Category: Public Info

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that a “One-Stop” service is available for Union County voters at the Westfield and Elizabeth offices of the County Clerk.

“Eligible voters are able to apply for a Vote-By-Mail ballot for the New Jersey Primary Election in person at either one of my offices, receive their ballot and cast the ballot at the same time,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “This one-stop voting service is available at my Westfield office as well as at the main office in Elizabeth.”

“The service in Westfield and Elizabeth makes voting more accessible, particularly at the Westfield office with its convenient Saturday office hours and evening hours during the week,” Ms. Rajoppi added. “With the important June 4 Primary Election for Governor, State Legislature, County and Municipal offices approaching quickly, my office is working to make the voting process as fast and convenient as we can for everyone who is registered to vote.”

The opportunity to Vote-By-Mail in Westfield and Elizabeth is another service available at the County Clerk’s two offices, along with passport application and renewal services, registration of Trade Names, and the application and swearing in of Notaries Public.

The Westfield Annex of the County Clerk is located at 300 North Avenue East, Westfield 07090. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

The Main Office of the County Clerk is located at the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Room 113, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. Regular office hours in Elizabeth are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Vote-By-Mail is an easy, secure process that has replaced the Absentee Ballot. Voters do not need to give a reason why they wish to Vote-By-Mail. To obtain an application form, voters also may pick up the form at their local municipal building; they can download the form at the Union County Clerk’s website: www.ucnj.org/vote-by-mail or they can contact the Union County Clerk at 908-527-4996. The Clerk’s website also includes a video that explains how to fill out the Vote-By-Mail application form.

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Union County, NJ – Using rainwater collected from a roof, last weekend Cub Scout Pack 145 performed the first known “green” car wash fundraiser in Union County, at the public works building in Clark. The event was a success for the Scouts, who washed almost 100 cars while demonstrating how to conserve water and reduce pollutants.

“I’d like to thank Cub Scout Pack 145 for helping to raise public awareness about the different ways in which we can help clean up our local waterways,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “They all did a great job.”

The green car wash was designed by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program with assistance from Arthur L. Johnson High School students, under a grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Also partnering in the project were Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County (supported in part by the Freeholder Board) and the Township of Clark.

The green car wash is a complete system for harvesting fresh water and disposing of wash water.

The two key features of the system are a 5,000 gallon cistern located on the roof of the public works building, which collects rainwater, and an adjacent rain garden.

Rain gardens are designed to soak up excess storm runoff like a sponge, using special soils and low maintenance plants. They require little or no irrigation, fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides.

Rain gardens are effective ways to prevent pollution from storm runoff in urban areas. In particular, runoff from washing a car at home includes high levels of sediment, heavy metals, oil, grease, surfactants (from soap), and other chemicals that harm fish and other aquatic life.

At the green car wash, runoff is directed to the rain garden, where pollutants are trapped in the soil and are broken down by natural processes.

Otherwise, these pollutants would have entered local storm drain system that eventually leads to the Robinson’s Branch stream, a tributary of the Rahway River.

“It is estimated that 20 gallons of water are used to wash one car with a hose. That’s a lot of wasted water,” said Michele Bakacs, Environmental Agent with the Union County Extension. “Harvesting rainwater is a great alternative for car washing because it helps save the public drinking water supply.”

The green car wash is part of a series of “green infrastructure” projects for the Robinson’s Branch watershed. The goal is to demonstrate environmentally friendly techniques that reduce stormwater runoff and improve water quality in urban neighborhoods.

“Our first County parks date back to the 1920’s and they are some of the earliest examples of green infrastructure,” said Carter. “Now it’s up to our generation to improve upon that legacy.”

The project for the Robinson’s Branch is slated for Rahway, where rain gardens are being installed on residential properties. For more about this project contact Michele Bakacs, 732-398-5274 orbakacs@njaes.rutgers.edu.

For more information about Union County Extension programs and activities, including rain gardens and rain barrels, visit or ucnj.org/rce.

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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 Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the Union County Women Mean Business Summit which is set to take place on Wednesday, June 19th at 11:00 a.m. at the Clubhouse at Galloping Hill Golf Course, located at 3 Golf Drive in Kenilworth.

“Union County recognizes that Women who know how to compete in the workforce are vital to the economic security of not only our state, but our nation as a whole,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “As the first female African American Chairman, I am excited that we can put together a women’s program of this caliber.”

Expanding on the popular Union County Means Business networking series, the Women’s Summit is expected to bring together women from the far reaches of Union County to enjoy a day of inspiration, education and networking.

The program will focus on topics such as starting a business, re-entering the workforce, enhancing your business through social media, breaking the glass ceiling, and networking.

The schedule of events for the day is as follows:

• 11:30 a.m.: Registration Opens
• 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.: Lunch & Key Note Address
• 1:45 p.m.: -2:45 p.m.: Breakout Session 1
• 3:00 p.m.: -4:00 p.m.: Breakout Session 2
• 4:00 p.m.: -5:30 p.m.: Networking Cocktail Reception (Cash Bar)

To register visit www.ucnj.org/ucmeansbusiness; a $25 registration fee is applicable, and pre-Registration is required. The first 50 women to register will receive a complimentary golf lesson at 11:00a.m. on the day of the event.

The Union County Women Mean Business Summit is sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders in partnership with the Union County Alliance, Union County Economic Development Corp., Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, Suburban Chambers of Commerce, Union Township Chamber of Commerce, Kean University, and Union County College.

For additional information on the Summit or the Union County Means Business Series, please visitwww.ucnj.org/UCMeansBusiness or contact the County Manager’s office at 908-527-4200.

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.

Union County Freeholder Angel G. Estrada congratulates Emilia Gabryszewska of Linden on completing the Union County Freeholders College for Teens program at Union County College in Cranford. This summer more than 60 students from throughout Union County completed the three-week program which offers teens in grades 8 through 12 opportunities to explore a variety of career choices while experiencing life on a college campus. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

UNION, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce approval of funding for the 2013 Union County HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant Program.

The application process for a HEART Grant will be explained at a workshop for Union County non-profit organizations, individual artists and scholars on Thursday, May 16, at 7:00 p.m. The workshop will be held at the Liberty Hall Museum’s Wagon Shed Building, 1003 Morris Ave., Union, 07083. Although the workshop is free of charge, pre-registration is suggested.

“The response to the HEART Grant Program in past years has been exciting,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “The recipients are a wonderful mix of creative individuals – poets and writers, historians, painters, photographers, musicians and dancers – plus arts, history and other cultural organizations and civic groups.”

Recognizing the importance of culture and the arts to the county’s quality of life and economy, this innovative program supports projects related to history, the arts and humanities, and demonstrates a commitment to the artists and non-profit organizations of Union County.

“The services provided by these artists, scholars and organizations directly benefit the residents of our county and increase appreciation for the arts, our history, and the humanities,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “These cultural assets are a vital part of community life, well being, economic development and cultural heritage tourism in Union County.”

For additional information or to register for the HEART Grant workshop, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Telephone: (908) 558-2550. NJ Relay users dial 711, or E-mail: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

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Union County, NJ – Forty-six members of the Union County 4-H Clubs took to the stage last month for the annual 4-H Public Presentation Night, sharing their personal passion for topics ranging from stop-motion video to basic Chinese, and much more. The event was held at the Union County Vo-Tech Schools campus in Scotch Plains.

“Our 4-H members reflect the diverse, dynamic energy and creative spirit that makes Union County such a wonderful place in which to raise a family,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “The Freeholder Board is very proud of every one of the Presentation Night speakers, who reached out to share their favorite subjects with others.”

Seven of the speakers qualified to move up to the statewide Presentation event in June: Kyle Grant of Union, Kirstin Waldman of Roselle, and Adrian Lam, Neeraj Shekhar, Vivek Sreenivasan, Joseph Stokes and Michael Stokes, all of Westfield.

Union County 4-H is the youth development program of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, supported in part by the Freeholder Board.

Public Presentation Night is the culmination of long preparation during the school year. Each participant picks a topic they feel strongly about, develops a brief speech that demonstrates their knowledge of the subject, and delivers it at a public event.

The goal is to provide young people in grades 1 through 12 with opportunities to exercise their communication skills, while encouraging them to explore topics of interest to them in greater depth.

Union County 4-H offers many popular clubs including archery, Lego robotics, horticulture, living history, cooking, dog training, fashion and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).

For more information about Union County 4-H contact 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz at the Extension office in Westfield, 908-654-9854 or Nichnadowicz@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Please note: 4-H clubs fill quickly, and the Archery and Lego Robotics clubs are chosen by lottery. To keep informed about the registration schedule contact Judi Laganga at the Westfield office, 908-654-9854 orjlaganga@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.

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.

Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich announced this week the 6th Annual Union County Sheriff’s Youth Academy is now accepting applications for its 2013 summer class.

The free program is designed to provide youths the opportunity to gain insight into the everyday functions and training of the variety of law enforcement agencies and emergency services. It operates similar to an actual police academy for teens interested in law enforcement.

“The Youth Academy aims to teach our kids about law enforcement and it is a great first step for those interested in the field,” Sheriff Froehlich said.

The Sheriff’s Youth Academy is not a ‘boot camp’ for troubled youth. In order to enroll in the program, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.70 (B- average) and a one page letter of reference from a non-family member.

The two-week program for middle school and high school students meets daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the John H. Stamler Police Academy in Scotch Plains.

The class for 7th and 8th graders runs July 15-26. The high school class for grades 9 through 12 will take place from July 29 until August 9.

During the first week of the program, the teens engage in a physical training regime twice a day while attending lectures on subjects such as crime scene investigations and motor vehicle stops. They also receive visits from representatives from several branches of the military, New Jersey State Police and the Secret Service.

The second week of the Youth Academy involves visiting various Sheriff’s Office operations around the county including the K-9 Search and Rescue Unit, the Fugitive Unit and Courthouse Complex Security.

Last year more than 80 students from across Union County graduated from the Sheriff’s Youth Academy.

For applications or more information contact Sheriff’s Officer Tara Halpin at 908-527-4032. Applications can also be downloaded at www.ucnj.org/government/sheriff/sheriffs-youth-academy/.

Completed applications should be sent to the attention of: S/O Tara Halpin, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Administration Building, 1st Floor, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07207.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the popular Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County Annual Spring Garden Fair and Plant Sale is coming up on May 19, and this year promises a bounty of displays to inspire, delight and inform casual gardeners and experts alike.  The rain-or-shine event is free and open to the public.

Now in its 24th year, the Garden Fair will be held on Sunday, May 19, from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. at the Demonstration Gardens in Union County’s Watchung Reservation, located near the Trailside Nature and Science Center at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.

“The Freeholder Board is very proud of the Master Gardeners, who are celebrating their 25th year of service to the citizens of Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “Please show your support for their many good works, by coming out to the Spring Garden Fair.”

The Master Gardeners of Union County are volunteers trained and certified by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of New Jersey, supported in part by the Freeholder Board.

Among the Master Gardeners’ many contributions to the Union County community are the Sharing, Berry Patch, Herb and Harry Potter gardens, which will hit a milestone this year with more than 20,000 pounds of fresh produce donated to local food pantries and nutrition centers since 2002.

Every year the group also donates thousands of flowers to local cancer hospitals and centers from its gardens, conducts community gardening projects and offers horticultural therapy to seniors and other residents with special needs. 

All proceeds from the Garden Fair help to fund these programs, along with a college scholarship fund for local youth.

As always, this year’s Spring Garden Fair offers hundreds of plants for sale that are fit for local growing conditions in New Jersey, including a large selection of tomatoes for containers and small gardens. Many other vegetables, herbs, hanging baskets, houseplants, and annual and perennial flowers round out the sale.

Many of the plants have been selected specifically for deer resistance and drought.  Easy-to-grow plants for beginning gardeners are also available.

New this year will be a Fragrant Plant table featuring varieties selected for their pleasing scent.

In addition to plants for sale, the Garden Fair also features home-baked goods, craft items, gardening odds and ends, and used gardening books and magazines for sale.

Also offered for sale is the Rutgers soil test kit, which provides a reliable, affordable way for gardeners to analyze the quality of their soil.

Free gardening outreach and education is an important part of the Garden Fair. This year’s offerings include children’s activities, tours of the Demonstration Gardens, an informational display on the new “Square Food Gardening” gardening trend, information about the Master Tree Steward program, a presentation on home composting, information about mosquito control, and an introduction to horticultural therapy.

Throughout the event, Master Gardener volunteers will run a free Garden Helpline clinic to answer questions and provide guidance for solving gardening problems.  Visitors to the Garden Fair are encouraged to bring plant and insect samples for diagnosis.

Visitors who plan to make purchases should bring a small wagon to convey their purchases.  Free parking is available adjacent to the Fair and in nearby areas of the Watchung Reservation.

For maps and directions, including an interactive Google Maps feature, visit the Trailside Nature and Science Center page at ucnj.org/parks.

Anyone with an interest in gardening and a commitment to volunteer service can become a Master Gardener. No previous background in horticulture is required. Applications will be on hand at the Garden Fair, or contact Judi Laganga at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Office in Westfield, 908-654-9854.

Additional information is available at the Master Gardener website, mastergardeners-uc.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.

Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and County Boards of Chosen Freeholders. The Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Treat your mom to a special event this Mother’s Day when you take her for a ride in the beautiful Watchung Reservation. Union County’s Watchung Stable offers two special Mother’s Day guided trail rides on Sunday, May 12, at 9:15 and 10:30 a.m. for riders 9 years of age or older.

“The Watchung Reservation is a 2,000-acre park that offers everyone a chance to enjoy the natural beauty of a forest, right in Mountainside!” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “And for those who like horseback riding, you’ll see plenty of Union County’s largest park while getting some fresh air and exercise, too.”

Registration has begun for the special Mother’s Day rides, so don’t wait until the last minute to make plans. You need to register in person for these rides at the Watchung Stable office, 1160 Summit Lane in Mountainside. Payment is required at the time of registration. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. – noon and 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. daily. The cost for Union County residents is $32 per person and $45 for out-of-county riders. No experience is necessary; these rides are held at a walking pace only. After each ride, the Watchung Stable Auxiliary will provide light refreshments in the Watchung Stable assembly room.

Watchung Stable also offers guided trail rides on Saturdays at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. and on Sundays at 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. Weekend afternoon trail riders aged 9 years and older are accommodated on a first-come first-served basis, weather permitting. Experience is not required. The cost of these trail rides is $32 for Union County residents and $45 for out-of-county riders.

Private trail rides also are available for individuals or parties up to approximately 15 people. The cost is the regular rental fee plus an additional $32 for the private instructor. These private rides are scheduled at mutually convenient times on weekdays and weekends.  Please call to schedule your ride today!

The Mother’s Day Rides and the other guided trail rides originate at Watchung Stable, located at 1160 Summit Lane in Mountainside. For more information, call 908-789-3665 during normal office hours or E-mail questions to stablequestions@ucnj.org. Watchung Stable is a facility of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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(From left) Union County Freeholders Vernell Wright and Bette Jane Kowalski present a resolution to Senior Citizen Council Chair Ellen Steinberg and Executive Director Richard Stone proclaiming May 2013 as Older Americans Month  at the Senior Citizen Council of Union County’s 42nd Annual Luncheon at L’Affaire in Mountainside. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)