County of Union, New JerseyDefault category for all normal press releases
Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Vernell Wright presented a resolution to Ken and Charlotte Brown of United Youth of New Jersey (UYNJ) in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day before the theater company’s production of MLK: THE NIGHTMARE AFTER THE DREAM at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway. They were joined by County Manager Alfred Faella.
(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Christopher Hudak, Vernell Wright, Bette Jane Kowalski and Linda Carter presented a check from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders to the 2016 Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade General Chairwoman Kerry Ricci and Grand Marshal Frank McGovern during the parade committee’s Celebrity Bartenders fundraiser at the Kenilworth Veterans Center. The 2016 Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade steps off at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 12 on Morris Avenue in Union.
For more information please visit www.unioncountystpatricksdayparade.com.
(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Christopher Hudak and Vernell Wright joined State Senator Raymond Lesniak in congratulating the Union County Police Department’s newest officers and recently promoted officers during a ceremony January 15 in Rahway. They were joined by Rahway Mayor Samson Steinman, Union County Manager Alfred Faella, Union Public Safety Director Andrew Moran and Union County Police OIC Chris Debbie. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
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:
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:
To inquire, please:
Season runs June 25th – September 5th
$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:
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 80th annual Hot Stove League Baseball Dinner on Feb. 21st 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 80th Annual Union County Baseball Association Hot Stove League Dinner on Feb. 21st 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.