Category: Public Info

Community service volunteers from Union High School and the Union County Vo-Tech Schools turned up in force to help prepare the Union Township Community Garden for cold weather earlier this month.

The helpers picked up some gardening tips, too. Among other chores, they learned how to “solarize” garden beds with black plastic covers. Heat from the sun collects under the plastic to destroy fungus and other pests naturally, providing healthier soil for the next planting.

The garden is supported in part by a grant from Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen’s Union County Means Green Community Garden Grants program. Freeholder Vernell Wright (center) stopped by to thank the volunteers for their help.

More information about the grant program is available online at ucnj.org or call the grant administrator, Groundwork Elizabeth, 908-558-1142.

(Photo: via Master Gardeners of Union County)

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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 – There is one date left in the 2016 Farmer’s Market program, which provides free vouchers for income-eligible seniors to purchase fresh produce from participating farmer’s markets.

The Farmer’s Market program enables income eligible adults age 60 and above to obtain five free vouchers worth a total of $25.00 to purchase “Jersey Fresh” fruits, vegetables and herbs.

In Union County, the final voucher distribution of the season will be held on Wednesday, November 2 at the Roselle Community Center, at 1268 Shaffer Avenue in Roselle, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Seniors from any municipality in Union County can apply for the vouchers, if they have not received any in 2016.

To receive a voucher, seniors should be prepared to show identification with their age, residency and income. To meet the eligibility requirements, a single person’s annual income cannot exceed $21,978 and a married couple’s combined income may not exceed $29,637.

For convenience of shopping, a farmer and farm stand will be located at the Community Center, so that the vouchers can be used immediately. Fall produce may include broccoli, cabbage, collard greens, cauliflower, beets, potatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers, apples and pumpkins.

For more information about the Farmers Market nutrition program, and all other services provided by the Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Disability Resource, call 888-280-8226 or 877-222-3737, or visit the Union County website, 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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Photo credit: Justin Marx via flickr.com.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Union County Sheriff Joe Cryan joined Community Access Unlimited (CAU) Senior Assistant Executive Director Tanya Johnson, former DYFS Director Nicholas Scalera and University of Pennsylvania student Glen Casey at the 4th Annual Union County Youth Services Networking Conference in Elizabeth.

The event was sponsored by the County of Union, CAU and a coalition of public and nonprofit youth services organizations that make up the Union County Youth Services Steering Committee and focused on improving services for youths and young adults. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the Union County Workforce Innovation Business Center is hosting a recruitment event for the Elizabeth-based organization Community Access Unlimited. The non-profit is seeking to fill 30 full and part time positions for overnight counselors, assistant support counselors and support workers.

“The WIB Center has exceled at matching qualified job seekers with employers, and we are looking forward to another successful partnership,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “If you are an employer, I encourage you to get in touch with the WIB Center and let our experienced staff help you find the right people for the right jobs.”

The recruitment event will be held on Tuesday, November 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Workforce Innovation Business Center, at the Mills at Jersey Gardens, 651 Kapkowski Road in Elizabeth.  

“The WIB Center began offering expanded services barely two years ago, and since then it has created more than 2,000 new job opportunities,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, who is the Freeholder liaison to the Union County Workforce Development Board. “Our goal for the future is to create even more public-private partnerships and continue to build new opportunities for Union County residents and businesses.”

All positions available through the CAU recruitment event require a valid basic driver’s license, a car for work purposes and a high school diploma or GED.

Pre-registration for the event is required. To register, prospective attendees must email their resume to baptiste@ucc.edu and state which position they are applying for. Attendees must also call Susan at 908-355-4444 to reserve a spot (se habla español).

The WIB Center is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders in partnership with the Union County Workforce Development Board, and Union County College.

For more information about the WIB Center visit ucnj.org/wib-center or call 908-355-4444.

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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 – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds voters that the deadline for applying by mail for a Vote by Mail ballot is Tuesday, November 1.

“If you are mailing your Vote by Mail application, by law my office must receive your application form by November 1,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “The deadline ensures that we can provide your Vote by Mail ballot in time for you to cast it, so please put your application in the mail by Saturday, October 29 to allow time for delivery.”

Any registered voter can use a Vote by Mail ballot. The process involves submitting an application form, receiving the ballot, and returning it to the Board of Elections. The entire process can be done by mail.

Emailing a scanned application form is not permitted under New Jersey state law. However, voters can drop off their application forms in person.

“Voters who miss the November 1 mailing deadline still have time to apply for a Vote by Mail ballot in person,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “They can do so by visiting our main office in Elizabeth or annex in Westfield.”

In-person applicants can use the County Clerk’s “One-Stop” service to apply for their ballot and receive it in the same visit. They can also fill out their ballot while they are there, and cast it in a secure box at the County Clerk’s office.

Vote by Mail users who plan on dropping off their filled-in ballot in person, or using the One-Stop service, have until 3:00 p.m. on Monday, November 7 to visit the County Clerk’s main or annex offices and cast their ballot.

“We offer the ‘One-Stop’ service to ensure that all voters can avail themselves of the convenience and security of a Vote by Mail ballot,” said Rajoppi. “My office also schedules extra Saturday hours in order to accommodate as many in-person applicants as possible.”

Ms. Rajoppi also advised voters who are interested in using a Vote by Mail ballot to download the free Union County Votes app for mobile devices.

“Union County Votes has just added a new button labeled “Early Voting,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “It provides voters with on-the-go access to information about obtaining and casting a Vote by Mail ballot.”

The County Clerk’s main office at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday November 5, for voters to obtain a Vote by Mail ballot.

The annex, at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield, is also open for Vote by Mail users on Saturday October 29 and Saturday November 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

For a schedule of regular weekday office hours and more information about voting in Union County visit the new County Clerk’s new elections website, unioncountyvotes.com, or call the Elections Division at 908-527-4996.

Applications for a Vote by Mail ballot can be downloaded from unioncountyvotes.com or from the Union County Votes app.

For all other County Clerk programs and services visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787.

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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 Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Linda Carter, Christopher Hudak, Bette Jane Kowalski and Vernell Wright present a resolution to Prevention Links Executive Director Pam Capaci proclaiming October 21-29 Red Ribbon Week in Union County at the 18th Annual Red Ribbon Drug Awareness Day at Nomahegan Park in Cranford. The event kicked off Red Ribbon Week which is aimed at educating young people about the dangers of drugs and encourages them to live a drug free lifestyle. For more information, visit www.preventionlinks.org.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) Advocate Gary Whyte presents Freeholder Angel G. Estrada with a plaque thanking him for his help in spreading the word about the FOP Awareness Initiative. FOP is a rare, disabling genetic condition that causes bone to form in muscles, tendons, ligaments and other connective tissues. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to introduce Curby the Recycling Robot – the newest educational tool aimed at encouraging our local communities to recycle.  Union County’s new fun and interactive recycling robot is part of an overall effort to help Union County achieve the 50% state-mandated recycling rate. 

“In one of the most densely populated counties in the state, it’s especially important for each of us to understand how human behavior impacts the environment,” said Freeholder Chairman, Bruce H. Bergen. “Curby is an engaging tool to promote increased recycling efforts by delivering a message of environmental awareness and litter prevention throughout the county.”  

Curby is a fully animated recycling robot – he moves, speaks, listens and plays sounds and music.  His mouth lights up  in sync with the operators voice, his arms move up and down, his hands open and close, his eyes and eyebrows are fully functional and his lid rises and falls. 

Curby can talk trash with recycling facts and animation that leaves a uniquely memorable impression with those who interact with the robot. Offering a variety of dynamic recycling presentations and interactions that are almost unlimited, Curby increases recycling education participation levels and environmental awareness.

A service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Curby is the newest member of the Union County Bureau of Recycling & Planning through the Department of Engineering, Public Works and Facilities Management. For more information about Union County’s recycling program visit ucnj.org/recycle.

Union County, NJ – Plainfield officials joined with Richmond Towers residents earlier this week to welcome Union County Freeholder Linda Carter (center) to view the newly installed “senior beds” for their on-site community garden. The gardeners picked a crop of hot peppers, demonstrated how they care for a late crop of cold-tolerant lettuce, and planted garlic cloves for spring harvest. The new beds enable seniors and people with disabilities to enjoy gardening activities and reap the nutritional benefits of fresh produce. They were made possible by a grant from Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen’s “Union County Means Green Community Garden Grant” program, and were constructed by the grant administrator Groundwork Elizabeth. For more information, visit ucnj.org or call Groundwork, 908-558-1142.

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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.