Category: Public Info

Jeff Boyer takes bubbles to the max in this one-man bubble extravaganza

Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series kicks off the New Year with the dynamic, highly interactive, uniquely funny and spectacular Bubble Trouble live on the stage at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway on Sunday, January 10 at 2:00 p.m.

Available now, 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 Freeholder Board is proud to offer a sensory-friendly performance series for children and families of all abilities,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Bring the entire family this weekend to experience the wonders of science in Jeff Boyer’s creative and entertaining live bubble show performance.”

A bubble volcano. Bubble roller coaster. A kid in a bubble? Jeff Boyer takes bubbles to the max in this one-man bubble extravaganza. It’s the craziest, most creative bubble show around. Jeff juggles bubbles, sculpts and builds with bubbles, makes fog-filled bubbles and more. Mixing comedy, music and interactive bubble-magic, he engages and delights audiences of all ages. A hit at performing arts centers, festivals…anywhere there’s air!

For each of the 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. Autism Friendly Spaces implements the supportive atmosphere at each of the Sensory-friendly performances. 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 – March 20, 2016, May 1, 2016 and July 31, 2016.

Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series is made possible, in part, by funding from the NJ Department of Community Affairs through a Recreational Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities Grant.

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 908-527-4781 or visit ucnj.org.

Union County, NJ – The first cold snap of the season has hit the Union County area, sending temperatures plummeting. Accordingly, the County has issued a Code Blue alert for today and Tuesday, to assist emergency shelters in preparing for increased demand.

Persons who anticipate needing emergency shelter tonight and tomorrow night need to be screened and placed by the Union County Department of Human Services — Division of Social Services, by coming to either one of the agency’s two offices before 4:00 p.m.:

Elizabeth Location
343 Westminster Avenue, Elizabeth 07207

Plainfield Location
200 West 2nd Street, Plainfield 07063

For overnight emergencies only after 4:00 p.m., persons in need of assistance may call the Plainfield Area YMCA, 908-756-6061.

Residents who observe anyone outdoors who is asleep or in need of help should contact their local police department, which will arrange for assistance.

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Union County Freeholder Mohamed S. Jalloh is sworn into a new term by April Bauknight, Esq. during Union County Government’s 159th Annual Reorganization on January 3, 2016 at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Holding the Bible are his wife Dr. Maria Jalloh and his parents Abdulai Ben Jalloh and Bernice Martina Jalloh. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella is sworn into a new term by Senator Raymond Lesniak during Union County Government’s 159th Annual Reorganization on January 3, 2016 at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Holding the Bible are his wife Phyllis and their children Micayla and Alexander.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Sergio Granados is sworn in as the 2016 Vice Chairman of the Freeholder Board by Assemblyman Jerry Green during Union County Government’s 159th Annual Reorganization on January 3, 2016 at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Holding the Bible are Andreia Costa and Vanessa Correia.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi is sworn into office by Superior Court Assignment Judge Karen Cassidy during Union County Government’s 159th Annual Reorganization on January 3, 2016 at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Holding the Bible are her family; Peter and Claire Pappas, Andrew and Jackie Pappas and her granddaughter Arianna Leigh. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, Freeholders Bergen, Alexander Mirabella, and Mohamed Jalloh Begin New Terms

Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen today announced a comprehensive series of initiatives for 2016, entitled “One County, One Community” that includes new announcements for economic development, transportation, public safety, seniors, veterans, education, parks and environmental programs.

Bergen, a lifelong native of Union County who is a resident of Springfield, was selected as Chairman of the Union County Freeholder Board at the 159th annual reorganization meeting held in the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. He began serving his first full term as Freeholder in 2013. This is his first term as Chairman of the Freeholder Board.

County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi and Freeholders Bergen, Alexander Mirabella and Mohamed S. Jalloh (last year’s chairman), were sworn in to new terms. Freeholder Sergio Granados was appointed as Freeholder Vice Chairman. Freeholders also voted to fill numerous positions on County advisory boards and to adopt the Board’s 2016 schedule and procedural rules.
In announcing his “One County, One Community” initiatives for 2016, Bergen recalled the words of Golda Meir who said “I never did anything alone. Whatever was accomplished . . . was accomplished collectively.”

Bergen then added: “This Freeholder Board succeeds because we are a team that puts commitment to others and the community above individual interest.”

Bergen’s initiatives for 2016 are as follows:

• “Move, Connect, Grow” addresses one of Union County’s greatest assets—its transportation infrastructure, and includes the completion of the Transportation Master Plan; the continuation of the Infrastructure Grant program to emphasize municipal road repavings; the creation of new bike paths; continued advocacy for the expansion of a one-seat train ride to NYC from Union County’s suburbs, and for the construction of the new Gateway Tunnel project.
• “Union County: At Work and Play:” This initiative includes new loans for small businesses through the Union County Economic Development Corporation; the creation of more job opportunities through the Union County Workforce Innovation Center which is continuing to grow; ribbon cuttings for the new Warinanco Park Skating Rink and the expansion of the Watchung Stables; the announcement of two major golf tournaments (The PGA Championship will once again be at Baltusrol Golf Course in Springfield and the 96th annual NJ State Golf Association Open Championship will tee off at the Galloping Hill Golf Course in Union County—the first time ever at a public course); advocacy for Union County College to become the first community college to offer a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing; the completion of the expansion of the Union County College campuses in Cranford and Plainfield; and the expansion of the County’s library grant program.
• Development and creation of the “Union County App,” to help users stay informed and safe with the almanac of information and real-time data it will feature.
• “Union County Means Green:” This initiative would create a green seminar for businesses; education and outreach through the County’s Recycling Bureau to schools (“Talkin’ Trash” program); and a new “Community Garden Grant” program for new and existing gardens. The Freeholder Board will also continue its advocacy for Rahway River Flood Mitigation efforts.
• Several announcements, including the “UC HERO” program assisting Veterans, and the “Year of the Senior,” and the Union County Division on Women. In announcing the programs, Bergen quoted the late Hubert Humphrey who said: “The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.”
  “UC HERO” partners with the Workforce Investment Board and Union County College to assist our Vets with a variety of programs, including: employment services, training and job fairs; encouraging businesses to hire-a-Vet; and connect our Vets with the social services they may require. The “Year of the Senior” includes announcements for the “Seniors in Motion” program, which provides vans for senior transportation to the County’s municipalities, and “the Senior Focus program” a grant program which assists municipal senior centers with repairs and improvements. The creation of a Union County Division on Women which will be a one-person advocacy and referral office on issues impacting women.

A series of Public Safety announcements, including:

• A new GIS system that will actively assist first responders in emergencies;
• The “Fire Mutual Aide Radio project,” an effort to equip the County’s 20 Fire Departments with compatible radios to promote communication during emergencies;
• The installation of cameras in various County parks;
• The Sheriff’s Office will continue to train for active shooter response at our county facilities to better protect our employees and the public.

Last, the creation of a regional animal shelter that would provide municipalities with a consistent level of animal control services and promote humane treatment. The shelter would provide adoptive services and be run by the County, with volunteers. Plans should be in place and unveiled this Summer during a new event “Bark in the Park” at the Union County Dog Park at Echo Lake. The Board voted on a measure to move the project forward at the reorganization meeting.

Summing up, Bergen noted: “Taken as a whole, “One County, One Community” initiatives are not only designed to create a vision and game plan for 2016, but also to challenge us to do better for our community.”

“I look forward to working with our County family, our employees, our many private social service agencies and residents in bringing the community together in achieving these objectives,” Bergen said. “Once again, I wish you all a very Happy New Year.”

The Union County Freeholder Board will host its annual reorganization on this date, swearing in County elected officials, appointing a new chairman and vice chairman of the board. Freeholders will also vote to fill numerous positions on county advisory boards and to adopt the board’s 2016 schedule & more.

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The Union County Department of Parks and Recreation has released details of its annual Deer Management Program, which will begin on Monday morning, January 4 in six County parks and one municipal park.  The program will operate in the Watchung Reservation, the Summit portion of Passaic River Park, Ash Brook Reservation, Lenape Park, Nomahegan Park, Oak Ridge Park and the Hawk Rise Sanctuary.

Browsing for food by large numbers of deer has caused a loss of forest understory in park areas throughout the northeastern United States.  The overpopulation of deer threatens the survival of the plant and animal communities that are important to the ecology of these parks.

Forest ecologists recommend a density of 20 per square mile in a healthy hardwood forest and as low as 5 per square mile in a forest that has been heavily damaged by browsing.  Spotlight counts conducted by the County in April and May, 2015 suggested 2015-2016 overwintering densities of about 47 deer per square mile in the Watchung Reservation, 61 per square mile in and around Ash Brook Reservation and Oak Ridge Park, 73 deer per square mile in the Hawk Rise Sanctuary, and over 200 per square mile in and around Lenape and Nomahegan Parks. 

An analysis completed by the County in 2011 showed that roads bordering Lenape and Nomahegan Parks had some of the highest numbers of deer-car collisions in the County.  And in Hawk Rise Sanctuary in Linden, overbrowsing by deer is threatening the survival of hundreds of native plants introduced with the recent construction of a boardwalk.

Since 1995, marksmen in the County of Union’s state-regulated deer management program have reduced the population of white-tailed deer in the Watchung Reservation substantially.  In 2005, hunting was initiated in Ash Brook Reservation and in 2006 in portions of Passaic River Park in Summit.  Four years ago, hunters harvested deer from Lenape Park for the first time.  Two years ago, the County began to conduct deer management in Nomahegan Park and in Linden’s Hawk Rise Sanctuary. And for the first time this year, Oak Ridge Park is being added the list of sites.

The Watchung Reservation spans over 2,000 acres in Springfield, Mountainside, Scotch Plains, Summit, Berkeley Heights and Watchung.  Passaic River Park spans 287 acres in Berkeley Heights, New Providence and Summit.  Lenape Park covers 403 acres of land in Cranford, Kenilworth, Union, Springfield and Westfield.  The Ash Brook Reservation encompasses 667 acres in Scotch Plains and Clark.  The Hawk Rise Sanctuary includes about 45 acres of forest in the City of Linden. And Oak Ridge Park consists of 90 acres of land in Clark and Edison.

The Union County Deer Management Program will operate on Mondays from January 4 to February 12. When there is a holiday on a Monday (Dr. M.L. King Day), the program moves to Wednesday.  In the event of inclement weather on any other Monday, the hunting activity will be moved to Wednesday that week.  If Wednesday brings inclement weather, the hunting will be moved to Friday.  Hunters will be in the parks from 5:30 a.m. until after dark, but shooting may occur only during daylight hours. 

Forty marksmen have been chosen by the County from among experienced, licensed hunters.  Eighty-five percent of the hunters have previously participated in Union County’s program, and all are serving on a voluntary basis. The hunters will be wearing orange hats or vests and will hunt the deer from elevated positions, at least 20 feet up in the trees, over baited sites. 

The hunters may keep any deer carcasses that they harvest.  Many of the deer will be processed at a State-approved butcher and the venison will be donated to the needy and homeless through the Community FoodBank of New Jersey.

The deer management program will be supervised by the Union County Police and the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife.  Anyone found hunting on any County park property outside the terms of this program will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  Citizens observing any such illegal activity are urged to immediately contact the Union County Police at 908-654-9800.

The public should note that these parks will not be closed during the deer management program; however, portions of some roadways inside the park may be closed for short periods if necessary. Park patrons are urged to stay on the marked hiking, walking and bridle trails.  Park users also are urged to adhere to the County ordinance that requires that pets be restrained on a leash.

For further information, go to the County’s website at https://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/wildlife-management/deer/  or contact the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at (908) 527-4900.  Hunters interested in joining this program in a future year can get onto a mailing list for applications through the website.