Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the restoration of the Rahway Memorial Grove, a World War II memorial located in Union County’s Rahway River Park in Rahway. A ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the restoration was held on Thursday morning, December 20.

 “With this restoration project, we honor the words engraved on the memorial: ‘May their sacrifice not be in vain,’” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “World War II created an enormous impact on Rahway and communities like it throughout our nation. I hope that the restoration will provide visitors to our park with a new appreciation for the sacrifices made by our military and their families in the past, present and future.

The memorial was established in 1947 by the families of 58 Rahway residents who lost their lives in World War II. They planted total of 58 oak trees in various places in the park, and placed a stone memorial holding a plaque that lists the names of each of the 58 who gave their lives.

The restoration was coordinated by the Office of Veteran Services, which was established as one of Chairman Granados’s initiatives for 2018 to expand Union County’s engagement with veterans, active duty military, and military families.

A total of 34 mature oak trees remain from the original 58 plantings. As part of the restoration project, this year 24 new trees were planted to replace the missing ones.

The stone memorial was also moved to a new location in the park where it is more visible to passers-by. The new location, which also holds the David Fisher World War II memorial marker, includes landscaped features to draw the eye and a paved area to improve accessibility. Benches will also be added to provide for restful contemplation at the site.

The location of each of the original 58 trees is indicated on a historical map dated 1947. The map also assigns an individual tree to each name on the memorial plaque. An updated version of the map will be available online as part of the restoration project.

Local Boy Scout Brian Esteves has also contributed to the effort. He is installing tree markers, so that visitors can easily identify trees that belong to the memorial grove. Each marker is engraved with the corresponding name listed on the original map.

The Rahway Memorial Grove and David Fisher memorial markers are located just east of the swimming pool complex, off Rahway Park Drive in Rahway River Park.

For more information about the Union County Office of Veteran Services contact Janna Williams, Office Coordinator, at jwilliams@ucnj or 908-527-4918 or visit online at ucnj.org/uc-hero.

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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 Photo caption: Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados joined Union County Office of Veteran Services Coordinator Janna Williams and military veterans at the ribbon cutting marking the restoration of the Rahway Memorial Grove, a World War II memorial located in Union County’s Rahway River Park in Rahway. The restoration was coordinated by the Office of Veteran Services, which was established as one of Chairman Granados’s initiatives for 2018 to expand Union County’s engagement with veterans, active duty military, and military families. For more information about the Union County Office of Veteran Services, visit www.ucnj.org/uc-hero. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ — As the seasonal holidays draw near, the hectic rush of shopping, traveling and preparing for visitors can put consumers at greater risk for scams, fraud and theft. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that they can take a few simple steps to protect themselves.

“During the holiday season fraud increases by 20 percent,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “It is crucial that residents are informed of the different precautions that they can take to avoid becoming victims of fraud and theft.”

Union County residents should be aware that telephones are still a weapon of choice for scammers.

Phone scammers can take advantage of the holiday rush and catch residents off guard with a phone call. It is important to know that a legitimate government office, such as Social Security or the IRS, will never ask for personal information by phone.

Never give out Social Security numbers or other personal information over the telephone unless the caller’s identity can be verified.

Law enforcement and consumer professionals recommend that in-store shoppers prepare a list ahead of time, only carry the credit cards and ID that they need, and plan their excursions to avoid carrying too many bags at once.

When checking out of a store, shoppers should remain at the register long enough to get their receipt, put their change or credit card back in place, organize their shopping bags and ensure that their wallet or purse is secured on their person.

Shoppers are advised to never leave a purse or wallet in a shopping cart, or in an easily accessible pocket.

Thieves are known to scout parking lots, looking for vehicles with open trunks or visible packages. Shoppers should use caution when loading goods into their vehicle. Packages left in a parked car should be covered or kept in the trunk, and all doors should be checked to ensure they are locked.

Another area of risk has emerged with the growing popularity of online shopping. Theft of unattended packages from doorways and porches is becoming more common.

Online shoppers who are not home for long periods should make alternate plans for package delivery. For example, depending on the sender some packages can be directed for pickup at a local post office or delivery service.

Online scammers can also do a great amount of damage if shoppers are not careful. Home computer users should ensure that their security settings are up to date, and be on the lookout for any alerts or messages regarding possible compromises.

To help consumers avoid scams and frauds, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has developed an Anti-Fraud Toolkit.

To view the Toolkit online or to download the Toolkit in English or Spanish, visit fightingfraud.nj.gov.

Consumers in need of assistance in Union County can call the Union County Office of Consumer Affairs at 908-654-9840 or use the online fraud reporting form on the County website, 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— The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the Union County Regional Dispatch Center will now handle fire and emergency medical service calls for the City of Rahway.

“The Union County Dispatch Center is a shared services success story. It enables county and local governments to come together and manage their resources more efficiently, for the greater good of the communities we serve,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “We are excited that the City of Rahway has joined the growing list of municipalities taking part in this County service.”

The Union County Regional Dispatch Center is a state-of-the-art emergency dispatch facility located in the County’s Ralph J. Froehlich Public Safety Building in Westfield. It opened in October 2012.

The $1.2 million facility replaced the County’s previous operation located at the same site, which only managed county public safety operations.

“We are very happy to be entering into this partnership with the County of Union.  This will provide for both improved delivery of critical services as well as cost savings for our residents.  In Rahway we always welcome these types of relationships that help protect our community and we thank the Freeholders for their support,” said Rahway Mayor Raymond Giacobbe.

In addition to providing emergency dispatch services for the Union County Police and other countywide first responders, the Dispatch Center serves a growing number of municipalities and other entities in the region including police, fire and 911 calls as well as EMS.

With the addition of Rahway, the Dispatch Center now serves 12 of Union County’s 21 municipalities and handles a total list of 24 first responder agencies.

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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.