Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – In light of two recent deaths that occurred in New Jersey when teenagers fell through thin ice, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents to stay off the ice while visiting county parks.

“A coating of ice may appear inviting, but the fact is that no pond or lake in Union County has been declared safe for skating or other uses so far this winter,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

The Union County Department of Parks and Recreation regularly surveys ice on bodies of water in County parks and determines whether it is thick enough to support skating and other activities.

“Winter weather has become less dependable than in years past, so outdoor activities that residents routinely enjoyed a generation ago are becoming less available,” said Mirabella. “If you’d like to skate, your best bet is to visit the County’s indoor skating rink at the Warinanco Sports Center in Roselle.”

Winter safety regulations in Union County parks include:

• Skating, sledding, and walking on outdoor ice is prohibited unless the ice is declared to be in safe condition by the County of Union.
• Downhill skiing is prohibited. Cross-country skiing is permitted in certain areas.
• Sledding is permitted in Echo Lake Park and in other designated areas only. In addition, toboggans, bobsleds and other non-steerable devices are strongly discouraged for safety reasons. Sledding may be suspended in case of inadequate snow cover or severe ice.
• Snowmobiles are prohibited.

For a list of the winter safety rules and regulations, visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation/parks-regulations.

The Warinanco Sports Center is located on 1 Park Drive in Warinanco Park, in Roselle. Please visitwarinancopark.com for open skating sessions and other activities.

For additional information regarding winter activities, please call the Department of Parks and Recreation at (908) 527-4900 or visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation.

Union County, NJ – With the spring break travel season approaching, Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi advises residents that the postal rate for expedited passport applications has gone up this year.

“Travelers can save money by conducting their passport business at least eight weeks ahead of their travel date, in order to avoid extra charges related to expedited processing,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

The new expedited rate, including Express Mail Postage, is $187.15 for adults and $157.13 for children. The regular rate is $110.00 for adults and $80.00 for children.

Union County residents can visit the Union County Clerk’s offices in Elizabeth and Westfield to apply for new passports and have passport photos taken. There is a $10.00 fee for passport photos.

For more information on passport services, including office hours and locations, visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk/passport-services. To contact the offices by phone, call 908-527-4966 for Elizabeth or 908-654-9859 for Westfield.

More information on all County Clerk programs and services, including property records and elections information, is available at ucnj.org/county-clerk.

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Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to host a free educational presentation and panel discussion covering New Jersey’s new streamlined confirmatory adoption law and other LGBTQ family planning concerns. The event will be held on Tuesday, February 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Hamilton Stage, located at 360 Hamilton Street in Rahway.

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

Confirmatory adoption is the formal, legal process that establishes parental rights in a married couple, where one parent is not able to contribute genetic material or gestate the child. The new law is designed to provide relief for married couples that use assisted reproductive technology, including LGBTQ couples.

“With the passage of Senator Scutari’s confirmatory adoption legislation, signed into law by the Governor last week, the Freeholder Board is proud to host this presentation and panel discussion to help increase awareness of the new streamlines second-parent adoption process and other legal protections for LGBTQ families,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

“At a time when states across the country are implementing laws that discriminate against LGBTQ families and deny them the protection of the law, here in New Jersey our state legislators are leading the country on a path toward equal protection for all,” Mirabella added. 

Organized by the Union County Office of LGBTQ Affairs in partnership with the law firms Singer & Fedun, LLC and Guston & Guston, LLP, the presentation is designed to help LGBTQ individuals and allies learn more about family planning and the state of LGBTQ family protections in New Jersey.

“There is a general assumption that the 2015 marriage equality ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court solved the equality issues for LGBTQ people, but the reality is that a web of Federal and State law continues to enable discrimination,” said Freeholder Rebecca Williams, liaison to the Union County LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “Untangling those threads will be a process of public education and advocacy, and we hope that events like this one will help.”

The presentation highlights New Jersey’s new confirmatory adoption law and changes to the legal process for families seeking protection of parental rights where one parent does not contribute genetic material. Same-gender, different-gender and transgender couples are all covered.

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session with the panelists, including Danni Newbury, Coordinator of the Union County Office of LGBTQ Affairs, Suzanne DiOrio, Special Deputy Surrogate for Union County, Bill Singer, Esq. of Singer & Fedun, and Debra E. Guston, Esq. of Guston & Guston

The presentation will also cover key life and family planning topics that directly affect the LGBTQ community, including building and protecting non-traditional family structures and the portability of parental rights.

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, NJ – The Union County Board of Elections reminds residents that May 12 is the deadline for voter registration for the 2020 Presidential primary. Primary Day will be on Tuesday, June 2.

Voters must be 18 years of age and citizens of the United States. Residents who are currently 17 and will turn 18 on or before Election Day may also register to vote.

Incarcerated persons are not eligible to vote, but a new law will provide voting rights to persons on parole or probation. Persons currently on parole or probation can register to vote beginning on March 17, when the new law goes into effect. The May 12 deadline still applies.

To download a voter registration form visit the New Jersey state elections website at nj.gov/state/elections/voter-registration. Be sure to print and sign the form before returning.

To receive a voter registration form by U.S. Post, call the Board of Elections at 908-527-4123.

Residents can also obtain a form in person at their municipal clerks’ office. Below is the schedule for openings on May 12, the voter registration deadline.

For all Union County Board of Elections information visit online at ucnj.org/ucboe, email ucboe@ucnj.org, or call 908-527-4123.

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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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The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites residents to become Union County Medical Reserve Corps volunteers and receive free CPR training on Saturday, February 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

“The Medical Reserve Corps is composed of Union County residents who have made the commitment to step up as additional assistance in the event of an emergency,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Whether it’s a destructive storm, a public health threat or a purposeful attack, Union County is better prepared to respond to emergencies, thanks to citizen involvement through the Medical Reserve Corps.”

Participants will earn 3.5 Public Health Continuing Education credits with the completion of this training.

Eligible applicants should be adults age 18 and older, active or retired healthcare professionals in good standing, non-medically trained community members with a commitment to their community, public health professionals, or students of a health profession. In addition, residents willing to be trained to fill key support positions are also welcome to apply.

The Medical Reserve Corps consists of more than 200 medical and non-medical professionals. It was developed in order to help the County prepare for emergencies on a regional basis.

Through the Medical Reserve Corps, disaster planners can swiftly identify community members who have a professional background that enables them to provide assistance during an emergency. The additional volunteers enable trained responders to focus their efforts on priority situations that require specialized skills.

The Reserve Corps also helps to ensure that more citizens throughout Union County are prepared to provide assistance in an emergency. In case an extreme event makes travel difficult, Reserve Corps members can help out locally until career responders arrive.

Many Medical Reserve Corps volunteers have a background in health care fields, but medical training is not needed in order to join. Communications, transportation, emergency shelter management and other related skills play a critical role in effective emergency response.

Medical Reserve Corps volunteers participate in training and planning sessions, and they also conduct public outreach efforts on a regular basis.

All participants must be registered with Union County Medical Reserve Corps. Being that space is limited for this event, interested residents should call 908-518-5631 to register.

For more information on the Union County Medical Reserve Corps, contact the Union County MRC Unit Coordinator, Lovely Randle, at 908-518-5631 or email uchealth@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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The Union County Sheriff’s office will be hosting a free, Children’s Coloring/Activity Book competition for the Spring of 2020. High School students will be eligible to create a child’s coloring/activity book that centers around one the following topics: Bullying and/or Cyberbullying, Internet Safety, Police Officers are Your Friends, Traffic Safety, Personal Safety, Drug Safety or Weapon Safety.

“This program provides a tremendous opportunity for high school students to use their creativity and impart valuable information to younger students,” said Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli.

The competition is open to High School students only. High Schools will be eligible to submit as many applications to the competition as they wish. The book content must be appropriate for students aged Kindergarten through 5th grade. One winner will be chosen from each submitted topic. The winning books will be published and distributed throughout Union County community events starting this summer.

Registration forms to enter the competition must be submitted by February 14, 2020 with all entries in the competition to be submitted by May 8, 2020.  The registration form can be filled out online at https://ucnj.org/sheriff/childrens-coloring-and-activity-book-competition/. Entries must be submitted via email in a PDF format to thalpin@ucnj.org, as well as mailed in a printed copy to:

Union County Sheriff’s Office c/o Tara Halpin
10 Elizabethtown Plaza
Elizabeth, NJ 07207

Interested students and residents can learn more about the contest, rules for book entries, and details on the prospective topics at https://ucnj.org/sheriff/childrens-coloring-and-activity-book-competition/, or by contacting Sergeant Tara Halpin at 908-527-4032 or thalpin@ucnj.org.

Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Elections reminds voters who plan to change their party affiliation that they must do so by April 8, in order to participate in their new party’s Primary Election on June 2.

“Party-affiliated voters often do not realize that the deadline to change their affiliation is set long before Primary Day,” said Board of Elections Administrator Nicole DiRado. “If you plan to change parties this year, please be aware that you will need to make that change by April 8 in order for it to take effect in time for the June 2 Primary Election.”

Ms. DiRado also reminded voters that they can call the Board of Elections at 908-527-4123 to confirm that their party of choice has been properly recorded.

“Visitors to Motor Vehicle Commission offices have the opportunity to review their voter information during the visit, and a simple phone call will ensure that any changes have been accurately recorded,” she said.

The April 8 deadline does not apply to voters who are currently unaffiliated. They may declare their party at the polls on June 2.

Unaffiliated voters who vote by mail will have an opportunity to declare their affiliation when they receive their ballots. They receive a ballot for each party, and they return only the ballot for which they declare.

For all Union County Board of Elections information visit online at ucnj.org/ucboe or call 908-527-4123.

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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 Black History Month the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to invite the public to a series of five free events highlighting key historical and cultural themes throughout Black history.

“The experiences and accomplishments of African Americans have defined the course of history in America for hundreds of years,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Freeholder Board is proud to contribute to Black History Month through public events that enrich our knowledge and deepen our appreciation of their contributions.”

The celebration will kick off with a Black History Month flag raising ceremony in front of the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 1^st.

On Monday, February 3^rd, a production of A Langston Hughes Song Revival will take place at Hamilton Stage, located at 360 Hamilton Street in Rahway from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., featuring the poetry of Langston Hughes set to music by African American composers Margaret Bonds and Florence Price. To register visit ucnj.org/black-history-month, or contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 908-558-2550 for more information about the program.

On Saturday, February 8^th, there will be a performance of Raisin: A Musical at the Main Stage of the Union County Performing Arts Center, located at 1601 Irving Street in Rahway, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. The show is a musical adaptation of the Lorraine Hansberry play A Raisin in the Sun. Prior to the performance, the Freeholder Board will present the annual Chester Holmes Humanitarian Award. Call the UCPAC box office for ticket information at 732-499-8226.

On Monday, February 10^th, at noon the Freeholder Board will recognize the 400^th anniversary of the transatlantic slave trade and its reverberations in life today with a free educational “Lunch and Learn” event, in the Freeholder meeting room on the 6^th floor in the Union County administration building in Elizabeth. 

Lastly, on Thursday, February 13^th from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., residents and visitors are invited to Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center, located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside to “meet” Rosa Parks in a first-person interpreter presentation by Alexandra Ford of the American Historical Theatre.

Attendees must be age 18 or older or high school students. Space is limited and pre-registration is recommended through the Trailside Talks link on the Union County activities online registration website, https://secure.rec1.com/NJ/union-county-nj/catalog.

For more information about Black History Month programs please contact Nathalie Hernandez of the Office of Community Engagement and Diversity at nahernandez@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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The Union County Board of Elections is seeking poll workers for the 2020 Presidential Elections.   

“Serving as a Union County Poll Worker is a great way to get involved in this exciting Presidential year while exercising your civic responsibility by serving your community on Election Day,” said Nicole DiRado, Administrator of the Union County Board of Elections.

The Primary Election is June 2, 2020 and the General Election is November 3, 2020.

Poll workers receive a stipend of $200.00 for the day.

Poll workers are stationed at each polling place in Union County on Election Day. They are trained to answer questions that voters may have about the voting process, and to ensure everyone who is eligible to vote is afforded the opportunity to do so.

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

No experience is needed. New poll workers are required to attend a single-session training course. Returning poll workers take a refresher course every two years.

Persons interested in becoming a poll worker are advised to apply now in order to reserve a spot.

Copies of the Poll Worker application form are available online for download at the Board of Elections website, ucnj.org/Poll-Worker-Application-2020.pdf. To request an application form by mail, call 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.

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Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski visited St. Michael Church in Cranford, to take part in the 39th Annual Commemorative Service in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.