Category: Public Info

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, Freeholder Angela Garretson, Freeholder Rebecca L. Williams and Freeholder Chris Hudak joined New York Mets Greats Mookie Wilson and “Doc” Gooden, and Union County Baseball Association President Jim Iozzi in congratulating the new inductees of the Union County Baseball Hall of Fame at the organization’s 84th annual Hot Stove League Dinner in Clark. The Union County Baseball Association also honored student athletes Lauren Buchanan of Union and the players and coaches from the Elmora Youth League.

The four new inductees into the UC Baseball Hall of Fame include:

Jim Dietz of Summit, an All-American catcher at Moravian College (and starting quarterback) and minor leaguer with the Philadelphia Phillies, who returned to Summit to teach math and coach baseball and football for more than 30 years;

Al Mirabella of Fanwood, a Union County Freeholder since 1998 and five-time Chairman of the Board, who has been a longtime advocate for youth baseball leagues and other recreational opportunities throughout Union County;

Gene Mirabella of Roselle Park, an outstanding high school wrestler, AllState pitcher, and captain of the football team, whose pitching success at Brookdale College earned him Region 19 Tournament MVP and Pitcher of the Year, and a stint in the minors with the Cleveland Indians;

Karen Pedersen, formerly of Berkeley Heights and Scotch Plains, the longtime Secretary of the UC Baseball Association, who has helped administer the numerous activities of the UCBA for decades.

(Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to partner with the Hyacinth Foundation to present Leadership Hyacinth, a two-day advocacy training course for community leaders who want to increase their awareness and advocacy efforts. Leadership Hyacinth also marks the launch of the Union County End the Epidemic public awareness campaign, aimed at increasing participation in advocacy efforts for HIV/AIDS, STI & Hep C.

The free training program will be held on Monday, May 18 and Tuesday May 19 from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM each day at the Warinanco Sports Center, located in Warinanco Park at One Park Drive in Roselle.

Seating is limited and preregistration is required online at ucnj.org/lgbtq.

“Community involvement is crucial to ending the HIV epidemic,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Freeholder Board is proud to partner with Hyacinth Foundation to increase the impact of their work in our communities. As a special initiative for 2020, Union County joins Governor Murphy in implementing a strategy to end the dual epidemics of HIV and HIV-related stigma, by empowering people with and vulnerable to HIV with accurate and meaningful information.”

Leadership Hyacinth is organized by the Union County Office of LGBTQ Affairs in partnership with Hyacinth Foundation. Upon completion of the program, participants will attain fluency in federal and state HIV/AIDS strategies and policies, and they will be able to use science-based evidence to communicate effectively on broad public health issues, including presentations to policy makers at the local, state and federal level through letters, email, phone calls and face to face meetings. 

 “Today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, held annually on February 7. Here in the United States, even as we have seen some decreases, the statistics remain alarming for African Americans. Black people continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, and today is a day that we can use to talk about HIV/AIDS – but not only today,” said Freeholder Rebecca Williams, liaison to the Union County LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “Today leaders in all communities affected by HIV/AIDS are encouraged to join the Freeholder Board and Hyacinth Foundation for the leadership advocacy training to learn strategies for increasing their efforts throughout the year to end the epidemic.”

“It’s critically important that the voices of the communities impacted by HIV be heard by legislators and state leaders. Leadership Hyacinth empowers individuals to find their voice and share their stories so that decisions about them are made with them at the table. We are thrilled that Union County has shown its commitment to ending the HIV epidemic, as it will take all of us, working together, to end this epidemic,” said Kathy Ahearn-O’Brien, Executive Director, Hyacinth.

Presented as part of Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella’s 2020 special initiatives, the Union County End the Epidemic HIV/AIDS awareness and advocacy campaign will include a series programs and resources for community leaders and organizations in communities throughout Union County.

Union County’s 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.

The Office of LGBTQ Affairs provides 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.

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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 Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Freeholder Angela Garretson present a resolution to Captain Gary Steitz, Sr. commending and congratulating him on his retirement as the Union County Fire Investigation Unit Coordinator. Captain Steitz of Union was a 20 year member of the Union County Fire Investigation Unit and served as their Coordinator for the past 15 years. He also served on the Union County Fire Services Advisory Board as the Fire Investigation Representative and served with the Union Fire Department for more than 40 years. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, Freeholder Angela Garretson, Freeholder Andrea Staten, Freeholder Rebecca L. Williams and Freeholder Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded joined the entire Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders in recognizing and commemorating February 9th 2020 as the Centennial Anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment and the right of women to vote in State of New Jersey. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Freeholder Chris Hudak present a resolution to Ron Manzella commending and congratulating him upon his retirement as the Township Administrator for the Township of Union. They were joined by Union Deputy Mayor Joseph Florio. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the 2020 schedule for free countywide recycling events available to all residents, beginning in March and running through November.

“These free recycling events are among Union County’s most popular programs, with thousands of residents participating every year,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “It’s an easy, convenient way to help conserve resources and protect the planet.”

Union County offers free drop-off events for household hazardous wastes and secure paper shredding at different sites throughout the County. Personal and confidential documents only are accepted at the paper shredding events.

Union County also offers two bi-monthly drop-off programs for a wide range of scrap metal. Residents can bring scrap metal for free drop-off at designated sites in Cranford and Rahway.

The County also provides for recycling of other special items through local recycling centers, including ten municipalities that are participating in Union County’s block-type Styrofoam recycling program. There are also drop off locations for motor oil and filters.

Residents seeking to recycle televisions, computers, printers, and other covered electronic items can contact their municipal recycling coordinator.

Union County residents are also advised to keep plastic bags out of their recycling bins. Recycling vendors will reject cans and bottles mixed with plastic bags, raising the cost of recycling for local municipalities.

In support of the statewide “Choose to Reuse” anti-litter effort, Union County has launched #MakeOneChangeUC, a public awareness campaign aimed at encouraging residents to reduce their use of plastic bags and other single-use plastic items.

To keep up to date with all local and County-sponsored recycling programs, residents can download the free Recycle Coach app for mobile devices.

For more details about all free County-sponsored recycling programs and other recycling opportunities, including contact information for local recycling coordinators and instructions for downloading the Recycle Coach app, visit the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning online at ucnj.org/recycle or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities 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.

Update March 12, 2020: In consideration of the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in New Jersey, this event has been cancelled.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to celebrate Women’s History Month with a free performance of Reclaiming Our Voice: New Jersey’s Role in Woman Suffrage on Wednesday, March 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Liberty Hall Museum Carriage House at Kean University, located at 1003 Morris Avenue in Union.   

“The Freeholder Board is proud to contribute to the celebration of Women’s History Month with this free event highlighting the victories of the women’s suffrage movement, and sharing the stories of the many women who fought diligently for the right to vote,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Carol Simon Levin will be portraying Lillian Feickert, president of the New Jersey Woman Suffrage Association from 1912-1920, who lived in both Plainfield and North Plainfield.  She will tell the story of the role that New Jersey women played in the long struggle for women’s suffrage. She will share the stories of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucy Stone, Alice Paul and Union County’s own Florence Spearing Randolph of Summit among others. 

Levin is a retired librarian, author, storyteller and program presenter based in Bedminster, and author of the illustrated, interactive book, Remembering the Ladies: From Patriots in Petticoats to Presidential Candidates. In addition to a coloring page, each entry in the book includes a short biography, a fascinating fact and a quote. 

This program is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a Division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State. 

Admission to “Reclaiming Our Voice: New Jersey’s Role in Woman Suffrage” is free of charge, but advance registration is required. 

To register online visit http://ucnj.org/womens-suffrage/. For more information about the program contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 908-558-2550.

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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 – Union County residents seeking an opportunity to help during the 2020 Presidential election cycle can apply to become poll workers this year. All poll workers must attend a mandatory training session and will earn a $200 stipend for their services on Election Day.

“If you are following this year’s Presidential Election, and are interested in learning more about the election process, becoming a poll worker is an exciting and rewarding way to participate,” said Union County Board of Elections Administrator Nicole DiRado.

Poll workers perform essential services on Election Day, by ensuring every eligible voter is afforded an opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

Any Union County resident who is 18 years or older, and registered to vote in Union County, can apply to become a poll worker.

No experience is needed. All new poll workers must attend a single-session training course. Returning poll workers take a refresher course every two years.

Persons interested in becoming a poll worker for the Primary Election on June 2nd and the General Election on November 3^rd are advised to apply now to reserve a spot.

To apply, download an application form at the Board of Elections website, ucnj.org/Poll-Worker-Application-2020.pdf, or request an application form by mail by calling the Board of Elections at 908-527-4120.

For more information, follow the Poll Worker Resources link at ucnj.org/ucboe.

For all Union County Board of Elections information visit online 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.

The Union County Jail, for the first time in its history, earned accreditation from the American Correctional Association with a perfect score of 100.

The 100 percent score is considered rare among jails, and only 150 jails nationwide out of 3,000 are accredited. The audit of the Union County Jail was conducted last year by the ACA.

The American Correctional Association is the body tasked with developing nationwide standards for policies and procedures that safeguard life, health and safety of corrections personnel and inmates.

ACA accreditation covers all areas of a facility, including safety, security, order, inmate care, programs, justice, and administration.

ACA standards are the national benchmark for the effective operation of correctional systems throughout the United States and are necessary to ensure that facilities are operated professionally.

Union County Department of Corrections Director Ron Charles was on hand to receive the news with his accreditation team members at the American Correctional Association’s Congress of Corrections in San Diego, California, last month.