Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – The Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the popular “Wildlife Wednesdays” program is returning next Wednesday, September 23^rd with “NJ Natives” a program focusing on wildlife original to the garden state, such as the spotted turtle and garter snake.  New programs will continue to run each Wednesday through the end of October, with a new starting time of 2:00 PM.  

“Union County is striving to bring educational programs directly to our children that may not be accessible to everyone during these challenging times, and Wildlife Wednesdays is a great example of them,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “I encourage residents to register for any or all of these free programs and learn more about animals and the critical role they play in our environment.”

Participation is free and open to all county residents.   Pre-registration is required and capacity is limited to the first 100 families who sign up.  The programs will be held on Zoom so a valid email and Zoom access are necessary to participate.

Wildlife Wednesdays is sponsored by Union County’s Clean Communities Grant Program as educators will raise awareness on how litter can be harmful to wildlife.   Rizzo’s Wildlife World educators will bring the classroom to you and present a myriad of wildlife critters. These programs aim to discourage littering to protect the diverse wildlife found in County parks.

September 30^th’s program will feature Australian Animals such as the bearded dragon and white tree frog.  Stayed tuned for info on future programs.  Residents wishing to pre-register can do so by visiting www.ucnj.org/ww. Once registered, attendees will receive a confirmation and Zoom login information via email.    

For more information on upcoming Wildlife Wednesday, please visit www.ucnj.org/recycling. 

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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 Clerk Joanne Rajoppi explains the Vote-by-Mail Procedure in detail

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi has released a video with step-by- step instructions for voters wishing to vote-by-mail. The video can be accessed on the County Clerk’s elections website, unioncountyvotes.com, on the free Union County Votes mobile app and on the County of Union social media channels (Facebook).

The video was produced to address the requirement by the New Jersey State Legislature and the Governor that the November 3 General Election be conducted primarily through vote-by-mail and the fact that most voters are unfamiliar with the vote-by-mail process.

 “This video was produced in order to assist people when receiving their mail-in-ballots. We cannot stress how important it is for voters to become familiar with Vote-by-Mail,” added Ms. Rajoppi. “Vote-by-Mail is a reliable and safe way to make your voice heard in the upcoming general election.”

Vote-by-mail ballots will be mailed to all registered voters beginning on Tuesday, September 15. Ballots will be mailed in waves by municipality and on September 15, ballots will be mailed to six of the 21 municipalities: Berkeley Heights, Clark, Cranford, Garwood, Fanwood and Hillside with the remaining municipalities to follow. Mailing dates for each municipality can be found on unioncountyvotes.com or on local municipal websites. All ballots for registered voters will be in the mail by October 5.  If voters do not receive their ballots by October 13 (8 days from final mailing), they are asked to contact the Union County Clerk Election Division by calling 908-527-4996.

“A step by step graphic how-to brochure will be enclosed with every ballot to help voters with the process. Voters with questions or concerns are asked to call the office of the Union County Clerk Elections Division at 908-527-4996,” added Ms. Rajoppi.

 Ballots can be deposited in one of 22 ballot boxes placed around the county.  These boxes are under surveillance and picked up by authorized Board of Election personnel on a regular basis.  Locations of the boxes can be found by visiting unioncountyvotes.com or ucnj.org/ucboe.

Additionally, voters can drop off their ballots at:

Union County Clerk’s Office, 2 Broad Street, Room 113, Elizabeth

Union County Clerk’s Office, 300 North Avenue East, Westfield

Union County Board of Elections, 271 North Broad Street, Elizabeth

Those wishing to register to vote can download a voter registration application from unioncountyvotes.com. Fill it out and mail it no later than October 13 in order to be eligible to vote in the General Election on November 3.

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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The Union County Freeholders are pleased to announce that Union County Paratransit is providing increased passenger transportation for its residents.

Union County residents who qualify for Paratransit services can now make reservations for the following kinds of trips:

• Route 22 Shuttle Bus
• Medical
• Shopping
• Employment
• Education or Training
• Prescription pick-ups
• Other Essential Services

“As Union County continues to face the changing realities posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Freeholder Board is happy to see Union County Paratransit returning to its full range of services to our residents,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Please follow all safety regulations in order to ensure Paratransit employees can safely do their jobs and continue operating this invaluable program.”

All reservations are limited to availability on a first-come, first-served basis. Transportation will be provided with limited passengers on each vehicle.

Please call 908-241-8300 (Option 1) to make your reservation and schedule your trip. All reservations may be taken up to three (3) weeks in advance. In accordance with the State of New Jersey’s COVID-19 guidelines, residents will be required to wear face masks that cover the nose and mouth.

For more information about the Union County Paratransit System, please visit ucnj.org/departments/human-services/paratransit-system/. 

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi Dispels Misinformation about Mail-in-Ballots

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi is providing voters with answers to frequently asked questions regarding Vote-by-Mail procedures in advance of the November 3 General Election.

“Inaccurate information can easily travel across social media, which makes it all the more important for voters to become familiar with Vote-by-Mail,” added Ms. Rajoppi. “Vote-by-Mail is a reliable and accurate way to vote.”

To help voters learn about voting in the General Election, Ms. Rajoppi has posted FAQs on the County Clerk’s elections website, unioncountyvotes.com, and on the free Union County Votes mobile app.

Among the most frequently asked questions are:

Why are we voting by mail this year

The Governor and New Jersey State Legislature mandated a primarily Vote-by Mail election due to concerns with the COVID-19 pandemic.  Vote-by-Mail is not new. It’s been around since the Civil War and currently, 9 states and the District of Columbia conduct elections exclusively with Vote-by-Mail is currently being used in 9 states and the District of Columbia.  Five of those states have a long history of reliable Vote-by-Mail elections. The Vote-by-Mail system does not favor any political party over the other. 

 When are the ballots being mailed?                  

The ballots will be mailed in waves beginning the week of September 15th.  Please check unioncountyvotes.com for the dates for each municipality. Your local municipal website will also list the ballot mailing dates for your town.

What is ballot harvesting?

“Ballot harvesting” is a phrase used to describe the real and legitimate practice of designating someone to drop off your ballot. This ballot return option is important for the elderly, individuals with disabilities and those forced to quarantine. A person can carry up to 3 ballots.

To prevent fraud and protect privacy, voters must first sign and seal their ballots in the certified envelope and the person carrying the ballot must then include their name, address and signature on the envelope.  Tampering with a ballot or not submitting a ballot is a crime.

Can you print a ballot from the internet?

All legitimate Vote-by-Mail ballots are assigned a unique barcode associated to each specific registered voter and are sent through the U.S. Postal Service. The Vote-by-Mail envelope clearly states “Official Mail in Ballot.” Any attempt to copy or reproduce a ballot for any purpose is a crime.

Does Vote-by–Mail promote voter fraud?

National statistics and studies show that voter fraud through Vote-by-Mail is almost non-existent.  A recent Washington Post analysis looked at 3 states with all Vote-by-Mail elections (Colorado, Oregon and Washington) and found just 372 potential irregularities among 14.6 million voters, translating to a margin of irregularity of 0.0025%.

The election system has safeguards also to prevent fraud.  First only active voters will receive a vote by mail ballot.  The ballot will have a barcode associated with a specific voter.  After filling out the ballot the voter must sign the Certificate envelope before returning it. 

Voters can then track their ballot to ensure that the Board of Elections receives and accepts it.  The BOE scans the barcode on each ballot to confirm the voter has not already cast a ballot and reviews the signature on the Certificate Envelope to confirm that it matches the signature in the voter registration database.

It is against the law to vote twice.

Who can assist me with filling out a vote by mail ballot?

A relative or friend can assist you with filling out a Vote-by-Mail ballot.  The person assisting must print and sign their name of the Certificate envelope.  They can also mail your ballot by filling out the front of the envelope. No one can deliver more than three ballots on behalf of voters.  Candidates running for any elected office cannot assist with filling out a Vote-by-Mail ballot and cannot carry ballots for anyone.

I’ve never voted by mail before and don’t know the procedure?

A step by step how-to brochure is enclosed with every ballot to help voters with the process.  Voters with questions or concerns are asked to call the office of the Union County Clerk Elections Division at 908-527-4996.

What if I do not receive my ballot?

All ballots for registered voters will be in the mail by October 5.  If voters do not receive their ballots by October 13 (8 days from final mailing), they are asked to contact the Union County Clerk Election Division by calling 908-527-4996.

Do I have to mail my completed ballot?

Mailing the ballot is just one option. Ballots can be deposited in one of 21 ballot boxes placed around the county.  These boxes are under surveillance and picked up by authorized Board of Election personnel on a regular basis.  Locations of the boxes can be found by visiting unioncountyvotes.com or ucnj.org/ucboe.

Additionally, voters can drop off their ballots at:

Union County Clerk’s Office, 2 Broad Street, Room 113, Elizabeth

Union County Clerk’s Office, 300 North Avenue East, Westfield

Union County Board of Elections, 271 North Broad Street, Elizabeth

How do I register to vote for the November 3rd election?

Those wishing to register to vote can download a voter registration application from unioncountyvotes.com. Fill it out and mail it no later than October 13 in order to be eligible to vote in the General Election on November 3.

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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Union County, NJ – The County of Union today announced the cancelation of this year’s Four Centuries in a Weekend celebration, due to the COVID -19 pandemic. The event was originally scheduled for the weekend of October 17 and 18.

“The safety of staff, volunteers, and our residents is of the utmost importance and our highest priority,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Freeholder Board and the Department of Parks and Recreation will be working to make next year’s event even better and we thank residents for their understanding as we continue to navigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.”

The many sites vary in size and capacity, making it difficult to accommodate the restrictions in place due to the ongoing pandemic.

Residents may visit https://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/cultural-heritage-affairs/ for information about each site, including virtual tours.

 For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for 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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UNION COUNTY, NJ — The Union County community is invited to honor the memory of the 60 residents who perished in the World Trade Center attack of 2001, by visiting the Union County September 11th Memorial on Friday, September 11 at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside.

The Memorial will be open from the morning hours until 9:00 p.m. on September 11. The Union County Sheriff’s Office will provide a uniformed Honor Guard standing watch at the memorial from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

The public is invited to bring and light candles in memory of those lost in the attacks. The Union County Department of Parks and Recreation will also contribute candles to the memorial.

“On this date, we join with those who lost loved ones in honoring the memory of our fellow Union County residents who perished in the attacks, and we remember the many acts of courage that occurred in the midst of a terrible national tragedy,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

The Union County September 11th Memorial incorporates elements of design that include all three sites where attacks took place on September 11, 2001. Two girders recovered from the ruins of the World Trade Center are arranged within a five sided area representing the Pentagon, and an Eternal Flame represents those who died in Pennsylvania along with members of the Armed Services and emergency responders.

In addition to these elements, the names of the 60 deceased Union County residents are etched into the memorial.

Union County worked with residents of Cranford, Elizabeth, Kenilworth, Linden, Mountainside, Rahway, Scotch Plains, Summit, Union and Westfield to plan and build the Memorial.

Dedicated on Sept. 13, 2003, the memorial was constructed through private donations including in-kind work by labor unions and materials at cost. For more details visit ucnj.org/september-11th-memorial.

The memorial is located on a hill at the border of Mountainside and Springfield in Union County’s Echo Lake Park (view map), near the Springfield Avenue entrance at the eastern end of the park.

Visitors are reminded that COVID-19 prevention rules are in effect in all Union County parks. Masks are strongly recommended and social distance must be observed. For more details visit ucnj.org/parks.

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.

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County will have a total of 13 ballot drop-off boxes, exceeding Governor’s mandate of 10 per County

UNION COUNTY, NJ—-The Union County Board of Elections today announced it will be receiving eight new ballot drop-off boxes from the State of New Jersey for residents who wish to drop off their Vote-by-Mail ballots.  Governor Phil Murphy has ordered the November 3^rd election to be conducted primarily by Vote-By-Mail ballot.

Locations for the eight new drop-off boxes will be released in an upcoming announcement. Once the boxes from the state have arrived, the County will have a total of 13, exceeding the Governor’s mandate of a minimum of 10 boxes per County.

The County Board of Elections currently has five drop-off boxes that have been in place prior to the July primary: Cranford (Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue), Elizabeth (Union County Administration Building, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza), Plainfield (Plainfield Municipal Building Parking Lot, 515 Watchung Avenue), Union Township (Union Township Municipal Building Rear Entrance, 1976 Morris Avenue), and Westfield (Fraser Building, 300 North Avenue East). 

Board of Elections Administrator Nicole Dirado stated: “The ballot drop-off boxes are an essential component and provide voters with a convenient, timely and secure way to participate in the November 3^rd election.”

The drop-off boxes are available on a 24-7 basis. Voters may deposit their ballot in a drop-off box at any time of day or night, up to 8:00 p.m. on November 3rd.

The current locations are ADA accessible and under constant camera surveillance, as will be the upcoming locations.

Ballots will be picked up and brought to the Board of Elections on a daily basis.

In addition, voters using a drop-off box may bear their own ballot, and ballots of up to three other voters.  Ballot bearers must sign the bearer portion of the outside envelope in the presence of each voter whose ballot they are bearing.

Voters who wish to hand deliver their ballots can also bring them to the Board of Elections office at 271 North Broad Street in Elizabeth. As with the drop off boxes, they may bear their own ballot and ballots of up to three other voters.

Voters choosing to drop off their ballot at the Board of Elections office are reminded that they must sign a register, and produce a New Jersey Driver’s License or New Jersey Issued Identification.

In addition to regular weekday hours between now and November 3rd, the Board of Elections will be open Tuesday, October 13^th until 9 p.m., which is the deadline for voter registration for the Presidential election on November 3rd.

While visiting the Board of Elections office, voters must wear masks and observe social distance.

Voters may also send their ballots to the Board of Elections by U.S. mail. Each ballot comes with prepaid postage.   Ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the Union County Election Board by November 10, 2020.  If your ballot is mailed, but not postmarked by the USPS, it must be received by the Union County Election Board by November 5.

All voters wishing to use a polling location on Election Day will be required to complete a paper provisional ballot. Voters who cannot vote on a paper ballot due to a disability will be afforded the opportunity to vote on an ADA-compliant machine, after they have certified that they cannot vote on a paper ballot.

To view instructions for using a Vote-by-Mail ballot correctly, visit the Election Board online at www.ucnj.org/boe/make-sure-your-vote-by-mail-ballot-is-counted-2

For information on all Board of Elections services visit ucnj.org/boe, email ucboe@ucnj.org, or call 908-527-4123. All email and phone messages will be returned.

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 in local communities, 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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Invasive insect threatens native trees and plants, and can destroy valuable crops.

Union County residents who are looking for ways to help the environment are advised to be on the lookout for the spotted lanternfly, an invasive species that can destroy native trees like the black walnut, red maple, silver maple, and river birch. The spotted lanternfly is also notorious for damaging crops and ornamental flowers.

“Union County residents have worked hard to preserve open space and protect native habitat in our public parks, so we all have a stake in ensuring that the spotted lanternfly does not take hold in our area,” said Freeholder Chairman Al Mirabella. “I encourage everyone to help do a service to our native ecosystems by learning how to recognize this pest and its eggs, and destroying any that you encounter.”

The adult spotted lanternfly is easily recognized by black speckles on whitish upper wings and red lower wings. The insect lays egg masses of 30-50 eggs over a small area of about 1 inch, typically on flat surfaces including the outsides of vehicles. Masses laid on trees are mainly found about 10 feet above ground.

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive species of Asian origin that was originally confirmed to be spreading in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in September 2014. However, in 2018 the plant hopper was seen in New Jersey.

Lanternflies feed on more than 70 different trees and plants, but are particularly dangerous to New Jersey flora such as grapevines, roses, and the river birch, silver/red maple, and black walnut trees. Because of the lethality to these particular NJ plants, a lanternfly infestation could potentially prove damaging to New Jersey’s economy.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture currently has eight counties under “quarantine” for the spotted lanternfly, including Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Salem, Somerset, and Warren. Union County may soon be next on that list, as residents have reported lanternfly sightings in Westfield, Springfield, and more.

Residents are advised to kill any lanternflies they encounter, whether by force or sprayed insecticide. Since the spotted lanternfly typically lays its eggs in October, residents are also instructed to be on the lookout for egg sacs and, if spotted, scrape them into a plastic bag full of rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content.

Residents are also advised to inspect their cars for lanternflies or eggs after traveling to one of the aforementioned quarantine counties, particularly if on a hiking or other nature trip, and act accordingly to prevent the lanternfly from hitchhiking back to Union County.

Spotted lanternfly sightings should be reported to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture by calling 609-406-6943 or emailing slf-plantindustry@ag.nj.gov.

For more information, including photos of the lanternfly and its eggs at various stages, visit nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/pi/prog/spottedlanternfly.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

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 in local communities, 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 – As the fall season approaches, Union County residents, business owners and visitors can explore new ways to save money and help preserve a healthy environment by tuning in to the new Earth Day Every Day live webinar series created in part by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. The free series kicks off on September 14 at 6:30 p.m. and will continue each week throughout the fall.

Earth Day Every Day builds on the success of the Earth Day At Home webinar series, launched by the Extension last spring in celebration of the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day.

“The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County connects our community with fact-based guidance that empowers people to improve their own well-being, while also contributing to a safe, healthy environment,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Extension has redoubled their educational and outreach work during the COVID-19 outbreak, and Freeholder Board is proud to support their efforts to inform and empower people of all ages.”

To register and join the new Earth Day Every Day webinars, and to view recorded versions from the series last spring, visit envirostewards.rutgers.edu/Earth-Day.

The new fall topics are:

9/14/20- Winterizing Your Home for Maximum Energy Efficiency

9/21/20- Collecting Native Seeds: Sow Much to Know!

9/28/20- Fall Lawn Care the Earthwise Way

10/5/20- RU Wildlife Wise: Defensive Driving to Avoid Wildlife

10/13/20- What’s An Energy Audit and Do you Need One?*

10/19/20- Ten Ways to Adapt to Coastal Flooding

10/26/20- RU Wildlife Wise: Demystifying Iconic Halloween Animals

11/2/20- Basics of Recycling

*Please note that the October 13 webinar takes place on a Tuesday.

For more expert guidance on wellness, view the latest issue of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension’s “Family and Community Health Sciences Visions” newsletter online at njaes.rutgers.edu/visions. Topics include pet food safety, reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s, and much more.

Students in grades k-12 can explore STEAM activities and community service opportunities through 4-H from Home, created by the Extension’s 4-H youth development program.

Nature enthusiasts of all ages can also visit Union County’s own Trailside Nature and Science Center online at ucnj.org/trailside to participate in the “Virtual Summer Camp” series, featuring original videos, crafts, and more. Weekly topics include Turtle Time, Pond and Stream, and Trees are Terrific among others.

Union County is part of the Choose to Reuse statewide anti-litter effort, which aims to reduce plastic waste and improve recycling rates. For reliable information on what to recycle – and what not to recycle — view the “Recycle Right” video and find links to other County-sponsored recycling programs at ucnj.org/recycling.

In addition, residents can download the free Recycle Coach app for up-to-date information about recycling in each Union County municipality, along with fun interactive videos and more.

Union County also encourages residents, businesses and visitors to cut down on single-use plastics through the #MakeOneChangeUC campaign.

Union County’s ongoing environmental programs include drop-off recycling events, open space preservation, nature education, tree planting, pollinator habitats, community gardening and more. For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities visit ucnj.org/green-connect. Please note COVID-19 safety precautions are required for all recycling events. Other in-person activities are limited at this time due to the outbreak.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is a program of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and is supported in part by the Freeholder Board. For more Extension news and programs for environmental conservation and personal health in Union County visit ucnj.org/rce.

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.

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Union County Freeholder Andrea Staten and Assemblywoman Linda S. Carter today joined with the United Way of Greater Union County and members of County Government at Hillside High School in distributing food donated by Amazon.com through United Way to various organizations throughout Union County. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)