Category: Public Info

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that its next mobile paper-shredding program for confidential personal documents will be available on Saturday, August 8, at Kean University in Union.

“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents fight identity theft and eliminate clutter in their homes,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “It is a cost-effective way to assist our recycling efforts and it ties in with Union County’s other Go Green Initiatives.”

The August 8^th shredding event will take place in the parking lot near Green Lane, on the campus of Kean University, located at 1000 Morris Avenue in Union. NEXCUT Shredding of Elizabeth will be shredding documents at the site from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. The shredding event will end before 1 p.m. if the shredding truck reaches capacity.

All Union County residents are eligible to use the paper-shredding service. In an effort to accommodate everyone, there is a limit of four, 10-pound bags or boxes per person. Documents should not be bound. Please remove plastic binders and paperclips. Paper that is wet/damp will not be accepted. Residents should continue to recycle non-confidential papers and magazines with their municipal recycling program.

Documents are put into 96-gallon containers provided by the shredding company. The items are dumped onto a conveyor belt and shredded on site. Participants are welcome to view the shredding process via a closed-circuit television. Shredded documents are then recycled, shipped to paper mills and used as pulp. The next shredding event will take place Thursday, September 17, in Linden.

The mobile shredding program is paid for through New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Enhancement Act Grant Funds. For more information about future events or directions please call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/recycle .

Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for adult mosquitoes tonight between 7:30pm and 11:30pm. The spraying will be predicated on the weather conditions; rain and high winds will cancel the operation. The areas to be sprayed are as follows:

• Berkeley Hts.- Shadow La.,  Eton Ct., Forest Ave., Columbus Ave., DPW yard area, Hamilton Ave., Mt. Carmel area, Wren Ct.
• Clark–   Conger Way,  Stonehedge Terr., Hall Dr., Sweet Briar Dr., Evans Terr., Arbor La., Meadow RD., Schwin Dr., Rutgers Rd., Lance Dr., Roberts Rd., Kencade Pl., Oakridge Rd., St. Agnes Church rear lot, Frances Dr.
• Cranford– South Union Ave., Retford Ave., Casino Ave., Stoughton Ave.
• Elizabeth– Clarkson Ave., Marshall St.
• Hillside– Harvard Ave., Cornell Pl., Westminster area,
• Kenilworth– Dorsett Dr., Water Co. Rd.
• Plainfield– Reeves Terrace, Wiley Ave., 9^th St., Stelle Ave., Kenyon Ave., Madison Ave.
• Rahway– Central Ave., Church St., New Church St., Hamilton St., Seminary Ave., Gordon St.
• Roselle–  Carolyn Terr., West Brook Woods Condos, Roselle G.C. area, Normandy Dr., Firehouse area, Pine St.,
• Roselle Park– E. Clay Ave., W. Colfax Ave., Beechwood Ave., Woodside Garden Apt.s and RR tracks
• Springfield– Diven St., Stiles St., Ruby St., Meckes ave., Layng Terr., Kemp Dr., New Brook La., Marino Ave. area
• Scotch Plains– Tempe Ct., Algonquin Dr., Country Club La., Tussel La., Goodmans Crossing, Cellar Ave.
• Summit– Stockton St., Ascot Way, Water Co. property
• Union–  Rahway Ave, Brighton St., Gifford Ct. /Akzo-Nobel property, Savitt Pl.
• Westfield– Windsor Ave., Cacciola Pl.,  Livingston St., Pine Ct., Myrtle Ave.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders last night were among the many welcoming participants from the National Junior Disability Championships to Union County during opening night ceremonies held at Warinanco Park in Roselle. Events are being held in three different County parks between now and July 24th,and the public is welcome to attend.

For more information about the 2015 NJDC, including the games event schedule, sponsorship opportunities, and information on volunteering, visit NJDC2015NJ.com or email info@NJDC2015NJ.com.

Project will begin with a traffic shift for westbound Route 22

(Trenton) – New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced a project to replace the bridge deck of Route 22 over Burke Parkway in Union.

The project will begin with a traffic shift this weekend to remove the curb and construct temporary pavement on both the left and right side of Route 22 westbound.

Beginning at 11:00 p.m. Friday, July 24, until 6:00 p.m. Sunday, July 26, traffic will be shifted along the right side of Route 22 westbound near the crossroad of Rosemont Avenue.

As the project progresses there will be lane closures and a detour for Rosemont Avenue. NJDOT will provide traffic advisories before any closures or detours are implemented.

The existing bridge located on Route 22 westbound is supported on reinforced concrete abutments and spans the Burke Parkway. The bridge was built in 1940 and carries two lanes of westbound traffic with a right shoulder and a sidewalk. The bridge is classified as structurally deficient due to the poor condition of the deck slab.

The $2 million project will be replacing the existing bridge deck, sidewalk, parapets and fencing. Minor modifications to the substructure will be performed to accommodate the new parapet located along the sidewalk. The guide rail, sidewalk and the curb also will be reconstructed. The bridge approaches will be milled and resurfaced. The footprint of the existing bridge will not be modified.

The project will be constructed in stages beginning with the new deck and parapets. Each stage will re-construct approximately one third of the bridge deck at a time. For most of the project the Rosemont Avenue exit from Route 22 westbound will be closed and the entrance to Route 22 westbound will limited to emergency vehicles only. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained during daytime hours for the entirety of the project, which is expected to be completed in the spring of 2016.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information.

Family Fun & Flix, a free outdoor summer entertainment and film series presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, continues Tuesday, July 28 with the presentation of Big Hero 6 at Warinanco Park.

Big Hero 6 is an animated action adventure produced by the Walt Disney Studios. It’s the story of a special bond that develops between a plus-sized inflatable robot named Baymax, and prodigy Hiro Hamada, who team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes.

“Family Fun & Flix gives families the opportunity to visit our Union County parks, enjoy a free movie, and take part in activities that promote healthy habits for children,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh.”

The New Jersey State Division of Child Protection and Permanency is sponsoring the movie, and representatives of the agency will be on site with information about foster parenting. 

Audiences are encouraged to arrive at 7:30 to participate in UC FIT Kids’ Karate, a free fitness fun activity for children sponsored by the Freeholder Board and presented by Shim’s Martial Arts Academy of Elizabeth.  The movie will start at dusk.

Included in the pre-movie fun is a free Lego activity for children sponsored by Bricks 4 Kidz.

As always with Family Fun & Flix, free popcorn will be distributed to children attending the movie.

Warinanco Park, known as Union County’s “Central Park,” is in Roselle, bordering Elizabeth and Linden. The main entrance is on St. Georges Avenue at the Linden border. For a downloadable map showing all entrances visit ucnj.org.

All movies in the Family Fun & Flix series begin at dusk. Bleacher seating is available, or bring blankets and beach chairs to relax on the lawn.

The remaining schedule for this summer’s Family Fun and Flix is as follows:

• Tuesday, August 4 at Meisel Park, Springfield (includes National Night Out activities): Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
• Tuesday, August 11 at Warinanco Park: Annie, sponsored by Investors Bank.

In case of inclement weather call 908-558-4079 after 3:30 p.m. on the day of the show.

For information call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900 or visit Union County online at ucnj.org/parks-activities.

More information about the Division of Child Protection and Permanency is available at state.nj.us/dcf.

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Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi  reminds people seeking School Board positions in their municipality that the deadline for filing their nominating petitions is this coming Monday, July 27, before 4:00 p.m. in the Office of the Union County Clerk, 2 Broad Street, Room 113, Elizabeth, NJ 07207.

“As a former school board member, I urge anyone interested to submit their petitions so that they can serve their municipality in a most rewarding capacity,” said Rajoppi.

A Petition can be obtained by calling 908-527-4996 or in person at the County Clerk’s Office, 2 Broad Street, Room 113, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Inquiries may also be submitted by email to lbobish@ucnj.org.

For complete details about school board petitions, including a downloadable Candidate Kit from the New Jersey School Boards Association, visit the County Clerk online at ucnj.org/county-clerk.

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Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan joined Clark Mayor Sal Bonaccorso, Clark Council President Bill Smith, Councilman Alvin Barr, Councilman Frank Mazzarella, Business Administrator John Laerra, Township Clerk Edie Merke and AppleBee’s Director of Operations Kevin Coughlin, VP of Operations David DiBartolo and Area Director Brian Orgodnick at the Clark Applebee’s Grand Opening Ceremony. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ –  Union County’s free Shakespeare in the park tour of Romeo and Juliet continues on Thursday, July 23 at 7:00 p.m. at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, admission is free.

Pack a blanket or lawn chairs and head out to Echo Lake Park this Thursday to enjoy the most famous love story ever written, featuring The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Next Stage Ensemble performing Romeo and Juliet.

“Romeo and Juliet has been the iconic love story by which all others are measured. Shakespeare’s most popular romantic tragedy is as relevant today as it was 450 years ago,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “This summer’s tour of Romeo and Juliet in our parks provides an opportunity for residents of all ages to experience the most beloved playwright who ever lived.”

Additional tour performances in Union County parks include:

• Sunday, July 26 at 7 p.m. at Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade in Linden
• Thursday, July 30 at 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Park in Clark   
  This performance is sponsored in part by Whole Foods Market Clark.          
• Monday, August 3 at 7 p.m. at Echo Lake Park, Mountainside
• Friday, August 7 at 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Park, Clark

In the words of the Bard himself, “For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and Romeo.”

Written around 1594, Romeo and Juliet has been a favorite of audiences for over 400 years.

In the hot summer streets of Verona, two idealistic teens discover love in a society consumed by senseless brutality. Filled with witty wordplay, lyric poetry, and flashy swordfights, Romeo and Juliet remains one of the most gripping and moving tragedies by William Shakespeare.

The Next Stage Ensemble, the Shakespeare Theatre’s summer touring company of early career actors, is part of the Theatre’s Summer Professional Training Program which offers students working toward a career in the performing arts clear instruction, individual attention, and thoughtful and candid evaluation in a professional theatre environment. The Next Stage Ensemble works with The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s resident and guest directors on two fully developed productions of abridged classic plays. The troupe tours to various locations throughout the state – including libraries, retirement homes and community centers.

For more information or for a complete listing of summer events visit ucnj.org.

On Sunday, July 12, Union County Freeholder Linda Carter welcomed the audience to the first of six Shakespeare in the park performances of Romeo and Juliet at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield. The tour continues this Thursday, July 23 at 7:00 p.m. at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, admission to each of the Romeo and Juliet performances is free.

Union County – There is limited time to purchase tickets for the exclusive performance of “Mandela: Apartheid to Die For” Saturday, July 25, at 2 p.m., at the Union County Performing Arts Center’s Mainstage in Rahway.

The original work is presented by United Youth of New Jersey – a nonprofit youth organization based in Elizabeth, in partnership with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, through the Union County Advancing Community Theater program. The performance is being produced in honor of Nelson Mandela’s birthday, July 18th.

Mandela is an original play, written and produced by Charlotte and Kenny Brown, founders of United Youth of New Jersey. The play tells the story of Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa who became known and respected all over the world as a symbol of the struggle against apartheid and all forms of racism.

Tickets are priced at $10 and can be purchased online at ucpac.org or through the UCPAC Box Office at 732-499-8226.

Following Mandela, the UCACT Series continues in August with the following performances:

• The Theatre Project presents “Legally Blonde Jr.” Friday and Saturday, Aug. 21 and 22 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 23 at 2 p.m., at UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage.
• Vanguard Theatre Company presents “Hairspray” the musical Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 12 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, Aug. 21 and 22 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 23 at 3 p.m., on the Mainstage at the UCPAC.

Union County Advancing Community Theater grants funding to cover the hard costs associated with putting up at production at the Union County Performing Arts Center. Through creative partnership and a holistic approach, the program creates a successful business model for Community Theater, allowing them to provide quality performances while also thriving financially.

For more information on Union County Advancing Community Theater, contact Victoria Durbin Drake, Chief of Staff, Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, at 908-558-2278 or visit ucnj.org/ucact.