Category: Public Info

Today, the family of Elizabeth native and LGBTQ+ Civil Rights activist Marsha P. Johnson was joined by Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados, Rebecca Williams and LGBTQ+ advocates to announce the future site of a public monument on Freedom Trail in the City of Elizabeth in Johnson’s honor. The monument is anticipated to be the first public monument in the State of New Jersey to honor a LGBTQ+ person and transgender woman of color.

In partnership with the family of Marsha P. Johnson, Union County Freeholders, City of Elizabeth officials, and Garden State Equality, the Office of LGBTQ Affairs will host a series of events during LGBTQ History Month (October, 2020) to engage with the community and the public to participate in the planning and creating of the historic project. For more information contact Danni Newbury, Union County Office of LGBTQ Affairs at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org or visit ucnj.org/LGBTQ.

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi has answered voter questions in the following letter-to-editor, regarding the use of ballot drop boxes in the 2020 General Election on November 3:

Dear Editor: In the August 27, 2020 edition of The Westfield Leader, a resident listed several questions about the use of drop boxes for Vote-by-Mail ballots for the 2020 General Election.

I appreciate the opportunity to clarify what is meant by Vote-by-Mail. Although the name refers to mail, there are in fact four ways to return a Vote-by-Mail ballot. Voters can choose any of these options:

1. Use the pre-paid envelope to send the ballot by U.S. Post. To help ensure their ballots arrive on time, I strongly urge voters to fill out and mail their ballots as soon as they are received.

2: Bring the ballot to any one of the secure, official ballot drop boxes available in Union County. These boxes are open on a 24/7 basis and will be kept open until the polls close at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

3. Bring the ballot to my Main Office in the County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth, to my Annex Office at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield, or to the Board of Elections office at 271 North Broad Street Elizabeth.
4. A limited number of polling places will be available in each of the 21 municipalities on Election Day. Voters may bring their Vote-by-Mail ballots to their designated polling place until the polls close at 8:00 p.m. Please note that voters who choose to vote in person at their polling place will be provided with a provisional paper ballot. Voting machines will be available only to persons with disabilities.

For additional details, including a list of ballot drop box locations and polling places, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions posted on my Elections website, unioncountyvotes.com, and on the free ucvotes app for mobile devices.

I also encourage voters with questions to contact my office by calling the Elections Division at 908-527-4996 or emailing ucvote@ucnj.org.

As to the specific questions raised in the letter:

1. Is there a plan to distribute more ballot boxes in Union County?

For the November 3 General Election, a total of 13 locations are expected. There were five locations for the July 7 Primary Election.

2. How do you intend to communicate this information to residents?

The drop box locations will be available on my elections website at unioncountyvotes.com, on my free UC Votes app for mobile devices, and on the Board of Elections website at ucnj.org/boe. Five of the locations have already been announced and are posted. Additional locations will be announced and posted in the coming weeks.

As with all County Clerk announcements, the locations will be publicized through the media, and through Union County’ social media and First Alert systems.

In addition, voters can contact my Elections Division with any questions they may have by calling 908-527-4996 or emailing ucvote@ucnj.org.

3. How do I know that the ballot drop box is secure and cannot be tampered with?

The drop boxes are placed in locations that are subject to monitoring and surveillance. Only authorized personnel can access the drop boxes.

4. When it is time to empty the contents of the ballot box, will there be representatives of both parties present? Will the ballot boxes be emptied periodically during the month of October?

The ballot boxes will be emptied on a daily basis, with the final collection taking place when the polls close at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. A bipartisan team of authorized personnel will empty the boxes.

5. Please explain the process by which ballots are stored and counted.

Vote-by-Mail ballots have been a fixture in New Jersey elections for many years and will be stored securely and counted by optical scanner in accordance with standard practice. Please note that, as is the case with every election, all Vote-by-Mail ballots are included in the final, official tally rendered by my office.

6. For those who plan to vote in person on November 3, please explain how the process will be different.

To prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, in-person voters must wear masks and observe social distance, and use a paper provisional ballot provided at their polling place. Voting machines will only be used by persons with disabilities who cannot fill out a paper ballot. Please note that, as is the case for every election, all provisional ballots are included in the final, official tally rendered by my office.

7. If I requested a mail-in ballot but decide to vote in person on Election Day, can I vote in person?

Voters who request a Vote-by-Mail ballot and do not it receive by Election Day can vote in person at their polling place and use a provisional paper ballot. The polling places are also available to voters who receive a Vote-by-Mail ballot but prefer to vote in person, so long as they have not already returned their ballot.

8. Where can I personally hand in my ballot to a person?

As is the case for every election, voters who deliver a Vote-by-Mail ballot in person to my Main or Annex offices will hand their ballot my staff, and will observe as my staff places their ballot in a secure box. Please note that voters who deliver ballots to my offices will need to provide their New Jersey Driver’s License and sign a registry.

Again, thank you for helping to raise awareness about voting in the 2020 General Election. Thousands of Union County voters routinely use Vote-by-Mail to ensure that their voice is heard on Election Day, and I welcome the opportunity to educate new users about the process.  

Sincerely,

Joanne Rajoppi

Union County Clerk

For more information about all County Clerk programs and services, visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance on the free Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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By partnering with The Community FoodBank of New Jersey for the second food drive this month, we were able to give out 1,000 boxes of fresh food today to families in need. Thanks to Freeholders Sergio Granados, Bette Jane Kowalski and Angela Garretson, and Town of Westfield, NJ Police Department for joining us. Stay tuned for future dates.

 

Estrada was first Latino elected to the Board; concludes more than 20 years as Freeholder

Union County, NJ—-Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Angel G. Estrada, who became the first Latino elected to the Board in 1999, announced his retirement from office effective September 1^st. 

“I am grateful for the opportunity to have served the residents of Union County, and to have helped our families and all in need,” said Estrada, a native of Cuba who was raised and lives in Elizabeth. “I would also like to thank and commend all those I worked with through the years, including my Freeholder colleagues, our County administrative team and staff for their efforts in implementing the vision we had for transforming County Government and providing high-quality, essential services for our residents.”

Estrada’s term was scheduled to end on December 31^st.  No replacement has been chosen and his slot will remain unfilled until January.

Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella, a long-time colleague of Estrada on the Board, offered congratulations and well-wishes on behalf of County government.

“As the first Latino Freeholder, Angel not only worked to bring the voices and concerns of the Hispanic community to our Board, but he also championed educational, economic and transportation initiatives that empowered all residents,” said Mirabella. “He was great at analyzing programs, and took the time to ask the hard questions and understand all the intricacies of County government. He will be missed on this Board, and we wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Estrada began his service on the Freeholder Board in January, 2000. He served as Freeholder Chairman in 2004, 2008, and Vice Chairman in 2003, 2007 and 2020. He was re-elected to a seventh term in 2017. Estrada has more than 40 years of business and public service experience.

A long-time education advocate, Estrada was elected to the Elizabeth Board of Education in 1994 and re-elected in 1997. He secured state funds for expansion and renovations, and brought college recruiters to Elizabeth’s schools. Long before his election to the school board, Estrada served for many years in Parent-Teacher Organizations, often as president.

As Freeholder Chairman in 2008, he presided over the expansion of shared county-local services, Phase III of the Workforce Competitiveness Project, and Go Green, a comprehensive environmental program. He has been instrumental in open space preservation and in having thousands of trees planted throughout Union County as part of the Greening Union County initiative.

Estrada has worked with the private and non-profit sectors to fund youth recreation and help municipalities improve athletic fields. He also worked with the United Way to help bring the 211 information line to Union County. During his term as Vice Chairman in 2007, Freeholder Angel G. Estrada initiated the Code Blue alert in Union County.

Estrada supported the Freeholder Scholars initiative and helped implement the Access 2000 initiative, which provided funding for technology in schools. As chairman of the Open Space Trust Fund Committee in 2005, Estrada oversaw the distribution of more than $1.4 million for children’s recreation and historic preservation.  

Estrada works closely with Latino community organizations to bring their voices and concerns to the Freeholder Board. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Meadowlinks, and served as Chairman of the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) from 2017-2019. Under Estrada’s leadership, Union County has advanced almost $3 million in safety improvements and nearly $38 million in local roadway and bridge projects.

He served on the Elizabeth Housing Authority for five years in the capacity of member, vice chairman and chairman and is a board member of the Selective Service System. In 2007 and 2008, Estrada was elected Vice President of the National Association of Hispanic County Officials.

Estrada earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Spanish from Kean College (now Kean University) in Union. Estrada and his wife Teresa have three children: Liliana, Jorge, Daniel, and three grandchildren, Keith, Alexandra and Julian.

Union County, NJ – The Freeholder Board is offering a simple, easy way for residents to safely and properly dispose of unwanted household chemicals and other hazardous products.  The next Household Hazardous Waste recycling event will be held on Sunday, September 13^th, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at Union County College located at 1033 Springfield Avenue in Cranford.   

The event is free and open to Union County residents, disposing of approved household waste. Hazardous waste from businesses will not be accepted. The collection event will be held rain or shine. Proof of Union County residency is required.                                                                                                         

Among the items accepted for disposal are: outdated or unwanted household chemicals, mercury thermostats and thermometers, propane tanks, and automobile tires among many other items such as oil-based paint and varnish, antifreeze, aerosol cans, pool chemicals, corrosives, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, thinners, fire extinguishers, motor oil and oil filters, gasoline, batteries, thermostats, fluorescent bulbs (unbroken), and mercury switches. Car tires will also be collected during this event.  There is a limit of eight automobile tires, without rims, per household.

The Union County Police Bomb Squad will also be on hand at the event to assist with collection of unwanted ammunition and fireworks from residents. 

“This is the time and place to safely dispose of potentially dangerous items such as ammunition and fireworks thanks to the support of trained experts with the Union County Bomb Squad. The household hazardous waste program for Union County residents is particularly important as we become more aware of the need for proper disposal of old or unwanted hazardous items that are found around the home,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “These recycling events lead to safer homes and a cleaner environment for our families and our neighbors.”

This event will run in compliance with state COVID-19 orders, regarding social distancing and other protocols. All recipients must remain in their cars with windows rolled up at all times, otherwise masks are required. Materials should be placed in vehicles trunk, cargo area or truck bed, easily accessible to staff, who will remove it from the vehicle upon arrival.

Latex, acrylic, enamel and water-based paints (wall paint) are not accepted. Residents wishing to dispose of paint are advised to use it up or dry the paint out and discard it with regular garbage.  Only materials in original or labeled containers will be accepted. No containers larger than five gallons will be accepted.

For a complete list of the materials that will be accepted and as well as information on upcoming recycling event dates and locations, please call the Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit ucnj.org/recycle.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for using the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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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 reminds residents that free scrap metal recycling drop-off continues in September.  A wide variety of metal goods, from household appliances to gutters and sheds, are included in the program.

“This countywide program helps to fill a service gap in some Union County municipalities that currently have no pickup for scrap metal recycling,” said Freeholder Chairman Al Mirabella. “As a community, we benefit across the board by recycling more and throwing away less waste – and we also stand to gain some revenue from the program.”

Scrap metal drop off will be accepted Thursday, September 3 and Saturday, September 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Scrap metal from residents in any municipality may be brought to the following drop-off centers:

• Cranford: Emergency Services/Traffic Enforcement, 151 Kenilworth Boulevard
• Rahway River Park off St. Georges Avenue in Rahway (drop-off is located in the Service Yard across from swimming pool).

Both locations are open for drop-offs from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on the first Thursday and third Saturday of each month, until November 21.

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-9, participants must wear face coverings, keep their windows closed and stay in their vehicles at all times. Materials should be placed in the vehicle’s trunk, cargo area or truck bed, easily accessible to staff, who will remove it from the vehicle.

For more information, upcoming dates and directions to all Union County recycling programs and locations, visit the Bureau of Recycling and Planning website at ucnj.org/recycle or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889. 

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for using the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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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.

 

 

 

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for using the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University and a list of locations for walk-up tests, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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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 Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the next mobile paper shredding program of 2020 for personal and confidential documents will be available on Saturday, September 12 at Union County College in Cranford.

“Union County’s mobile document shredding service helps residents fight identity theft by providing a convenient way to shred your confidential documents,” said Freeholder Chairman Al Mirabella “It promotes our County recycling efforts and ties in with other Green Initiatives in Union County.”

The September 12 shredding event will take place at Union County College on Springfield Avenue in Cranford.  The program will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine.  The shredding event will end before 1 p.m. if the shredding truck(s) reach capacity. 

Residents must wear face coverings, keep their windows closed and remain in their vehicles at all times.  Materials should be placed in the trunk, cargo area or truck bed, easily accessible to staff, for safe no-contact removal from vehicle.

The next shredding event will be Friday, September 25th at the Westfield Pool on Cumberland Street, also from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

All Union County residents are eligible to use the paper-shredding service. In an effort to accommodate everyone, there is a limit of four, 10-pound bags or boxes per vehicle.  It is preferred materials be brought in paper bags.

Documents should not be bound and plastic binders and paperclips should be removed. Paper that is wet/damp will not be accepted.  Paper that is already shredded will not be accepted. 

Documents are put into 96-gallon containers provided by the shredding company. The items are then placed onto a conveyor belt and shredded on site. Participants are welcome to view the shredding process via a closed-circuit television. The shredded documents are then recycled via local paper mills. 

The mobile shredding program is paid for through New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Enhancement Act Grant Funds. For more information about future events or directions call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit www.ucnj.org/recycle.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for using the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University and a list of locations for walk-up tests, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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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 County of Union will continue to operate its free COVID-19 testing site at Kean University throughout the Fall semester under a first-of-its-kind partnership that will provide testing for the campus community as well as opportunities for research and student employment, Union County Freeholder Chair Al Mirabella and Kean President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., announced today.

The County, which was the first in New Jersey to operate a COVID-19 testing site, will expand the partnership to provide a valuable public service for Union County residents and first responders from across the state while enhancing academic coursework, internships and employment for Kean students.

“The pandemic presents challenges on every front, but it also creates unique opportunities like this one for government and higher education to work together,” Mirabella said. “Combining forces like this not only helps the County to fight the spread of COVID-19, but also provides Kean students with hands-on experience in fields ranging from data analysis to public health management to crisis communications.”

President Repollet said the decision to keep the testing site operating on campus through the

Fall semester was made in keeping with the University’s longstanding commitment to public service and in response to requests from the University community for efficient testing and contact tracing. The combination of significantly reduced campus density and continuous access to testing will help the Union campus to operate successfully throughout the semester, he said.

“This partnership is an opportunity for Kean to demonstrate its innovative nature as well as its strength in applied research and public service as it pursues a long-term goal of securing research university status,” Repollet said. “Working together, this initiative can show immediate results to benefit not only the campus community but also the county and the state of New Jersey.”

Governor Phil Murphy acknowledged the “one of a kind” partnership between Union County and Kean University.

“I congratulate and thank Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Kean University President Dr. Lamont Repollet on this exciting new jointure,” Governor Murphy said. “This is a unique opportunity for those in public office and in our higher education settings to work together to not only defeat this virus, but to train the next generation of virus-fighters.”

Ada Morell, chair of the Kean Board of Trustees, also noted that the partnership moves the University forward in areas of research, public health and public service, and provides students with internship and job opportunities at a time when such opportunities are scarce.

“It’s good to see Kean and Union County taking a challenging situation and turning it around to benefit our students and faculty,” Morell said. “This initiative will further enhance the world-class education we provide by expanding research and service where it is needed most.”

The University and the County also are pursuing plans to create a unique and efficient one-stop COVID testing center by seeking certification for Kean University laboratories to process samples taken at the county testing site. Kean currently has the technical ability to process samples, but it requires federal approval to operate its labs for such a purpose. As demand grows for this type of processing, the University, with guidance from the state, hopes to secure the approvals later this year.

“With leadership and support from the state of New Jersey, this one-stop Covid-19 testing center would be the first its kind on a New Jersey college campus and would enhance the county’s ongoing efforts to stem the spread of the coronavirus,” Repollet said.

Chairman Mirabella said the possibility of using Kean’s labs to process nearly 2,500 to 3,000 samples each week would revolutionize the current operation by significantly reducing wait times for test results.

“This could be a game-changer for County residents and really all of New Jersey,” Mirabella said. “The faster we can provide people with test results, the more effective they can be in isolating and the more effective we can be in contact tracing.”

Senator Joseph P. Cryan, whose district encompasses Kean University, stated: “History will mark this moment with the observers and the doers. And while around the country, institutions of higher education are changing their fall semesters to remote instruction – Kean University is adapting its programming to move beyond classroom teaching and into a real world practicum.”

Senator Nicholas P. Scutari, an alumnus of Kean University, stated: “The development of these services will be absolutely essential to managing the pandemic in Union County with the fall season fast approaching. We must be able to diagnose those who use the test center quickly, and it creates an opportunity to draw upon expertise of the Kean faculty, and the energy of its students. Once again, Union County is leading the way in the battle against COVID-19, and I applaud the many partners who have come together.”

Union County opened its COVID-19 testing site at Kean University on March 23, 2020, and has administered over 43,000 tests since that date. The county also has expanded community testing and outreach.  For more information on the Union County COVID-19 Center at Kean, please go to www.ucnj.org.

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About Kean University

Founded in 1855, Kean University is one of the largest metropolitan institutions of higher education in the region, with a richly diverse student, faculty and staff population. Kean continues to play a key role in the training of teachers and is a hub of educational, technological and cultural enrichment serving more than 16,000 students. The University’s six undergraduate colleges offer more than 50 undergraduate degrees over a full range of academic subjects. The Nathan Weiss Graduate College offers seven doctoral degree programs and more than 60 options for graduate study leading to master’s degrees, professional diplomas or certifications. With campuses in Union, Toms River, Jefferson and Manahawkin, New Jersey, and Wenzhou, China, Kean provides an affordable and accessible world-class education.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders welcomes a new state law that changes the name “board of chosen freeholders” to “board of county commissioners,” and “chosen freeholder” to “county commissioner” for all 21 counties in New Jersey. Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation earlier today, and the changeover will take place beginning in 2021.

The title “freeholder” dates back to the 1700’s. It refers to white male property owners who had clear title to their land, reflecting laws that effectively prevented most women, and practically all Black Americans, from holding public office in New Jersey.

“This Freeholder Board strongly supports the Black Lives Matter movement, and we support efforts to break down the barrier of structural racism in all its forms,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “This change in title will finally put to rest a centuries-old concept of civic participation that is out of step with the diversity of our population and inconsistent with the principles of equality.”

“County Commissioner’ is an inclusive title that celebrates and respects all citizens who seek to participate in the civic fabric of our community,” said Freeholder Angela Garretson, who sponsored a Freeholder resolution in support of the name change and worked with colleagues at all levels of government throughout New Jersey to advocate for the change.

“As one of five women on our nine-member Freeholder Board, I understand the historical significance, and need for change. I am especially proud of the transition to a title that fully embraces the contributions of all women, minorities, and/or non-privileged members into the democratic process in New Jersey,” Freeholder Garretson added.

“We continue to strive to represent our ever diversifying constituency,” said Freeholder Andrea Staten.  “As an African American member of a majority female board, this new title is a positive and significant change for County Freeholders throughout the State of New Jersey.”

“As the late, great Toni Morrison noted, language is something that we ‘do,’ it is the action verb that we perform daily. With the change to County Commissioner, the State of New Jersey acknowledges that the path toward an equitable and inclusive society requires that we pay attention to how we use language to represent both ourselves and the people—as commissioners, we are entrusted to serve the people with all the meaning with which that word is invested,” said Freeholder Rebecca Williams.

Collective efforts to modernize the title have been undertaken periodically in recent years. These efforts gained momentum in recent months, following the murder of Minneapolis, Minnesota resident George Floyd. The widespread actions, including many in New Jersey and Union County, challenged the persistence of institutional and structural racism in America and raised awareness of the Black Lives Matter movement and racial inequities, at a time when the COVID-19 crisis has underscored disproportionate impacts on health and food security.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for using the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University and a list of locations for walk-up tests, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

 

 

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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.