Category: Public Info

The following press release is from The Salvation Army Plainfield Corps.

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015 PLAINFIELD, N.J. – The Salvation Army Plainfield Corps will hold its Fourth Annual Christmas in July Bicycle Giveaway on Thursday, July 23. This year, more than 100 local children will receive donated bicycles and helmets as well as participate in a Bike Rodeo given by Meadowlink’s “Safe Routes to School.”

“This is a labor of love for us,” said Lieutenant Luke Barney, Corps Commanding Officer of The Salvation Army Plainfield Corps. “Plainfield is our community, and we are thrilled to be able to provide bicycles to the children so they can enjoy the fun of riding.”

The popular bike giveaway is held twice-yearly both in the summer and winter. Over 100 bikes and parts have been donated by The Bike Stand in Scotch Plains, Jay’s Cycle Center in Westfield as well as Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County, Plainfield Club. Children will also participate in a Bike Rodeo given by Meadowlink, a non-profit that encourages kids through education to bike and walk more often. Instructors will teach the children about pre-ride safety checks; bike sizing and helmet fitting; bicycle handling and safety drills; and tips on how to interact with traffic.

“The Bicycle Giveaway rallies the whole community to ensure that one of the essential joys of summer—riding a bicycle—is available to every child,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed Jalloh. “On behalf of the Freeholder Board, we are very proud to be part of this unique event, which combines fun, safety, and fitness.”

The following are other local organizations that have lent a hand to the event:

• The Union County Freeholder’s Office will donate the bicycle helmets with funding provided by the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety;
• Representatives of the Union County Police’s Traffic Safety Education Program and AAA Northeast NJ Division will be on hand to properly fit the helmets for each child; and
• All the bicycles—which were previously owned—have been repaired and restored by Rich Albanese-DeMair of the family-owned Plainfield Dairy Queen.
• The Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority is contributing staff time and trucks to transport the bicycles to the site of the event.

“It’s amazing that my husband Rich has now restored 1,000 bicycles for the children of our area,” said Donna Albanese-DeMair of the Plainfield Dairy Queen. “The looks on the kids’ faces when they get their bicycles is just priceless. Now they can ride to school or work and also have fun while getting some exercise.”

The July event will mark the 1,000^th free bike given away since the event commenced. Bicycle donations can be dropped off at the Plainfield Dairy Queen, 1367 South Ave. For children interested in getting a free bicycle at a future event, sign-ups take place at The Salvation Army Plainfield Corps at 615 Watchung Ave. Monday through Friday between 9am-3:30pm. For more information on The Salvation Army Plainfield Corps, please visit SalvationArmyNJ.org/plainfield.

[Media only: for more information on this program please contact Alexandria Hammond, Community Relations Manager,  908-851-8227 or Alexandria.Hammond@use.salvationarmy.org]

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The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to SalvationArmyNJ.org/plainfield.

Stop by the Plainfield Dairy Queen at 1367 South Ave. The Albanese family has been proudly serving the community since 1975. It’s open all year. Now serving: hot dogs, BBQ beef, salads, wraps. They also cater parties, give tours and much more. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dairy-Queen-Plainfield/147269811973649?fref=photo

The Union County Traffic Safety Education Program has been serving the citizens of the County since YEAR. It runs the Child Safety Seat Inspection Center as well as addressing bicycle safety for children. Every Wednesday and Thursday, the County conducts free child safety seat inspections from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Garwood First Aid Squad at 401 2^nd Ave. No appointment necessary.

Meadowlink is a non-profit, public-private partnership that improves access to affordable transportation, reduces traffic congestion and promotes economic growth by working with business and government agencies to address the transportation challenges in Northern New Jersey. Under its EZ Ride brand, Meadowlink manages the state’s largest carpool, vanpool and employee shuttle programs as well as senior transportation, special transportation and bike and pedestrian services. Meadowlink operates in Bergen, Essex, Union, Monmouth and Passaic counties. For more information: http://www.ezride.org/; (201) 939-4242

Jay’s Cycle Center started primarily as a pet and hobby shop called Pet Land in Scotch Plains New Jersey in 1957. Sensing an opportunity in the bicycle industry, they started to sell bicycles and soon realized they had a knack for it. The shop is now located at 227 North Ave. East; 908-232-3250; sales@jayscyclecenter.com; http://jayscyclecenter.com/

The Bike Stand owner Steven Willis has been in the bicycle business for more than 30 years. He mostly sells Raleigh bicycles. Check out their website or visit the store in Scotch Plains and ask why. The Bike Stand is at 778 East Second Street; 908-322-3330; http://www.thebikestand.com

Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County, Plainfield Club, offers many programs for children ages five to 18. One of its programs is the Buddie After-School Program, a high quality structured educational after-school program for young people in grades K-5. The Club is located at 530-534 West 7th St.; http://www.bgcuc.org/clubs/plainfield.aspx

AAA Northeast is headquartered in Florham Park and has branch offices in Roxbury, Union and West Caldwell. AAA Northeast provides automotive, travel, insurance, financial and educational services to residents of Essex, Morris and Union Counties. The Union office is located at 2317 U.S. 22 East.

Children’s Specialized Hospital is the preeminent provider of pediatric rehabilitation services and the largest pediatric rehabilitation health system in the United States. It has 12 locations in New Jersey. In Union County, the Mountainside facility is located at 150 New Providence Road. http://www.childrens-specialized.org/

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi is seeing a record increase in property transactions and revenues this year, reflecting continued improvement in the Union County economy and the housing market. The County Clerk’s Office is one of a handful of county offices that generates significant revenue, and the County portion of the revenues generated is dedicated to offset the county tax rate. Additionally, thanks to a change in state law several years ago, the increased revenue will also result in more funding for homeless services in Union County.

“The financial crisis of 2008 decimated the housing market, with a consequent drop in our revenues from transaction fees. Now that the crisis is behind us, the activity in our Recording Division reflects a much brighter outlook for the Union County,” said Rajoppi.

County Clerk and Recorder offices in all 21 New Jersey counties are mandated to record property transactions, and to collect fees for each transaction. A 2009 state law permits a surcharge of $3.00 per transaction to be set aside in a Homeless Trust Fund for each county.

“While we are still not back to our pre-crash levels, this year marks a significant turning point based on a comparison of the first five months of activity,” said Rajoppi.

Rajoppi’s Recording Division collected revenues of more than $15.4 million from January through May 2008, the year of the stock market crash. Collections for that five-month period sank to a low of $7.5 million in 2009 and never recovered to their previous high.

From January through May 2015, the Recording Division collected $13.2 million, beating the next-highest mark of $11.3 million in 2012, and far surpassing the 2014 total of $8.4 million.

The Business Division, which primarily handles passport and notary transactions, also reflects an improved economy. Its 2015 January – May revenues totaled $270,606. That already beats the Division’s 2008 high of $263,616 for the same period, as well as its next-highest mark of $226,236 in 2014.

“While a strong housing market is great news for property owners, many Union County households continue to struggle, including seniors and families with small children,” said Rajoppi. “My office worked with the Freeholder Board to ensure that Union County could participate in the Homeless Trust Fund program, and the result is that we have additional funding to help those in need.”

Rajoppi’s office began collecting Trust Fund surcharges in May 2010. As of May 2015, over $730,000 has been collected.

“As one of the very few county-based agencies which generate significant revenues, the Clerk’s office is in a unique position to assist with critical public service programs. When state law enabled the creation of the Homeless Trust Fund, we could not pass up this opportunity to help those in need,” said Rajoppi.

Programs approved for funding through the Trust Fund include rental vouchers designed to help at-risk families weather a temporary financial crisis without losing their homes. Funding also goes to support services to prevent homelessness, and to help homeless families obtain a home.

“While the total amount collected is relatively modest, the Trust Fund goes a long way toward ensuring that every child in Union County has the chance to grow up in a safe, healthy environment,” said Rajoppi. “I’m very proud that my office can play a role in that endeavor.”

For information on all County Clerk programs and services visit ucnj.org/county-clerk.

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Warinanco track and field, Oak Ridge archery range to close during the competition.

Union County, NJ  –  The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents and visitors that the National Junior Disability Championships (NJDC) are coming to three county parks, from July 16 to July 24.

“We are thrilled to welcome visitors and athletes from all over the country to our Union County parks,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “The Freeholder Board has worked to enhance our public recreation resources and provide a more welcoming environment for all, and it is wonderful to see these efforts bear fruit in a way that will help so many young people showcase their abilities on a national stage.”

Union County residents and visitors are encouraged to attend the events and cheer for top young athletes from all across the country. To ensure the safety of the competitors and the general public, the following facilities are reserved for use by NJDC participants for the duration of the event:

• The Warinanco Park track and field will be closed to the general public all day July 16-17 and 21-24.
• The Oak Ridge Park archery range will be closed all day from 3:00 p.m. on July 18 through Monday July 20.

The NJDC will include a swimming event, but no special closure for this facility is needed. It will take place at the Walter E. Ulrich Memorial Pool in Rahway River Park, during hours when the pool is normally not in use by the public.

The 2015 National Junior Disability Championships™ (NJDC)^TM is presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at Children’s Specialized Hospital and the NJDC2015NJ Local Organizing Committee. The annual competition celebrates athletes who have physical disabilities and either use wheelchairs, walkers or crutches, who wear orthotics or leg braces, or who may have difficulties with physical coordination.

The 2015 NJDC event will feature over 250 physically disabled athletes from across the country, including athletes from two New Jersey teams, the Children’s Lightning Wheels and the North Jersey Navigators.

The qualifying athletes, ranging in age from 7 to 22, will compete in Paralympic style events including track, field, pentathlon, swimming, powerlifting and archery.

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.  

The County will be closing the Irving Street Bridge in Rahway (over the Robinson Branch of the Rahway River) for repairs from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays, beginning Wednesday July 15^th, and lasting approximately two weeks. 

We are still accepting submissions for artwork for the countywide public art project Art Outside The Box sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Artwork will be applied to the exterior of select Traffic Control Boxes (TCB) around the County. Be part of this exciting initiative! Submit your art today to be considered. For details, and to submit your artwork online, visit https://ucnj.org/artoutsidethebox/

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., Bolton St., Mt Carmel area, DPW yard area
• Clark–   Conger Way,  Frances Dr., St. Agnes church rear lot, Colonial Dr., Bartell Pl., King Street
• Cranford– Mohawk Dr.,  South Union Ave., Birchwood Ave., Cranford Ave.
• Elizabeth– Clarkson Ave.,
• Fanwood– Fanwood Place
• Garwood– Hickory Ave.
• Hillside– Harvard Ave., Cornell Pl., Aldine St., Westminster area
• Kenilworth– Dorsett Dr., Water Co. Rd.
• Linden– Tremeley Pt., Bradford Ave., Marion Ave., Lexington Ave.,
• New Providence– Gales Dr., Grove St.
• Plainfield- Reeves Terrace, Wiley Ave., Knollwood Ct.,  Terrill Rd., Cushing Rd.
• Rahway– Leesville Ave., Main St., Central Ave., Church St., New Church St., River Rd. (Walking Path), Whittier St., Elizabeth Ave., Donald Ave., West Scott Ave.
• Roselle– Chestnut St., Franklin St., West Brook Woods Condos
• Roselle Park– Chestnut St., Galloping Hill Rd.
• Springfield– Diven St., Layng Terr., Marion Ave.
• Summit– Stockton St., Ascot Way, Kent Place
• Union– Sinclair Ave., Elaine Terrace, Rahway Ave, Brighton St., Gifford Ct.
• Westfield– Euclid Ave
• Municipal Parks
  • Clark: Bartell Pk
  • Westfield: Tamaques Park, Mindowaskin Park
  • Linden: Memorial Park
• County Parks– Cranford: County Park Dr
  • Elizabeth: Mattano Pk., Warinanco Pk.
  • Garwood: Unami Pk.
  • Clark: Union County Parkway (Valley Rd Side), Oak Ridge Park
  • Plainfield: Milt Campbell Park
  • Rahway: Rahway Park

Union County, NJ – If you can take a series of guided visits to nearby nature preserves, then you have what it takes to join the Master Tree Stewards of Union County. Members of this all-volunteer organization spend the fall season learning about the critical role that trees play in our environment, and each spring they share their knowledge with hundreds of fourth grade students throughout the County.

“Urban and suburban trees are proven to provide many benefits. They reduce airborne pollutants, prevent storm runoff, and help keep neighborhoods cool in the summer,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed Jalloh. “If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity that gets you in touch with nature and children while helping to improve our Union County environment, the Master Tree Stewards is the place for you.”

Studies have also linked urban trees to improved public health and safety as well as economic growth.

The Master Tree Stewards is a free program run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, and supported in part by the Freeholder Board. The Extension offices are located in the Colleen Frasier County Services building in Westfield, at 300 North Avenue East.

No previous experience with trees or teaching is necessary.

To become a certified Master Tree Steward, prospective members partake in a series of guided visits to nature preserves starting in September. They learn how to communicate with children about the role that trees play in the environment, and how to plant and care for trees.

After completing the training program, the newly minted Master Tree Stewards receive a teaching kit and supplies, and they visit fourth grade classrooms to present fun-and-games lessons about trees.

Master Tree Stewards can also engage in other tree-related community service projects throughout the year.

To receive an application and more details, contact Extension Agent James Nichnadowicz at 908-654-9854 or nichnadowicz@ucnj.org. Don’t delay – training starts on September 9.

For more information about the Master Tree Stewards, 4-H Clubs, and other Extension programs for all ages, visit online at ucnj.org/rce.

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Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen presents a resolution to Aaron and Laura Cohen of Garwood recognizing them for their dedication and hard work in raising funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and congratulating them on being named the Walk MS 2015 Ambassadors by the New Jersey Metro Chapter. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable and often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Laura and Aaron, who has been living with MS for many years, and their dedicated team have raised $633,000 over 15 years for the National MS Society through Walk MS. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union

to r. Union County Freeholder Sergio Granados, liaison to the Workforce Investment Board, Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh, also a liaison to the Workforce Investment Board, join with Whole Foods Market executives,  Rahana Gittens, Executive Director of Team Member Services for Whole Foods Market, and Scott Skonieczny, Associate Director, Team Member Services, Whole Foods Market, in welcoming a group of applicants for the new Whole Foods Market scheduled to open in Clark later this Summer.

The photo was taken at Union County’s Workforce Innovation Center at the Jersey Gardens Mall in Elizabeth.  The Workforce Innovation Center is funded in part through the County of Union.

As part of his initiatives for 2015, Chairman Jalloh announced an expansion of the Workforce Innovation Center to provide jobs and placements, programs assisting entrepreneurs, small business owners and more. Whole Foods has committed to hiring for 150-200 positions at its store in Clark, and other regional markets it has.

(Photo by James Lowney, Office of Public Information)

ELIZABETH, NJ- – Tickets are now available for Mandela: Apartheid to Die For to be presented Saturday, July 25^th at 2:00 p.m. at the Union County Performing Arts Center’s Mainstage in Rahway.

The exclusive performance at the Arts Center is presented by United Youth of New Jersey (UYNJ)- a non-profit youth organization based in Elizabeth, New Jersey, in partnership with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, through the Union County Advancing Community Theater program (UCACT).

The second performance in the UCACT 2015 season, Mandela is an original work, written and produced by Charlotte and Kenny Brown, founders of UYNJ. 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.

The mission of the United Youth of New Jersey Corporation is to provide a living-learning environment that encourages academic and personal development for a diverse community, while addressing the whole family with well-maintained facilities, to continue to be an afterschool learning center for at-risk youth and provide them with the motivation and tools needed to succeed in school and in life.

UCACT 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 UCACT, please contact Victoria Durbin Drake, Chief of Staff, Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, at 908-558-2278 or visit ucnj.org/ucact.