Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites residents to express their opinions and concerns regarding alcohol and drug abuse programs, in a series of public forums. The public input is part of the application process for the County to receive State of New Jersey funding for treatment and prevention.

“Alcohol and drug abuse is a public health and safety issue that impacts people from all walks of life,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “We have scheduled several public forums, including one in Spanish, in an effort to include as many people as possible.”

The community forums are part of the needs assessment for Union County’s grant application to the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. They will be held at the following locations:

Elizabeth: 122 East Grand Street (offices of the community services non-profit PROCEED). One session will be conducted in Spanish on Tuesday, October 22, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and one will be conducted in English on Wednesday, October 23, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Westfield: 300 North Avenue East (Union County Complex, Colleen Frasier Building), on Wednesday, November 13 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Plainfield: 518 Watchung Avenue (Plainfield Area YMCA), on Thursday, November 14 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

For more information about these forums, contact Sara Thode, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Coordinator, 908-527-4844, or email sthode@ucnj.org.

For information about the Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Planning, visit Union County online at ucnj.org.

 

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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.

Union County – The County of Union is taking enhanced measures to ensure that their public areas remain smoke-free by placing “Breathe Easy” signs near playgrounds and other high traffic areas in parks and recreational facilities.

“These new signs are a reminder that the Freeholder Board is committed to improving the quality of life for all of our residents including children and families that come to enjoy the outdoors,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter.

The new signs being placed throughout the County, reiterate that these areas are public property and, according to county ordinance 704-2010, should be 100% smoke free.

In 2010, the Freeholder Board amended the no smoking policy in county-owned buildings to include all county-owned recreational areas and facilities. The facilities include ice-skating rinks, playgrounds, running tracks, swimming pools, snack bars, ball fields, tennis courts, boating areas (docks structures) and rest rooms which are located in any county-owned recreational areas.

“The benefits of observing this ordinance go far beyond our individual health, I am glad that we can all work together to make the air quality in our open spaces as clean as possible because, after all,  these parks belong to all of us,” said Sergio Granados, Freeholder Liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

Under the new policy, the county also prohibits smoking at county-sponsored events, such as concerts, fairs, festivals, movies and other events. Violators are subject to a fine of $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense and $1,000 for each subsequent offense.

“Breathe Easy” signs will be up before the end of the month.

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ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce “Art in the Gardens,” an October celebration of National Arts and Humanities Month, will take place Columbus Day Weekend, October 12th, 13th and 14th at The Outlet Collection-Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth. “Art in the Gardens” features instrumental, vocal and dance performances in the Center Court of the Mall. This year, the Columbus Day Weekend Splash is planned with free performances starting on Saturday and continuing through Monday.  This annual event is coordinated by the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Union County Department of Parks & Community Renewal.

“Art in the Gardens is an excellent opportunity for a busy Union County venue to host local talent and present it to a wide and diverse audience,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “The Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to have this annual event in Union County.”

The weekend’s scheduled performances are:

Saturday, October 12th:

11:00 a.m. – Noon:  Blanca Rosas of Elizabeth, singer/songwriter;

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.:   Ligaya Cultural Group presents Philippine Folk Dance;

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.:    Yasko & Kokonuts of Garwood, jazz performers;

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.:  Kathleen McMahon of Scotch Plains celebrates Gatsby Era;

5:00 – 6:00 p.m.:  Oxygen Box Band, Soul, Rock Reggae Band;

6:30 – 7:30 p.m.:  Chinese American Music Ensemble of Westfield, chorus and individual instrumental performances.

 

Sunday, October 13th:

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.:  Jefferson Arts Liberty Dancers of Elizabeth;

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.:  Rahway Valley Jerseyaires Barbershop Chorus;

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.:  Kathleen McMahon celebrating Dance Fair & Folklore;

5:00 – 6:00 p.m.:  Kenny Woods of Summit, singer/songwriter.

Monday, October 14th:

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.:  University of Philippines Alumni & Friends Rondalla Traditional String Ensemble;

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.:  Jill Cagney of Cranford, singer/songwriter;

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.:  Jennifer Lynn School of Irish Dance of Union;

5:00 – 6:00 p.m.:  United Youth of New Jersey – Elite Drill Team of Superior    Drummers, Rap Performance & Theatrical Dancers of Elizabeth;

6:30 – 7:30 p.m.:  Framework Acoustic Jazz Quartet.

The Outlet Collection-Jersey Gardens will  host Art in the Gardens as one of the first events in its brand new Center Court, which was recently renovated as part of a $30 million remodel of the mall.

“We are excited to continue this fabulous celebration of the arts in Union County,” said Crystal Stell, Marketing Director for The Outlet Collection. “We are continually impressed by the local talent right here in our own backyard.”

“Our goal is to raise awareness of the arts in Union County and the many artists who deserve recognition for their achievements. Our shoppers come from all over the tri-state area and beyond; this is an opportunity to showcase our local talent,” Ms. Stell said.

The Outlet Collection-Jersey Gardens is located on Kapkowski Road at Exit 13A of the New Jersey Turnpike and features 200 stores all under one roof.

For more information about “Art in the Gardens,” contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Telephone (908) 558-2550.  New Jersey Relay Users dial 711. E-mail: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

 

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As the weather changes, we begin to reorganize our homes and gardens for the new season as our children settle into a new school year. For some of them, it is their first school year.

During this time, we may need some reminders of the needs of our children and the services that are available from our law enforcement agencies.

Some parents may not know that New Jersey is the only state in the country that has legislation providing a “Fingerprint on File” service be available to our children and their parents.

This service is part of the “Play It Safe” program which began in the early 1980’s when the public was traumatized by child abductions.

With statistics revealing that nearly a million children are reported lost or missing each year, the community looked to law enforcement for new ways to protect children. The fingerprinting program was a simply way to identify our young people. Parents receive a card featuring the child’s fingerprints and personal information. In case a child is reported missing, the card provides police with important data.

The fingerprinting is just part of the process. Other children’s safety programs are available to help protect our young people.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office, with the help of a university professor, developed a book for children to teach them how to properly react in a potentially dangerous situation. The book, “Play It Safe,” was carefully designed to present different scenarios for children to role play as they think out the right course of action. The book is available at no cost in English and Spanish.

Firearms are one of the principle causes of death among American children today. The Sheriff’s Office has developed videos to educate children and teens about the dangers of firearms. These videos, “Get Away Get a Grown-Up” and “Teens and Guns: An American Tragedy,” have been shown in schools all over Union County.

Now we are offering a new video about gun safety called “Silence Kills.” It was made by some very talented students from Hillside High School, the winners of the Union County Gun Awareness Contest.

We also offer, at no charge, locking devices for legally registered firearms to help kept guns properly secured at home.

Please take advantage of these services to help protect our children. Prevention and education are paramount. For information about any of these programs, please call the Union County Sheriff’s Office at 908-527-4450.

 

Ralph Froehlich, Union County Sheriff

ELIZABETH, NJ – County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi warns home owners in the County of Union and owners of commercial property in the county to beware of people who offer to sell them a certified copy of the deed to their property.

“Various municipalities in Union County have alerted me that their residents have been contacted by a company that offers to sell the property owner a copy of their deed,” said County Clerk Rajoppi. “These offers are not necessary. Don’t be fooled. Normally, you or your attorney already have a copy of your deed.”

“It is advisable to have a copy of your deed stored safely with your other important documents,” continued Clerk Rajoppi. “But if you misplace or lose your deed, you can readily obtain a certified copy from my Office usually for less than $20. Scam artists are charging $83 or more for the same deed. The price for a certified deed is mandated by the state and is a per-page fee.”

In 2007, Ms. Rajoppi filed a formal complaint with the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General, citing the solicitation of homeowners to purchase a deed at an exorbitant, excessive cost. Consumers who receive solicitations to buy a deed are invited to contact the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs at 973-504-6200 or 800-242-5846 to file a complaint.

In response to concerns raised by County Clerk Rajoppi and her County Clerk colleagues throughout New Jersey, a bill is pending in the State Legislature to regulate deed procurement services. The legislation is Senate Bill S-1870 and Assembly Bill A-2386. This bill requires non-governmental entities providing deed procurement services to make certain disclosures when soliciting clients. The disclosures include prominently displaying the address and telephone number of the appropriate County Clerk’s office through which the recipient could obtain a copy of the deed directly; the state-authorized per-page fee; a disclaimer that the recipient is not legally required to use the services of the non-governmental entity; and that County Clerk’s offices must receive a copy of the deed solicitation letter at least 15 days before the letter is distributed to property owners.

If you can’t find your deed, call the Office of the Union County Clerk at 908-527-4787; visit the website:www.ucnj.org/government/county-clerk; or go directly to the County Clerk’s Office where you can easily obtain a certified copy of your deed for the nominal, state-mandated fee: $8 for the first page and $2 for subsequent pages. There is no need to go through a middle-man who charges an exorbitant fee for this service.

Property owners are advised to be wary of people purporting to sell “actual” deeds. Only the County Clerk’s Office has the real deed to your property. The Union County Clerk is responsible for recording, filing and preserving all property transactions occurring within the county. She maintains copies of all documents since 1857 on file in the Record Room, which is open to the public for reference and study.

For further information, call the Office of the Union County Clerk at 908-527-4787, or visit the website:www.ucnj.org/government/county-clerk. The Union County Clerk’s Office is located in the Union County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07207.

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UNION, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the 2013 Teen Arts Touring Exhibit is on display at the Les Malamut Gallery in the Union Public Library, located at 1980 Morris Avenue in Union.

The exhibit consists of 55 pieces of art selected from more than 650 visual art works shown at the 2013 Union County Teen Arts Festival held in March at Union County College in Cranford. The annual event is administered by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Department of Parks and Community Renewal.

“The artwork in this exhibit is exceptional. The fact that the artists are teenagers makes the show even more outstanding,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “I encourage everyone to get out and see this fun, lively exhibit as it goes on tour throughout Union County.”

The Teen Arts exhibit will be on display through October 30th. The Les Malamut Gallery is located on the lower level of the Union Public Library. The exhibit is free and open to the public during regular library hours. It is handicapped accessible and adjacent parking is available.

For further information about the Gallery, visit lesmalamutartgallery.wordpress.com/ or call 908-851-5450. Artists wishing to be considered for an exhibit in the Gallery can contact the curator Barbara Wirkus atdmbbw33@yahoo.com or 908-276-6656.

For information about the Teen Arts program contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth 07202; telephone (908) 558-2550. NJ Relay service users should call 711 or email culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

2013 UNION COUNTY TEEN ARTS EXHIBIT student artists are:

Berkeley Heights

Columbia MS
Alice Gao

Governor Livingston HS
Michael Horwath

 

Clark

Mother Seton RHS
Nathalia Palacios

 

Elizabeth
Abraham Lincoln School
Evelyn Huiloti

Benedictine Academy

Angie Mery
Charles Hudson School
Isidra Alvarado Vasques
Dr. Orlando Edreira School
Jezebel Jimenez
Elizabeth HS – Dwyer House
Jefferson Torres
Elizabeth HS – Edison House
Robert McCall

Elizabeth HS – Hamilton Academy

Evelyn Lopez
Elizabeth HS – Jefferson House
Chrysthel Jean-Louis

David Simancas

Cindy Montalvo

Elizabeth HS – Lower Academy
Yilian Borroto
Elizabeth HS – Upper Academy
Nicole Capelo

Sung Soon DeSouza

Elmora School

Jayline Rodriguez

Louveture-Lafayette School

Katuiska Zuniga

Mabel G. Holmes School

Santiago Hoyos

Nicholas M. Butler School
Ramon Rivera

Nicholas S. LaCorte School
Oscar Heredia
T.C. Reilly School
Eqequiel Carvalo
William F. Halloran School
Harmonie Garcia
Woodrow Wilson School
Irene Negron

 

 

Hillside
Hillside HS
Kameron Kee
Walter O. Krumbiegel MS
Samantha Felipe

 

 

Kenilworth
David Brearley HS
Erick Soriano
Melissa Dudukvich

 

 

Linden
Linden HS
Adrianna Rendon

Kylie Vorob
McManus MS
Kara Depczynski
Soehl MS
Nicholas Francisco

 

 

Mountainside
Deerfield MS
Isabella DiCosmo

 

New Providence
New Providence HS
Adrienne Cirotti

Christie Shaw

New Providence MS
Licheng Yang

 

Plainfield
Cook School
Fritz Mersola
Plainfield Academy of Arts
Sebastian Nunez

Gabrielle Lugbauer

Plainfield HS

Erika Jackson

Union County TEAMS Charter School

Gabrielle Labady

Stephany Vargas

 

Roselle

Abraham Clark HS
Zulis Linares

Ti-Reece Vaughn

Grace Wilday Jr. HS

Agape DeLeon

 

Scotch Plains
Union County Vo-Tech HS
Bre’on Johnson

Austin McCaffrey

 

 

Summit
Oratory Preparatory School
Alex McDonald

Union
Union HS
Wislet Dazime

Armando Flores

 

Westfield

Hillcrest Academy South

Kadeem Venus
Lamberts Mill Academy

Genesis Malacara

 

 

Winfield
Winfield School
Corey Hallari

 

PHOTO CAPTION  – Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski and Cranford Township Commissioner Kevin Campbell with a 25 mph sign, which will be posted shortly on Walnut Avenue in Cranford. .  Responding to a request from the Township, the Board of Chosen Freeholders agreed to a consistent 25 mph speed limit along Walnut Avenue from South Avenue to Lexington Avenue.  This stretch of road runs alongside homes, a school and places of worship, as well as the library and community center.

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Union County Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter and Freeholder Sergio Granados with the winners of the Harvestfest Scarecrow contest at Trailside in the Watchung Reservation.

Union County’s annual public heritage event, “Four Centuries in a Weekend: A Journey through Union County’s History,” will take place Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 20 from noon to 5 p.m. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, with the cooperation of staff and volunteers at 27 house museums and historic sites, the two-day free event opens the doors to more than 370 years of history throughout the county.

“Four Centuries in a Weekend began in 1994 when 16 historic sites and the County of Union organized a weekend event to tell the story of how Elizabethtown of 1664 evolved into the 21 municipalities of today’s Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “This year, a beautifully restored mansion and church, Revolutionary War burial grounds, the county’s oldest railroad station, quaint house museums, special exhibitions and tours showcase the county’s treasure trove of history.”

Among the historic sites on tour, all listed on the National and New Jersey State Registers of Historic Places, with special programs or events highlighting their rich heritage are:

• Reeve History & Cultural Resource Center in Westfield celebrates the restoration of the 1870s Victorian Italianate home, and exhibits work by famed local artists John Brunner, Harry Devlin and Sigmund Ivanowski.
• Deserted Village of Feltville-Glenside Park in Berkeley Heights will host a meeting of the Archaeological Society of New Jersey in the restored Masker’s Barn. On Saturday, the Society will give four presentations about archaeological sites (including Feltville). Other weekend activities include free hay rides, children’s games and tours of the village.
• Deacon Andrew Hetfield House in Mountainside, home to the Hetfield family for 186 years, will show a video of the recent move of the historic Levi Cory House to its new location adjacent to the Hetfield House.
• Oswald J. Nitschke House, operated by the Kenilworth Historical Society, will celebrate the 100thAnniversary of the town’s Volunteer Fire Department with a display of photos chronicling the history of Kenilworth. 
• Liberty Hall Museum of Union will have on view “Ring for Service: The Role of Servants in a Country House,” a special exhibit about the role of slaves and servants at Liberty Hall from the time of Governor William Livingston.  
• Reeves-Reed Arboretum of Summit will celebrate its 40 years as a historic public garden with a display of outdoor sculpture by Tom Holmes. The Wisner House Gallery will feature a series of Holmes’ large scale photographic works and smaller sculptures.
• Crane-Phillips House Museum in Cranford will present “Clean as a Whistle,” an exhibit about the beginnings of healthy living and sanitation including early indoor plumbing, the Civil War Sanitary Commission and Cranford’s role in the first Federal Food and Drug Act.
• Historic Cannon Ball House in Springfield will feature a Civil War Encampment on Saturday; Revolutionary War re-enactors on Sunday, and relics of the 1780 Battle of Springfield.

Journey on to Boxwood Hall in Elizabeth, the 1772 home of Elias Boudinot, President of the Continental Congress, where there will be a celebration of the 150th Anniversary of President Lincoln proclaiming Thanksgiving a National Holiday – with an emphasis on the man who had the idea first: Elias Boudinot; tour the restored Revolutionary War burial grounds at the First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth, the oldest English-speaking congregation in New Jersey; and visit the Caldwell Parsonage at Connecticut Farms in Union, an American Revolutionary site that will feature a re-enactor portraying the “Fighting Parson” James Caldwell.

A visit to Hillside will bring you to the Woodruff House/Eaton Store, built in 1735, and the historic Evergreen Cemetery, a virtual museum of funerary art. In Rahway you’ll be welcome at the Merchants and Drovers Tavern, a restored early 19th century hotel, and you can tour the Union County Performing Arts Center, a beautifully restored classic Vaudeville theatre. When you stop at the Dr. William Robinson Plantation in Clark, you’ll discover a post-medieval English-style house where Dr. Robinson practiced healing with plants and herbs.

At the Fanwood Train Station Museum you’ll see the oldest Victorian Gothic railroad station in the county and learn about Fanwood’s ties to the Central Railroad of New Jersey. At the Abraham Clark House in Roselle, home to a signer of the Declaration of Independence, you’ll learn about local history and Early American life. In the Roselle Park Museum, housed in the Charles E. Stone Store, you’ll be standing in the first electrically-lighted store in the world.

Authentic 18th century farmhouses are open for touring: the Miller-Cory House in Westfield; the Salt Box Museum in New Providence; the Osborn Cannonball House in Scotch Plains, adjacent to the town green and across from the Stage House Inn; and the Nathaniel Drake House in Plainfield, with its exhibit, “George Washington and the Drake House,” which highlights the significance of the meetings held there in preparation for the Battle of Short Hills.

Venturing into the Watchung Mountains, you’ll also visit the Littell-Lord Farmstead in Berkeley Heights, a reminder of the County’s agricultural past; and explore Summit, with its Twin Maples, a stately neoclassical mansion; the Carter House, the city’s oldest house, built in the 1740’s; and the Summit Playhouse, a Richardsonian Romanesque structure with a 120-seat auditorium.

Children can earn a Time Traveler’s Certificate and a Four Centuries Patch by visiting and obtaining a Time Traveler Passport at any of the sites, having it stamped and returning the completed form to the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.

For free copies of the Four Centuries in a Weekend tour booklet, map and further information, telephone 908-558-2550 weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., NJ Relay Users dial 711, or e-mail:culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

 

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SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – The County of Union will sponsor a recycling event for electronic equipment on Saturday, October 26, so Union County residents can get rid of unwanted computers, televisions and other electronic equipment in an environmentally proper manner.

The special E-cycling event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Union County Vo-Tech campus located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

All residents of Union County are eligible to participate at no cost. There is a limit of six electronic items per car.

“Computer monitors, old televisions and other electronic devices are the source of a considerable amount of dangerous material, including lead, mercury, cadmium and PCBs – and it is unlawful to dispose of them with the regular garbage,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Christopher Hudak, liaison to the Union County Solid Waste Advisory Board. “Up to 95 percent of most electronic appliances can be recycled. This is a responsible way to keep hazardous heavy metals out of our environment.”

Electronic equipment that will be accepted on Oct. 26 includes computer monitors, hard drives, modems, keyboards, CPU’s, mice, printers, scanners, speakers, televisions, tablets and e-readers, VCR’s, fax machines, telephones, circuit boards, CD’s, DVD’s and video cassettes.

All that residents need to do is drive to the site with their unwanted electronic equipment. Workers at the site will unload the vehicles.

Pre-registration is not required for this special Saturday collection.

Refrigerators, washers and dryers, microwaves, and air conditioners will not be accepted, but they are accepted at Union County’s Scrap Metal Recycling Program.

 

A complete list of the materials that will be accepted on Oct. 26 is available at the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning website: www.ucnj.org/recycle.

The electronics collection will be held rain or shine, for Union County residents only and not for businesses. Proof of Union County residency is required.

In addition to the special Oct. 26 recycling event sponsored by the County of Union, there are local businesses as well as 16 municipalities that provide E-cycling opportunities for residents. Visit the websitewww.ucnj.org/recycle or call your municipal recycling coordinator for more computer and electronics recycling options.

Goodwill and Dell have teamed up to recycle computers. Goodwill in Union County is located at 126 Route 22 West, Springfield 07081, next to Macy’s Furniture. Call Goodwill at 973-912-0156 for more details or visit their web site: www.reconnectpartnership.com.

Best Buy stores now offer electronics recycling, including TVs, computer monitors, DVD players and other consumer electronics. Visit their website (www.bestbuy.com/) for store locations, or call toll-free for information about electronics recycling: 1-888-237-8289.

Staples also offers a computer recycling program seven days a week. For more information, visit the Staples web site for store locations: www.staples.com.

Waste Management accepts “covered electronics” (televisions, monitors, computers, etc.) at  629-647 Amboy Ave., Elizabeth 07201, Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 908-629-9270.

An alternative drop-off program for recycling electronics equipment is available Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at Newtech Recycling, located at 600-A Apgar Drive, Somerset NJ 08873; 732-564-3110. Visit www.newtechrecycling.com .

For more information about recycling events, please call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908- 654-9889.

 

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