Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – A beautiful green heron was saved from a painful end in Lenape Park last week, when County volunteers and personnel came to the rescue and freed the bird from an errant fishing line.

“Thanks to the quick thinking of our citizens and County employees, this graceful bird can continue to enrich the habitat of Lenape Park,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I’d like to thank everyone who pitched in to help. It is very reassuring to know that so many people are willing to take the time to help preserve wildlife in our parks.”

The drama began on April 15, when the heron was spotted hanging in a tree over the lake at Lenape Park by Union County resident David Bernstein, an avid birder who visits the park regularly. He alerted County volunteer Natalie Gregorio, who contacted the County.

Personnel from the County Police Division, Department of Parks and Recreation, and Department of Public Works and Facilities all responded to the call, along with the Westfield Fire Department.

County personnel rowed out to a spot in the lake below the bird, cut it free, and secured it in a net to bring it on shore.

After calming the bird by wrapping it in a towel, they carefully cut away the fishing lines that were tangled around its beak and legs, and then let it rest briefly in a covered box.

The bird flew away when the cover was lifted, apparently none the worse for its brush with death.

Union County’s original parks system was designed in the 1920’s to provide for nature conservation as well as public recreation. It was among the very first county-based parks systems ever established in the U.S. Today, hundreds of plant and animal species flourish side by side with more than 500,000 Union County residents and visitors.

To help preserve wildlife in County parks, anglers are urged to be aware of lake-dwelling, foraging birds like the green heron when casting a line, and to properly dispose of unwanted lines, hooks, and other equipment.

Everyone who enjoys Union County parks can join with hundreds of other residents and visitors who participate in the County’s Adopt-a-Park program each year, to work on clean-up events and other habitat preservation projects.

For information on Adopt-a-Park and all other programs and activities in Union County parks, visit ucnj.org.

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Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh (L) and Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen joined Acting Union County Prosecutor Grace Park (2^nd L) and Janice C. Lilien, Executive Director of the YWCA of Union County, at the second annual Union County C.A.R.E.S. (Community, Action, Response, Education, Safety) Domestic Violence Symposium at Kean University in Union. The symposium was co-sponsored by the YWCA of Union County, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Kean University, Family & Children’s Services and Trinitas Regional Medical Center. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that Union County has been selected to host the 2015 National Junior Disability Championships. Sponsored in part by the Freeholder Board, this series of competitive events will take place July 18 – 24 at three Union County parks as well as two other facilities in and near Union County.

“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.”

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.

“One of my main focuses as a Freeholder is to forge new partnerships with businesses and organizations, to create more programming for individuals with disabilities in Union County,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados, who is the Board’s liaison to the Parks Department. “It is a great honor for our county to be chosen for this event, which enables more visitors to see the beautiful park system and amenities we have to offer.”

One of two swimming competitions will take place at Rahway River Park in Rahway, where a 1930’s-era swimming pool was replaced in the 1980’s with the eight lane, 50-meter Olympic scale Walter E. Ulrich Memorial Pool and dive tank.

The archery event will take place at Union County’s Olympic scale archery range in Oak Ridge Park, in Clark. The range was built in 2012 as a fully wheelchair-accessible facility, with the help of the local archery community. It is the only outdoor public archery range in the region.

The track and field events will take place at several locations at the County’s Warinanco Park in Roselle, including a brand new eight-lane running track and turf field, constructed in 2014 to replace a 1930’s-era stadium that was demolished at the beginning of the 21^st century.

The Township of Cranford will host the other swimming competition at its six-lane pool, and the Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel nearby in Iselin will host the powerlifting competition.

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.  

For information about ongoing Union County recreation programs for people with disabilities, visit the County website at ucnj.org. The Freeholder Board also sponsors Sensory Friendly Theatre, a performing arts series designed for children and adults with sensory sensitivities.

For other County services for people with disabilities call the Union County Office for the Disabled at 908-527-4807, visit ucnj.org, or email disabilityinfo@ucnj.org.

To learn more about programs and services offered by Children’s Specialized Hospital call 888-CHILDRENS or visit childrens-specialized.org.

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52,000 Legal Immigrants Living in the County Could Benefit from Citizenship Services, Classes provided by We Are One NJ

ELIZABETH, NJ – The state’s second labor-supported immigrant advocacy center opened Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at the Jersey Gardens Mall, as the result of a unique partnership between Union County and We Are One New Jersey, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping more than 400,000 legal immigrants living and working in New Jersey become U.S. citizens.

We are One New Jersey – Union County Center provides U.S. citizenship application assistance, including preparatory classes for the citizenship test and referral, notary and translation services, at low- or no-cost to Union County residents.

The kickoff ceremony for the We Are One New Jersey ­– Union County Center was attended by more than 100 political, labor, community and civic leaders, who also helped launch the county’s Workforce Innovation Business (WIB) Center. The WIB facility, which is sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and shares office space with We Are One New Jersey – Union County Center, provides occupational and soft skills training and jobs placement for Union County residents.

“Union County is living proof that diversity and inclusiveness go hand in hand with a dynamic economy, a thriving cultural sphere, and opportunities to achieve and give back to the community,” said Mohamed S. Jalloh, chairman of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, who served as the event’s master of ceremonies.

“As the son of an immigrant, this has been my firsthand experience, so when Senator Lesniak called me about joining We are One New Jersey with my Workforce Innovation Business Center initiative, the potential for great synergy between the two programs was immediately apparent. I am very proud to partner Union County with We Are One New Jersey to help make the promise of a better life become a reality for many more Union County residents,” said Jalloh, who announced the initiatives during his reorganization in January.

“These community-based centers are important additions in our ongoing effort to build and engage new communities,” said Charles Wowkanech, chairman of We Are One New Jersey. “We all live and work with people who are in this country legally but cannot fully participate in their communities because they are not U.S. citizens.”

“Wave after wave of immigrants have continued to renew Union County and shape America. The We Are One New Jersey – Union County Center will provide assistance that will help naturalize these immigrants, and enable and empower them to build stronger communities, and productive lives.” state Sen. Raymond J. Lesniak said.

“The City of Elizabeth is proud to work with the County of Union on this new initiative,” said Mayor J. Christian Bollwage. “The process associated with becoming a U.S. citizen can be complicated. However, guidance, assistance and reliable resources are available within our community. The We Are One New Jersey – Union County Center will connect individuals with dedicated professionals, who have the experience and expertise required to address concerns,  while providing the assistance needed to help residents achieve their goals.”

Some 52,000 Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) live in Union County, including diverse and vibrant populations of Colombians, Ecuadorians, Portuguese, Haitians, Filipinos and more.

We Are One New Jersey – Union County is the second labor-supported immigrant advocacy center in the state. The first We Are One Center opened in October in Jersey City. Citizenship classes and information clinics have already drawn hundreds from the community to the centers.

For more information on the programs and services available through We Are One New Jersey – Union County Center, call 908-355-4444 or email center Executive Director Elizabeth Montes at Elizabeth@weareonenj.org.

Union County, NJ – If you have concerns about cleaning up mold in your house, come to a free mold removal workshop in Plainfield on Saturday, April 25, 10:00 a.m. – noon at the Plainfield Family Success Center at 209 Berckman Street.

The workshops are presented by an experienced health and safety trainer from the New Jersey Work Environment Council and the International Chemical Workers Council for Health.

Attendees will learn how to spot mold and remove it safely.

The Plainfield event is one in a series of seven workshops already under way. Walk-ins are welcome but if you pre-register, you can receive a free mold kit and a moisture meter worth $75.00.

The remaining workshops are:

• Family Success Center, 209 Berckman Street, Plainfield on April 25, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (rescheduled from an April 18 date announced earlier).
• Borough Hall Court House, 210 Chestnut Street, Roselle on April 23, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Township Courthouse, 1409 Liberty Avenue, Hillside, on May 11, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Froehlich Building, 300 North Avenue East, Westfield, on May 20, – 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue, Cranford, on June 6, – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

To pre-register for any of the workshops contact Andrea Navas, Public Health Planner, at the Union County Office of Health Management at 908-518-5630 or UCHEALTH@ucnj.org.

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MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce A Naturalist’s Diary, a lecture for adults 18 and older at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside on Wednesday, May 6 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.  Former Audubon Naturalist Pete Bacinski offers a program complete with the natural history facts and questions people never think to ask, as well as images of Mother Nature’s oddities.  This PowerPoint presentation will touch on birds, wildflowers, ferns, mammals, reptiles and amphibians as well as many unusual natural history events.   The lecture is free but donations are welcomed.     

“Spring in the Watchung Reservation is the perfect time to look for hidden treasures in the scenic 2060-acre Watchung Reservation.  Pete Bacinki’s lecture is sure to sharpen your focus on the natural world around you,” says Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh.

A Naturalist’s Diary lecture is a good prelude to Nature Journaling offered at Trailside on Thursday, May 21 from 7:00 – 8:15 p.m.  The Nature Journaling workshop will teach participants to keep a nature journal using skills including writing and sketching as they observe the natural world around them.  A small nature journal is included in the registration fee of $20 per person for Union County residents and $25 for out-of-county.   

For a complete description of A Naturalist’s Diary and/or Nature Journaling please call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside for a Spring At Trailside brochure and registration form.  Walk-ins are welcome.  Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados (L) and Christopher Hudak (R) joined Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (2^nd L), Acting Union County Prosecutor Grace Park and State Senator Raymond Lesniak at the Race 4 the Children fundraiser on April 19 in Warinanco Park in Roselle. The 5K run and a two-mile “fun walk” benefits the Friends of the Union County Child Advocacy Center – a nonprofit group whose mission is to provide support for the facility at which local victims of physical and sexual child abuse receive treatment and needed services. The event is co-sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the City of Elizabeth, in memory of late Union County Prosecutor Andrew K. Ruotolo. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union) 

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces the availability of two types of history grants for Union County-based non-profit groups and diverse organizations through the FY 2016 Union County History Re-grant Program funded by the New Jersey Historical Commission. The program is administered by the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Department of Parks and Recreation.

A history grant-writing workshop will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, at Kean University Liberty Hall, 1003 Morris Ave., in Union. Applications for the Union County History Re-grant Program will be available at the workshop.

There are general standards of eligibility as well as specific requirements for each grant:

• GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT (GOS) grants provide assistance for the basic costs of operation (e.g. programming, preservation of collections, salaries, marketing, etc.) to Union County based historical societies, house museums or historic sites only. The maximum GOS grant request is $7,500.

• SPECIAL PROJECT (SP) grants support history organizations, museums, schools, libraries and similar organizations with collections or programming relating to Union County and New Jersey state history. The maximum grant request is $5,000.  

To confirm attendance (recommended) at the April 22 workshop or to receive more information, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth 07202. Telephone: (908) 436-2912. E-mail request to jprescott@ucnj.org.

Funding for this program is made available through the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.

(From left) Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan, Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi and Union County Surrogate James LaCorte congratulate the top winners of the 2015 “My County” poster contest sponsored by the Union County Constitutional Officers.

More than 200 fourth grade students from schools throughout Union County entered the contest.

The top winners of the contest, which is open only to fourth-graders, are (from 2^nd left): Nyssa Gandhi (1^st place) from St. John the Apostle Elementary School in Clark, Joseph Etrata (2^nd place) from St. Michael Elementary School in Clark, Matthew Imhoff (3^rd place) from St. John the Apostle Elementary School in Clark and Adriana G. Veliz Mayen (4^th place) the Jefferson School in Plainfield.

The top winners of the contest, which is open only to fourth-graders, are (from 2^nd left): Nyssa Gandhi (1^st place) from St. John the Apostle Elementary School in Clark, Joseph Etrata (2^nd place) from St. Michael Elementary School in Clark, Matthew Imhoff (3^rd place) from St. John the Apostle Elementary School in Clark and Adriana G. Veliz Mayen (4^th place) the Jefferson School in Plainfield.

(Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)