Category: Public Info

Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed Jalloh (2nd L) and Freeholders Angel G. Estrada (L) and Alexander Mirabella (R) present resolutions (from 3rd L) to Barry Kaverick, Jorge Comas and Jack Shaw congratulating them on being inducted into the Union County Baseball Hall of Fame at the Union County Baseball Association’s 79th Annual Hot Stove League Baseball Dinner on February 8 in Mountainside. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed Jalloh (2^nd L) and Freeholders Angel G. Estrada (L) and Alexander Mirabella (R) congratulate Nick Christiani of Linden on receiving the Chris Zusi Memorial Award and Rebecca Rotola of Linden on receiving the Joseph R. Lombardi Memorial Award at the Union County Baseball Association’s 79th Annual Hot Stove League Baseball Dinner on February 8 in Mountainside. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Deer Management Program scheduled for Monday, February 9 is postponed to Wednesday, February 11th.

 

More details about this program can be found by clicking here.

Union County, NJ – Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce Bergen speaks at a press conference where U.S. Senator Bob Menendez announced the Army Corps of Engineers will prioritize efforts to mitigate flooding along the Rahway River Basin, which flows through Union, Essex and Middlesex Counties.  The federal government has committed $1,000,000 towards the completion of a key study needed to finish the project; $500,000 in immediate Army Corps funds and another $500,000 in the President’s FY16 budget.

They were joined by State Senator Raymond Lesniak, Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Vernell Wright, Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan and mayors from the Mayors’ Council Rahway River Watershed Flood Control at the press conference at the Union Township Municipal Building.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

#  #

Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

[Senator Menendez’s press release follows]:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 6, 2015

Menendez, Booker, Payne Announce $1M Federal Commitment to Fix Rahway River Flooding

UNION, N.J. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, and Congressman Donald Payne, Jr. (N.J.-10), today applauded the Army Corps of Engineers’ decision to prioritize efforts to mitigate flooding along the Rahway River Basin, which flows through Union, Essex and Middlesex Counties.  The federal government has committed $1,000,000 towards the completion of a key study needed to finish the project; $500,000 in immediate Army Corps funds and another $500,000 in the President’s FY16 budget.

“This critically needed funding will help us complete the necessary studies and work on implementation that will lead to channel improvements, dry flood proofing, wet flood proofing, and other flood mitigation measures,” said Sen. Menendez.  “Flooding along the river has damaged houses, businesses, roads and municipal facilities.  Now, after 17 years of fighting for funding, we have a chance to take the next the step to protect the area and restore the River Basin.”

“For years, communities along the Rahway River have endured high waters and flooding as a result of hurricanes and rain events,” Sen. Booker said.  The devastation from storms like Irene has been too great to ignore.  I am grateful that the Army Corps has committed to funding the next phase in addressing this problem, and grateful to the Mayors in the Rahway River Basin who have steadfastly advocated on their communities’ behalf.”

“The Rahway River is the source of drinking water for the 26,500 people living in the City of Rahway and the home to 700 species of plants and animals.  Hurricane Irene caused a great amount of damage to many towns along the Rahway River.  The completion of the Rahway River Basin Feasibility Study will ensure that our local constituents, homes, businesses, and infrastructures are less vulnerable to future flooding damage and costs while protecting the local environment,” said Rep. Payne, Jr.

Communities in the 82-square-mile Rahway River Basin have suffered numerous severe, widespread flooding on numerous occasions in the recent decades, including during Tropical Storm Floyd and Hurricane Irene, displacing residents and causing millions in property damage.

 

Sen. Menendez, Rahway River mayors and other elected officials make the funding announcement.

The N.Y. District Army Corps, N.J. Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the local communities have been working to complete a feasibility study to identify various flood risk management alternatives for communities along the Rahway River Basin with a focus on Cranford and Rahway, but federal funding was abruptly cut off in FY14.

“I thank Senator Menendez, Senator Booker, Congressman Payne, and Congressman Lance for their leadership in making this project a priority for the Army Corps”, said State Sen. Raymond Lesniak. “This funding, along with the President’s proposal of an additional $500,000 next year, will get us moving to real solutions that will protect residents and their homes.”

Last year, Sen. Menendez met with members of the Mayors’ Council Rahway River Watershed Flood Control in his Washington, D.C. office to discuss the need for long-term flood mitigation.  Sen. Menendez then led a bipartisan delegation letter to the Army Corps in December, along with Sen. Booker and Reps. Payne and Leonard Lance (N.J.-07), requesting the necessary funding to advance those efforts.

“The Mayors’ Council is grateful to Senators Menendez and Booker and Reps Lance and Payne for their strong support of this project and their unwavering persistence in getting this project back into the Corps of Engineers’ budget,” said the group’s cofounder, Dan Aschenbach, a former Cranford mayor.  “Thanks to their help we are closer than ever to making this project a reality.”

The Rahway River watershed is one the Garden State’s oldest urbanized areas, featuring woodlands and wetlands that support over 700 species of plants and animals, some 5,000 acres of county parklands and the source of drinking water for the City of Rahway.  It runs through 24 municipalities including Carteret, Clark, Cranford, Edison, Fanwood, Garwood, Kenilworth, Linden, Maplewood, Metuchen, Millburn, Mountainside, Orange, Plainfield, Rahway, Scotch Plains, Springfield, South Orange, Westfield, West Orange, Winfield Park, Woodbridge, Union and Summit.

 

“The Freeholder Board has worked very hard for many years with our mayors to address the flooding problem on a local level, but with the increasing number of significant floods it is clearly evident that a stronger regional approach is needed,” said Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “I would like to thank Senator Menendez for his leadership in bringing these additional federal funds to the effort, and for providing the prospect of a more secure, stable future to Union County and the affected communities.”

 

Among the region’s public officials joining Sen. Menendez in Union for today’s announcement was: Lesniak, Assemblywoman Annette Quijano; Bergen; Union Twp. Mayor Manuel Figueiredo; Cranford Mayor Andis Kalnins; Kenilworth Mayor Fred Pugliese; Orange Mayor Dwayne Warren; Rahway Mayor Samson Steinman; and Springfield Mayor David Barnett.

###

 

Yesterday Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh and Union County College President Dr. Margaret McMenamin cut the ribbon officially opening the new Union County College facility in Rahway. They were joined by Freeholder Sergio Granados, Rahway Mayor Samson Steinman, Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) Board President Dr. Sondra Fishinger and Executive Director Dr. Lawrence McCullough, members of the College’s Board of Trustees and Board of Governor and faculty, staff, and students.

By opening this facility in Rahway Union expands its ability to bring class offerings closer to home for individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations in the Rahway area. 

“We are bringing the arts to the County of Union on a higher level than it’s ever been done before. We have the facilities, we have the resources, and now we have the education right here in Union County for our students to stay here, to learn here, to live here and to do arts here,” said Freeholder Chairman Jalloh.

Presented as part of the Freeholder Chairman’s 2015 “Build a Community of The Arts” initiatives – a set of initiatives that seek to build a County-wide arts ecosystem that will grow and stimulate our economy – the opening of this facility is the result of a partnership between the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Union County College, the City of Rahway, and the Union County Performing Arts Center.

Among the planned programs at the new Rahway location are credit and non-credit classes in Acting, Dance, Public Speaking, and more. In these classes, students will have an opportunity to volunteer with several of the acting companies that stage productions at the UCPAC.  In addition classes will be offered by the Industry-Business Institute for employees of businesses in the area.  These are free classes funded by a grant from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Also courses will be available through the College’s Senior Scholars Program and Office of Continuing Education. Classes at the new Rahway location, like all others offered through the County College, will be open to all residents.

“I think it’s absolutely essential that we provide these opportunities for our students who endeavor upon the arts for their future. I think people who look at the world from that perspective can make a difference in the world. I’m truly excited to have the partnerships that we have established. Today is about making it happen – this was an idea, now it’s a reality,” said Chairman Jalloh.

For more information about Freeholder Chairman Jalloh’s 2015 “Build a Community of The Arts” initiatives visit ucnj.org.

# #

Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

 

LMI Homeowners Rebuilding Program

Union County, NJ — Parents and caregivers can make sure their child’s safety is properly installed, by getting a free inspection at the new home of the Union County Child Safety Seat Inspection Program at the Garwood First Aid Squad, 401 Second Avenue. Joining in the official opening were (front, l-r): Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados, Vernell Wright, and Bruce H. Bergen; safety specialist Ron Esposito of AAANortheast, NJ Division, which is supporting the program; County Traffic Safety Program Coordinator Christine Marcantonio; AAA Director of Government and Public Affairs Cathleen Lewis; Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, Union County Police Chief Daniel Vaniska, Freeholder Christopher Hudak, and County Public Safety Director Andrew Moran. The service is available Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7:30 – 11:00 a.m. More information: visit ucnj.org. (Photo credit: County of Union, NJ)

Ellie Wilson-Newbury (l) of Rahway looks satisfied with the results of her free safety seat inspection at the Union County Child Safety Seat Inspection Program. The inspection was conducted by Cristallina Tharaldsen (c), a certified safety seat inspector, while mother Danni Newbury(r) looked on. The free Union County Child Safety Seat Inspection Program is available Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7:30 – 11:00 a.m., at the Garwood First Aid Squad, located at 401 Second Avenue. More information: visit ucnj.org/child-safety-seats. (Photo credit: Jim Lowney/County of Union).

#  #

Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Members of Elizabeth’s Boy Scout Troop 23 stopped by to visit with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders during their regular meeting last Thursday. The Scouts were fulfilling part of their civic responsibility mission. Troop 23 meets at St. Genevieve’s Church in Elmora Hills and the

Pictured here with Troup 23 are (rear, l-r) Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski, Linda Carter, Sergio Granados, Angel G. Estrada, Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh, and Freeholder Christopher Hudak.

Photo: County of Union, NJ.

#  #

Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

 

Union County, NJ – The popular Union County Child Safety Seat Inspection Program will be up and running this week at its new location, the Garwood Rescue Squad at 401 2^nd Avenue in Garwood.

This week, the Seat Inspection Program will be open on Wednesday, February 4 and Thursday, February 5, 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. No appointment is necessary. Union County also periodically hosts bicycle safety events. A free bicycle helmet, provided by the County of Union with funds from a NJDHTS Traffic Safety Education Grant, will be given on a first-come, first-served basis to caregivers using the Seat Inspection Program this week. A bicycle helmet decorating station will be set up for children during the event.

After this week, the program will be open every Wednesday and Thursday (except holidays), 7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. No appointment necessary.

The proper use of child safety seats is one of the simplest and most effective methods available for protecting the lives of young children in the event of a motor vehicle accident.

 “If you have a baby or small child in your care, please come and take advantage of this free program, and make sure your safety seat is properly adjusted,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “Our experts can help you get familiar with a new seat, and they can help you spot any problems with an older seat.”

Union County first launched the Child Safety Seat Inspection Program in 1999, in response to surveys showing that the overwhelming majority of child safety seats are improperly installed, even though most users are confident that they know the correct procedure.

Since 1999, approximately 50,000 Union County residents and visitors have used the Seat Inspection Program. It is staffed by personnel from the County’s Department of Public Safety, who are certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and by the organization SafeKids. The program is credited with saving at least one life, when a toddler survived a 2008 vehicle rollover shortly after the seat was properly adjusted by County personnel.

The child seat inspection program is provided as a public service by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Union County Police Department, New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, AAA Northeast – NJ Division, and the Garwood First Aid Squad.

For more information about Union County’s Child Safety Seat Inspection Program visit ucnj.org or call 908-789-6830.

#  #

Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County, NJ – If you are planning a community or school gardening project this summer, be sure to catch the “Get Your Youth and Community Garden Growing” workshop on Saturday, February 28, at the Trailside Nature and Science Center, 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside. Experienced and beginning gardeners are welcome.

Get Your Youth and Community Garden Growing is presented by experts from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County.

Topics include quick container gardening, how to grow strawberries, merging garden activities with lesson plans, and the basics of a successful produce garden.

A fee of $25.00 for the daylong workshop includes lunch and all materials. More details and a registration form are available at the Union County website, ucnj.org.

To register online visit tinyurl.com/schoolgardenconference by February 20.

Registrations are also accepted by mail. To request a brochure and registration form by mail, call the Extension office in Westfield at 908-654-9854.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is a program of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. Supported in part by the Freeholder Board, it is part of a national network organized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to foster youth development and community health. For more information on 4-H, Master Gardeners, Master Tree Stewards, and many other programs in Union County, visit ucnj.org/rce.

#  #

Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension educational programs are offered to all without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, military service, veteran status, and any other category protected by law. Rutgers Cooperative Extension encourages individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you need special accommodations, have questions about physical access, or require alternate means for program information, please contact your local Extension Office. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 848-932-3584.

 

 

 

Do you like working with artists, teachers and students? The Union County Teen Arts Festival provides an opportunity for volunteers to get involved.

The Union County Teen Arts Festival is a two-day celebration of the arts. It is held annually at Union County College in Cranford and is sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Department of Parks and Recreation.

This year’s Teen Arts Festival is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, March 19 and March 20. The event is open to all students from public, charter, private and parochial middle and high schools in Union County.

“Nearly 3,500 students participate in performances, critiquing seminars, master classes and workshops with a staff of 55 professional artists in every discipline – visual art, music, creative writing, theater and dance,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh.

“Volunteers are needed to assist artists with workshops, manage performance sites and staff information stations. We appreciate the invaluable assistance of our county residents with this exciting program.”

If you are interested in any of these activities, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07202. Telephone: 908-558-2550; NJ Relay Users call 711. Or e-mail us at: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

– end –