Category: Public Info

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan thanked volunteers Sgt. Tara Halpin, Sgt. Maryann Hopko, Officer Keith Rayner, Judi McCartney, Officer Anastasio Anastasatos and his children Jake and Isabella for working the clothing and toy drive sponsored by the Union County Sheriff’s Office Saturday morning at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Thousands of donated items were collected and distributed to the homeless and needy families. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

At the request of the Township of Cranford, Nomahegan Park in Cranford will be closed on all days on which the Union County Deer Management Program is being conducted.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• All parking areas;
• The children’s playground;
• All walking, hiking, and biking trails;
• Restroom facilities;
• Athletic fields;
• Fishing in the lake

Union County Police will be on-site to enforce this closure. Signs have been posted at all parking areas and at key locations along the walking paths, and variable message boards have been placed along the major roads, in order to inform residents and park users of this change. The County of Union has safely conducted a deer management program of this type since 1995, in various parks throughout Union County, without closing the parks. This extra precaution of closing Nomahegan Park has been taken at the request of the Township of Cranford.

Learn more about the deer manangment plan at www.ucnj.org/deer.

Preferred:

• Current Lifeguard/CPR/AED/First Aid Certification
• (Possible training if requirements met)

To inquire, please:

• Call 908-298-7849 Monday – Friday 9:00am – 4:00pm
• E-mail warinanco@ucnj.org

Season runs June 25^th – September 5^th

$11.00 per hour

The Klondike Derby, sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America, will be held Saturday, January 30, from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm, at the Loop in the Watchung Reservation.  Many years ago, men raced by means of dogs and sledges across the frozen wastes of Alaska in search of gold. Scouting has capitalized on this theme and developed the Klondike Derby as an exciting activity for Boy Scouts.

The Klondike Derby has become one of the most exciting events of the Scouting year. Patrols of four to eight Boy Scouts will pull their sleds over a field course to simulated towns, where the patrols can earn points by solving problems using their Scouting skills. Challenges can include first aid, fire building, knot tying and lashing, orienteering, wilderness survival, and team work.

“We are excited to have the Boy Scouts of America sponsoring this wonderful event at the Watchung Reservation,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

On Saturday, January 30, the Watchung Mountain District will participant. The district includes Scout Troops from Berkeley Heights, Fanwood, Garwood, Mountainside, Murray Hill, New Providence, Scotch Plains, Summit, Watchung, and Westfield.

The following Saturday, February 6, the Klondike Derby will feature participants from the Raritan Valley District, which includes Scouts from Plainfield.

The Klondike Derby will conclude on Saturday, February 13, with the Munsee District, which includes Troops from Avenel, Carteret, Clark, Colonia, Cranford

Union County, NJ — Union County will receive $1.1 million in federal funding to upgrade technology and improve pedestrian safety at three intersections on East Front Street (County Road 620) in Plainfield.

The project is among 17 throughout the region that the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) Board of Trustees approved at its meeting on Monday, January 11. The intersection improvements are part of the NJTPA’s Local Safety Program, which provides federal funds to counties for high-impact, “quick-fix” and cost-effective safety improvements.

“East Front Street is a bustling business district that draws motorists, pedestrians and cyclists,” said Union County Freeholder Angel Estrada, who represents the County on the NJTPA Board and was elected NJTPA First Vice Chair at the meeting. “This grant will help modernize these crossings and improve pedestrian and motorist safety at three intersections where pedestrian safety has been a serious issue.”

Traffic signal upgrades, audible pedestrian countdown signals and highly visible crosswalks will be installed on Front Street at three cross streets: Watchung Avenue, Roosevelt Avenue and Richmond Street/Norwood Avenue. Left turn lanes will also be installed where feasible.

Union County Freeholder Linda Carter said, “Enhancing pedestrian safety promotes walkable communities, and that is a critical element in the economic revitalization of downtown business districts. This project represents a significant step forward for Plainfield and Union County.” Freeholder Carter is a lifelong resident of Plainfield.

The NJTPA Board approved $32.4 million in Local Safety Program and High Risk Rural Roads grants for projects that will proceed in fiscal years 2016 and 2017. More information on the program is available online at njtpa.org/LocalSafety.

Union County is responsible for 176 miles of key arteries and 371 bridges and culverts within the 21 municipalities. Under the “Move. Connect. Grow.” 20016 initiative of Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, the County is continuing to step up and expand its transportation mission, including:

• Continuation of the Infrastructure Grants program, which provides Union County grants to municipalities for local projects, with a focus on road repaving
• Completion of the Union County Transportation Master Plan, a key planning tool.
• Creation of new bike paths.
• Continued advocacy for regional transportation improvements, including expansion of “one-seat” rail service to New York City on the Raritan Valley Line, and for the construction of the new Gateway Tunnel rail project.

The NJTPA is the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for 13 northern New Jersey counties. Under federal legislation, MPOs provide a forum where local officials, public transportation providers and state agency representatives can come together and cooperatively plan to meet the region’s current and future transportation needs. The agency establishes the region’s eligibility to receive federal tax dollars for transportation projects.

The NJTPA Board consists of one local elected official from each of the counties in the region (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren) and the cities of Newark and Jersey City. The Board also includes a governor’s representative, the New Jersey Department of Transportation commissioner, the NJ TRANSIT executive director, the chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and a citizen’s representative appointed by the governor.

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org or call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234.

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The U.S. Small Business Administration announced on Dec. 2, 2015 that federal disaster loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of all sizes located in  New Jersey as a result of Hurricane Sandy.  SBA’s disaster loans are also available to homeowners and renters.

Businesses can benefit from SBA’s disaster loans for physical losses not covered by insurance, grants or other sources.  Additionally, businesses that are still struggling and need working capital should apply for a SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).  These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had Hurricane Sandy not occurred.  Homeowners may be eligible to apply to repair or replace disaster damaged real estate.  Homeowners and renters may be eligible to apply to repair or replace disaster damaged personal property.   

SBA disaster business and home loans are available for Hurricane Sandy survivors for disaster- related uncompensated losses whether they previously applied or never applied. Interest rates are as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3 percent for non-profit organizations, and 1.688 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years.  Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Additional details on the locations of recovery centers and the loan application process can be obtained by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
Loan applications can be downloaded from www.sba.gov/disaster.  Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. 

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Dec. 1, 2016.  The deadline to return economic injury applications is Dec. 1, 2016.

The Union County Baseball Association will induct five new members into the Union County Baseball Hall of Fame and honor local student athletes for their achievements in 2015 during award ceremonies on Sunday afternoon, February 21, in Clark.

The 80^th annual Hot Stove League Baseball Dinner on Feb. 21^st begins at 1:00 p.m. at the Gran Centurions banquet hall, 440 Madison Hill Road, Clark NJ 07066. The dinner is sponsored by the Union County Baseball Association, in cooperation with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.

During the afternoon awards ceremonies, the UCBA will induct five new members into the Union County Baseball Hall of Fame: Joe Alvarez of Elizabeth, Ray Crepeau of Linden, Walter Englehardt of Elizabeth, Bruce Henderson of Rahway, and Damien Kane of Roselle.

Sparky Lyle, best known to baseball fans in Union County for his seven-year stint as a relief pitcher for the New York Yankees, will be the special guest speaker. The celebrated southpaw will always be remembered for his clutch pitching in big games for the Yankees and his book about those days in pinstripes, “The Bronx Zoo.” Younger fans will recognize Sparky Lyle as the manager par excellence of the Somerset Patriots ballclub during their first 15 years in Bridgewater (1998-2012).

Tickets for the dinner are $50 each. Proceeds will help fund the Union County Summer Youth Baseball League for youngsters 8 to 15 years, and the Fall Wood Bat League for teens.

Since 1937, the Hot Stove League Dinner has been the primary fund-raising effort for the Union County Baseball Association’s summer and fall programs. Over the years, the awards dinner has honored many local and national baseball luminaries – including Phil Rizzuto of Hillside, Don Newcombe of Elizabeth, Joe Collins of Union, Jeff Torborg of Mountainside, Willie Wilson of Summit, and Elliott Maddox of Union.

Tickets for the 80^th Annual Union County Baseball Association Hot Stove League Dinner on Feb. 21^st are available from the Union County Baseball Association by visiting www.UCBA-NJ.org. For more information, please call Jim Iozzi at 908-917-2523.

First 2016 UCACT Performance Takes the Stage January 16

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to support the premier of an original history play MLK: The Nightmare After the Dream on Saturday, January 16 at 6 p.m. on the Mainstage at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway. Tickets are $12 general admission and can be purchased through the UCPAC Box Office at 732-499-8226 or online at ucpac.org.

Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday weekend, the production will feature performances by Writer and Poet Elliot Fant as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Assemblyman Jamel C. Holley as Andrew J. Young Jr., Elizabeth Officer Isa McClendon as Coretta Scott King, Hudson County Freeholder Bill O’Dea as Lyndon B. Johnson, and Elizabeth Councilwoman at Large Patricia Perkins-Auguste as Dorothy I. Height, among a host of local actors from the community and members of United Youth of New Jersey (UYNJ).

“The Freeholder Board is proud to support the artistic talent of Union County organizations through the UCACT program,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “United Youth of New Jersey’s latest production exemplifies the mission of the UCACT program to support productions that draw people together for enriching and engaging community theatre experiences.”

Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the UCACT program, the play is written and produced by Union County residents Charlotte and Kenny Brown, who founded United Youth of New Jersey over nineteen years ago.

UYNJ is a 501c3 nonprofit youth organization based in Elizabeth that seeks to share the story of History icons. Through the art of theatre, UYNJ’s latest work MLK: The Nightmare After the Dream goes beyond Dr. King’s infamous “I Have a Dream” speech to highlight the many struggles involved in making the Civil Rights Bill a reality.

At the January 16 performance, United Youth of New Jersey will present Senator Raymond J. Lesniak with UYNJ’s Alone We’re Good – But Together We’re Better Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his commitment to advancing social and civil rights and for his continued efforts to keeping Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream alive.

The UCACT program aims to provide a strategic platform to support the development of Union County’s rich theatre talent by leveraging existing resources and broadening the definition of economic development and public recreation to include support for community theatre. For more information about UCACT visit ucnj.org/ucact.

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The recent cold snap did not stop our intrepid bird watchers from making their regular foray into Lenape Park this week. The ground crackled with their every step. Avid birdwatcher Frank Budney, who leads bird hikes through Lenape on a fairly regular basis, reports that his favorite, the Carolina Wren, could still be heard making its distinctive call, but sightings of most birds were on the lean side.

If you’re interested in going on one of these morning walks, write to: birding@ucnj.org (This week’s photo was taken by James Ownby of Oklahoma. More of his nature photography can be seen at www.ownbyphotography.com)

One more thing, whether or not you’re scouting for birds, Lenape Park marks the intersection of Union County Parks’ two major greenways, the East Coast Greenway on the eastern half of the park and the Frederick Law Olmsted Greenway on the western side of the park. The greenways are paved and open to walkers and cyclists for the public to enjoy.  Frank Bundney’s report is below:

• Location: Lenape Park, Cranford, Union County, NJ
• Day/Date: Tuesday, 5-January-2016
• Time: 0800 to 1000
• Official Counter: Frank V. Budney
• Observers: Simon R. & Ed Z.
• Weather: Very Cold with Clear Blue Sky
• Temperature: 11º F
• Wind: W, Calm
• Walking Route: Main Parking Lot to Westfield Ponds

The first outing of the New Year, and what a difference a week makes temperature wise. The ground was frozen beneath our feet and crackled with every step. All the ponds had a thin sheen of ice just enough to support a flock of Canada Geese on the Westfield pond. Our first bird became the Bird of the Day perched in a tree in Woodpecker Woods. Hidden in plain view if found a comfortable perch to catch the morning sun.

Birds were few and far between but the familiar call of several Carolina Wrens (my all time favorite) could be heard through out the park. Blue Jay activity was noticeable at every location along the walkway and we even saw a few American Robins. Several American Goldfinch were feeding on the remains of crab apples at the Westfield pond and a lone Great Blue Heron was perched on a low branch at the NW corner of the inside pond.

The Bird of the Day was an adult Sharp-shinned Hawk. A common winter bird but one that hasn’t been sen very often so far this season.

Field Notes:

One birding event (Christmas Bird Count) has been accomplished (December 19, 2015) and another is only a few months away: World Series of Birding in May. Also, be aware that the annual Union County Deer Management Program started on Monday, January 4, 2016 and will continue for the next 5 weeks until February 8. If you are walking in the park on those days, please be aware of the hunt and confine your walking to the paved pathways and pets should be restrained on a leash. Any questions can be directed to: deer@ucnj.org or 908-527-4900.

Area Birds of Interest

• Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
• Downy Woodpecker  2
• Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
• White-throated Sparrow  5
• Northern Cardinal  2
• House Finch  5
• Carolina Wren  3
• Blue Jay  10
• American Goldfinch  5
• Great Blue Heron  1

First 2016 UCACT Performance Takes the Stage in Rahway on January 16

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the first performance of the 2016 Union County Advancing Community Theatre (UCACT) program.

Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday weekend, United Youth of New Jersey (UYNJ) will present their original history play, MLK: The Nightmare After the Dream on Saturday, January 16 at 6 p.m. on the Mainstage at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway.  This premier performance is sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the UCACT program.

Tickets for the January 16 performance are $12 general admission and can be purchased through the Union County Performing Arts Center Box Office at 732-499-8226 or online at ucpac.org.

“The Freeholder Board is proud to support the artistic talent of Union County residents and organizations through the UCACT program,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “United Youth of New Jersey’s latest production exemplifies the mission of the UCACT program to support productions that draw people together for enriching and engaging community theatre experiences.”

UYNJ is a nonprofit youth organization based in Elizabeth that seeks to share the story of History icons. Through the art of theatre, UYNJ’s latest work MLK: The Nightmare After the Dream goes beyond Dr. King’s infamous “I Have a Dream” speech to highlight the many struggles involved in making the Civil Rights Bill a reality.

The UCACT program aims to engage the creative life of Union County by supporting enriching community theatre experiences that promote economic and social well-being.

UCACT grants provide funding to cover the hard costs associated with putting up a production at the Union County Performing Arts Center, as well as marketing and publicity assistance for each production. Through creative partnerships and a holistic approach, the program aims to provide a strategic platform to support the development of Union County’s rich theatre talent by leveraging existing resources and broadening the definition of economic development and public recreation to include support for community theatre.

For more information about the UCACT program visit ucnj.org/ucact.