Union County, NJ – Space fans are invited to the Union County Trailside Nature & Science Center this Saturday, March 26 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. for a presentation by NASA Solar System Ambassador Paul Cirillo. Mr. Cirillo will describe how astronauts live and work on the International Space Station — and he’ll demonstrate how to see the Space Station from your own backyard!
The presentation is free and donations are welcome.
Trailside is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside, in Union County’s Watchung Reservation. Call 908-789-3670 for more details or visit online at ucnj.org/trailside.
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.
Union County child safety seat inspection technician Cristallina Tharaldsen demonstrates the proper harness fit and location of the harness clip for a forward-facing car-seat with 2-year old county resident Eleanor Wilson-Newbury during a free inspection event sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. (Photo credit: Jim Lowney/County of Union).
As the spring weather approaches, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites residents to visit the County’s popular Child Safety Seat Inspection Center in Garwood.
The proper use of child safety seats is one of the simplest and most effective methods available for protecting the lives of young children in the event of a motor vehicle accident.
“This popular program offers parents and guardians the opportunity to make sure their child’s safety seat is properly adjusted and meets the New Jersey state law requirements,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Our trained safety technicians can help you get familiar with a new seat, or make adjustments to an older seat for a growing child.”
Union County’s popular Child Safety Seat Inspection Program is open every Wednesday and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and is located at the Garwood Rescue Squad at 401 2nd Avenue in Garwood. Certified child passenger safety technicians will check the car seat for proper installation and educate parents and guardians on using the seat correctly.
New Jersey’s new child safety seat regulations took effect in September of 2015. The new State law requires parents to adhere to American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations for child passenger safety.
If you’re unable to visit the Child Safety Seat Inspection Center during operating hours, weather permitting, Union County’s mobile child seat inspection unit will offer child safety seat inspections at Plainfield High School (950 Park Ave) on Saturday, June 4th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
“The County’s mobile unit gives residents throughout the county a more convenient opportunity to have our experts assist with a child safety seat in their vehicle, and to be sure the seat meets the new state law regulations,” said Freeholder Linda Carter. “We are happy to bring the County’s Public Safety mobile unit to Plainfield this spring. I invite municipalities to contact our office to request a mobile inspection clinic at a community event this spring or summer.”
Residents are also invited to learn more about other traffic safety programs for children and seniors offered through the Department of Public Safety. Throughout the spring months, the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Police will be present at various community health fairs and street festivals with information about the County’s child safety seat inspection program, the CarFit program for seniors, and the bike helmet initiative. Stop by the Public Safety information table at the following events to learn more: Thursday, April 28 – Family Fun Day / Health Fair in Plainfield Saturday, April 30 – YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day / Health and Safety Fair in Rahway Saturday, June 5 – ‘Garwood Rocks’ Street Festival in Garwood
The child seat inspection program is provided as a public service by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Union County Police Department, New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, AAA Northeast – NJ Division, and the Garwood First Aid Squad.
For more information about the car seat inspection program, the CarFit program for seniors, or the bicycle helmet safety initiative visit ucnj.org or contact Christine Marcantonio, Traffic Safety Program Coordinator, by email at cmarcantonio@ucnj.org or by phone at 908-789-6830.
Union County, NJ – Hundreds of Union County students are learning all about recycling and conservation this spring thanks to “Talkin’ Trash,” a free new classroom program coordinated by Union County through a recycling grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
“Talkin’ Trash is a fun way to help young students see that they can make a big difference,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “It’s a great program that helps the next generation of Union County citizens appreciate how we can all care for and protect our environment.”
Talkin’ Trash is a 45-minute program for grades 1-5 conducted by Patricia Lynn, an experienced certified municipal recycling coordinator and former elementary school teacher.
The program is part of Chairman Bergen’s 2016 Union County Means Green initiative, which includes environmental outreach for schools, local businesses and the general public.
“Ms. Lynn an expert and she really encourages the students to think about important issues in an exciting, positive way,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowlaski, who visited the program at the Brunner School in Scotch Plains last week. “It was inspiring to see how the class responded as she guided them through hands-on activities and team learning.”
So far, seven school districts in Union County have experienced the program, reaching over 600 students.
Recycling is mandatory in New Jersey, and Union County has been a leader in the recycling field for nearly 30 years. In 2013, the last year for which figures are available, Union County achieved a 61% recycling rate, one of the highest among New Jersey counties.
For additional information about Talkin’ Trash or to schedule a program this spring, schools can email Patricia Lynn at plynn9021@gmail.com.
For information on all Union County recycling programs, including new scrap metal drop-off locations, visit online at ucnj.org/recycling.
# #
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.
Photo caption: Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski speaks about recycling with third graders at the Brunner School in Scotch Plains during a visit with the “Talkin’ Trash” program, a traveling lesson available free to schools throughout Union County. (Photo by Jim Lowney/ County of Union)
Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski recently attended the State of New Jersey Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee Hearing that was being held at New Jersey Institute of Technology.
The Freeholder gave testimony regarding the impact of state budget cuts on critical services that Union County government provides to its most vulnerable residents.
Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announced that expanded hours for Passport Days will take place on Saturday, April 9 and Monday, April 11 at the Westfield Annex Office. On both days, County residents can get a free photo when applying for or renewing a passport at the County Clerk’s Office Annex in Westfield. Free photos will also be available on Monday, April 11 in the Elizabeth Office.
“Whether or not you have travel plans this year, I encourage you to take advantage of the free photo offer and the convenience of expanded hours,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “You can avoid having to rush any last-minute applications that might come up, and a valid U.S. passport is especially important now that new national security standards for driver’s licenses are being phased in.”
The County Clerk’s normal fee of $10.00 per passport photo will be waived for all new and renewed passport applications being submitted through her office on both days.
At the Westfield Office, expanded hours and free photos for Passport Days will take place on Saturday April 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Monday, April 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Westfield Annex is located at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.
At the Elizabeth Office, free photos will take place on Monday, April 11 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Elizabeth Office is located in the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Room 114 in Elizabeth.
No appointments are necessary at either office. However, applicants must arrive 30 minutes before closing in order to have their application processed.
Passport Day is an annual event first promoted by the U.S. State Department to encourage travelers to avoid the stress of last-minute passport applications. Federal budget cuts put an end to the national event in 2008 but Ms. Rajoppi’s office has continued the event and the free photo for Union County residents at the Westfield Annex. This year, Ms. Rajoppi also expanded Passport Day to a two-day event.
New national standards for driver’s licenses are being phased in to improve safety at airports and other federal facilities. Many states have already received approval for their security procedures, but New Jersey has an extended deadline of October 2016 for compliance. If New Jersey does not comply or receive an extension, New Jersey drivers’ licenses will not be accepted as approved identification to board a domestic flight.
For more details about the County Clerk’s passport services, including convenient links to passport information from the State Department, visit the County Clerk online at ucnj.org/county-clerk, call the Westfield Annex at 908-654-9859, or call the main office in Elizabeth at 908-527-4966.
Union County, NJ – Home improvement contractors are being sought to provide home repairs and improvements through the Union County Home Improvement and Senior Grant Programs.
The Union County Home Improvement and Senior Grant Programs are initiatives of the Freeholder Board, funded through federal Community Development Block Grant dollars. The goal is to provide no interest loans for income-eligible residents and grants for income-eligible seniors age 60 and older for the purpose of making essential home repairs and improvements.
“These programs are designed to ensure that seniors and other Union County residents can afford basic repairs and improvements that enable them to live in a safe, healthy home environment,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.
Work covered by the program includes the repair or replacement of substandard heating, electrical and plumbing systems, sidewalks, roofing, structural repairs, and more.
Energy saving measures such as insulation, new windows, storm doors and other improvements are also covered.
The Union County Home Improvement and Senior Grant Programs are overseen by the Union County Department of Economic Development and administered by Development Directions LLC of Rahway.
Once a recipient is approved based on income eligibility, program staff will review the work requested by the home owner, review the contractor bids, perform in-progress inspections to assure quality work and do a final inspection at the completion of work.
Home improvement contractors interested in applying for work referrals from the Union County Home Improvement and Senior Grant Programs can contact Development Directions at 732-382-8100.
# #
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.
Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski, Angel G. Estrada, Vernell Wright, Alexander Mirabella, Linda Carter and Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi congratulated the honorees at the Union County Commission on the Status of Women’s 24th Annual Women of Excellence Awards dinner in Union.
This year’s honorees are Maria C. Anderson, Dr. Cynthia Atkins, Nancy Benz, Margaret Chowdhury, Elaine Coupe, Kim D Eason, Barbara Arminio La Morte, Carmen Salavarrieta, Janet Siegal and Dr. Candace Wicke.
On Sunday, Union County Freeholder Linda Carter, a former Plainfield Vikings cheerleader, spent the evening sharing her words of encouragement and congratulations with the youth of the Plainfield Vikings football, dance, step and cheer teams on a successful 2015 season.
Joining her was Kansas City Chiefs Niko Davis and CEO/Founder of Yes Girl Inc. Nia Baskerville.
Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholders Vernell Wright and Bette Jane Kowalski presented a resolution to Clark ShopRite Manager Dominic Romeo congratulating him and his staff on raising more than $14,000 during National Hunger Awareness Month last September for food banks in the communities that ShopRite serves. The Clark store won a friendly competition with other stores in a show of support for the hungry.
The Freeholders also presented certificates of recognition to ShopRite associates Lisa Housel and Carolanne Romeo for being “Hunger Fighting Heroes” for spearheading the store’s fundraising efforts. Photographs of the two associates are being featured on special edition boxes of Cheerios in ShopRite stores during March.
Union County, NJ – Space fans are invited to the Union County Trailside Nature & Science Center this Saturday, March 26 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. for a presentation by NASA Solar System Ambassador Paul Cirillo. Mr. Cirillo will describe how astronauts live and work on the International Space Station — and he’ll demonstrate how to see the Space Station from your own backyard!
Union County, NJ – Hundreds of Union County students are learning all about recycling and conservation this spring thanks to “Talkin’ Trash,” a free new classroom program coordinated by Union County through a recycling grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announced that expanded hours for Passport Days will take place on Saturday, April 9 and Monday, April 11 at the Westfield Annex Office. On both days, County residents can get a free photo when applying for or renewing a passport at the County Clerk’s Office Annex in Westfield. Free photos will also be available on Monday, April 11 in the Elizabeth Office.
Union County, NJ – Home improvement contractors are being sought to provide home repairs and improvements through the Union County Home Improvement and Senior Grant Programs.
