Category: Public Info

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation are pleased to announce the free lectures for adults 18 years and older and high school students, in the fall season at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. 

“Trailside offers engaging and diverse lecture topics at its popular Visitor Center.  The 2,060 acre reservation is a great destination in fall,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.        

On Tuesday, October 17 from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M., The American Historical Theatre offers a compelling theatrical re-enactment, made possible in part by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.  Theodore Roosevelt: American in the Arena recreates the time when President McKinley was assassinated in 1901, and Vice President Theodore Roosevelt bounded into Washington, D. C as the youngest President in history.   His vigorous persona helped catapult the U.S. into the new century.  His accomplishments were plentiful and diverse: War hero to Nobel Peace Prize winner, naturalist to imperialist. 

On Saturday, October 21 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.  NASA Solar Ambassador Paul Cirillo will speak on What’s Next For Human Space Travel.  Cirillo, a popular lecturer at Trailside,   will present a fascinating lecture about the future for human space programs planned in the United States, China and Russia.  The lecture also includes the project of the four U.S. commercial companies, Space X, Boeing, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic.  Space tourism, space stations, moon bases and a journey to Mars are the inspiring and thrilling topics discussed.  Learn about these exciting projects and others as we prepare for these upcoming new voyages.

For more information about these programs or other activities at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside.    Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.

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 Monday, October 2nd to registered voters who wish to cast their vote by mail ballot for the 2017 General Election.

Election Day 2017 is Tuesday, November 7th. The deadline to apply for a Vote-By-Mail ballot through the mail is Tuesday, October 31st. The application must be received by the County Clerk’s Office before or on this date by mail.

The deadline to apply in person is Monday, November 6th by 3:00 p.m.

“Any voter can use a Vote-by-Mail ballot, for any reason. I encourage voters to use them to ensure that their ballots are cast, especially if they cannot get to their polling place on Election Day,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “New Jersey voters are picking a new Governor, State Legislators, County and local officials in addition to the School Board election, so it’s all the more important to exercise the right to vote.”

The vote-by-mail process begins when the voter applies for a ballot. The application forms can be downloaded from the County Clerk’s new elections website at unioncountyvotes.com.

Additionally, voters can request that an application be mailed or emailed to them, by using the free, newly re-designed Union County Votes mobile app, calling the County Clerk’s elections division at 908-527-4996, or emailing the County Clerk at ucvote@ucnj.org.

Voters can also pick up applications in person at their local municipal building, or at the County Clerk’s offices in Elizabeth and Westfied.

Voters applying for a Vote-by-Mail ballot are advised to allow ample time to fill out their application and return it to the County Clerk’s office, so they can obtain their ballot and mail it back before Election Day.

Voters can also opt to cast their ballot in person at the County Clerk’s office. The deadline for in-person ballots is 3:00 p.m. on Monday, November 6. A 2015 law requires that voters choosing this option present a valid New Jersey driver’s license or a New Jersey-issued identification card.

Ms. Rajoppi emphasized that every valid Vote-by-Mail ballot is counted and entered into the official, certified results for each election.

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. 

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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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that Union County’s free recycling events are available throughout the month of October and into the first week of November.

These events are free and open to all Union County residents, and no pre-registration is required.

“Before the winter weather sets in, there is still ample time to bring personal documents, electronic equipment, household hazard wastes and scrap metal to Union County’s free events and drop-off locations,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Please take advantage of these opportunities to dispose and recycle waste in a secure and environmentally safe manner.”

Union County will host two secure paper shredding events in October. The first will be held on Saturday, October 7 at the Union County Vocational Technical School located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

The next shredding event will be offered on Thursday, October 12 at Galloping Hill Golf Course located at 3 Golf Drive in Kenilworth. Both events will run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Shredding events may end before 1:00 p.m. if the shredding trucks reach capacity. In an effort to accommodate everyone, there is a limit of four 10-pound bags or boxes per person.

On Saturday, October 21 residents can bring computers, televisions and other electronic items to the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools campus at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains from 9:00 a.m. to:00 p.m. Up to six items per car will be accepted.

Residents can bring a wide variety of household special wastes, including oil based paints, used motor oil, pesticides, pool cleaners and much more, to the Nokia campus at 600 Mountain Avenue in New Providence on Saturday, October 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Union County’s free scrap metal recycling program will also continue in October and into mid-November. Drop off locations are available on the first Thursday and third Saturday of every month. The next upcoming dates are Thursday, October 5 and Saturday, October 21. Residents can use either of two drop-off locations: in Cranford at the County Emergency Services Yard at 151 Kenilworth Boulevard, and in Rahway at the County’s Rahway River Park off St. Georges Avenue. Both locations will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Chairman Bergen also reminded County residents to check with their local recycling coordinator for information about municipal recycling programs.

“Recycling regulations can vary from place to place, so it’s always a good idea to check in periodically and make sure you understand how to help your local program run as efficiently as possible,” said Bergen. “Recycling is good for the environment and it makes good economic sense, too.”

To find local recycling coordinators for each municipality in Union County, and to get more details about recycling programs sponsored by the Freeholder Board, visit online at ucnj.org/recycling or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889. 

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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 Freeholders Alexander Mirabella, Angel G. Estrada, Vernell Wright, Bette Jane Kowalski and Christopher Hudak present former US Ambassador to Uruguay Julissa Reynoso and Union County College Vice President for Student Development Demond Hargrove with a resolution in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month during a Union County National Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Union County College in Cranford. Ms. Reynoso presented a lecture called “Challenges for a New Leadership,” followed by a Q&A session. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the 26^th annual Women of Excellence awards. The awards program honors women from all walks of life who make outstanding contributions to the quality of life in Union County.

The nomination process is designed to be simple and accessible, providing the whole community with an opportunity to recognize women who represent a wide variety of fields and interests. Individuals, businesses, non-profits and government agencies can submit names for consideration.

“Each passing year brings new challenges, and new opportunities to foster change, growth and progress in Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “If you know a woman who has made a notable difference in your community, I encourage you to submit her name for consideration.”

Women of Excellence nominations are open to all women 21 years or older, who live, work, or volunteer in Union County.

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

The awardees are guests of honor at the annual Women of Excellence gala awards dinner, held each spring. Each awardee receives an engraved Women of Excellence plaque and a Freeholder Resolution recognizing their impact on the Union County community.

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 more information about submitting a Women of Excellence nomination, or to download a nomination form, visit ucnj.org/women-of-excellence-award.

The Union County Office on Women was established in 2015 as an initiative of Chairman Bergen. Its mission is to help ensure that women connect with services and programs that enable them to reach their full potential at every stage of their lives, and to raise awareness of the many contributions that women make to life in Union County. More information is available online at 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 is seeking to contract a per-diem Forensic Nurse Examiner to perform medical forensic examinations on victims of sexual assault.

As a member of the County’s Sexual Assault Response Team, the Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE) will work closely with law enforcement agents, confidential sexual violence advocates, and emergency room personnel. The FNE also will provide comprehensive and compassionate care to victims of assault.

This position requires dedication, flexibility, the desire to embrace evolving advances in forensics, and the ability to function independently.

Candidates must have an active New Jersey RN license with a minimum of two years of experience, ideally in emergency department nursing or in OB-GYN nursing. Specialized FNE certification is required but may be obtained and reimbursed after commitment.

Please contact Dorothy DiFabio, Union County SART/FNE Coordinator, at 908-558-6948 for further details

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that a fully updated, redesigned version of the popular Union County Votes app is now available as a free download for mobile devices. Union County Votes helps members of the public quickly and easily access important information on voting and elections, while on the go.

“Mobile technology has revolutionized the way people obtain election information, so we re-designed Union County Votes to assist people with an inclusive menu, from registering to vote to filing a candidate’s petition and everything in between,” Ms. Rajoppi said.

The original Union County Votes app was the first mobile app of its kind in New Jersey, launched by Ms. Rajoppi in 2014. Since then it has been downloaded by thousands of users.

“People have become accustomed to getting information and alerts on all sorts of topics when they want it, and where they want it,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “Voting is the bedrock of our democracy, so voters should have the same kind of 24/7, on-the-go instant access to election information. With that in mind, we have updated Union County votes to make it even more user-friendly and accessible.”

The Union County Votes app includes almost two dozen functions, including polling sites, sample ballots, instructional videos, requests for forms, information for military and overseas voters, candidate statements and much more.

“Voters who download Union County Votes  have everything relevant to elections at their fingertips, including important dates, campaign finance information, district maps and information for 17-year-olds who will turn 18 by Election Day,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

Ms. Rajoppi also recently introduced a new, secure website for election information, unioncountyvotes.com.

“The website mirrors the content and format of the Union County Votes app, so online users can transfer seamlessly from one to the other,” said Rajoppi. “And of course, my staff is available to provide information by phone or in print to those who request it.”

To contact the County Clerk’s Elections Division, call 908-527-4996 during regular business hours or email ucvote@ucnj.org.

For more information about all Union County Clerk programs and services, visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787.

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

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Union County Freeholders Linda Carter, Bette Jane Kowalski and Christopher Hudak congratulate the Foluik family from Cranford, the Chen family from Westfield and the Capasso sisters from Cranford on winning the scarecrow building contest at the 36th Annual Harvest Festival at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

170 New Jobs Available For Union County Residents Through Workforce Innovation Business Center

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the County’s Workforce Innovation Business Center is recruiting qualified Union County residents to fill 170 full and part-time positions at three prospective employers in Union County.

“We made the development of public-private partnerships a priority so we can maximize employment for our County residents,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, who is a liaison to the Workforce Development Board. “We’ve been able to create well over 1,500 new job opportunities over the past year for County residents with prospective employers and we look to forward to continuing to create even more opportunities through our partners in the private sector.”

Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen added:
“The Workforce Innovation Center has been a great success, and I encourage employers looking to hire in Union County to get in touch with us, and let us assist you in fulfilling your employment goals.”

The first employer, IHOP, is seeking to hire 20 Union County residents through the Workforce Innovation Business Center. Both full and part-time positions are available. Interested applicants are advised to attend an informational session on Tuesday, October 3, 10am at the Workforce Innovation Business Center at the Mills at Jersey Gardens Mall, 651 Kapkowski Road, Elizabeth. Applicants must also email their resume to isaias.rivera@ucc.edu and call Susan Gomez at 908-355-4444 to reserve a spot.

Available positions include servers, hosts and bus persons. Interested candidates must have customer service experience and a flexible schedule with the ability to work weekends.

The second employer is AirServ, a company that provides support to the airline industry. The company is seeking to hire candidates to fill 50 positions, including baggage handler, cabin cleaning, lavatory service agent, lobby agent, wheelchair agent and air terminal attendant. All jobs pay $10.10 an hour. Prospective candidates must be able to work weekends and holidays. Interested applicants should attend an informational session on Friday, October 6 at the Workforce Innovation Business Center. Pre-registration is required at https://ucnj.org/wdb/job-fairs-and-opportunities/. For additional information, please call 908-355-4444.

The third employer, GameStop, is seeking to fill 100 positions. Both full and part-time positions are available. An informational session will be held on Tuesday, October 10 at the Workforce Innovation Business Center. Available positions include store managers and sales associates. Salary will vary depending on experience, with a range of $9-13 an hour. All prospective candidates must have either supervisory and/or customer service and sales experience. Interested candidates should email their resume to isaias.rivera@ucc.edu stating their desired position and call 908-355-4444 to reserve a spot.

The Workforce Innovation Business Center is a partnership between the Freeholder Board, the Workforce Development Board and Union County College.

That’s why we ask for anyone interested to participate in this Disaster Relief Supply Drive that will go towards helping those affected areas with a big emphasis on Puerto Rico due to the lack of electricity and resources being provided.