Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – The Hillside Victory Community Garden Club celebrated another successful year with its 6^th annual fall harvest festival last weekend. The garden is still enjoying a lavish crop of cold-hardy collards, chard and other seasonal greens.

It also provides a habitat for valuable pollinators. Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados (far l.) and Vernell Wright (far r.) thanked the gardeners for their work, which includes donating fresh produce, providing volunteer opportunities for local youth, and engaging the community in healthy nutrition.

This year garden received a grant from the new Union County Means Green Community Garden Grant program, a 2016 initiative of Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

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

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the new “Senior Focus” grant program for 2016. Designed to support the well-being, safety and quality of life for senior adults in Union County, “Senior Focus” funding may be used for repairs and rehabilitation of senior center facilities or equipment for the centers.

“The senior population of Union County is growing, and with ‘Senior Focus’ we demonstrate our commitment to ensuring that local communities have the resources to continue improving their facilities, programs and services,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen.

The new “Senior Focus” grant will make available awards of up to $25,000 to each of Union County’s 21 municipalities for capital improvements or equipment purchases to en
hance their local senior center facilities. Qualifying centers must be owned by the municipality and used exclusively or primarily as a senior center. 

Examples of improvements covered under the grant include ADA access improvements, repairs to or replacement the roof, plumbing and electrical upgrades, and site improvements.

In addition to capital projects, examples of acceptable equipment purchases could include computers/printers, stereos and headphones, and PA systems.

Offered as part of Chairman Bergen’s “Year of the Senior” 2016 initiatives, the new “Senior Focus” program complements the recently announced “Seniors in Motion” program, which provides vans for senior transportation to the County’s municipalities.

“The ‘Year of the Senior’ programs are intended to support our senior adults and provide access to services that impact their quality of life,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board.

Administered through the Department of Human Services, grant applications have been sent to all 21 municipalities and the review process will begin in November. Grant awards will be announced later this year. For more information contact the Office of the Director, Department of Human Services at (908) 527-4808.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite you to explore the fascinating world of rocks, minerals, fossils and gems at Trailside Nature and Science Center on Saturday, November 5 and Sunday, November 6 from noon to 5 p.m. on both days.

“This two-day event, open to the public, brings the world of rocks and gems to life with many exhibits and displays,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Sponsored jointly with the New Jersey Mineralogical Society and the New Jersey Lapidary Society, the Mineral, Gem and Jewelry Show will host more than 20 vendors selling minerals, rocks, gemstones, jewelry, sea shells and fossils from around the world.  Geologists young and old will be mesmerized by the variety of specimens on display and for sale.  Children can purchase geodes, arrowheads and fluorescent minerals, while adults may enjoy the jewelry, fine gems and collector-grade pieces.  Free children’s activities are available.  Admission to the event on both days is free.

For more information about the Mineral, Gem and Jewelry Show call Trailside at 908-789-3670.  Visit www.ucnj.org/trailside for additional information on programs offered this fall at Trailside.  Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Vernell Wright joined Gail Kellogg, Proceed Inc. Executive Director Teresa Soto Vega, United Way of Great Union County President & CEO James Horne Jr. and James Kellogg Jr. in cutting the ribbon officially naming the James Kellogg Multicultural Family Success Center during a dedication ceremony in Elizabeth.

Renaming the facility was in honor of the memory of James Kellogg whose J C Kellogg Foundation provided a multi-year grant that helped the Family Success Center opened its doors in August 2013.

The James Kellogg Multicultural Family Success Center, which is sponsored through a partnership of Union County, the United Way and Proceed Inc., works to integrate  workforce development, social service and family support strategies to assist residents in need in Elizabeth and throughout Union County.

Several members of the Kellogg family attended the dedication ceremony.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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 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.

Connect with Union County on social media.

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)