Category: Public Info

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi hosted an educational seminar open to all Notaries Public featuring Union County Surrogate James S. LaCorte, Esq. as the main speaker at the John H. Stamler Police Academy in Scotch Plains.

The Notary Public course is a service being offered by the Office of the Union County Clerk. It is designed to instruct Notaries Public on how to perform their duties with confidence and diligence. Notaries will learn about the new online application process and the legal aspects of performing the duties of a Notary Public in an effort to avoid liability issues.

If you know of an individual, organization, or business that stands out for helping others, the Union County Human Relations Commission would like to know about them.

The Commission is seeking nominations for its prestigious 2017 Unity Achievement Awards, which honor volunteerism and public service in all of its forms. Award nominees must live, work, or attend school in Union County.

“We want to hear about the people you know who dedicate their time and effort to do wonderful things that not only enhance others’ experiences and quality of life, but raise and honor the human spirit,” Commission Co-Chair Nora Mislan said. “Those who are nominated for these Awards are regular people who do extraordinary things. Their efforts improve the lives of others, and by doing so, they truly make a difference in our world.”

“These Awards recognize programs, services, activities, and efforts being put forth by local role models who promote cultural diversity, strong community relations, and human rights,” Mislan added. 

Past Unity Achievement Award recipients have included corporations, business organizations, community organizations, nonprofit organizations, individuals, law-enforcement representatives, public servants, clergy, faith-based organizations, members of the media, students, educators, and veterans. The 2017 Awards will mark the 16th annual year in which honorees have been named.

 The commissioners who volunteer their time and energy to serve on the Union County Human Relations Commission unequivocally agree that the best way to strive to accomplish their mission — to actively encourage, develop, promote, and strengthen respect for human rights and cultural diversity among the people of Union County — is to publicly honor those who already do it well. 

Nominations for the 2017 Awards are being accepted now, and they must be received no later than Wednesday, December 28, 2016.

The nomination form is available online at www.ucnj.org/uchrc. You can also request the form by calling Commissioner Karen Positan at 908-889-9028 or emailing her at kpositan@ucnj.org.

A listing of all of the previous Unity Achievement Award recipients in all categories can be found on the county website.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation are pleased to announce an exciting array of fall programs being offered at Trailside Nature & Science Center. 

“Autumn is the perfect time to get outside and appreciate the colors of the season and all that nature has to offer,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, “Trailside Nature and Science Center provides the perfect opportunity for adults and children of all ages to get outdoors in the fresh air and have fun learning about the natural world.”

Workshops are offered weekly from October through December.  Registrants sign up for the entire series or choose only the topics that interest them.  Visit www.ucnj.org/trailside to view the fall brochure and register online.

Parents with children up to age three can enjoy Toddler Time, a series of workshops that incorporate sensory hikes, stories, crafts and activities to acquaint adults and children with the natural world.  This popular series is offered weekly on Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Families will learn about bears, dinosaurs, owls, snowflakes and much more. 

For children, ages 3 or 4, with an adult, Trailside offers Two Of Us, an interactive program that encourages nature discovery through hikes and other indoor/outdoor activities with a parent. This program, offered on Tuesdays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. or Wednesdays from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.  Among the many topics explored this autumn are creepy crawlies, turkeys, fall fun, discovering dinosaurs and prowling for owls. 

Small Fry DayS, a drop-off program for children ages 4-6, is designed to foster awareness and appreciation of the natural world through nature hikes, explorations and related activities.  Participants in this interesting and educational workshop series will learn how animals like chipmunks, grasshoppers and deer prepare for the winter as well as have fun searching for slugs, millipedes, beetles and other bugs under the rocks and logs of the forest.  On one of the many hikes, youngsters will search for buck rubs, animal tracks and other signs of our animal neighbors.  This program is offered on Tuesdays, from 9:45 to 11:00 a.m. or Wednesdays at 1:15 to 2:30 p.m.

Children in the 1st and 3rd grades can take part in Afterschool Explorations, a drop-off program series designed to acquaint children with nature explorations, hikes and outdoor activities.  Children involved in this workshop series meet on Thursdays at 3:30-4:45 p.m. This fall the group will have the opportunity to get their feet wet while searching for salamanders and investigating the stream for other aquatic animals. First to third graders can learn how to read a trail map and trail blazer, discover fascinating facts about the white-tailed deer and get a behind the scenes look at how the Trailside staff cares for the many fish, turtles, snakes and insects that live at Trailside.

Trailside’s fall programming begins the first week of October and continues through December 19; however, no workshops will be conducted during the Thanksgiving week.  Pre-registration is required and the fee per class is $10.00 per child for Union County residents and $12.00 per class for out-of-county residents.  For additional information about any of these children’s programs or about other upcoming programs and special events, please call 908-789-3670 or visit us on the web at www.ucnj.org/trailside.  Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.                               

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Contact: Mark Spivey, Union County Prosecutor’s Office 908-527-4621; mspivey@ucnj.org

Ahmad Khan Rahami, 28, has been charged with five counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer after an exchange of gunfire with police today, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park announced Monday. 

Rahami also is charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

At approximately 10:30 a.m. on Monday morning, a uniformed Linden police officer approached a man later identified as Rahami outside a bar on East Elizabeth Avenue, according to the investigation. At that time, Rahami immediately produced a handgun and shot the officer in the torso, striking him in his protective vest.

Additional patrol officers responding to the scene engaged Rahami in an exchange of gunfire that ended when Rahami was shot multiple times outside of an auto repair shop on East Elizabeth Avenue, several blocks west of where he was initially approached.

A handgun was recovered from Rahami at the scene. Rahami was immediately transported to a local hospital for treatment and has since undergone surgery. Neither the police officer who was struck by gunfire nor a second officer who was struck in the head by a fragment of a bullet suffered life-threatening injuries.

Bail for Rahami was set at $5.2 million by state Superior Court Judge Regina Caulfield.

This defendant was wanted for questioning in a federal investigation being led by the FBI regarding explosive devices found and detonated over the weekend in New Jersey and New York City. That investigation is continuing, and any media inquiries regarding it should be referred to the FBI’s Newark office at 973-792-3020.

Convictions on first-degree criminal charges are commonly individually punishable by 10 to 20 years in state prison, while second-degree charges typically result in terms of 5 to 10 years.

These criminal charges are mere accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Union County Bomb squad, the Sheriff’s Office and the Prosecutor’s Office responded last night in the safe handling of the bomb incident at the Midtown Train Station in Elizabeth.

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Vernell Wright, Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan and Union County Manager Alfred Faella joined local veterans at the Union County POW/MIA Remembrance Day ceremony outside the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. The guest speaker was Lieutenant Colonel Steven Brozak, USMC Retired. The annual event is sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders to honor and remember prisoners of war and those missing in action (POW/MIA). The National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed each year on the third Friday of September. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Art and Music Gone Wild on Stage – Fun for the Whole Family

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to bring a sensory friendly performance of the exciting, interactive, and spectacular ARTRAGEOUS to the stage at the Union County Performing Arts Center on Sunday, October 2 at 3:00 p.m.

All tickets are $8 per person and can be purchased through the Union County Performing Arts Center at ucpac.org or by calling the Box Office at 732-499-8226.

“The series of sensory-friendly music, theater, and dance performances offer a relaxed and safe environment for audiences and are specially adapted to help reduce disturbances and increase access for children and adults of all abilities,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Freeholder Board is proud to partner with the visual and performing artists of Artrageous to bring this fun, interactive, family event to the community.”

ARTRAGEOUS! is the one of a kind interactive art and music experience that has CBS raving “Go see this show!” Giant works of art jump to life with amazing speed unveiling larger than life icons and masterpieces in just moments, all the while there is constant activity on stage, attracting your attention and delighting your senses with energy, spirit and action. Have all this live painting accompanied by amazing vocals, creative choreography, high energy live music with unforgettable audience interaction and you will have experienced a journey of wild inspiration and fun – its Artrageous.

For each of the performances in Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series the theatre environment at the Union County Performing Arts Center is adjusted to provide a sensory-friendly, comfortable and judgment-free space that is welcoming for all families.

Autism Friendly Spaces implements the supportive atmosphere at each of the sensory-friendly performances. For more information on what to expect at a Sensory Friendly Theatre performance visit ucpac.org/sensory-friendly-theatre.

Additional support for the sensory-friendly performance of Artrageous is provided by CRBard Inc.

For more information or to purchase tickets call the Union County Performing Arts Center, 732-499-8226 or visit ucpac.org. The UCPAC Box Office, located at 1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM and is also open late on Thursdays until 8:00 PM.

For information on additional Union County recreational programs for people with disabilities age five and up, call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4781 or visit ucnj.org.

 

Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Vernell Wright attend the mobile Aging Service Kiosk (ASK) information event at the Westfield Community Center where Michele Robinson of the Union County Division on Aging explains county programs to Florence Wetzel and her mother Marion Wetzel.

The ASK events are designed to provide residents with a convenient, friendly way to find out about services for the aging, and for their families and caregivers.

For more information about ASK and other programs of the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, call 1-888-280-8226 toll free or visit online at ucnj.org.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Mohamed S. Jalloh joined Union County College President Dr. Margaret McMenamin and students at the opening of the college’s Hispanic Heritage Month and Hispanic Serving Institution Week Celebration at the Union County College Cranford campus. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)