Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi advises Union County residents that a valid U.S. passport is still the most reliable and secure form of identification for traveling by air.

“Getting a U.S. passport and keeping it up to date is the best way to ensure that your travel plans are worry-free, whether you are flying domestically in the U.S. or boarding an international flight,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

Ms. Rajoppi noted that currently, air travelers can still use their driver’s licenses to board domestic flights. However, New Jersey has not yet attained compliance with new national security standards for driver’s licenses.

The new standards were established under the 2005 federal “REAL ID” law. The law, which is being implemented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, requires each state to update its driver’s license procedures to comply with tighter security measures at airports, federal buildings, and other sensitive facilities.

Most states now issue driver’s licenses that meet the new standards. New Jersey missed the compliance deadline of January 10^th, 2016 but the Department of Homeland Security provided a new, extended deadline of October 10^th, 2016.

“The good news is that for now you can still use your New Jersey driver’s license to board a domestic flight,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “However, we don’t know what will happen when the grace period ends on October 10^th, so if you are a U.S. citizen and don’t have a passport yet, I encourage you to contact my office and apply for one before the busy spring and summer travel seasons begin.”

Union County residents can process their U.S. passport applications and renewals through the County Clerk, at the main office in Elizabeth or the satellite office in Westfield. Passport photos are offered at both locations for a nominal fee. The Westfield office also features evening and weekend hours:

Elizabeth – Union County Courthouse
2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207
908-527-4787
Open Monday through Friday
Business  and Passport Office: 7:30 am – 4:30 pm 
Recording Office: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm 

Westfield – Union County Colleen Fraser Building
300 North Avenue East, Westfield, NJ 07090
908-654-9859
Open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Open Tuesday and Thursday: 8:00 am – 7:30 pm
Open Saturday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Both offices are easily accessible by mass transit.

For more details about the County Clerk’s passport services, including downloadable forms, visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk.

Information about the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s implementation of REAL ID standards is available at dhs.gov. The agency has not yet enforced the new standards at airports, and the New Jersey Motor Vehicles Commission is still working on upgrading the standards for New Jersey driver’s licenses.

#  #

Connect with Union County on social media.

The Raritan Valley Rail Coalition (RVRC) launched a video and petition regarding the ‘One Seat’ direct ride into NYC in an effort to get local legislators to encourage NJ TRANSIT to make it a priority to lay out a plan of action.

In March of 2014 NJ TRANSIT established direct service (no change in Newark) for midday trains on weekdays and in January of 2015 direct trains after 8 pm on weekdays.  However, there has been no more plans for expanding the direct service.

 “We’re only halfway toward our goal of full mid-town direct service,” said Peter Palmer, RVRC Chairman and Somerset County Freeholder.  “This is not just about convenience for commuters.  Direct service in all time slots would have a major impact in terms of economic development, improved property values and the productivity of our commuting workforce.”

The ultimate goal of the RVRC, which has championed the one-seat direct train service to NYC since 1998, is complete direct service from the Raritan Line into NYC.  Currently, riders on peak hour trains still have to transfer in Newark.

Members of the RVRC continue to meet regularly with NJ Transit officials to accomplish this goal. “We understand the complex nature of implementing these changes,” said Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr, who heads the RVRC Mayor’s Coalition. “However, our first responsibility is to the residents of every town on the RVL and making sure they are treated fairly in the transit system.”

To view the video and sign the petition or for more information and articles about the efforts to get one-seat service go to www.raritanvalleyrail.com or contact info@raritanvalleyrail.com

Union County Freeholders Linda Carter and Bette Jane Kowalski joined Union County College President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin in welcoming the Linden High School Madrigals to the presentation of “Music in the Life of Langston Hughes” at Union County College in Cranford.

Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Department of Parks and Recreation, the performance celebrated the birth of James Mercer Langston Hughes on Feb. 1, 1902, in Joplin, Missouri. Host Terrance McKnight presented a live adaptation of his radio documentary, “I, Too, Sing America: Music in the Life of Langston Hughes,” which was produced for WQXR, New York Public Radio.

Langston Hughes (1902-1967) was a poet, novelist, playwright and social activist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form known as jazz poetry. Hughes loved music. He wrote songs, opera librettos and gospel plays, and traveled with his record collection. A longtime resident of Harlem in New York City, Langston Hughes also lived in Westfield, New Jersey in the early 1930’s.

The Linden High School Madrigals performed during event.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi is pleased to announce that the latest in a series of special training sessions for Notaries Public will be held on Friday, March 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the John H. Stamler Police Academy, 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

Attendance is by pre-registration only, with a nominal registration fee of $5.00. Attendance is limited to the first 50 persons to register by Friday, March 11.

“As impartial offices of the State of New Jersey, Notaries Public play a vital role in the affairs of our community,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “All are welcome to attend the training session, which will include all aspects of the functioning of Notaries Public, including the application process for new notaries.”

The new session is open to persons interested in becoming a Notary Public, as well as current Notaries who would like to refresh and update their skills.

The session will begin with opening remarks and a review of the application process by Ms. Rajoppi. Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, who is a partner at the law firm of Krevsky, Silber & Bergen, will present the legal aspects of the functions of Notaries Public.

Registration forms are available online at ucnj.org/county-clerk/new-jersey-notary-training. To register, send the form and a check of $5.00 payable to “Union County Clerk” to:

Office of the Union County Clerk

2 Broad Street, Room 115

Elizabeth, New Jersey 07207

For more information, or to obtain a registration form by mail, contact Donna Connell at the County Clerk’s office by Friday, March 11, at 908-527-4999 or dconnell@ucnj.org. Inquiries are also accepted by fax at 908-558-2589.

Details on all Union County Clerk programs and services are available online at ucnj.org/county-clerk.

#  #

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados (far r.) watched the installation of a web camera at the peregrine falcon nest site atop the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth this morning. The same falcon pair – one of only nesting 26 couples in New Jersey — has been raising chicks at the Courthouse since 2006, making their home in a round doghouse that provides stability in the windy environment. The in-nest “pinhole” camera will be online at the County website, ucnj.org, once the final adjustments are completed. An audio feed and a controllable outer camera will also be installed this summer, enabling bird fans and researchers to follow the action in and around the nest.  (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of photographs by Michael Endy in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located in the historic St. John’s Parsonage at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth. A selection of his work entitled “Lost Highway, a photographic hymn to New Jersey” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery through March 25. The public is invited to enjoy the exhibit during regular gallery hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

“Michael Endy is a talented, experienced photographer and a devoted supporter of local arts,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board. “It’s a great pleasure to display his fine work.”

Mr. Endy began his artistic training as a child at Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute in Utica, New York. He continued his studies in photography and graphic design at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, receiving his BFA, cum laude, in 1988. Working in New York design agencies for over 20 years, Michael held the title of Creative Director at both Interbrand and Ogilvy CommonHealth before launching his own design consultancy in 2010. He has won more than 30 international design awards and is published in many graphic design books.

Michael and his family live in Westfield, NJ, where he is highly involved in the local art scene as President of the Westfield Art Association. He also is on the exhibition committee of the New Jersey Photography Forum, the publicity committee of the Contemporary Art Group, and a member of the Jersey Art Registry and Pro Arts Jersey City. As a fine art photographer, Michael exhibits extensively. Recent international exhibits include MoNA, the Museum of New Art, in Detroit; Arterie Fine Arts in Chicago; and the Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster, NJ. Recent national exhibits include Photography Now, at the University Place Gallery in Cambridge, MA; the National Juried Photography Exhibit at Gallery 14 in Hopewell, NJ; and the RAW NJ exhibit at the Noyes Museum in Hammonton, NJ.

His self-published book, “Lost Highway, a photographic hymn to New Jersey,” has been selected for inclusion in Photobook 2015, and will soon be exhibited at the Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester, MA. Visit his website www.michaelendyphotography.com.

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 Street, Elizabeth NJ 07202. Free on-site parking is available. Telephone 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users can dial 711. Send E-mail to: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

On Dec. 2, 2015, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced that federal disaster loans are again available as a result of Hurricane Sandy.  These low-interest loans are available to small businesses, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters located in New Jersey, regardless if they applied during the initial Hurricane Sandy disaster declaration or not.  To date, SBA has approved 131 loans totaling $5,099,500.

“We are seeing an increase in the number of applications, which tells us there are still  businesses and residents that have Hurricane Sandy related needs and who could use our disaster loan program,” said SBA’s Region II Regional Administrator Kellie LeDet.

LeDet, who oversees SBA’s programs and services for New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, added “The reopening of the SBA disaster declaration for Sandy provides a great opportunity for victims of Superstorm Sandy to get much needed funding at a low interest rate.”

According to LeDet, SBA’s customer service representatives are at Disaster Loan Outreach Centers to provide one-on-one assistance and answer questions. There is no cost to apply and no appointment is necessary. The Union County Center is open until further notice, with location and hours of operation below:

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders today renewed its support for the efforts of Union County College to award a Bachelor of Nursing degree. As a two-year community college, Union County College requires approval from the State Department of Education to offer the four-year degree.

“This new four-year program would provide more Union County residents with the opportunity to advance professionally in a high demand field, and it would benefit to the community at large by helping to relieve the ongoing nursing shortage,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Union County College has established a solid record of success with an outstanding two-year Associate’s degree, and the Freeholder Board strongly supports extending this experience to four-year degrees.”

The new degree program would enable Union County College to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing for students who have completed an Associate Degree or who hold a qualifying diploma in an accredited nursing program, and who have passed the examination to be a Registered Nurse.

The course work would include physical assessment, community health, global and population based health, nursing research and evidence-based practices, advanced pathophysiology, informatics and technology, ethical issues and leadership and management courses.

Approval for the new four-year program is contingent upon the determination of the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education, which takes into account the recommendations of the New Jersey President’s Council.

Earlier in January, Bergen announced support for the four-year degree as part of his 2016 Chairman’s Initiatives. The Freeholder Board also adopted a formal Resolution in support of a positive outcome from the President’s Council. However, last week the President’s Council voted in favor of negative recommendations by a slim 19-18 margin, with several abstentions.

“We are hoping that this narrow decision provides the Secretary of Higher Education with an indication that the issue deserves a more thorough investigation before a final decision is made,” said Bergen.

#  #

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 Freeholder Board today announced the Division of Social Services would be opening their offices in Elizabeth and Plainfield this Saturday from 9 a.m.-noon in an effort to assist residents wishing to enroll in ObamaCare before the deadline on Sunday, January 31^st.

The office addresses are: in Elizabeth at 342 Westminster Avenue; in Plainfield at 200 W. Second Street.

“Thanks in large part to the Affordable Care Act, more than 90 percent of Americans now have healthcare insurance,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados. “Anyone who needs health insurance should make every attempt to enroll, and we are happy to offer this important assistance to our residents. One of the main reasons why we are providing this free service is also to avoid the penalties that residents could face by not being registered for health insurance.”

ObamaCare’s individual mandate requires that most Americans obtain and maintain health insurance, or an exemption, each month or pay a tax penalty. For more information on this penalty, please go to http://obamacarefacts.com/obamacare-individual-mandate/

The opening of both County offices on Saturday is strictly and solely to assist anyone who may be eligible for health coverage with meeting the requirements of the Affordable Care Act’s deadline which is this Sunday. The offices will not be accepting applications for any of their other services.

Anyone interested in applying for health insurance, should feel free to come to either of the offices at the specified time and bring the following documents: Photo ID for anyone above the age of 18, income verification, proof of address, proof of citizenship or legal residency.

More than 18 million Americans have enrolled in Obamacare since 2010. For more information on Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act, please go to: http://obamacarefacts.com/obamacare-open-enrollment/