Category: Public Info

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information about the Safety Seat Inspection Program and other services visit online at ucnj.org/childseats or contact Christine Marcantonio, Traffic Safety Program Coordinator, by email at cmarcantonio@ucnj.org or by phone at 908-789-6830.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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Free event showcases Emmy nominee Susanna Rich for National Poetry Month

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Commission on the Status of Women is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2020 Women of Excellence Awards. Ten Union County women were selected to receive awards for their outstanding contributions. The awardees will be honored at the annual Women of Excellence Gala Awards Dinner on March 27, 2020.

“For 28 years, the Freeholder Board has recognized women among us who lead, serve, and inspire. Through their work, they raise awareness about the influence of women in every sphere of the Union County community, from business and legal affairs to public service and education,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “We are proud to acknowledge their contributions towards a positive difference in the quality of life for everyone in the County.”

The Union County women being recognized for their accomplishments by the Commission on the Status of Women are:

• Women’s Advocacy – Margot Baruch – Mountainside
• Mental Health Advocacy – Joyce Benz – Springfield
• Volunteerism – Joan Crout – Westfield
• Environmental/Activism – Marian Glenn – Summit
• Education – Monica Goncalves – Elizabeth
• Lifetime Achievement – Sister Percylee Hart, RSM – Scotch Plains
• Healthcare – Pamela Palmieri – Fanwood
• Special Education Advocacy – Diana Pinto-Gomez – Fanwood
• Entrepreneurial/Medical – Nancy Polow, PhD. – Scotch Plains
• Government – Clara Fernandez – Elizabeth

Each awardee will be presented with an engraved Women of Excellence plaque and a Freeholder Resolution in their honor recognizing their impact on the Union County community.

The 2020 Women of Excellence Gala Awards Dinner will be held on March 27 at 6:00 p.m., at the Gran Centurions in Clark. The cost is $60 per person.

The Women of Excellence awards are sponsored by the Freeholder Board and the Union County Commission on the Status of Women, with the Union County Office on Women. 

For any questions or to get more information about the Women of Excellence awards program and dinner, contact Nancy Malta, Commissioner Administrative Liaison at 908-527-4298  or nmalta@ucnj.org or Jen Erdos, Secretary to the Commission on the Status of Women, at 908-527-4216 or jerdos@ucnj.org.

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

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

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

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

Union County, NJ – Union County residents seeking an opportunity to help during the 2020 Presidential election cycle still have time to 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.

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Bird watchers and nature fans are invited to join Pete Axelrod of Wild Birds Unlimited and Friends of The Great Swamp for the annual Woodcock Talk and Walk events. The first will be held in Lenape Park in Cranford on Wednesday, March 18 at 6:15 p.m. and the other will be held at the Watchung Stables off of Summit Avenue in the Watchung Reservation on Wednesday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m.

 “The American Woodcock requires very specific habitats, so it’s a great source of pride that Union County’s preserved open spaces can be a home for this unusual bird,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The annual Talk and Walk events help our residents and visitors see and hear the value of local nature conservation.”

Hosted by the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation, the annual Woodcock Talk & Walk provides seasoned birders and beginners alike with the chance to catch a glimpse of the American Woodcock and learn more about this unusual and elusive bird.

The American Woodcock is known by a variety of colorful names including Timberdoodle, Labrador twister, Night partridge, Mudbat, and Bog sucker.

The species is most commonly referred to as the woodcock due to its preference for wooded areas. American Woodcocks are drawn to moist forests and require dense woodland, providing ample cover and food.

In the spring, the bird seeks out forest clearings, abandoned fields spotted with low brush or open fields next to forest edges to serve as courtship sites.

In preparation for mating, male Woodcocks establish individual territories known as singing grounds.

Perhaps the most fascinating attribute of the American Woodcock is the acrobatic courtship displays performed by the males.

As part of their mating ritual, a displaying male on the ground will emit a nasal, buzzing call referred to as a peent, to attract females. He then takes flight and ascends 200 or 300 feet. All the while, musical twittering sounds are made by the male’s wings. Afterwards, he will spiral or zigzag back to the ground while producing a liquid chirp.

The March 18 event at Lenape Park will meet at the old Trap and Skeet field house near the main entrance off Kenilworth Boulevard/County Road 509 in Cranford (the park entrance is between Dorset Drive and Nomahegan Road).

The March 25 Woodcock Walk & Talk in the Watchung Reservation will take place at the Deserted Village. The group will meet at Masker’s Barn, which is located at the far end of Cataract Hollow Road in Berkeley Heights (GPS users: plug in 13 Cataract Hollow Road and follow road to the end).

Participants are advised to dress warm and bring a flashlight.  Both events are free and open to adults and children age 10 and up with an adult. Pre-registration is required by emailing the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at bkelly@ucnj.org.

For more information on activities and programs in Union County parks, and to find out about volunteering with Union County Adopt-a-Park, call 908-527-4900 or visit ucnj.org/parks.

For quick links to all Union County environmental and sustainability programs visit The Green Connection online at www.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.

Online registration for the Women’s Yoga Event

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is presenting a free yoga, meditation and emotional wellness program for women on Tuesday evening, March 10, at Masker’s Barn in the historic Deserted Village of Feltville, located in the Watchung Reservation in Berkeley Heights.

The March 10 event is the latest in a series of women’s yoga and wellness sessions organized through the Union County Office on Women. It is free and open to all women in Union County age 16 years and older, from beginners to experienced practitioners.

Pre-registration is required online at ucnj.org/womans-yoga.

“In addition to fostering wellness, the yoga series also provides an opportunity to connect with issues that broadly impact women and girls,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

For the March 10 event, attendees are requested to bring a donation of feminine hygiene products in support of the organization Girls Helping Girls. Period. The donations will go to help girls who struggle to afford hygiene products.

The March 10 session will begin at 6:00 p.m. and is expected to conclude at approximately 9:00 p.m. It includes a networking session, yoga and guided meditation.

Attendees should wear comfortable clothing appropriate for yoga and bring their own yoga mats. 

Masker’s Barn is a restored, ADA accessible 19th century barn located at 9 Cataract Hollow Road in the Deserted Village of Feltville, off Glenside Avenue in the Berkeley Heights section of Union County’s Watchung Reservation. Drivers are advised not to box in other cars when parking at the site.

The Office on Women was created in 2016 as the first county-based office of its kind in New Jersey, connecting women with services and programs that enable them to reach their full potential at every stage of their lives, and raising awareness of the many contributions that women make to life in Union County.

March is designated as Women’s History Month in the United States and is celebrated each year in Union County with special programs and activities. Women’s History Month corresponds with International Women’s Day, recognized around the world every year on March 8.

For more details about the yoga series and other programs of the Office on Women contact Jennifer Erdos, Coordinator, at jerdos@ucnj.org or visit online at ucnj.org/women.

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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.