Category: Public Info

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders in partnership with the Union County Juneteenth Planning Committee is pleased to announce the inaugural Juneteenth Flag raising ceremony on Wednesday, June 19 at 5:00 p.m. in front of the Union County Court house, located at 2 Broad Street, in Elizabeth.

“Juneteenth marks the date when enslaved Africans in America got word about the Emancipation Proclamation,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “In Union County, we are proud to raise the Juneteenth Flag to acknowledge this day in history and honor the long struggle of African-Americans for freedom.”

Juneteenth is recognized as a commemoration of the effective end to slavery in the United States. While President Lincoln delivered his famous Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, many slave owners in Southern states failed to inform their slaves of the landmark decision.

Freeholder Rebecca Williams said: “Juneteenth is a date on which I acknowledge the idea of justice delayed due to the pecuniary interests of slaveholders in the cotton industry in particular. I cannot underscore enough Galveston’s importance as a major port city during the slave trade, as well as Texas as a cotton empire built on the bodies of its enslaved. Juneteenth came about not because it took two months for word to get to Texas about the end of the war, but because the cotton industry needed the bodies of the enslaved blacks to ensure that there would be a crop that year. My father was born and raised in Galveston, and I have dozens of family members who still live there, so I take Juneteenth very personally. Although it has taken far longer for African Americans to be given equal protection under the law, this date marks the beginning of that journey.”

Freeholder Sergio Granados added: “I take great pride in recognizing our diverse cultures within the County and am honored to celebrate the strength of families in the spirit of freedom. “

It took until June 19, 1865 – over two years after Lincoln’s address freeing slaves – for Union soldiers to ride into Galveston, Texas and announce the abolition of slavery there.

Hence, Juneteenth is a celebration of the emancipation of all slaves. Every year around June 19, people participate in parades and cultural events to honor the true end of slavery. On June 22, 2019, the Juneteenth Planning Committee will host their 5^th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Ball at the Renaissance Hotel located in Elizabeth.

For more information, contact Nathalie Hernandez, Coordinator of the Office of Community Engagement & Diversity at nahernandez@ucnj.org or 908-527-4880.

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that a selection of prize-winning art work by Union County employees and their family members is on display through July 9 in the Freeholders Gallery, located on the 6^th floor of the Union County Administration Building, at 10 Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth. The gallery is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays.

The new exhibit presents 16 pieces from among the 149 creations judged at the recent 18^th annual National Arts Program Exhibit and Contest for Union County Employees and Their Families. Current employees, retirees, and their family members were all eligible to submit works.

“Union County employees come from all walks of life, and their artwork reflects the rich pool of creativity, skill, and imagination throughout the Union County community and the surrounding area,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “”We thank the National Arts Program Foundation and Liberty Hall Center in Union Township for giving our local artists the chance to share their own particular — and often very enlightening –view of the world.”

The exhibit and contest is made possible through the National Arts Program Foundation, which provided prize money and support to display the work of artists of all ages, including a reception at Liberty Hall Center in honor of all the artists.

The award-winning artists in the 18^th annual National Arts Program Exhibit and Contest for Union County Employees and Their Families are:

Aberdeen: Korrin Spogantz (Third Place, Youth 12 & Under).  Bayville: Julia Paparella (Second Place, Teen 13-18).  Berkeley Heights: Molly Altman (Second Place, Youth 12 & Under).  Chatham: Carolyn Rehm (Third Place, Intermediate).  Clark: Ryan Frees (Third Place, Amateur); Daniel Wilkinson (Honorable Mention, Professional); Charles, Kenneth and Samuel Wilkinson (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under). Cranford: Jeff Young (Honorable Mention, Intermediate).  Elizabeth: Christopher Paparella (Second Place, Intermediate); Shane Rhodes (First Place, Youth 12 & Under); Cristina Velez (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18); Michelle Velez (Second Place, Amateur).  Fanwood Margaret Southwell (Honorable Mention, Professional). Garwood: Linda Brazaitis (Honorable Mention, Professional); Sergei Kent (Honorable Mention, Amateur); Kelly Sullivan (First Place, Amateur). Jersey City: Hadieh Afshani (Honorable Mention, Professional); Grigory Gurevich (Second Place, Professional). Kenilworth: Maria Anderson (Honorable Mention, Intermediate); Tiffany Broskoskie (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18); Richie Casale (Honorable Mention, Amateur).  Leonardo: Eryn Knapp (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18).  Monroe: Richa Wadhawan (Third Place, Teen 13-18) and Rishabh Wadhawan (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Old Bridge: Allana McQueen (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Rocky Mount: Ivelisse Inglefield (Art Education Award, Teen, 13-18).  Roselle: Anthony Waldmann (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18); Judith White (First Place, Professional).  Roselle Park: George Kurz (Honorable Mention, Amateur). Scotch Plains: Charles Rubin (Honorable Mention, Intermediate); Manali Shah (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18); Niyati Shah (First Place, Teen 13-18); Eileen Willoughby (First Place, Intermediate). South Orange: Donna Drew (Honorable Mention, Professional). Springfield: Kat Block (Honorable Mention, Professional); Michelle Harpster (Third Place, Professional). Summit: Sam Awad (Honorable Mention, Professional). Union: Melissa Simoes (Best In Show, Intermediate) Westfield: John Beil (Honorable Mention, Intermediate).

Additional support for this event was provided by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Exhibits at the Freeholders Gallery are coordinated by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.

For more information about this exhibit and other programs and services related to the arts and Union County history, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth NJ 07202. Telephone: (908) 558-2550. NJ Relay users dial 711. Or send E-mail to: culturalinfo@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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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to welcome The Boy Band Project to headline Union County PRIDE in the Park on Saturday, June 15 at Rahway River Park in Rahway.

Union County PRIDE in the Park is an inclusive and affirming celebration of family, equality, diversity and acceptance with a full day of free activities beginning at noon.

Boy band fanatics of all ages are invited to celebrate Pride with the talents of Broadway performing the best of 90’s boy band music.  Taking the stage at 3:00 p.m., The Boy Band Project will premiere a new single during their UC PRIDE performance. Then, join us for a special post-performance meet and greet with the artists!

“Union County PRIDE in the Park is the County’s signature event for celebrating diversity and affirming respect for all families,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The Freeholder Board is thrilled to host The Boy Band Project at UC PRIDE in the Park – one of New Jersey’s most family-friendly PRIDE events.”

There’s a moment at every event or party when a boy band song shuffles onto a play list and instantly the space is transformed into a euphoric gathering of super fans. Everyone, even the person you’d least expect, is singing and dancing along to the iconic sounds and fist bumps of this undeniable musical phenomenon. Featuring talent from Broadway – from Jersey Boys, Altar Boys, Wicked, Rock of Ages and more – The Boy Band Project is an interactive recreation that re-imagines the sound, movement, and pulse of the dynamic harmonies and vocals of NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, Hanson, One Direction, Boyz II Men, and more.

Union County PRIDE in the Park includes a full schedule of entertainment and activities including PRIDE-themed arts and crafts, family lawn games, inflatable bounce houses, playground fun, and many other family activities.

Experience Rizzo’s Wildlife World with snakes, lizards and more during their kid-friendly interactive presentation at 1:00 p.m.

An Equality Rally featuring New Jersey’s own Drag Queen Harmonica Sunbeam as emcee will kick off at 2:30 p.m. with special guest speakers and performances.

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

“Pride events make a difference, and there is urgency in our community be a visible participant in events that provide a platform for inclusion and acceptance,” said Freeholder Rebecca Williams, liaison to the Union County LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “The Freeholder Board is proud to provide a space for the LGBTQ community and our allies to stand in solidarity in the fight for equality. Join us – share your Pride and show your support as an ally at Union County PRIDE in the Park.”

Union County PRIDE in the PARK is a Clean Communities event – keep Union County litter free.

For more information about all Union County PRIDE events and activities hosted by the Freeholder Board visit ucnj.org/pride.

Union County’s Pride month events are organized by the Office of LGBTQ Affairs, and presented in partnership with WellCare Health Plans, Xfinity and Atlantic Health System.

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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The Union County Freeholder Board would like to remind you about what you can do when severe weather—such a tornado—may strike. Please note the following:

• Stay Weather-Ready: Continue to listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated about tornado watches and warnings.
• At Your House: If you are in a tornado warning, go to your basement, safe room, or an interior room away from windows. Don’t forget pets if time allows.
• At Your Workplace or School: Follow your tornado drill and proceed to your tornado shelter location quickly and calmly. Stay away from windows and do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.
• Outside: Seek shelter inside a sturdy building immediately if a tornado is approaching. Sheds and storage facilities are not safe.
• In a vehicle: Being in a vehicle during a tornado is not safe. The best course of action is to drive to the closest shelter. If you are unable to make it to a safe shelter, either get down in your car and cover your head, or abandon your car and seek shelter in a low lying area such as a ditch or ravine.

For more information visit https://www.weather.gov/safety/tornado-during

Union County, NJ – Summer camp openings are still available for preschool children ages 4 and 5, and students entering grades 1-6, at Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center.

Located in the heart of the Watchung Reservation, Trailside summer camps offer both indoor and outdoor educational fun.

“The Freeholder Board is proud to support this opportunity for young people in our community to enjoy the out-of-doors and explore new skills, while learning about our natural heritage here in Union County and beyond,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski.

Preschool children ages 4 and 5 can attend short afternoon camps, from 1:15-3:45 p.m. All sessions include colorful crafts, nature walks, hands on activities and a snack break (must be 4 years old by June 1, 2019):

• June 24-27 (Monday through Thursday): Seasonal Surprise & Dinomite features seasonal activities and explores the world of dinosaurs.
• July 1- 3 (Monday through Wednesday): Wacky Weather & Natural Beginnings introduces our weather systems and the food chain, featuring fun bug hunts and animal searches.
• August 5-8 (Monday through Thursday): Animal Adventures & Nature in a Nutshell explores Africa, Australia, Antarctica and the tropical rainforests of the world, along with the numbers and patterns that help plants and animals survive.

Students entering first and second grade can attend half-day camps, afternoons or mornings, five days a week:

• July 8 -12 (1:00 – 4:00 p.m.): Seasonally Artistic enables children to have fun exploring how nature influences art with hands-on activities including nature collages, watercolor, and solar printing.
• July 22-26 (1:00 – 4:00 p.m.): Tropical Treasures explores the unique treasure of tropical rain forests and enables children to learn how to preserve and protect valuable resource.
• August 5-9 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.): Branching Out opens up the fascinating world of trees, plants and shrubs through games, hikes and art projects.

Students entering third and fourth grade can attend half-day camps, five days a week. Campers can also combine morning and afternoon sessions for a full day of activity:

• July 8-12 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.): Bugs & Beyond explores the diversity of insect life as you visit stream, pond, meadow and forest habitats to learn about lifecycles of these amazing creatures.
• July 8-12 (1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.): Junior Naturalist investigates wetlands in the Watchung Reservation and the diverse plants and animals found in these areas.
• July 22-26 (1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.): Birds of a Feather introduces the world of birds and the characteristics that make them different from one another while learning the finer points of bird identification.

Students entering fifth and sixth grade can attend half-day camps or combination camp, five days a week:

• July 8-12 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.): Behind the Scenes takes campers behind the scenes at Trailside to learn how the Naturalists care for the reptiles and fish living in the museum. 
• July 8-12 (1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.): Green Team features fun activities that demonstrate the importance of living greener with a solar cooker, energy games and recycle and redesign your T-shirt.

For complete details on all summer camp programming for all grades including hours and participation fees, visit Trailside online at ucnj.org/parks-recreation/trailside-nature-science-center and view the Summer 2019 brochure.

In addition to summer camps, Trailside also offers family programs, evening programs and weekly Wednesday Matinees during the summer months.

For more details and to register for all Trailside programs, visit www.ucnj.org/trailside, call 908-789-3670 or email trailside@ucnj.org.

Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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

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

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Well over 3,000 people visited Union County’s new Wheeler Spray Park in Linden over its first three days of operation this past weekend. Enclosed please find a full video of the Freeholders’ ribbon cutting event held last Saturday, which highlights the speeches, and the park itself.

Union County, NJ — On Thursday evening June 6 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., all gardeners are invited to the “Native Plant Swap and Shop” event at the Union County Demonstration Garden, where they can trade an invasive plant from their yard for a colorful native plant, free of charge. Attendees can come at any time during the event and stay for as long as they like.

Pink, lavender, white, red, blue and purple flowering native plants are available for swap including swamp milkweed, wild bergamot, dense blazing star, and hummingbird-friendly foxglove beardtongue and cardinal flower.

Additional native plants are also available for sale at the event, and attendees can tour the Demonstration Garden

“The Native Plant Swap and Shop makes it easy to find the best native plants for your yard and connect with expert, reliable guidance on gardening with native species,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski.

Gardening with native plants is an effective way to save time, cut yard care costs, and contribute to the health of the local ecosystem.

Native species thrive naturally their home environment. They enable gardeners to avoid using potentially harmful herbicides and pesticides. Native plants can help reduce ponding and runoff, and they also support local populations of butterflies, birds, and other beneficial pollinators.

Non-native plants can be difficult to control and can easily overrun other varieties. Invasive non-natives common to the Union County area include multiflora rose, Japanese barberry, English ivy and garlic mustard.

Chinese silvergrass, purple loosestrife, winged burning bush, and butterfly bush are other common non-natives. Union County’s free, downloadable Plant This, Not That guide includes more information on identifying invasive species and gardening with native plants. Additional information is also available through the Rutgers University native plant program. 

The Demonstration Garden is located on the grounds of Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center, at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside. Ample free parking is available on site.

The Native Plant Swap and Shop event is hosted by the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation in partnership with the Master Gardeners of Union County. The all-volunteer Master Gardeners tend the Demonstration Garden and provide many other acts of community service in Union County. 

Admission to the event is free but pre-registration is requested by emailing watershed7@ucnj.org.

For additional information, contact the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-789-3683.

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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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Athletic fields at Snyder Avenue Park in Berkeley Heights will be upgraded  over the next year with funds approved last night by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

The measure approved last night starts the process for design and construction for returfing the multi-use field, plus turfing a baseball field within the facility that is currently natural grass. Once those plans are completed and a project budget is announced,  the returfing of the multi-use field is expected to be completed by the end of this year, and turfing of the baseball field by early 2020.

“This is a wonderful County Park, in use all year round by people of all ages,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “Over the past 15 years Union County has turned a former industrial site into a bustling and popular recreation area. It’s been a great investment.”

Freeholder Sergio Granados added: “Snyder Avenue Park is one of our best county parks. Thousands of residents use it every year, and we’re delighted to make these improvements.”

Granados appears in a video with Berkeley Heights officials, including Mayor Angela Devanney, announcing the project here: www.facebook.com/BerkeleyHeightsTwpNJ

“We will be thrilled to see our residents playing on these fields once they’re completed,” said Mayor Devanney, who noted that at the time the fields were initially installed well over a decade ago, she was the Township Administrator. “The fields need to be upgraded. I have been so proud to move this project forward from its beginning days. As a mom, who has served on the PAL Board, I know how important these fields are to the community. We thank the Freeholders for making these improvements.”

Union County will re-grade, stabilize and replace the existing turf on the multipurpose field at Snyder Avenue Park. The field, originally installed in 2010, is used for Football, Soccer and Lacrosse. The grass baseball field there will also be converted to turf.

Once an industrial site, Union County purchased the parkland (17 acres) in 2004, one of the earliest purchases made by the Trust Fund, and one of the largest at that time.  The purchase saved it from a plan to develop 259 residential units there.

Most of the 17-acre park is owned and operated by Union County. In addition to the multi- purpose and Baseball fields, it includes walking pathway and trails, two playgrounds and a spray park.

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that her Main Office in Elizabeth will be open for special hours on Saturday, June 1^st from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for voters seeking last-minute mail-in ballots for the Primary Election on Tuesday, June 4^th. The County Clerk’s Annex Office in Westfield will also be open on June 1^st for its regular Saturday hours from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

“Any registered voter can use a Vote-by-Mail ballot for any reason,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “This special Saturday opening in Elizabeth helps ensure that voters can cast their Vote-by-Mail ballot in time to participate in the Primary Election. Voters can also use our Westfield office during regular Saturday hours to cast their mail-in ballot.”

The County Clerk’s office is located at the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, room 113 in Elizabeth. The Colleen Fraser Building is located at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. Both will be open on June 1^st for voters who choose the Vote-By-Mail option for the Primary Election.

Vote-by-Mail is New Jersey’s form of early voting. Under a 2005 state law, any eligible voter may vote early by using a Vote-by-Mail ballot.

Voters can obtain their Vote-by-Mail Application, receive their ballot, fill it out, and cast it in a secure lock box at the Elizabeth or Westfield offices, all in one convenient “One-Stop” visit.

Voters using the One-Stop service have until Monday, June 3^rd at 3:00 p.m. to obtain their ballot.

Under a 2017 state law, voters must show a valid New Jersey driver’s license or non-driver’s license in order to leave the ballot in a secured lock box.

To visit the Elections Office in Elizabeth during the special June 1^st hours, use the rear entrance of the Courthouse Complex and proceed to Room 113.

For complete details on Vote-by-Mail and all other election services call the County Clerk at 908-527-4996, download the free Union County Votes app or visit the County Clerk’s new elections website, unioncountyvotes.com .

Information on all County Clerk services is available at ucnj.org/county-clerk.

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Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski, Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Freeholders Sergio Granados, Christopher Hudak, Angela R. Garretson, Rebecca Williams, Andrea Staten and Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded joined State Senator Nicholas Scutari, Clerk of the Freeholder Board James Pellettiere, Linden Mayor Derek Armstead, Linden Council President Michele Yamakaitis, Linden Council members John Roman, Lisa Ormon and Barry Javick in cutting the ribbon officially opening the Wheeler Park Spray Park—the largest of its kind in the Union County system—in Linden.

The spray park replaces the former pool, which had been built in 1931 and witnessed a physical decline over the past two decades.

The spray park encompasses 11,000 square feet of the total 49,000 square foot area, and also contains picnic tables, ample space for lounging, gazebos for shade, artificial turf areas, and plenty of free-play space.

A new 24,000 square foot building, which replaces the old Wheeler Pool building, contains lockers, bathrooms, changing space, vending machines and mechanical and electrical facilities.

Wheeler Park is located at Route 1 and 9 between South Wood Avenue and South Stiles Street. Parking for the spray park is off W. Stimpson Avenue. Hours for the spray park are: Monday-Friday: 12-6 p.m., Saturday, Sunday, holidays 11a.m.-7 p.m.