Category: Public Info

A team of assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) will arrive on Sunday, March 26, 2017, to examine all aspects of the Union County Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services Sheriff Joseph Cryan announced today.

“Verification by the team that the Union County Sheriff’s Office meets the Commission’s “best practice” standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence”, Joseph Cryan  said.

As part of this final on-site assessment, employees and members of the general public are invited to provide comments to the assessment team. They may do so by telephone or email.  The public may call 908-527- 4080 on Monday, March 27, 2017  between the hours of 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.  Email comments can be sent to phora@ucnj.org.

Telephone comments are limited to 5 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards.  A copy of the standards is available for inspection at the Union County Sheriff’s Offfice 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth NJ 07207.  Please contact Sergeant Patrick Hora at (908) 527-4942.

Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Union County Sheriff’s Office ability to comply with the standards for accreditation is requested to email the Accreditation Program manager at hdelgado@njsacop.org or write the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12 Marlton, N.J. 08053.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office must comply with NJSACOP LEAP standards in order to achieve accredited status.  Sheriff Joseph Cryan indicated, “Accreditation results in greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil lawsuits, increased community advocacy, and more confidence in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and respond to community needs.” 

The Accreditation Program Manager for the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police is Mr. Harry J Delgado, Ed.S.  “The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar New Jersey law enforcement agencies.  The assessors will review written materials, interview agency members, and visit offices and other places where compliance with the standards can be observed.  Once the Commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they will report to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status”, Harry J Delgado stated. 

Accreditation is valid for a three-year period during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting to their continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.

The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police through its New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission is the legitimate authority and accreditation agency in the state of New Jersey. For more information regarding the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission please write the Commission at New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12 Marlton, N.J. 08053 or email hdelgado@njsacop.org

Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella presents resolutions to Robert DelaRosa, Sr. and Robert Stevens congratulating them on their 50 years of dedicated service to the Roselle Park Volunteer Fire Department and to the residents of the Borough of Roselle Park. They were joined by Roselle Park Fire Chief Joseph Signorello. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union) 

Union County, NJ – In recognition of Women’s History Month, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the Department of Human Services Union County Office on Women presented “Empowering Union County Women to Go Out and Make History” last Friday at Maskers Barn in the historic Deserted Village of Feltville.

The free event provided Union County women with an opportunity to recharge after a long winter, by engaging with their strengths and capabilities through yoga and guided meditation.

For more information on programs of the Union County Office on Women visit ucnj.org/women or contact Jennifer Erdos at jerdos@ucnj.org.

Information on booking an event at Masker’s Barn is available at ucnj.org/parks-recreation.

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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 – With a late season cold snap expected this weekend, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds those seeking a fun indoor activity that the A. Paul Mallery Model Railroad Center is open during its regular public hours on Saturday, March 11, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Visitors can tour the elaborate layout and see a massive extension in the works.

Pictured here, last weekend the Model Railroad Center hosted the National Model Railroaders Association for a special workshop and operating session.

The Model Railroad Center is run by the nonprofit Model Railroad Club. It is conveniently located in a mixed use section of Union County’s Lenape Park, behind the Home Depot off Route 22 in Union Township.

For details and directions visit the County website at ucnj.org/parks-recreation/model-trains.

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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 Freeholders Linda Carter, Angel G. Estrada and Vernell Wright present Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp, Councilman Barry Goode, Councilwoman Joylette Mils-Ransome, Councilman Charles McRae and Plainfield Senior Citizens Service Center Director Sharron Mitchell-Brown with a new van that will provide free transport for senior citizens. The vans are being awarded to a total of 18 municipalities this year through Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen’s “Seniors in Motion” initiative to assist seniors with free, local transport. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Please note new location: this event will take place at Extension offices in the Colleen Fraser Building at the County complex in Westfield, at 300 North Avenue East.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the 5^th Annual Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County Community Gardening Conference on Saturday, March 25, 2017, from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm.

The “Get Your Vegetable Garden Growing: Home-School-Community” conference is geared towards teachers, volunteers and community organizations interested in establishing or improving school and community gardens.  Home gardeners are welcome, too.

“If you have an interest in starting a school or community garden, or if you’d like to get expert guidance on your backyard garden, come to “Get Your Vegetable Garden Growing,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “It’s a great way to help ensure that you have a healthy, bountiful harvest.”

The conference features workshops on starting a community garden, composting and pest management as well as container, rain and enabling gardens.  Healthy snacks from the garden and food safety will also be addressed.

Rutgers faculty and Master Gardeners will be conducting the workshops. Teachers in attendance will be awarded four CEU’s. 

Registration is required. The fee is $50.00 including lunch.

For more information visit ucnj.org/rce and follow the “View full brochure” link or call Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County at 908-654-9854 (option 2).

To register on line visit tinyurl.com/2017GardeningConference.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is supported in part by the Freeholder Board. For all programs and activities visit ucnj.org/rce.

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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 Sheriff’s Officers took part in the Read Across America on March 2 throughout Union County in honor of the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss.

“We send some of our officers out to schools across Union County to read a Dr. Seuss book to the kids,” Union County Sheriff Joe Cryan said. “It is a great program.”

Officers from the Union County Sheriff’s Office read to students in School #9 in Elizabeth, Brunner Elementary School in Scotch Plains, the Hannah Caldwell Elementary School in Union and the Cedarbrook K-8 School in Plainfield.

“This is the second consecutive year our officers have participated in this program.  It’s a win/win for our officers and the kids involved,’ the Sheriff said. “Anytime we can get out in the community and interact with the kids in a positive way it’s a good thing, and it provides us an opportunity to promote reading to the kids in a fun way.”

Union County Freeholder Christopher Hudak reads to children at the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Springfield on March 2 during the Union County Education Association’s annual Read Across America event. Read Across America is a reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading in honor of the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce a series of Trailside Talks and a Teacher Training Workshop for adults as part of its winter educational programs at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. A new online registration system designed to make access to our Parks and Recreation services easy and convenient has been adopted.  Register online at www.ucnj.org/trailside and create an account and password.  Pre-registration is recommended.   Walk-ins are welcome as space permits.

“Trailside is a great destination throughout the year and these educational programs provide the perfect opportunity to experience nature in winter,” notes Freeholder Chairman, Bruce H. Bergen.

On Tuesday, March 14 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., The American Historical Theatre offers a compelling theatrical re-enactment, made possible in part by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.   “Theodore Roosevelt: American in the Arena” recreates the time when President McKinley was assassinated in 1901, and Vice President Theodore Roosevelt bounded into Washington, D. C as the youngest President in history.   His vigorous persona helped catapult the U.S. into the new century.  His accomplishments were plentiful and diverse: War hero to Nobel Peace Prize winner, naturalist to imperialist.  This is a free program, donations are appreciated.

An early spring lecture entitled, “Public Gardens of New Jersey,” is planned for Tuesday March 21, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.  This power point tour of more than 20 public gardens in New Jersey, is an inviting glimpse into the Garden State Gardens Consortium.   Michael Gross, Director of the Sister Mary Grace Burns Arboretum, offers commentary on each garden, covering their location, history, highlights of their plant collections and featured programs.    The gardens in the consortium include former estates, national historic landmarks, county and municipal parks, museums and universities.  The fee is $10 for Union County residents and $12 for out of county residents.     

In addition, a special program of interest for bird lovers entitled “The World of Birds Around Us” is offered for families on Saturday, March 25 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.  Pete Bacinski, a retired NJ Audubon Birds Program Director, introduces his audience to the world of backyard birds here in New Jersey, and explains how you get hooked on bird watching, along with its benefits and challenges.   A power point presentation illustrates the variety and beauty of our local avian population.  The program is recommended for adults with children ages 10 and older.  The fee is $10 for Union County residents and $12 for out of county residents. 

“Healthy Water, Healthy People,” a teacher training workshop will be offered on Thursday, March 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  The workshop encourages the investigation of the connections between water quality, the environment and human health.  This advanced workshop is best suited for educators teaching grades 6 -12, who have taken a Project WET workshop and who have basic water chemistry background.  Participants receive six NJDOE professional development credits.  Morning refreshments are provided.  Bring lunch. This program is for adults 18 years and older.  The fee is $20 and the curriculum guide is included.                

For more information about these programs or other activities at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside.    Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.

Photo caption (photo attached): Adults with children ages ten and older are invited to join Pete Bacinski, a retired NJ Audubon Birds Program Director, for “The World of Birds” offered on Saturday, March 25 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Trailside Nature and Science Center.  As part of the winter “Trailside Talks,” participants can find out how to get hooked on bird watching and discover the benefits and challenges of this favorite pastime.   Enjoy learning to identify birds, like this cedar waxwing photographed by Ron Nastasi of Toms River, and discover the variety and beauty of our local avian population.  The fee for this program is $10 for Union County residents and $12 for out of county residents.  A new online registration system designed to make access to our Parks and Recreation services easy and convenient has been adopted.  Register online at www.ucnj.org/trailside and create an account and password.  Pre-registration is recommended.   Walk-ins are welcome as space permits.  For more information about these programs or other activities at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670.    Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.

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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.