Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – Nominations are being accepted now until December 1 for the 26^th annual Women of Excellence awards. The awards program honors women from all walks of life who have made an exceptional impact on Union County residents.

“By celebrating the achievements of individual women, the Women of Excellence program also highlights organizations that have an enriching impact on the Union County community,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The nomination process is a wonderful way for businesses and non-profits to honor an outstanding owner, manager, employee or volunteer.”

In addition to businesses and non-profits, government agencies and individual residents can also submit nominations for a Women of Excellence award.

Women can be nominated for their achievements in the fields of Arts and Humanities, Business and Entrepreneurial, Community Service, Education, Government, Law, Law Enforcement, Medicine and Health Care, and Women’s Advocacy.

Nominations are open to women 21 years or older who live, volunteer, or work in Union County.

Awardees are guests of honor at the annual Women of Excellence gala awards dinner each spring. Awardees receive an engraved Women of Excellence plaque and a Freeholder Resolution recognizing their impact on the Union County community.

The Women in Excellence awards are sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Commission of the Status of Women and the Union County Office on Women.

For more information about submitting a Women of Excellence nomination, or to download a nomination form, visit ucnj.org/women-of-excellence-award. Questions about the nomination process can be emailed to Jane O’Hara at johara1217@gmail.com.

All nominations must be mailed to Jane O’Hara at 708 Newark Avenue, Westfield, NJ 07090 and must be received no later than December 1, 2017.

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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.

Union County Freeholder Angel G. Estrada met with Rahway Public Library Director Gail Miller and Children’s Librarian Elizabeth Hoens in the library’s children area where they spoke about the technology expansion and other improvements at the library funded with Union County Library Grants. Over the past three years, the County Freeholder Board has awarded more than $17,000 in grants from golf fees administered through the Open Space Trust Fund to the library for various purchases. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Debbie-Ann Anderson, the former Executive Director of HomeFirst Interfaith Housing Services and a former Executive Vice President of the United Way of Greater Union County, has been appointed Human Services Director effective today, County Manager Alfred J. Faella announced.

“Debbie-Ann brings both experience and enthusiasm to the position of Human Services Director,” said County Manager Faella. “As an executive of two non-profit agencies that have collaborated with County government,  she brings a familiarity and knowledge of our government operations and the non-profit world that will greatly assist her in running the department.”

Anderson succeeds Frank Guzzo, the former director who retired earlier this year after having run the department for the past 27 years.

“I am humbled by the opportunity to lead the many dedicated public servants in our 10 different divisions and offices that provide services and respond to the quality of life needs of our residents,” said Anderson. “I am grateful to the County Manager for his support and appointment, and I look forward to working with our Board of Chosen Freeholders.”

Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen welcomed Anderson to County government.

“The Department of Human Services is an essential agency and safety net of County government that touches all our different populations, and in particular, those who need it the most—the elderly, poor, unemployed, underemployed and youth populations,” said Bergen. “We are pleased to have found someone in Debbie-Ann Anderson who is prepared to lead the department and understands these challenges, and we look forward to working with her.”

The Department of Human Services, with 747 full and part-time employees, is County government’s largest agency, and contains the following units: the Division of Aging and Disability Resource Connection; the Division of Planning; the Division of Social Services (in Plainfield and Elizabeth); the Division of Youth Services; the Office of Veterans’ Affairs; the Office on Women; Paratransit (and Route 22 Shuttle);the Contract Unit; Workforce Development Operations (One Stop Career Centers, Elizabeth and Plainfield offices)  and Cornerstone Behavioral Health Hospital of Union County.

Anderson had served the past two years as Executive Director at Homefirst in Plainfield. Homefirst serves over 2,000 clients on a yearly basis by providing social service programs and community-building practices that strengthen families including transitional, permanent and supportive housing, homelessness prevention, emergency assistance, and family support services.

Prior to that, she worked for seven years at the United Way of Greater Union County, serving the last three years of her tenure as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Anderson has a diversified background in programs serving families as well as extensive experience in corporate, non-profit and community affairs organizations. Her professional career began in 1997 and has included sales and marketing as well as governmental and public affairs while working with top law firms and a variety of government agencies.

Anderson began her professional fundraising career in 2004 at the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) in Towson, Maryland.  In just eight months, she rose to the Executive Director role and relocated to manage the Northern New Jersey chapter of MDA. Her strategic development efforts for the chapter led to them achieving the highest percentage of revenue growth in the nation for two consecutive years.  

Anderson joined United Way of Greater Union County in 2008 and during her tenure there she garnered a reputation as a dynamic strategic developer to revenue growth. Within a year, Debbie-Ann was instrumental in securing the organization’s first major gift of $1 million dollars from a private family foundation. Ms. Anderson focused on integrating emerging fundraising markets, incorporated a more tactical use of technology, which included migration toward digital platforms to increase awareness of UWGUC among donors and Union County communities. She also managed and assisted staff in strengthening collaborative partnerships.

Anderson has a Bachelor’s of Science in Business and Marketing from Mount Saint Mary’s College and currently serves on the following nonprofit boards Habitat of Humanity Greater Plainfield and Middlesex County and Plainfield Community Outreach Organization.

 

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Electric

PSE&G
1-800-436-7734
Outages: Report Map

Jersey Central Power & Light
1-800-662-3115
Outages: Report Map

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Gas

Elizabethtown Gas
1-800-242-5830 Website

PSE&G
1-800-436-7734 Website
Report gas leak 1-800-436-7734

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Water

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Cable / Phone

Cablevision
1-866-575-8000 Website

Comcast
1-800-266-2278 Website

Verizon FiOS
1-888-438-3467 Website

Verizon
1-800-827-4966 Website

Time Warner
201-886-0900 Website

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Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds military veterans who have filed their DD-214 papers that they can obtain free proof of service ID cards from the County Clerk’s main office in midtown Elizabeth or the annex office in Westfield. Veterans who have not yet filed their DD-214 papers can do so by bringing the original to the Elizabeth or Westfield office. There is no charge for either service.

“Streamlining access to ID cards and discharge certificates is an important first step that helps  military veterans obtain benefits and resources without incurring additional costs or delay,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “My office is honored to assist veterans in obtaining these documents as quickly and conveniently as possible.”

“Throughout the year we appreciate the service our veterans have given, and in November it is all the more important to recognize their contributions to the Union County community and to our country,” Ms. Rajoppi added.

Veterans can call the County Clerk at 908-659-7403 for information on obtaining a free military discharge documentation identification card. The card is available to any veteran who has filed an Honorable Discharge form DD-214. The card bears a book and page number confirming the honorable discharge.

Veterans can also call 908-659-7403 for information on obtaining a copy of their Honorable Discharge form DD-214 free of charge.

Other County Clerk services for veterans include a free Veteran Peddlers Licenses. For more information on these licenses, call the County Clerk at 908-527-4967.

An online directory of discounts for goods and services offered to veterans by Union County businesses is available at the County Clerk’s Veteran Discounts page, ucnj.org/county-clerk/veteran-discounts.

“We always welcome new businesses to join the directory, as a demonstration of their interest in supporting veterans and their families,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

Businesses interested in joining the directory can fill out an online form at ucnj.org/county-clerk/veteran-discounts, in the “Add Service/Business” tab.

Quick links for additional veterans services and programs in Union County are available online at ucnj.org/uc-hero.

For all County Clerk services, office hours and locations visit ucnj.org/county-clerk.

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Visit the County Clerk’s new elections website, unioncountyvotes.com.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Enjoy from desktop, mobile and tablet devices

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the new Watchung Reservation Trails website. The new site features an interactive map designed to help visitors navigate the nearly 2,000 acre Watchung Reservation, the largest of the County’s 36 parks.

“With over 47 miles of trails, the Watchung Reservation offers hiking experiences for every skill level, from amateur to expert”, said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The new website will help all of our visitors explore and enjoy the natural beauty of this treasured public resource.”

The new Watchung Reservation Trails website was created in-house by the County’s Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Engineering, Public Works and Facilities.

The new website is mobile friendly, and its features can be easily accessed from mobile devices. The features include:

• Geolocation (GPS) to help hikers determine their location within the park on their mobile devices
• Color-coded hiking trails for ease of navigation
• Routes can be shared with fellow hikers and friends
• Favorite paths and trails can be saved for future enjoyment
• Bathroom and park facilities locator
• Detailed information on trail elevation and topography

Built-in reporting features also enable hikers to use the new website to report fallen trees and other trail issues on the spot, including photos and geo-location, and to receive a notification once the condition has been addressed.

To access the interactive map, visit the County website at ucnj.org/watchung-reservation-trails.

For more information about the Department of Parks and Recreation, visit ucnj.org/parks or call 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.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ – Some of the most treasured historic sites in Union County will receive a total of $300,000 in matching grants toward restoration work and other upgrades, through the Preserve Union County program. The grant program is funded by the Freeholder Board through the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund.

“As a community that can trace its roots across four centuries, we in Union County place great value on sharing our history and preserving noteworthy sites for the next generation,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, who chairs the Trust Fund. “With assistance from the Preserve Union County program, our local historic preservation organizations and municipalities can groups can ensure that important restoration work continues.”

“Preserve Union County enables our local communities to focus on sites that are most important to them, and the result is an enriching, diverse range of restoration projects,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, the Board’s liaison to the County’s Cultural and Heritage advisory board.

This is the eighth round of funding for the Preserve Union County program. It covers 11 historic sites in 10 different municipalities.

Since its inception in 2003, Preserve Union County has awarded more than $3 million in matching grants to various historic restoration and preservation projects throughout the County.

The Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund was approved overwhelmingly by popular referendum in 2000. Since then it has preserved well over 300 acres of land for public parks, acquired and restored historic sites, and provided matching grants to municipalities and nonprofits for many local historic preservation projects.

The projects approved for the 2017 round of funding included exterior and interior restoration, needed to prevent water damage and preserve the buildings. Funding also went to the Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit to replace the hot water boiler and gas heater, the First Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth to repair walkways, air conditioning, and security system, and the Garden State Community Bank in Elizabeth to repair and reattach the historic clock to the structure.

The 2017 Preserve Union County awardees are:

Berkeley Heights

Little-Lord Farmstead: Restoration of wooden exterior trim elements on half of the house (Township of Berkeley Heights and Historical Society), $10,000.00

Elizabeth

Snyder Academy of Elizabethtown/Mid-town Historic District, 1^st Presbyterian Church: Church building, walkway repairs, grounds lighting, academy air conditioning, academy security system (First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth), $43,320.00

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Garden State Community Bank: Repair historic clock/reattach clock to the structure (Garden State Community Bank), $43,320.00

Fanwood

Fanwood Railroad Station Complex: Exterior restoration/barrier-free access to train station (Borough of Fanwood), $10,000.00

Kenilworth

Oswald J. Nitschke House: Attic restoration and rehabilitation, install an HVAC system in the attic (Oswald J. Nitschke House), $10,000.00

Plainfield

George A. Strong Residence: Complete the restoration of the front porch of the original house (duCret School of Arts), $25,000.00

Rahway

Merchants & Drovers Tavern: Exterior restoration Phase 2 (Merchants and Drovers Tavern Museum Association), $25,000.00

Scotch Plains

Frazee House: Exterior restoration (Frazee House, Inc.), $43,320.00

Summit

Reeves-Reed Arboretum: Exterior wood repairs to Wisner House, replace hot water boiler and gas heater (Reeves-Reed Arboretum), $10,000.00

Union

Caldwell Parsonage: Paint/repair two ceilings, replace barn doors (Union Township Historical Society), $3,400.00

Westfield

Reeve House: Constructing Reeve History and Cultural Resource Center (Westfield Historical Society), $43,320.00

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Photo caption: The historic Garden State Community Bank in Elizabeth is one of 11 sites receiving Preserve Union County grants from the Freeholder Board this year. Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen (far l.) presented the award to (l-r) City of Elizabeth Recreation Director Paul Addessa, Union County Open Space Public Advisory Board member Michael Yesenko and Maira Santana of the Elizabeth Development Company, with Freeholder Angel Estrada and Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, chair of the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. Photo credit: Jim Lowney/County of Union.

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

Connect with Union County on social media.

  The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of photographs by Leo Osorio of Elizabeth in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth. A selection of his work entitled “New Jersey & Beyond” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery until December 29. Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

“We are pleased to have Mr. Osorio’s remarkable photographs on display,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “The exhibit showcases Mr. Osorio’s skills as a fine photographer of nature and architecture.”

Mr. Osorio says of his work, “I am self-taught in photography and have always enjoyed it. Every year that goes by I learn new techniques, sharpening & defining my style. I enjoy photographing the outdoors, nature in all aspects from Cherry Blooms to the way nature takes over an abandoned house to historic graveyards. I personally love historic homes and the architecture these homes have to offer.”

Leo Osorio has been a photographer since 2002 and has exhibited his work extensively. 2017 exhibits include: A Photographic View of Elizabeth and Beyond, Elizabeth Public Library; October 5^th, Elizabeth Public Library Historic Buildings of Elizabeth; the Snyder Academy, Elizabeth, October 15^th, Gone, But Not Forgotten: Cemetery Tomb Stone Photography. Leo Osorio’s Photography can be seen at https://www.facebook.com/LeoOsorioPhotography/.

Union County artists (whose works can be hung on a wall) interested in exhibiting in the gallery space are welcome to apply. For more information about the Pearl Street Gallery or other programs, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl St., Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Telephone 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users can dial 711. E-mail to: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

The  Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders presented matching grants to municipalities throughout Union County for upgrades to playgrounds and youth athletic facilities through the Kids Recreation Trust Fund. Several municipalities also received matching grants for street trees under the Greening Union County program. Funding for both programs is provided by the Union County Open Space, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)