Category: Public Info

 

Union County, NJ – Union County 4-H Clubs are gearing up for a new season, and Union County students in grades 1-12 are invited to join the fun. Along with favorites like Archery, Cooking and Lego Robotics, Union County 4-H also offers a new Technology Club and a new Community Service Club.

To sign up for a club, meet the club leaders and find out more about 4-H activities, plan to attend this year’s annual 4-H Open House, set for Friday September 18 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Union County Colleen Fraser Building, 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.

“Our 4-H Clubs encourage young people to connect with their community, develop leadership and organizational skills, and have a great time learning more about their favorite topics,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “The Freeholder Board is proud to support 4-H and its guiding principles of thoughtfulness, community service and healthy living.”

Union County 4-H Clubs are run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, supported in part by the Freeholder Board. The clubs belong to a 100-year American tradition established by the U.S Department of Agriculture by an Act of Congress, originally meant to help rural communities connect with useful information about agriculture and family health.

Over the years, 4-H has kept pace with the shift to urban and suburban life, using popular activities to help youngsters to engage in civic affairs and develop related skills such as teamwork and public speaking.

In Union County, the current 4-H slate includes modern clubs like Anime, Lego Robotics, S.T.E.M. and Fashion Design. The program also offers traditional favorites such as horticulture, cooking and archery.

Students can also join a Variety Club and explore topics of their own creation. For older students, 4-H offers membership in the Community Service Club, which plans and conducts community service programs throughout Union County.

4-H Clubs are open to boys and girls.  A materials fee of $10.00 per club ($5.00 per additional club in the same family) is payable at the Open House. Individual clubs may also have materials fees.

For more information about the Open House and this year’s lineup of 4-H Clubs contact Union County 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz at 908-654-9854 or jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org, or visit online at ucnj.org/rce.

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Union County, NJ  –  The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that all five of the high schools comprising the Union County Vocational-Technical School District (UCVTS) have been included in the 2015 Newsweek top 500 Public Schools national survey, including four in the top 100.

In addition, six of the County’s 21 municipalities ranked among the top 100 “Best Places to Live” in New Jersey survey, published in the September 2015 print edition of New Jersey Monthly.

“Our UCVTS students, families and staff all deserve our respect and appreciation for this achievement,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “It is especially gratifying to see all that hard work recognized in the context of Newsweek’s new ‘beating the odds’ methodology, which underscores the importance of tapping the rich potential of all students, regardless of their economic background.”

The annual Newsweek top 500 Public Schools survey measures college readiness. In addition to its usual “absolute” performance list of the 500 highest-ranking schools, Newsweek also published a “Beating the Odds” list that recognizes the impact of socioeconomic disadvantage on conventional ranking systems.

“Our outstanding staff has strived to create a community that embraces young people who are eager to learn, share and make a difference,” said UCVTS Superintendent Peter Capodice. “This is a team effort and the results show: our students come from many different walks of life and when they leave this campus, they are prepared to take their place in the world.”

The New Jersey Monthly “Top 100 Towns” list includes Summit (#23), Cranford (#51), Westfield (#62), New Providence (#69), Clark (#73) and Berkeley Heights (#77). Summit and Westfield were also included in the magazine’s short list of 16 “Favorite Downtowns.”

“As a native of New Jersey I can testify that there are hundreds of great neighborhoods throughout our state. Having six of our municipalities on the New Jersey Monthly list – including two with special recognition – is a real mark of distinction for the whole Union County community,” said Jalloh. 

The 2015 UCVTS rankings for absolute performance in the Newsweek survey are:

4. Union County Magnet High School
5. Academy for Allied Health Sciences
6. Academy for Information Technology
7. Union County Tech
8. Academy for the Performing Arts

The rankings for “Beating the Odds in the Newsweek survey are:

23. Union County Magnet High School
24. Academy for Allied Health Sciences
25. Academy for Information Technology
26. Union County Tech
27. Academy for Performing Arts

The UCVTS campus is located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains. Expanded and updated considerably within recent years, the campus includes five full-time high schools that incorporate intensive study within a vocational specialization and advanced, honors level academic coursework in a cooperative learning environment.

UCVTS students are selected from a diverse population of eighth grade students in each of the 21 school districts of Union County through a competitive application process.  For the 2014-2015 school year, approximately 38% of applicants to UCVTS were offered admission.

The Academy for Allied Health Sciences – AAHS exposes students to various health careers through medical related coursework in a learning community committed to high levels of professional, hands-on experiences.

The Academy for Information Technology – AIT students gain technological expertise with business integration in a curriculum that emphasizes professionalism and ethical practices in the dynamic workplace.

Magnet High School for Science, Mathematics and Technology – The Magnet High School is an engineering-based specialized academy that highlights critical thinking, problem solving, and leadership skills through a project based curriculum.

The Academy for Performing Arts – APA combines intensive study in theatre arts, dance, or technical theatre with rigorous academics culminating in a senior year at Kean University.

Union County Vocational-Technical High School – UC TECH students have the opportunity to select from a variety of vocational programs in high demand career fields including automotive technology, green construction technology, commercial art, criminal justice, cosmetology, and culinary arts, in addition to five specialized career academies: Exercise Physiology & Related Sciences, School of Design, Teacher Education Academy, School of Sustainable Sciences, and the newest program, Academy for Clinical Care Sciences. 

The application process for UCVTS begins each fall, when 8^th grade students residing in Union County attend a required information session at the campus in Scotch Plains. The first of several such sessions this fall will be on September 26. Students who are interested in applying to enter as freshmen in fall 2016 can visit ucvts.tec.nj.us to see a complete schedule and to get more details about applying.

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Union County, NJ – Volunteer Advocates with the Union County Rape Crisis Center (UCRCC) are a beacon of hope for victims of sexual violence, by providing support and guidance through the aftermath of an attack. Union County residents can join this deeply meaningful volunteer experience by attending the next round of training sessions, starting this fall.

All volunteers are trained and mentored by UCRCC staff. A weekday evening training course for volunteers is now available consisting of 13 sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Each session starts at 5:30 p.m. and ends at or before 9:30 p.m.

No previous experience in crisis counseling is necessary.

“If you are looking for an invaluable way to serve the Union County community, I encourage you to contact Union County Rape Crisis Center and join the next training session,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed Jalloh. “All we ask of our volunteers is that they have a big heart, a strong capacity for empathy, and a desire to make a difference at a point of crisis in someone’s life.”

The Union County Rape Crisis Center (UCRCC) has been a part of the Union County Department of Human Services since 1984. As advocates for victims of sexual violence, UCRCC volunteers most often provide guidance over the phone. As requested, they may also provide accompaniment for forensic examinations at hospitals, statements at police departments, and to courtrooms.

To attend the upcoming round of training sessions, volunteers are requested to call the UCRCC hotline at 908-233-7273, in order to schedule a pre-training interview.

Persons interested in volunteering should call now, as space is limited. 

The sessions will all be held at the Ralph J. Froehlich Public Safety Building in the County services complex in Westfield at 300 North Avenue East, starting on Thursday October 1.

Volunteers must be Union County residents at least 18 years of age, hold a valid driver’s license, and have their own vehicle.

To schedule an interview, or for more information about volunteering, call the UCRCC hotline at 908-233-7273.  Additional information is available at unioncountyrapecrisiscenter.blogspot.com.

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Over $73,000 in total grant funding awarded for projects

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the 2015 Union County Library Grant awards to 20 public libraries in Union County for children’s programming and materials. The new grant opportunity seeks to expand, create, and enhance programming offered to children by libraries within Union County.

“As a youth my library card was as good as any driver’s license. It gave me access to the world and I enjoyed spending hours there reading. In today’s world, advancement in technology has changed the way young people learn and utilize the library,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “Through this grant program, the Freeholder Board hopes to support our public libraries in their efforts to offer programs and services that inspire learning in the ever-changing digital age.”

Public libraries engage children in many different learning opportunities that are crucial to social and educational growth.

“Libraries help to strengthen our neighborhoods by supporting the cultural lives of our diverse communities,” noted Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, who championed this new grant program. “Adding important value to our communities as cultural centers, libraries are a place for children to explore, interact, and imagine.”

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Administered through a Trust Fund established with non-tax dollars, the grant opportunity made available over $73,000 to support 20 Union County public libraries.

Examples of projects eligible for funding through this grant opportunity include: technology upgrades; educational programming; purchase of books, videos, and audio tapes; creation or expansion of summer and fall programming; and planning documents.

20 Public Libraries	Amount Awarded
Berkeley Heights	$1,935.40
Clark	$3,623.00
Cranford	$4,000.00
Elizabeth	$4,000.00
Fanwood	$4,248.00
Garwood	$400.00
Hillside	$4,385.00
Kenilworth	$3,997.15
Linden	$3,345.00
Mountainside	$4,058.00
New Providence	$3,560.00
Plainfield	$3,050.00
Rahway	$2,000.00
Roselle	$3,972.00
Roselle Park	$5,531.12
Scotch Plains	$3,915.00
Springfield	$3,395.00
Summit	$3,500.00
Union	$5,543.96
Westfield	$4,800.00
Grand Total	$73,258.63

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Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series brings the puppet adventures of ‘Monster Intelligence’ – a musical journey for the entire family – to life on stage at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway on Sunday, September 13 at 2:00 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 sensory-friendly performance series is designed to offer a relaxed and safe theatre environment for children and adults with sensory sensitivity, developmental and learning disabilities,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “The Freeholder Board is proud to offer a performance series that helps make art accessible to everyone.”

Bring the entire family to follow Melvin in this musical journey. Melvin the monster is growing up fast – but he’s still not old enough to get his scream license. On his birthday, he makes a special wish to get his license early – and the Division for Monster Screams grants his request, but on one condition. First he must pass a difficult test to prove he is ready.

Up in Arms puppet theatre brings Melvin’s adventures to the stage with a cast of friendly, colorful monster characters and original songs (Green Day-style rock, classical, jazz, pop, and Broadway standards) – this is a journey never to forget.

Implementing the supportive atmosphere at the performance is the organization Autism Friendly Spaces, which provides specialists to train staff and volunteers on working with children with autism and other special needs during Sensory Friendly Theatre performances, while providing comfort and help to families.

For each of the special performances in the Sensory Friendly Theatre series, the theatre environment at the Union County PAC will be adjusted to provide a sensory-friendly, comfortable and judgment-free space that is welcoming for all families. For more information on what to expect at a Sensory Friendly Theatre performance visit ucpac.org.

Save the dates – mark your calendar for upcoming Sensory-Friendly Theatre series performances sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders: Sundays – November 22, 2015, January 10, 2016, March 20, 2016, May 1, 2016 and July 31, 2016. Specific show titles will be announced soon.

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 908-527-4806 or visit ucnj.org.

Total of $1.5 million in grants awarded for projects

Union County, NJ—The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders today announced infrastructure awards to 21 municipalities to help fund projects aimed at spurring economic development growth and a wide variety of improvements throughout the County.

“Our goal is to provide an economic boost to our municipalities in an area where State and Federal assistance has been lapsing,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “The end result will be quality of life improvements that continue to make Union County one of the highest-rated places to live in the nation.”

The Infrastructure program was developed through the County Freeholder’s Fiscal Committee, which Freeholder Christopher Hudak chaired, and included Freeholders Alexander Mirabella, Sergio Granados and Angel Estrada.

The matching grant initiative makes available a total of $1.5 million to Union County’s 21 municipalities assisting them to accomplish tasks undertaken in calendar year 2015. The funding for the grant is provided through the proceeds from the sale of Runnells Specialized Hospital.

“We also want to stimulate some job growth and provide a public benefit in helping towns to build important development projects or address short-term or long-term governmental, social, transportation matters,” Hudak said.

Some examples of work funded include: clearing/demolition of certain properties slated for redevelopment; streetscape improvements including curbing and sidewalk repairs/improvements;  road resurfacings; municipal building improvements and repairs; funding of various revitalization/development studies, and master plans; downtown/business district improvements; sanitary/sewer/flood mitigation improvements.

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Municipality	Amount
Berkeley Heights	$45,000.00
Clark	$30,000.00
Cranford	$55,000.00
Elizabeth	$150,000.00
Fanwood	$30,000.00
Garwood	$30,000.00
Hillside	$50,000.00
Kenilworth	$35,000.00
Linden	$115,000.00
Mountainside	$45,000.00
New Providence	$70,000.00
Plainfield	$115,000.00
Rahway	$75,000.00
Roselle	$60,000.00
Roselle Park	$75,000.00
Scotch Plains	$105,000.00
Springfield	$65,000.00
Summit	$115,000.00
Union	$115,000.00
Westfield	$95,000.00
Winfield	$25,000.00
Grand Total	$1,500,000.00

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The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation are pleased to announce dates available for licensed New Jersey bow hunters to sight-in crossbows at the Oak Ridge Archery Range, located in Oak Ridge Park, Clark, New Jersey. Crossbow sighting systems are important because they give the hunter a point of aim on any target, thus increasing the accuracy of the crossbow.

On Monday, August 24, and again on the following Monday, August 31, the Oak Ridge Archery Range will be open to crossbow sight-in participants from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm.  The Union County Archery Range staff will supervise the participating archers, who must all abide by safety restrictions and limitations.

“With the start of bow season in New Jersey approaching, these sessions will help make it a successful and more importantly safer hunting season for all involved,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh.  “Working with our trained Archery Range staff, hunters will have a safe environment in which to insure their equipment is at its best for the hunting season.”

In order to participate archers must adhere to the following safety restrictions:

• Must produce a valid New Jersey bow hunting license.
• Must provide a suitable crossbow target.
• Only field points permitted; no broad heads allowed.
• Sighting-in of crossbows will be permitted only in designated archery lanes, and under the supervision of archery range staff.
• All archery range safety procedures and guidelines must be followed.
• No more than three (3) crossbow archers sighting-in a one time.
• The Oak Ridge Archery Range will only be open to crossbow sight in use on the above dates and times. Crossbow use is specifically forbidden at the Oak Ridge Archery Range any other time. NO EXCEPTIONS!

For more information about the Oak Ridge Archery Range you can visit the Union County Parks and Recreation website at ucnj.org/parks.

Freeholder Sergio Granados joined President of UCC, Dr. Margaret McMenamin, Board Chair, Victor M. Richel and Instructor Conrad Mercurius in presenting certificates to 11 Metal Fabrication/CNC Machinist Training Program graduates. Also there showing support and giving words of encouragement were Mayor of the City of Elizabeth, J. Christian Bollwage, NJ Community College Consortium Executive Director, Sivaraman Anbarasan and many UCC staff members.  

 

The final Union County Summer Arts Festival concert for 2015 will take place   Wednesday evening, August 26, with the Sensational Soul Cruisers taking the stage at 7:30 p.m. The free concert series, presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and sponsored by ConnectOne Bank will take place at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside.

The Sensational Soul Cruisers, featuring four vocalists, backed up by an 11-man horn group, pays tribute to classic performers from Otis Redding and the Drifters to Barry White and the Commodores. The group captures the essence of the Jersey Shore sound and its R&B roots.

Pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the music under the stars. Refreshments and snacks will also be available from vendors.

Once again, UC Get Fit Yoga in the Park, a Union County Freeholder initiative will be part of the Wednesday night pre-concert schedule, with House Yoga of Kenilworth presenting a free community class from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.  Bring a mat or beach towel and participate in healthy activities for the entire family before the music begins.

“This will be the final opportunity for music fans to come out and enjoy some great entertainment under the stars at Echo Lake Park,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “Join us in saying good bye to summer with the great sounds of the Sensational Soul Cruisers”.

For rain information you can call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at (908) 558-4079 after 3:30 p.m. on the day of the concert or you can visit the Union County web site: www.ucnj.org.