Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ — With the approach of the spring break travel season, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders encourages residents to check their child car seats for proper installation by visiting the County’s Child Safety Seat Inspection Program, located at the Garwood Rescue Squad at 401 2nd Avenue in Garwood.

“The proper use and installation of child safety seats is one of the most effective methods for protecting children in the event of an accident, and the free Child Safety Seat Inspection Program is one of our most popular County services. It is available all year ‘round and we especially encourage parents and care givers to make use of it during peak travel periods,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

The Child Safety Seat Inspection Program is available every Wednesday and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Garwood Rescue Squad. Certified child passenger safety technicians are available on site to check the car seat for proper installation and provide personal guidance on using the seat correctly. No appointment is necessary.

“Union County first launched the Safety Seat program in 1999, after surveys showed that many child safety seats are improperly installed by parents and care givers,” said Freeholder Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “That caution still holds true today, and as a parent I encourage everyone to make use of this invaluable service.”

The Child Safety Seat Inspection Program is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Union County Police Department, New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, AAA Northeast – NJ Division, and the Garwood First Aid Squad.

Union County also offers additional safety resources including the CarFit program for seniors and bicycle helmets for children.

For more information about the Safety Seat Inspection Program and other services visit online at ucnj.org/childseats or contact Christine Marcantonio, Traffic Safety Program Coordinator, by email at cmarcantonio@ucnj.org or by phone at 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.

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Union County, NJ – In recognition of Arbor Day 2020, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is once again partnering with the Shade Tree Advisory Board to sponsor the 2020 Union County Arbor Day Poetry Contest.

“The Freeholder Board is proud of our teachers and students who participate in Arbor Day, a national celebration of stewardship,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Trees are a key resource in our densely developed area and we take the preservation of this community asset very seriously.”

The contest offers students of Union County, currently enrolled in grades 4 through 8, an opportunity to obtain a greater understanding of Arbor Day by allowing them to portray the importance of trees to our natural environment and man-made landscapes, by focusing on the benefits, beauty, and contributions of trees to our communities.

All poems received will be categorized by grade and judged.  One winner will be chosen for first, second, and third place at each grade level.  The winners will be invited to attend an awards ceremony at the Union County Administration Building in Elizabeth at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2020.  At the ceremony the students will be publicly recognized by Union County and presented with a monetary reward and a certificate. 

Schools interested in participating in the contest, should return completed student entry forms and poems no later than April 3, 2020. Any poem received after April 3, 2020 will not be accepted.

“Studies have shown that trees improve property values and provide many other civic benefits,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski. “We are happy to sponsor this opportunity for county students to become involved in environmental efforts while also promoting their creativity.”

Arbor Day has been a national observance since 1872, encouraging the public to plant and care for trees. This year it will be celebrated on Friday, April 24.

For further information regarding this contest please contact Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, Chairman of the Union County Shade Tree Advisory Board, James Nichnadowicz at (908) 654-9854 or email Jnichnadowicz@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.

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Free event showcases Emmy nominee Susanna Rich for National Poetry Month

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites residents to attend a free presentation of SHOUT! by Emmy-nominated writer Susanna Rich on Thursday, April 16 at 7:00 p.m. at Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center, located in the Watchung Reservation at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside. Free parking is available on site.

Admission to “Shout” is free of charge, but advance registration is required online at ucnj.org/parks-recreation.

“Through the power of poetry, Ms. Rich rekindles the fire that drove generations of women to fight for the right to vote, and she shines a light on the complex web of cross-currents that informed the suffragist movement through more than 70 years of activism,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Shout! is a collection of Susanna Rich’s original poetry written from the points of view of core suffragist figures from the 1848 Seneca Falls Woman’s Rights Convention, through the passage of the 19th Amendment, and on to the present day.

Specializing in writing historical poetry, Ms. Rich transforms carefully researched material into four-dimensional, you-are-here experiences that open a window into the world of a suffragist’s child, an activist force-fed during a hunger strike, an African-American marching among 6,000 white women, and a modern-day political candidate among others.

Susanna Rich received a 2009 Mid-America Emmy Nominee for her poetry in Craig Lindvahl’s Cobb Field: A Day at the Ballpark. She is the author of two Finishing Line Press poetry collections, a recipient of the first joint Fulbright and Collegium Budapest Fellowship in Creative Writing, and a Pushcart Prize nominee. She won both the 20th Century America and 21st Century America Poetry contests of Sensations Magazine, and  is a Professor of English and recipient of the Presidential Excellence Award for Distinguished Teaching at Kean University.

The Shout! event is coordinated by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in celebration of National Poetry Month and is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a Division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State. For more information about programs of the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs call 908-558-2550, email culturalinfo@ucnj.org or visit online at ucnj.org/parks-recreation.

More information about Shout! is available at wildnightsproductions.com.

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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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Please note: Due to concern over the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, this event has been cancelled.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites the public to celebrate Women’s History Month with a free screening of the documentary Girl Connected on Thursday, March 19 from noon until 1:00 p.m. The film will be shown in the Freeholder Meeting Room, located on the sixth floor of the County Administration Building at 10 Elizabethtown Plaza in midtown Elizabeth.

The free screening is coordinated by the Union County Office on Women and the Office of Community Engagement and Diversity.

“Girl Connected is an inspiring experience for audiences of all ages, and the Freeholder Board is proud to offer this opportunity for Union County residents to see how the women of the next generation are already meeting the challenges of today and shaping the world of the future,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella.

Attendees are welcome to bring lunch or a snack, and are advised to arrive several minutes early to allow for sign-in time.

Girl Connected which tells the story of five teenage girls from Bangladesh, Peru, Jordan, India and Kenya. Each of them uses their individual strengths and their talents in different fields to tackle gender discrimination and violence in their communities. Their stories portray hope for a brighter future for all young adults.

The documentary is part of the Girl Connected Campaign, a project of the organization Women and Girls Lead Global working to empower girls.

For more information about this event contact Nathalie Hernandez Coordinator of the Office of Community Engagement & Diversity at 908-527-4880 or Jennifer Erdos Coordinator of the Office on Women at 908-527-4216.

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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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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the fourth annual PRIDE in the Park festival, scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2020 starting at 3:00 p.m. and ending with a family-friendly movie at dusk. The free community event will be held at Rahway River Park in Rahway.

“Union County’s fun-filled PRIDE in the Park festival brings together all families — whether you’re a single adult, a couple, a family, a teen, child, gay, straight, bi, trans or supportive ally –to a build community of acceptance and respect,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

“The Freeholder Board is proud to host an event that celebrates all identities in one of the most diverse counties in New Jersey,” Mirabella added. “Especially at a time when states across the country are legalizing discrimination through legislation, here in Union County we stand firm in our resolve to support the LGBTQ community through advocacy, awareness and action.”

PRIDE in the Park is an inclusive community celebration of equality, diversity and acceptance with a full schedule of live entertainment and family activities including PRIDE-themed art for teens and crafts for kids all ages, inflatable bounce houses, face painting, and much more.

“Pride events make a difference,” said Freeholder Rebecca Williams, liaison to the Union County LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “The Freeholder Board is proud to provide a safe and inclusive space for the LGBTQ community and our allies to celebrate the vast and varied experiences of our diverse community.”

LGBTQ advocacy organizations and community groups will be on site throughout the event with information and educational materials, as well as support and networking resources.

New to this year’s event will be a Pride Marketplace of art and social justice-focused merchandise, featuring the work of local artists and activists.

Organized by Union County’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs and the Department of Parks and Recreation, Union County PRIDE in the Park is a Clean Communities event. Attendees are encouraged to carry in/carry out non-recyclable items and use the recycling containers on site to help Union County litter free.

The Office of LGBTQ Affairs, under the Department of Economic Development, was established by the Freeholder Board in 2018 and is the first and only county government office of its kind in the State of New Jersey. It offers a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, and serves as a catalyst for advocacy, awareness and action on current and emerging issues that impact the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals.

For more information about the Office of LGBTQ Affairs, contact Danni Newbury, Coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org or visit ucnj.org/LGBTQ.

 

For more information about Union County PRIDE 2020 visit ucnj.org/Pride, or find the Union County PRIDE in the Park event page at Facebook.com/CountyOfUnion, or call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900.

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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 – Recognizing that the new coronavirus COVID-19 may spread in the U.S. and in other countries, the Freeholder Board advises residents to keep up to date with reliable, accurate information about COVID-19, and take steps to prepare if the disease emerges in New Jersey.

“We understand that people are very concerned, but as of today are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Union County or in New Jersey. At this time, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control considers that the immediate health risk to the public is low,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella.

“The County’s Office of Public Health is coordinating closely with local, state, and federal health agencies to ensure that the Union County community is informed and prepared in the event that assessment changes,” Mirabella added.

COVID-19 causes symptoms consistent with a respiratory illness such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms have varied from mild to severe.

As with seasonal flu, members of the public can help prevent the spread of COVID-19, and protect themselves, by following widely accepted guidelines for good respiratory hygiene:

• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve, not your hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Stay home if you are sick, and avoid sick people.

In addition, Union County residents with travel plans should review and follow CDC travel advisories, available online at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers.

For a CDC travel advisory specific to China, visit cdc.gov/travel/notices/watch/novel-coronavirus-china.

Travelers who return home with symptoms are advised to seek health care, and to call ahead so their care provider is prepared to give them a mask if needed.

In the event that Union County residents are advised to stay indoors for a period of time, the standard guidelines for limiting trips outside of the home apply:

• Stock up on a two-week supply of food, water, household supplies, baby care items, and over-the-counter medications, including supplies for any pets.
• Ensure that any necessary prescriptions have been filled.
• Make a plan for caring for family members in your home if needed.
• Plan for extended school and day care closures.
• Talk to your employer about telecommuting.

Additional guidance and links to more resources are available from the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml.

Members of the public with questions about COVID-19 can call the New Jersey Department of Health Novel Coronavirus Call Center 24/7 at 1-800-222-1222. The call center is open 24/7 and offers guidance in several languages.

Please note that this number is for the general public only. Clinicians should call their local health department for guidance.

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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 – To provide in-person help for voters with questions about the upcoming June 2^nd Presidential Primary, the Union County Board of Elections is holding a series of public outreach sessions at convenient locations throughout the county in March, April, and May.

Election Board staff will be available at each location to answer questions and demonstrate new voting machines that were introduced countywide in 2019. Visitors to the public outreach sessions can also register to vote and declare their party affiliation during their visit.

Residents seeking to help on Election Day by becoming a poll worker can apply for a position at any of the outreach sessions. No experience is needed to be a poll worker. Mandatory free training is provided and the position includes a stipend of $200 for working on Election Day.

“These outreach events enable us to connect with the residents we serve, encourage public participation in the democratic process, and provide personal assistance with any questions voters may have,” said Nicole DiRado, Administrator of the Union County Board of Elections. “The public responded enthusiastically to the sessions we held last year, and we are looking forward to another good turnout during this crucial Presidential election cycle.”

The 2020 public outreach sessions currently scheduled in advance of Primary Day on June 2 are noted below. Additional events will be added, and residents are advised to visit the Board of Elections website at ucnj.org/ucboe for the latest updates.

Be sure to visit our website as additional events will be added to the outreach schedule.

• Cancelled – Westfield: March 3, 5, 10, 12, 17 and 19, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Colleen Fraser Building in the Union County complex at 200 North Avenue East. Cancelled 
• Cancelled – Garwood: March 31 and April 2, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Garwood Municipal Building, 403 South Avenue.
• Cancelled – Elizabeth: April 7 and April 9, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Union County Administration Building, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza.
• Cancelled – Linden: April 27 and 28, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Linden Public Library, 31 East Henry Street.
• Plainfield: May 5, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Plainfield Public Library, 800 Park Avenue.

The Union County Board of Elections is also available by phone at 908-527-4123, by email at ucboe@ucnj.org, or on the web at ucnj.org/ucboe.

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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.

Update March 11, 2020: Please note, due to the anticipated spread of the COVID-19 virus in New Jersey, all remaining ASK events in March have been canceled.

Union County, NJ — Union County residents seeking reliable information about services for adults age 60 and older can come to convenient locations throughout the County and speak in person with experienced staff from the Division on Aging, an office of the Union County Department of Human Services.

The community visits are scheduled every month through Union County’s ASK (Aging Services Kiosk) program. In March, the ASK program will be present at public libraries in Clark, Cranford, Garwood, Mountainside, Plainfield, Summit, Union, Westfield, and at the Rahway Senior Center.

“The Aging & Disability Resource Connection model, a state initiative that Union County has embraced since 2012, is designed to improve service for seniors and the disabled. The ASK program enables these residents to obtain valuable information and services, while remaining close to their homes and communities,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Guidance offered through the ASK program includes home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care, and support services for caregivers. Assistance with completing applications and forms is also provided.

All Union County residents are welcome to attend any ASK event. In case of snow, residents may call 908-572-4870 on the day of the event to confirm.

The March 2020 dates and locations are:

Monday, March 2

Westfield Memorial Library

550 E. Broad Street

Westfield, NJ 07090

10:00 A.M. – 12 Noon

Monday, March 9

Clark Public Library

303 Westfield Avenue

Clark, NJ 07066

10:00 A.M. – 12:00 Noon

Wednesday, March 11

Cranford Public Library

224 Walnut Avenue

Cranford, NJ 07016

10:00 A.M. – 12 Noon

Thursday, March 12

Rahway Senior Center

1306 Esterbrook Avenue

Rahway, NJ  07065

10:00 A.M. – 12:00 Noon

Thursday, March 19

Garwood Public Library

411 Third Avenue

Garwood, NJ 07027

10:00 A.M. – 12:00 Noon

Friday, March 20

Mountainside Public Library

Constitution Plaza

Mountainside, NJ 07092

10:00 A.M. – 12:00 Noon

Monday, March 27

Plainfield Public Library

800 Park Avenue

Plainfield, NJ 07060

10:00 A.M. – 12:00 Noon

Monday, March 30

Summit Public Library

75 Maple Street

Summit, NJ 07901

10:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.

Tuesday, March 31

Union Public Library

1980 Morris Avenue

Union, NJ 07083

11:30 AM. – 1:30 P.M.

The Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection’s (ADRC) goal is to promote wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families. It is one of 622 “Area Agencies on Aging” nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act.  The division has information printed in both English and Spanish.

Check for the upcoming schedule of stops for an ASK kiosk coming near you as dates and locations are posted in local newspapers, the Senior News, Facebook, Twitter and the Union County website, www.ucnj.org.

For further information about the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, call the division’s toll-free number: 1-888-280-8226, or 908-527- 4870 or 908-527-4858. Spanish speakers may call 908-527-4863.

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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 Peter Corvelli and Sheriff’s Officer Nelson Agurto thank Sue Romano, the owner of Lightbridge Academy in Westfield, for the donation of a training “bite suit” to the Sheriff’s The K-9 Search & Rescue Unit. Romano, a Scotch Plains resident, and Lightbridge Academy regularly give back to the community through donations to local organizations such as food pantries, school groups and animal shelters with monthly fundraising. For more information about the child care center, visit www.lightbridgeacademy.com. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Angel G. Estrada, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, Freeholder Sergio Granados, Freeholder Angela Garretson and Freeholder Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded joined Union County Manager Ed Oatman, Deputy Union County Manager Amy Wagner, Union County Department of Human Services Director Debbie-Ann Anderson and Human Services staff in welcoming the panel participants to the Union County Needs Assessment Community Forum at Kean University in Union. The panelists are Christine Beyer, Commissioner of Department of Children and Families for the State of NJ, Peggy McDonald, Assistant Commissioner of Division of Student Services for the NJ Department of Education, Elisa Neira, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Human Services for the State of NJ, and Rebecca Rhoades, Director for the Office of Homelessness Prevention for the NJ Department of Community Affairs.

The newly released Union County Needs Assessment report is based on public surveys and focus groups as well as analyses conducted by public, nonprofit and private sector stakeholders. It covers the full range of Union County services, from parks, recreation, education and cultural events to social services, emergency response and more.

For more information about the Union County Department of Human Services visit www.ucnj.org/departments/human-services/.