Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that Vote-by-Mail ballots will be available in the County Clerk’s Offices in Elizabeth and Westfield starting on Wednesday, May 8, to registered voters who wish to cast their vote by mail ballot for the 2019 Primary Election on June 4.

The Main Office of the County Clerk is located in Room 113 at the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, in Elizabeth. Regular office hours in Elizabeth are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The County Clerk’s Westfield Annex is located in the Colleen Fraser Building, 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

“Voters who have any questions about obtaining a Vote-by-Mail ballot can call my office, and my staff will be happy to help you,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

The County Clerk’s Elections Division may be reached by phone at 908-527-4996 or by email at ucvote@ucnj.org.

All up-to-date elections information for Union County voters is available online through the County Clerk’s elections website, unioncountyvotes.com, and through the Union County Votes mobile app.

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

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Ribbon cutting to be held on Saturday, May 18th, 11 a.m.

Hillside, NJ—The Union County Freeholder Board will cut the ribbon on a new, expanded playground at Conant Park in Hillside on Saturday, May 18th at 11 a.m.

“Every child should be able to enjoy a playground in or near their neighborhood, and participate in enriching experiences with friends, family and neighbors from all walks of life,” said Freeholder Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski. “The Freeholder Board continues to make investments in all areas of our parks system—including Conant Park–that are improving our County’s quality of life and promoting healthy, outdoor activities for our families.”

Freeholder Angela Garretson, former Mayor and resident of Hillside, said:

“Conant Park is one of the true gems of the County Parks system, and we are pleased to cut the ribbon on this playground that will serve generations of our children. The Freeholder Board remains committed to providing increased recreational opportunities for all, and I am proud to make this vision a reality in my hometown.”

The playground which replaces an older antiquated one, offers a fully-accessible, boundless play space for children of all abilities, and ages. The surface is soft and rubber bonded.

There are approximately seven slides, ADA ramps and decks featuring spiral stairs, therapeutic rings, chamber archways, suspension bridges, Zero G accessible swings (2-5 year olds, and 5-12 year olds), and belt swings, plastic bongo drums, climbing stations and ropes.

The Marturano Recreation Company of Spring Lake built the playground, which was installed by Whirl Construction of Port Monmouth.

This playground was destroyed last year almost immediately after its construction, during a late winter storm, and had to replaced, following payments by insurance.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that it has declared May as “Older Americans Month,” joining communities across the nation to celebrate its older residents.

“Union County’s seniors, about 20 percent of the total population, have raised families and worked while serving as volunteers with the PTA, scouts, church and community groups, or in the military,” stated Bette Jane Kowalski, Chair of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. “For all the contributions they have made, and continue to make, our seniors deserve this special recognition.”

Union County’s Department of Human Services, Division on Aging, is one of 622 Area Agencies on Aging nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act (OAA) in 1965.  The purpose of the OAA is to serve as a safety net, along with Medicare and Medicaid, by filling in gaps left by Social Security and Medicare to help people live independently.  These OAA services include home delivered meals, protection from elder abuse, and support for caregivers, among others.

Earlier this year, the Division on Aging’s director and assistant director met with federal legislators in Washington DC to advocate for the re-authorization of the OAA set for a vote in Congress in 2020.

Union County’s Division of Aging promotes wellness, independence, dignity and choice for senior adults and their families by providing a wide range of information and services specific to them and their families.  The staff holds between six and eight outreach sessions each month at libraries and senior centers to make it easier for residents to get help.

The division provided more than 200,000 home delivered meals in 2018 and serves nutritious group meals daily at 24 sites throughout Union County.  Assistance is also given for transportation, utilities, home and adult day care, and completing applications and forms.

For further information about services and resources for senior adults age 60 and older and their families, contact the Union County Department of Human Services, Division on Aging, toll-free at 1-888-280-8226.  On the Internet, visit https://ucnj.org/aging. 

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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 Chair Bette Jane Kowalski, Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Freeholder Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded present resolutions to Tami Eagle-Bowling and Lauren O’Brien, both of Scotch Plains, recognizing them for founding METAvivors of NJ as an active response for stage 4 metastatic breast cancer patients. They were joined by volunteer Kathleen Murray of Cranford.

May 2019 is National Cancer Research Month and May 12-19 is National Women’s Health Week. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in the United States, and second leading cause of death. 

They founded the METAvivors of NJ Facebook group in April 2019 to centralize metastatic breast cancer information, action and advocacy relevant to New Jersey communities.

National METAvivor organization educates the public about metastatic breast cancer and lack of funding for stage 4 treatment. They aim to dramatically increase that current percentage of research dollars from under 5 percent to 30 percent.  The national campaign for this initiative on social media falls under hashtag #Don’tIgnoreStageIV.”

The advocacy group for metastatic breast cancer specific to NJ communities was launched right on time for National Cancer Research Month. For more information visit the METAvivors Of NJ Facebook page.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski and Freeholders Rebecca Williams and Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded present a resolution to Dianne Spinelli congratulating her on being named the 2019 Linden Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year during a ceremony at the John T. Gregorio Center in Linden. They were joined by Union County Surrogate James LaCorte and Assemblyman James Kennedy. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Freeholder Board proudly invites families and residents to the grand opening of the Wheeler Park Spray Park—the largest of its kind in the County system—in Linden on Saturday, May 25^th.

Doors are open from 11 a.m-7 p.m., and admission is free to the state-of-the art facility. The Freeholders will hold a ribbon cutting marking the opening of the Spray Park at 1 p.m. All residents are invited to attend. In the event of a postponement due to weather, the ribbon cutting will be held the next day, Sunday, May 26^th, at 1 p.m.

Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski stated:

“With the opening of the spray park, the Freeholder Board has completed yet another step in a process that is not only renovating our parks system, but also providing more recreational opportunities for our residents,” Kowalski said. “The Wheeler Park Spray Park is an impressive facility that generations of our residents will enjoy.”

Freeholder Christopher Hudak, a resident of  Linden who championed the project, said:

“We have built what will become a countywide attraction for our families to enjoy.  This Freeholder Board has continued to make upgrades to Wheeler Park, transforming it into one of the County’s best recreational facilities. We are looking forward to marking a great day for Linden and the County of Union as a whole.”

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, which is the largest of eight spray facilities the County maintains in its parks system,  contains 33 above ground attractions, including water cannons, a full size dragon, slides, fake palm trees, dump buckets, a psychedelic spray bus and a multi-function pirate ship and surf shack.

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.

An entrance and ticketing building near the parking lot will house nurse and lifeguard quarters. The Spray Park was designed by USA Architects, and constructed by Billy Contracting and Restoration Inc. of Pine Brook, NJ.

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.

As Freeholder Hudak noted, the spray park announcement is among the latest in a series of high-profile improvements at the park in recent years, including the opening of a new skate park, new softball and soccer turf fields with lights, and a new playground.  The park was also enabled for Wi-Fi in 2014.

Wheeler Park was developed in 1925 by the Union County Park Commission, and was designed by the Olmsted Brothers, the noted engineering firm that designed a series of historic landmark parks in urban areas. Their list of projects includes Central Park in New York City and ten others in the Union County parks system.

The park is named after John Russell Wheeler, the first Linden man killed in action during World War I.

Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the United Way of Union County are pleased to announced that the 2019 Youth Employment Pathways Program Summer Initiative will begin June 2019 this year.

The program provides at-risk youth in Union County with summer jobs and work readiness training. It is funded by the Freeholder Board and the Union County Workforce Development Board, through a grant from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development,

In 2018 YEPP provided summer jobs for 175 Union County residents, ages 16-24. This year, the program has expanded with additional funding. It is expected to provide employment for more than 200 youth in 2019.

The program provides youth with a part time summer job with additional workforce and life skills training, preparing them for employment after the summer. Positions are also available for youth seeking work over the summer, who anticipate returning to school in the fall.

 “The Freeholder Board is very proud of all the young people who participated in YEPP last year. With their enthusiastic embrace of the opportunity to work and develop their skills, they demonstrated that it is an effective program that deserves to continue and engage with more youth,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski.

“I would like to thank United Way for their stewardship of the program, enabling it to grow and motivating our youth to begin pursuing their dreams. It is important to recognize the opportunities offered to these youth not only prepares them financially for college but also serves to support their families,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados, who is the liaison to the Union County Workforce Development Board.

The YEPP Summer program was part of Freeholder Granados’ initiatives in 2018, when he served as Chairman that year. The program aims to provide at-risk youth with skills that will provide a bridge from part-time summer employment to a full time job or career path.

YEPP recruits private employers in high-growth industries to provide workforce opportunities for the participants. In addition to learning new skills and exploring new career options, the participants receive life skills training including employee benefits, work readiness, resume building, financial literacy, and more.

“We are proud to continue expanding services for Union County Youth,” said James Horne, President and CEO of UWGUC. “This program will help our youth develop the skills necessary to succeed in school, training, and work.”

This summer youth will benefit from the program by working 20 to 25 hours a week at the rate of $10.50 per hour. They will also participate in four hours of work readiness training weekly. All together, approximately 200 youth are expected to enroll in the program during the summer.

Union County youth who are interested in enrolling in the YEPP Summer Initiative can get more information by visiting United Way online at uwguc.org/yepp, or contact Lina Rivas at 908.353.7171 ext. 131 or Lina.Rivas@uwguc.org. 

About United Way of Greater Union County (UWGUC)

United Way of Greater Union County provides critical resources to children and families in need throughout greater Union County, North Plainfield and South Plainfield.  The organization works to improve lives and build strong communities, by focusing on key areas in education, income stability, health and family strengthening. UWGUC is a pre-eminent community-based leader, partner and investment choice in these communities.  More information about United Way of Greater Union County’s work in the community can be found online at uwguc.org.

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

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The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to host GLAAD Media Institute’s ‘Engagement 101’ accelerating acceptance training course free for anyone who wants to build the core skills and communication techniques that influence positive cultural change toward acceptance and inclusion.

Presented in collaboration with Union County’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, GLAAD Media Institute will bring their popular ‘Engagement 101 Telling Your Story: Messaging and Media Tools For Today’s Activists’ course to the Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth on Friday, May 24 from 9:30AM until 3:30PM. Registration is free and required online at ucnj.org/lgbtq.

“The Freeholder Board is honored to partner with GLAAD to empower equality advocates in our community to raise their voices and take the case for inclusion and acceptance to the Union County community, and beyond,” said Freeholder Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski.

Using the best practices, tools, and communications techniques they’ve perfected over the past 30 years, the GLAAD Media Institute turns education into armor for today’s culture war—transforming individuals into compelling storytellers, media-savvy navigators, and mighty ambassadors whose voices break through the noise and incite real change.

Join us on Friday, May 24 for Engagement 101. In this free course, participants will learn how to get a message of inclusion and acceptance across effectively. Equipped with GLAAD’s Accelerating Acceptance data, the GLAAD Media Institute will work with you to reach and teach the movable middle about the LGBTQ community through a personal lens, yours. Topics include LGBTQ acceptance, understanding media mentality, speaking to your audience, messaging and framing the issue, social media basics, and interview techniques.

“One of the most effective way to awareness, understanding and acceptance is by sharing personal stories and experiences,” said Freeholder Rebecca Williams, liaison to the Union County LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “The GLAAD Engagement 101 course is an important opportunity for LGBTQ individuals and allies to increase the impact of their voice and influence change.”

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.

The Union County Freeholders’ Local Advisory Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA) volunteers will be honored at the annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner, Tuesday, May 7 at 6:00 p.m. at the Galloping Hill Caterers, 325 Chestnut Street, Union, NJ.

“The Freeholders strongly support the Municipal Alliances’ LACADA citizen volunteers who work at the grass-roots level in their communities to prevent substance abuse and promote healthy lifestyles among children, teens, adults and families,” said Bette Jane Kowalski, Chair of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.  “These residents give their time, their skills, and their hearts to help those in need. They inspire us all to keep reaching out—and away from substance dependence—to build a healthy life.” 

This year the Freeholders, through the County’s Department of Human Services, Division of Individual and Family Support Services, are proud to pay special tribute to the following 10 volunteers:

• Jaimie Wronski of Clark;
• Detective Nadia Jones of Cranford;
• Virginia Marinelli of Garwood;
• Lorraine Messiah of Hillside;
• Jamie Lugo of Kenilworth;
• Thomas A. Solsky of Linden;
• Tara Smith of New Providence;
• Ashley Davis of Plainfield;
• Malika DeJesus Quevedo of Roselle, and
• Jaimie DeDea of Westfield, the “Union County Municipal Alliance Volunteer of the Year.”

By state law members of the Municipal Alliance are appointed by the governing body (Board of Chosen Freeholders) from a variety of community stakeholders including representation from education, health, law enforcement, faith-based entities, business, civic groups, non-profit organizations, and government officials. Municipal Alliance members develop alcohol and drug addiction prevention and treatment plans to address local priorities. These plans are reviewed by the LACADA and the Freeholder Board.  Funding comes from the state’s Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (GCADA) and the Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Last year in Union County nearly 300 citizen volunteers from 19 municipalities participated in their Municipal Alliance alcohol and drug abuse education and prevention activities presented countywide, including presentations to parents through public school events such as Back-to-School nights.  In 2019 Union County will receive $536,201 from the state for Municipal Alliance activities. 

For more information about Union County’s substance abuse services, call the Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Individual and Family Support Services, 908-527-4844.  The link to the Alliance webpage is https://ucnj.org/departments/human-services/alliance-to-prevent-alcoholism-and-drug-abuse/.

UNION COUNTY, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the mobile paper-shredding program is on the move and coming to a town near you.  Warinanco Park will host a paper shredding event on Friday, May 3^rd in the parking lot across from the Warinanco Sports Complex.  Then on Saturday, May 11^th paper shredding will take place at Nokia-Bell Labs, located at 600 Mountain Avenue in New Providence.  Union County College in Cranford will host a shredding event on Saturday, June 1^st. 

“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents fight identity theft by providing a convenient and secure way to dispose of your confidential documents,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The paper shredding events are part of Union County’s Green Initiatives and the Freeholder Board is pleased to offer this service to our residents.”

All events will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., rain or shine.  The events will end before 1:00 p.m. if the shredding trucks reach capacity.

All Union County residents are eligible to take advantage of the paper-shredding service. In an effort to accommodate everyone, there is a limit of four, 10-pound bags or boxes per person. It is preferred that you bring your material in paper bags.  Documents should not be bound. Please remove plastic binders and paperclips. Paper that is wet/damp will not be accepted. Residents should continue to recycle non-confidential papers and magazines with their municipal recycling program.

Documents are put into 96-gallon containers provided by the shredding company. The items are then dumped 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, shipped to paper mills and used as pulp.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders also wants to remind residents to download the free Recycle Coach app for easy access to all 2019 Municipal Recycling Dates and Events. 

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 please call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit https://ucnj.org/recycling/. For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connect.”

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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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