Category: Public Info

As Initiatives During 156th Annual Reorganization

Freeholders Mirabella and Jalloh start new terms, Freeholder Bergen starts first term; Carter becomes First African American Woman Chairman of Board in County history

UNION COUNTY COURTHOUSE, ELIZABETH—Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter today announced a series of five initiatives entitled “Helping our Families and Empowering Women” that are designed to jumpstart economic growth and help business, provide jobs training, improve public safety, encourage green practices and assist women.

Carter, a resident of Plainfield, was selected as Chairman of the Union County Freeholder Board for the first time in her career at the 156th annual reorganization meeting held in the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Carter becomes the first African American woman to ever lead the Union County Freeholder Board.

“I appreciate your confidence and look forward to working with you and our entire County family of employees to serve our residents and move our initiatives forward this New Year,” said Carter as she accepted the nomination. “For as Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman to serve in the United States Congress once said, ‘Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.’ ”

Carter went on to outline her priorities.

“We must continue to be proactive in addressing our public safety and emergency management concerns,” Carter said. “We must also continue to make economic progress and provide opportunities for our residents, while promoting the green economy.”

Looking ahead at the new budgetary cycle, Carter also called upon the Policy Committee to conduct an exhaustive review of all workforce and operational policies to ensure our government operates in the most efficient and economic manner possible.

Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, of Fanwood, and Freeholder Mohamed S. Jalloh, of Union, were sworn in to new terms and Freeholder Bruce Bergen, of Springfield, was sworn in to his first term. Freeholder Christopher Hudak, of Linden, was appointed Vice Chairman of the Freeholder Board.

Freeholders also voted to fill numerous positions on County advisory boards and to adopt the board’s 2013 schedule and procedural rules.

“HELPING OUR FAMILIES AND ASSISTING WOMEN” INITIATIVES:”

• Establish the Union County Mayor’s Emergency Management group, which was formed during Hurricane Sandy, as a permanent platform for communication. During its last meeting, the group discussed a wide range of recommendations to explore in several critical areas that can be implemented in 2013 to improve emergency response.

• Conduct a Countywide gun buyback program through County Police. While a gun buyback may not be a cure-all, Carter noted that’s as “leaders, we owe it to our residents to pursue all the strategies available at our disposal.” This includes supporting Assemblyman Cryan’s statewide legislation to limit the capacity of certain gun magazines in New Jersey.

• Jobs training and business assistance. Implement “Union County Choices,” a targeted jobs training program involving Union County College. Union County Choices is designed to provide a range of services targeted to middle skills and sector training. This program will give residents Choices focused on Union County’s priority economic development sectors. Courses would be in the priority fields of Healthcare/Allied Health, Transportations and logistics, and Retail/Hospitality. In the first instance, the County has worked with Union County College and the Community College Consortium to design four courses and two programs that should launch by February. The County is also developing an additional set of foundational courses covering basic—but valuable—elements related to health and safety.

• Continue the very successful “Union County Means Business” program by hosting an additional four forums. One of these forums will focus on the specific needs of women in business. The others will soon be determined through a survey which is currently underway. We also plan to host two industry specific roundtable discussions with assistance from New Jersey Talent Networks. These will be invitation only sessions with key business leaders in selected industries.

• Meet with municipal Library Directors to develop business friendly endeavors such as seminars for small businesses, and raise awareness about existing services for small business.

• Finally, the County will encourage businesses to go green to save green. This year, our Bureau of Recycling and Planning has received a grant that will enable it to conduct outreach to businesses on the benefits of recycling. The planned outreach will address not only what and how to recycle, but how recycling can actually save money.

• Several green initiatives: First, the County, through the Union County Improvement Authority, will explore a Community Energy Aggregation program designed to leverage the purchasing power of residents, business and governments to purchase low-cost electricity. If the program is implemented, Union County residents, businesses and governments could save as much as 15 percent on the electrical bills.

• Next, the County will take the lead in undertaking the development and implementation of a local government Energy Efficiency assistance program under the Energy Savings Improvement Program Law known as ESIP. The ESIP Law is an extremely valuable tool that allows local governments and boards of education to reduce energy consumption through the installation of energy efficient boilers, lights and HVAC equipment. It allows for financing these upgrades with the resulting operating budget savings generated by the newly installed equipment.

• In an attempt to raise awareness countywide, we will double-purpose the Public Information Van as the Union County Green Information Van. We will design a series of small cardstock flyers that link all of the sustainability-related programs in our departments and affiliates under one visual umbrella. At least one of those flyers will be designed as a shared service that our municipalities, businesses and other entities can use as a promotional tool in support of their green projects. The van will also receive one of the County’s first informational touch screen kiosks.

• Pursue a partnership with a local Domestic Violence Shelter for battered women, our County College and Vo-Tech to provide training programs enabling these women to enter or re-enter the workforce and become self-sustaining and independent.

“We need to unlock the inner potential of these women, and we as a society will be better for it,” Carter noted. “For as Maya Angelou, once said, “’there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story in you.’’

Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich (L) presents donation checks from the Badger State Sheriffs’ Association in Wisconsin to (from 2nd L) Lt. Dave Pierro, Officer Erin Passarelli, Officer Heriberto Valdes and Officer Gaetano Bracciale. The officers’ homes were severely damaged in Super Storm Sandy.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

There may not be many out-of-state utility crews on local roads these days but support for those still suffering in the wake of Super Storm Sandy continues to arrive from other parts of the country.

Recently, a Wisconsin law enforcement organization sent a sizable donation to help four Union County Sheriff’s Officers whose homes were severely damaged by the devastating storm.

Through the Badger State Sheriffs’ Association’s “Sheriffs Adopting Sheriffs” program, each officer received a check for more than $9,000 for home repairs and other needs related to Sandy.

“Rarely have I seen such a response to the individual needs of officers,” said Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich, who presented the officers with the checks. “And these four people and their families truly can use the help.”

Lt. Dave Pierro, his wife and two sons are temporarily living with family after more than three feet of water poured into their Manasquan home causing extensive damage.

Officer Heriberto Valdes, his wife and their 5-year-old son had yet to move into the house they just bought in Toms River when four feet of water filled their new home destroying all appliances and furniture.

Waves pounded Officer Gaetano Bracciale’s Bayville home hard enough to cause structural damage. The house he moved into in July may be condemned and destroyed.

Sheriff’s Officer Erin Passarelli, her husband and their five children used to live in Union Beach. Their home was lifted off its foundation by a thirteen foot wall of water. They lost everything.

“Thanks to this amazingly kind and generous gift from the Wisconsin Sheriffs and their staff it will be just a bit easier for these officers to start to rebuild,” said Sheriff Froehlich. “It is a much needed boost for them and their families.”

The Badger State Sheriffs’ Association “adopted” the Union County Sheriff’s officers when the organization’s executive director, Dean Meyers, offered help to Sheriffs in New Jersey after Super Storm Sandy hit. Sheriff Froehlich responded with the stories of his four officers forced out of their homes by the flood waters.

The Sheriffs and their individual employees from Wisconsin’s 72 counties raised more than $36,000 in donations through their “Sheriffs Adopting Sheriffs” program in less than two months.

“There really are no words for how greatly we appreciate this help for our officers,” added Sheriff Froehlich. “We are thankful for people like the Sheriffs of Wisconsin and those who work with them.”

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee invites the public to hear a special lecture by Dr. Jonathan Lurie of Rutgers University entitled “Looking at Lincoln: Greatness Transformed,” and view new displays, including a special display case focusing on Lincoln’s presidency, in the Civil War Exhibition at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth on Thursday, February 7, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

“Union County is honored to have Dr. Jonathan Lurie speak here about President Lincoln and his leadership during the Civil War as we commemorate the 150th anniversary of the 1861-65 conflict,” said Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, chairman of the committee. “We welcome visitors to the Courthouse to learn more about our 16th President and about the experiences of Union County residents during the war.”

Dr. Lurie is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of History at Rutgers University (Newark), where he was a Professor of History and Law from 1985 to 2009. He earned degrees from Harvard in History and Social Sciences, and his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin. During his career at Rutgers, Dr. Lurie also was a Visiting Fellow in Law and History at Harvard Law School; an Historian and Archivist to the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces; a Visiting Professor of Law at the United States Military Academy at West Point; and served on the Board of Directors of the American Society for Legal History.

The lecture by Dr. Jonathan Lurie will be presented in the Courtroom of the Hon. Karen M. Cassidy, Assignment Judge of the Superior Court, at 2:00 p.m. To reserve a seat for the lecture, please call 908-527-4999.

The Civil War Exhibition is on display until 2015 in the rotunda of the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street in historic midtown Elizabeth. The exhibit may be viewed weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The displays will change from time to time. Anyone wishing to loan historical artifacts from the Civil War era for the exhibit can contact committee member Katherine Craig at 908-282-7617. All objects will be secured, locked and acknowledged.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. 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 .

The Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal has released details of its annual Deer Management Program, which will take place in Lenape Park, the Watchung Reservation and Passaic River Park beginning Monday morning, January 7.

The Watchung Reservation spans almost 2,000 acres in Springfield, Mountainside, Scotch Plains, Summit, Berkeley Heights and Watchung. Lenape Park covers more than 400 acres of land in Cranford, Kenilworth, Union, Springfield and Westfield. Passaic River Park runs along the border with Morris County in Berkeley Heights, New Providence and Summit.

The Union County Deer Management Program will operate on Mondays from Jan. 7 to Feb. 4. In the event of a holiday or inclement weather on a Monday, the hunting activity will be moved to Wednesday that week. Hunters will be in the parks from 5:00 a.m. until after dark, but shooting may occur only during daylight hours.

Browsing for food by large numbers of deer has caused a loss of forest understory, especially in the Watchung Reservation and Lenape Park. The overpopulation of deer threatens the survival of the plant and animal communities that are important to the ecology of these parks.

Forest ecologists recommend a density of 20 deer per square mile in a healthy hardwood forest and as low as five deer per square mile in a forest that has been heavily damaged by browsing.  Spotlight counts conducted by the County in March, 2012, showed the current deer densities to be about 39 per square mile in the Watchung Reservation and 185 per square mile in and around Lenape Park. Analysis completed by the County last year showed that roads bordering Lenape and Nomahegan Parks had some of the highest numbers of deer-car collisions in Union County.

Since 1995, marksmen in the County of Union’s state-regulated deer management program have reduced the population of white-tailed deer in the Watchung Reservation substantially. In 2010, that effort was expanded to remove deer from portions of Passaic River Park in Summit. And last year hunters harvested deer from Lenape Park for the first time.

Twenty-three marksmen have been chosen by the County from among experienced, licensed hunters. More than half of the hunters have previously participated in Union County’s program; all are serving on a voluntary basis. The hunters will be wearing orange hats or vests and will hunt the deer from elevated positions, at least 20 feet up in the trees, over baited sites.

The hunters may keep any deer carcasses that they harvest. About half of the deer will be processed at a State-approved butcher and the venison will be donated to the needy and homeless through the Community FoodBank of New Jersey.

The deer management program will be supervised by the Union County Police and representatives from the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. Anyone found hunting on any Union County park property outside the terms of this program will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Citizens observing any such illegal activity are urged to immediately contact the Union County Police at 908-654-9800.

The public should note that the Watchung Reservation, Passaic River Park and Lenape Park will not be closed during the deer management program; however, portions of some roads inside the parks may be closed for short periods if necessary. Park patrons are urged to stay on the marked hiking, walking and bridle trails. Patrons also are urged to keep pets restrained on a leash.

For further information, go to the County’s website at https://ucnj.org/community/parks-community-renewal/wildlife-management/deer/ or contact the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal at (908) 789-3682.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – The Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal has released details of an Ash Brook Reservation Deer Management Program, which will begin on Saturday, January 5, and continue through Saturday, February 9.

This program is intended to reduce the white-tailed deer population at the Ash Brook Reservation and Golf Course in Scotch Plains to minimize overbrowsing of the forested parkland, reduce browse damage on the landscape plantings of surrounding homes, reduce the incidence of deer-related motor vehicle accidents, and lessen the occurrence of Lyme disease.

Seven members of the Oak Ridge Sportsmen’s Association have been authorized to participate in this program and they have completed a marksmanship test. Those hunters, using shotguns at baited sites, will remove deer from various areas of the park, including the Golf Course. The venison that is processed from some of the harvested deer will be distributed to the needy and homeless through the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. Weather permitting, hunters may be in the Ash Brook Reservation every day except Sunday. Shooting may only occur during daylight hours. 

Participation in this program is limited to the seven members of the Oak Ridge Sportsmen’s Association. Anyone else found hunting on this County park property outside the terms of this program will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Citizens observing any illegal activity at any time are urged to immediately contact the Union County Police at 908-654-9800.

The public should note that the Ash Brook Reservation and the Ash Brook Golf Course will not be closed during the deer management program. Park users and neighbors are encouraged to stay out of the wooded areas during that time period, and to keep pets restrained on a leash. For further information, contact the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal at (908) 789-3682 or visit the County website athttps://ucnj.org/community/parks-community-renewal/wildlife-management/deer/.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

FROM ALEXANDER MIRABELLA
UNION COUNTY CHAIRMAN BOARD OF CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS

“Chester was a gentleman and friend to all.  He had a unique style, with a tremendously engaging and comforting personality. He truly lived his life to the fullest and was always in good spirits.

Chester was also an amazing elected official and public servant who made remarkable contributions to the greater Union County community during a 49-year career. We are deeply saddened by the news of his passing, and will miss him greatly.”

Mirabella, and Freeholder Deborah Scanlon were originally elected to the Freeholder Board with Holmes in 1997. Holmes retired from the board in 2009. Mirabella has ordered all flags at County facilities to be flown at half staff in Holmes’ honor.

Freeholder Deborah P. Scanlon honored by Union County Board of Chosen of Freeholders on the occasion of her retirement at the last meeting of 2012—

Freeholder Scanlon, a resident of the Township of Union, was honored by her colleagues on the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders during her last meeting as a Freeholder this month. Scanlon, a five-term Freeholder whose retirement is effective at the end of this year, distinguished her career by serving as a steady advocate for women, children, and families in need.

A two-time survivor of cancer, she championed cancer-prevention programs including mammography awareness for young and underprivileged women. She served as a liaison to Runnells Hospital, and worked to expand one of the county’s most popular family services, the Union County Child Safety Seat program, which has provided more than 50,000 inspections.

Left to right Freeholder Christopher Hudak, Freeholder Vice Chairman Linda Carter, Freeholders Angel G. Estrada, Vernell Wright, Deborah P. Scanlon, Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella, Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski, Mohamed S. Jalloh and Daniel P. Sullivan.

Union County Freeholders Christopher Hudak (3rd L) and Vernell Wright (2nd L) join Rabbi Mordechai Kanelsky (3rd R) and Rabbi Avremy Kanelsky (R) of Bris Avremy in lighting a Menorah in Phil Rizzuto Park in Elizabeth celebrating Chanukah. They are joined by Ron Zuber, Director of Union County Parks and Community Renewal (L), Shterney Kanelsky (C) and Yuri Libson.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org. On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (2nd L) presents a certificate of recognition to the Watterson family, the owners of Nick’s Pizza in Fanwood. The Watterson’s joined other Fanwood businesses and residents in collecting donations for needy children this holiday season. They are joined by Freeholder Mirabella’s wife Phyllis (L) (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org

On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook

On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj

Alexander Mirabella, Chairman
Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders

December 2012

Between the global economic meltdown of 2008 and a series of natural disasters culminating in Hurricane Sandy, Union County has seen its share of crises over the past four years. We have also been touched by the sorrows borne by communities not so very far away; here in New Jersey, the devastation of shore towns by the storm, and in Newtown, Connecticut, a human tragedy from which no real recovery is ever possible.

While our hearts and minds reach out in sympathy, we can also look inward and prepare ourselves for the challenges ahead.  And as this year comes to a close, there is cause for renewed hope in the future.

One cause for optimism has been the growth of new relationships all across the spectrum of our community. In this regard, Hurricane Sandy illustrates just how strong these ties have become.

The aftermath of the storm left an extremely hazardous situation in Union County that could have lead to widespread, tragic results. Instead, injury and loss of life were minimal. For that, full credit is due to the countless thousands who exercised patience and perseverance, and who attended to their neighbors’ well being.

A vital hub of the response effort was the countywide Regional Evacuation Center, for which the Township of Cranford provided its recreation center and personnel. Because they stepped up, a safe place to stay was guaranteed for anyone in need.

The Evacuation Center involved all levels of community engagement, starting with advance planning by County and local officials. Fifty Union County Medical Reserve Corps volunteers were at the ready to staff the Center, often taking leave from their jobs or shuttling straight between work and volunteering.

The Salvation Army played a critical role, as did the Red Cross, three dozen people who individually volunteered, and many volunteer employees from County and local offices. Even the children pitched in, many through school and Scout groups.

Hurricane Sandy also engendered a new growth of cooperation between County and local elected officials. That included daily briefings during the aftermath and an after-action conference, and we intend to build on these new lines of communication.

Another kind of relationship has been illustrated by our new Union County Means Business initiative, which was supported by leaders in the business, academic and non-profit spheres. Built around a series of networking events, Union County Means Business has forged new partnerships that benefit the entire economic environment. It has been a heartening demonstration of the “we’re all in this together” outlook that I have always cherished as a lifelong Union County resident.

This has been the pattern throughout these past four years. These crises have bound us more closely to each other. We are learning and adapting to new economic circumstances and a new environment, in which expecting the unexpected is the new normal.

From what I have witnessed this year especially, the residents of Union County are more than equal to any challenge that lies ahead, and we are a stronger community than ever before.

With that in mind, I wish you all a happy holiday season, and best wishes for the coming year.

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