the golf course management industry (which started in 2010) and played a key part in the day-to-day management and transformation of the Galloping Hills course and Learning Center into one of the most sought after public golf courses in the state of New Jersey,” said Freeholder Chairman Bergen.

The rink, which is located on the Roselle side of the park, was part of the original plans for the park drawn up in the 1920s. It was finally built and opened as an outdoor facility in October, 1961 with much fanfare: the opening program featured group and solo exhibitions from local professional and amateur skaters, a pee wee hockey game, and speed skating.  The rate card billed the rink as “The First Public Artificial Ice Skating Rink in Union County.”

The rink was built in what was then known as the “Spinning Woods” area of Warinanco Park, and cost $225,000 to construct. It required 216 tons of sand for the base and 32 tons of crystal spar.

A roof was added in 1969 making the ice surface usable in all weather conditions. The rink is now home ice for nine hockey teams from six Union County high schools and is used by nearly 50,000 skaters each year.

Warinanco Park has seen extensive renovations culminating over the past few years with the opening of the new athletic turf field and track area on the Roselle side, and a new sprayground/playground sports area on the Elizabeth side, across from the Boat House.

Located in the City of Elizabeth, and the Borough of Roselle, Warinanco Park, which opened in the mid 1920s, comprises 205 acres of developed park land, and was originally designed by the Olmsted Firm.

Beginning in 1857 with the design for Central Park in New York City, Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903), his sons and successor firm created designs for more than 6,000 landscapes across North America, including many of the world’s most important parks.

For generations of Union County residents, Warinanco Park is arguably the County’s most well-known recreational facility.  While it is deceivingly small in size, the park’s many features make it appear as if it were actually much bigger.

Warinanco Park has four distinct areas: the Central Park area, the boathouse/playground area, the skating center, and the track area.

Some other  popular attractions include  the Chatfield Gardens; the park’s Great Walk area; tennis courts; ball fields; and par-course fitness route.  In the Spring, the park is noted for its colorful blooms of Cherry Blossom, Dogwood trees and Azaleas.  

Union County, NJ – Union County Freeholder Linda Carter visited Debra Vizzi, President and CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, on Thursday to view a “canstruction” project of 3,536 cans of tuna assembled with the assistance of local high school students. The project highlights a 6,000-pound food donation to the FoodBank organized by students participating in the Kans 4 Kids food drive under Union County’s annual UC-STEP youth leadership program, with the sponsorship of Sysco and ShopRite.

More than 100 students from 14 high schools participated in the friendly competition. The school collecting the most donations will receive a Start Now grant sponsored by the Freeholder Board.  The Start Now recipient will be announced on May 25.

“I would like to thank UC-STEP students, and our sponsors and supporters, for providing the Community FoodBank with this outstanding volunteer service. Food donations are especially important heading into the summer, when can be more difficult for children and families in need to access school meals and other resources,” said Freeholder Linda Carter, who initiated the first UC-STEP program in 2013 when she was Chairman of the Freeholder Board.

UC-STEP is a unique youth development program that brings together high school students from different parts of Union County. The program provides students with the opportunity to engage the whole community in a county-wide service project. UC-STEP participants design the projects themselves, and carry them out with the support of the Freeholder Board and local sponsors.

“Union County is fortunate to have a rich reservoir of talent, drive and heart among our students. They are willing to take charge and get the job done when there is an opportunity to help those in need, and they inspire all of us to keep working for a better tomorrow,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

“It’s always great to see students unite to make an impact in the community,” said Debra Vizzi, President and CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “These Union County high school students worked together to collect 6,000 pounds of food and build structures out of cans to represent the collaboration between the FoodBank and UC STEP. The FoodBank is so grateful for their efforts to help end hunger and for the freeholders who lead UC STEP – a wonderful initiative that gives students the opportunity to brainstorm and implement ideas to better the community.”

High schools participating in UC-STEP this year are:

• John E. Dwyer Technology Academy
• Linden High School
• David Brearley High School
• Union County Vo Tech
• Union Catholic Regional High School
• Roselle Park High School
• Rahway High School
• Cranford High School
• The Barack Obama Academy for Academic & Civic Development Charter School
• Jonathan Dayton High School
• Arthur L. Johnson High School
• Governor Livingston High School
• New Providence High School
• UC TEAMS

The UC-STEP program begins with an annual summit, held each year in December. In addition to workshops on leadership and life skills, the participants form teams that blend together students from different high schools.

 Each team is tasked with creating a countywide community service project for the following spring.

Before the summit is over, all participants vote on their favorite projects. The top vote getters are then put online so members of the public can join in the final voting and help choose the project that will be implemented.

Each year, the Freeholder Board joins with local sponsors to help the students publicize and conduct the winning project.

This year’s winning project, Kans 4 Kids, was created by the “Orange” team at the UC-STEP summit last December to benefit the Community FoodBank.

“This was an ambitious and imaginative undertaking that involved the food drive, the “canstruction” project, volunteer opportunities and a virtual food drive,” said Bergen. “The Orange team really set a high bar for next year’s UC-STEP participants.”

To see a stop-motion video of the “canstruction” project under way and more photos, visit the Union County main website at ucnj.org/uc-step.

Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan congratulates Patrolman Christopher Laver and K9 Jada of the Hackettstown Police Department, Patrolman Matthew Casterline and K9 Chase of the Hillside Police Department, Officer Albert Bauer and K9 Diesel and Officer Shannon Dinella and K9 Basilone from the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office on graduating the Union County’s Sheriff’s Office K9 Training Academy during the graduation ceremony for Class 17-01 in Summit.

They were joined by Somerset County Sheriff Frank Provenzano, Hackettstown Police Chief James Macaulay and Sergeant Brian Howarth of the Union County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – Union County residents are invited to a free workshop on fighting phone scams, online schemes and mail fraud at the Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue in Cranford on Wednesday, May 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

The “Fight the Scammers!” event is open to the public on a drop-in basis. No pre-registration is required.

“May is Older Americans Month, so seniors and those who care for the elderly are especially encouraged to come and learn how to avoid scams – and how to take action when you suspect fraudulent activity,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Fight the Scammers! is sponsored by the Freeholder Board and presented by the Union County Office on Women and the Union County Division on Aging in partnership with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs and the Administration for Community Living.

The event features presentations by experts from the Union County Office of Consumer Affairs and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, with ample time for questions-and-answers.

“The Internet has ramped up fraudulent activity, and consumers also need to be on the alert for new twists on scams that are perpetrated by phone and mail as well,” said Bergen.

The Cranford Community Center is ADA compliant and free parking is available adjacent to the building. The event includes light refreshments.

The Union County Office of Consumer Affairs offers a 24/7 online fraud reporting service at ucnj.org/public-safety. Union County residents can call the office at 908-654-9840 during regular business hours.

Union County supports the New Jersey Anti-Fraud Toolkit, which provides resources for seniors and other residents including an automatic fraud alert network. For more information or to sign up for fraud alerts visit FightingFraud.nj.gov.

Property owners can help guard against property and mortgage scams by signing up for the free Property Fraud Alert system at propertyfraudalert.com. More information about the service is available from the office of Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi at ucnj.org/county-clerk, or call the office at 908-527-4787.

The Union County Office on Women was established in 2016 as an initiative of Chairman Bergen. The first such office of its kind in New Jersey, the Office on Women aims to help ensure that women connect with services and programs that enable them to reach their full potential at every stage of their lives, and to raise awareness of the many contributions that women make to life in Union County.

For more information about the Union County Office on Women visit ucnj.org.

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 – Union County residents can get a first-hand look at local examples of rain gardens, rainwater harvesting and porous pavement by joining a half-day bus tour organized by experts from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and the Rahway River Watershed Association.

“Union County is now home to some good examples of strategies that save money while helping to conserve water and reduce runoff,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The bus tour is a good opportunity to walk through these sites and get a feel for how they can enhance a property and benefit the bottom line.”

The tour takes place on Saturday, June 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., visiting five sites in Summit, Springfield, Clark, Rahway and Mountainside.

Attendance is open to municipal agencies, environmental groups and other organizations, property owners and managers, businesses including landscapers and builders, and members of the general public.

Public works employees who attend the tour can qualify for three technical Certified Public Works Manager (CPWM) credits.

The tour is designed to demonstrate the ways in which green infrastructure can help prevent excess runoff from storms and melting snow. Green infrastructure can also cut maintenance costs while adding attractive features to a property.

“In addition to its bottom line benefits, green infrastructure helps to keep water-borne pollutants out of our rivers and streams,” said Bergen. “It’s a win-win for the property and our environment.”

The rain-or-shine tour will visit green infrastructure at schools, libraries, public works yards, and private homes. Attendees will view and learn about rain gardens that use special soil and native plantings to reduce excess stormwater, porous asphalt surfaces that enable excess rain and snowmelt to seep into the ground, and cisterns for rainwater harvesting.

The cost of the tour is $20.00 per person. The bus will leave from Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center, 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside, at 9:30 a.m. and return at 1:00 p.m. Free parking is located on site.

Online registration is available at tinyurl.com/raingardentour.

For more information about the green infrastructure tour contact Michele Bakacs, County Environmental Agent, at (732) 398-5274 or mbakacs@rutgers.edu.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is a program of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers University, supported in part by the Freeholder Board. To learn more about its programs and services visit ucnj.org/rce or call 908-654-9854.

For quick links to all Union County programs and activities related to conservation, the environment and sustainability visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.  

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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.

Eight individuals and five organizations received a Union County Human Relations Commission Unity Award for Achievement, an honor annually bestowed upon those who dedicate their time and efforts toward volunteerism and philanthropy in Union County, during a special presentation held Monday, May 8 at the Kean University STEM Building in Union Township.

The 2017 awards marked the 16th year in which the Commission has named Unity Award honorees. 

“This annual award recognizes programs, services, activities, and efforts being put forth by local role models who promote cultural diversity, strong community relations, and human rights,” Commission Co-Chair Nora Mislan said. “Those who are nominated for this award are regular people who do extraordinary things. Their efforts make others’ lives better.”

“Our commissioners unequivocally agree that one of the best ways to strive to accomplish our mission – to actively encourage, develop, promote, and strengthen respect for human rights and cultural diversity among the people of Union County – is to publicly honor those who already do it well,” said the Commission’s other co-chair, Union County Prosecutor’s Office Director of Communications Mark Spivey. “Monday’s presentation was intended to highlight the extraordinary work being done by those who don’t think twice about giving back to their communities, and we are pleased that they are at least getting a fraction of the recognition and thanks they deserve.”  

Two local students received the Unity Award for Achievement by a Student: the first, Nicholas Tarabokia, is an eighth-grader in Berkeley Heights who was honored for his efforts to improve the quality of life for children and their families affected by cancer through advocacy, charity, and support. At age 6, three years into a diagnosis of leukemia, he wrote down the words “cancer stinks.” At age 8, he turned those words into a mission to help other children overcome their anxieties and fears while they battle the disease, and with the help of his brother Ryan and his family, he founded the Cancer Stinks Children’s Foundation, which has delivered more than 5,000 care packages in its six years of operation. 

Also receiving the Award was Alexandra Jackman of Westfield, who at age 8 befriended a girl with cerebral palsy who communicated through hand gestures. At age 10, she volunteered to help special-needs children through a local nonprofit organization, Autism Family Times with Brianna. Her award-winning 14-minute documentary, titled “A Teen’s Guide to Understanding and Communicating with People with Autism,” which can still be seen on YouTube, has been viewed by tens of thousands of people worldwide. Now a senior in high school, Alex’s aim continues to be to raise awareness to, in her words, “look past the special need and get to know the person.” 

Imagine: A Center for Coping with Loss, received a Unity Award for its efforts dedicated toward the strong belief that no child should have to grieve alone. The Center provides free, year-round bereavement support in a safe environment for grieving children, teens, adults, and families who are coping with loss, providing them with the opportunity to become part of a larger support system and make lifelong friends. Director Mary Robinson accepted the Award on behalf of the Center, which recently moved to Mountainside from its original Westfield location so it can expand its services to more children and families. 

The Union County Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers received a Unity Award for Achievement in Public Service for their efforts to care for many of the nearly 600 children in Union County under the age of 21 who are currently in foster care. Sworn in by a judge and empowered to speak to foster parents, teachers, doctors, lawyers, tutors, therapists, and more, these volunteers help their assignees gain access to an education and other services that meet their specialized needs, and make recommendations to a family court judge to ensure that each child’s best interests remain prioritized. The award was accepted by CASA Executive Director Maria Higginbotham.

Other award recipients included:

• Retired Westfield Police Lieutenant James Schneider, for a highly distinguished 30-year career in law enforcement, but also for his lifelong commitment to save lives and lend a helping hand to fellow policemen and women struggling with substance abuse. A longtime volunteer with the Cop2Cop suicide prevention hotline service, he has also made himself available 24/7/365 for any officer in need and their family members.
• Plainfield Auxiliary Police Division Captain Wally Torian, for almost four decades of volunteerism, community service, and civic activism, including his 36-year career as a volunteer auxiliary officer. His many volunteer activities, including acting as a mentor, counselor, and coach, have provided him the opportunity to protect children and encourage young men who might not have been looking to further their education begin or complete their college degrees.
• Robin Johnstone and Melissa Thompson, two Union County mothers who founded of Missions Possible of New Jersey to make a difference in the lives of children and families who fall victim to misfortune, whether via neglect, abuse, or abandonment, by collecting and distributing gently used household items and furniture, toys, and clothing.
• Terri Todd of Linden, for creating a creative mentoring program called The F.A.B. (Fashion Against Bullying) Coalition. The Coalition’s efforts focus on using fashion as a tool against bullying by providing a safe harbor where students of different backgrounds and interests can create their own style and express themselves while working together on common projects and goals. The annual culmination is hands-on business exposure and education by participating as a team in New York City’s Fashion Week.
• Mobile Meals of Westfield, for 50 years of service providing well over one million healthy meals to homebound individuals who are elderly, live alone, or sick. The Mobile Meals drivers, who sometimes are the only other person to visit meal recipients on any given day, develop a relationship with those they meet on their routes, and also monitor health and well-being. Director of Operations Josephine Walsh accepted the award.
• American Muslims for Hunger Relief, for serving the hungry and homeless with compassion, dignity, and respect, without discrimination of any color, race, gender, or religion. This nonprofit group currently serves 10,000 meals every month in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
• Carolyn George, Recreation Coordinator for the Berkeley Heights Recreation Department, for her efforts serving as a tireless and inspirational leader and role model for her community, and her “above and beyond” contributions that have enriched the lives of the residents of Berkeley Heights.

Two veterans were also honored Monday evening, both for their dedicated service to our country and for their continued commitment to support fellow veterans, especially those who are homeless, jobless, and, in many instances, friendless. 

Award recipient Kevin Murphy, a Roselle resident, previously served in the U.S. Air Force, New Jersey Air National Guard, New Jersey Army National Guard, and the U.S. Army. In addition to active service to community organizations including the borough’s Rotary Club, First Aid Squad, and Chamber of Commerce, he also founded the local Veterans Chamber of Commerce, which recently combined its resources with Operation Chillout, an all-volunteer outreach program to homeless veterans. In addition to providing emergency supplies and survival gear to some of the most vulnerable members of the community, he also runs backpack and clothing drives, and raises funds for special equipment needs.

Recently retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Brett D’Allessandro, whose service included a tour of duty in Afghanistan, was also honored Monday. Upon encountering a homeless man holding a sign that read “Vietnam Veteran” several years ago, Sgt. D’Allessandro immediately went home and filled his service backpack with clothing and returned to find that man and give it to him. Thus the nonprofit group “Backpacks for Life” organization was born, and it has distributed more than 2,300 such care packages since.

For more information about the Human Relations Commission and the Unity Awards, go online to www.ucnj.org/uchrc.