Category: Public Info

Every holiday season for 15 years, Union County Sheriff’s Officers have set up their “Tree of Hope” in the courthouse seeking donations of toys and clothing for needy children throughout the county. Each year the response has been overwhelming.

The “Tree of Hope” was first planted in 1997 when officers approached Sheriff Ralph Froehlich and related troubling stories of children who were going to experience a less than happy holiday season. The children the officers encountered were homeless or living in shelters, were victims of domestic violence or medically fragile.  Their parents or guardians did not have the financial ability to provide holiday gifts.

Every year since the Sheriff and the “Tree of Hope” committee have erected a tree in the Union County Courthouse featuring paper ornaments. Volunteers make the ornaments and write a particular gift on each one.

“These caring officers do a tremendous job in helping these children,” Sheriff Froehlich said. “Even during tough economic and personal times, it is important not to forget those kids who are less fortunate.

Monetary donations to help provide additional gifts are also being sought.

Contributions of money (tax-deductible), toys and clothing can be sent to: Union County Sheriff’s Officers Tree of Hope, Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, N.J., 07207. For more information, call the “Tree of Hope” hotline at 908-629-2158.

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A keen-eyed Union County Sheriff’s Officer’s observation while walking to his car after work resulted in the arrest of three Texas men wanted for assaulting a police officer a week earlier.

On November 20, an off-duty Elizabeth Police officer was violently attacked and disarmed during a dispute in Roselle. The suspects fled the scene.

Six days later, while walking down Rahway Avenue in Elizabeth after finishing his regular shift, Sheriff’s Officer George Gyure spotted a red pickup and trailer parked near three men working on a billboard.

The vehicle matched the description in the “be on the lookout” alert from the Roselle Police Department. A man on the billboard also fit the description of one of the suspects.

Officer Gyure called Captain Roxann Banek informing her of the situation. Sheriff’s Officers James Miller and Kevin Sargent responded as back up.

The Sheriff’s Officers detained the three men until officers from the Elizabeth and Roselle Police Departments arrived and confirmed that these were the suspects and vehicle they were looking for.

Robert Garcia, Joshua Curington and Ricardo Alcala Cervantes, all of Texas, were transported to Roselle Police Headquarters.

“This a good job by a very alert officer with great street experience,” said Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich.

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WESTFIELD, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announced that Vote-By-Mail ballots for the Westfield Board of Education’s upcoming Special Election will be available beginning on Monday, December 3, through the County Clerk’s Westfield office.

The Special Election in Westfield, scheduled for Tuesday, December 11, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., involves a $13.6 million school bond referendum. The deadline to apply for Vote-By-Mail in-person at the County Clerk’s Westfield office is Monday, December 10, before 3:00 p.m.

“Registered voters in Westfield may obtain a Vote-By-Mail ballot for the Special Election by visiting my website or my office in Westfield,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “The service at the Westfield office, with its convenient Saturday office hours and evening hours during the week, makes voting more accessible for voters unable to go to the polls in person on December 11.”

The opportunity to Vote-By-Mail in Westfield is another service available at the County Clerk’s Westfield office, 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. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

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 can download the form at the Union County Clerk’s website: www.ucnj.org/votebymail 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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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 – In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders would like to notify County residents whose homes suffered any flooding or structural damage due to the super-storm that they may be eligible for a reduction to their property tax assessment.

“Hurricane Sandy dealt Union County a devastating blow,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “We are diligently seeking new avenues of relief for our residents and this is one that we encourage them to take advantage of.”

To apply for the reduction, residents must download the Assessment Review form, at www.ucnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/tax-form.pdf. The form must be completed and submitted, with any supporting documentation concerning the property and the referenced damage, to the corresponding municipal tax assessor by Thursday, January 10, 2013.

Submission of the Assessment review form does not guarantee there will be a resulting change in the property tax assessment, as material depreciation is being evaluated on a case by case basis.

To qualify, the home must have suffered flooding or structural damage; damage to trees and landscaping do not qualify as property damage for the sake of this program.

Assessment reductions will take effect as of January, but will not be adjusted on your tax bill until the 3rdquarter of 2013.

For additional information please contact the Union County Board of Taxation at 908-527-4775, or contact your local tax assessor. For a listing of municipal tax assessors and their local contact information, visitwww.ucnj.org/taxation-phone-sheet/

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announce a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center will open in Linden on Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Gregorio Center at 330 Helen Street. The center will subsequently remain open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

The Disaster Recovery Center is to support residents of Union County who suffered damage from the Megastorm Sandy. Any survivor from the 21 counties in New Jersey can visit this DRC.

Disaster recovery specialists from various local, state and federal agencies will be at the center to assist individuals and answer questions regarding disaster assistance.

Union County Freeholder Christopher Hudak speaks with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Policy Analyst Naomi Johnson at a FEMA disaster recovery center in Springfield. The center was set up to assist residents who suffered property damage and loss due to Hurricane Sandy. Homeowners, renters and business owners can visit the center to register in person for assistance through FEMA and the federal Small Business Administration.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright (C) and Union County Manager Alfred Faella (L) thank Jim Mackley, Senior Vice President of Merck Consumer Care, for the company’s donation of products for first responders working in Union County during the Hurricane Sandy recovery process.  (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. On Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

ATLANTA – Survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance companies before applying for SBA disaster loan assistance.  The SBA encourages survivors of Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey to return their completed applications, even if they have not settled with their insurance company.

“Waiting to file an SBA application could cause unnecessary delays in receiving disaster assistance, and survivors may miss the application deadline. Returning the loan application is an essential part of the disaster recovery process.” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA Field Operations Center East.

If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA will consider making a loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay their SBA loan.

Disaster home and business loans are available to repair or replace disaster-damaged property, including contents.  Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes having difficulties meeting operating expenses because of the disaster.

Interest rates are as low as 1.688 percent for homeowners and renters, 3 percent for non-profit organizations and 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years.  Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website athttps://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in New Jersey can apply for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).  Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.  The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.  Those in affected areas with access to the internet may register by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov, or online at www.disasterassistance.gov.

Additional details on the locations of recovery centers and the loan application process can be obtained by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can be downloaded fromwww.sba.gov.  Completed applications should be returned to a recovery center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is December 31, 2012.  The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 31, 2013.

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For more information about the SBA’s Disaster Loan Program, visit our website at www.sba.gov.

Union County – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, in connection with the Union County Youth Services Commission, invites middle school students and their parents to attend the inaugural Union County Youth Services Commission Engagement Middle School Summit. The event will take place on Saturday, December 8, at 9:00 a.m. at the Union County College, Kellogg Building located at 40 West Jersey St. in Elizabeth.

“The Freeholder Board is proud to be able to support this event,” said Freeholder Vernell Wright. “It is an exciting opportunity to support the growth and empowerment of our youth while in the same context providing parents and caregivers with tools to help their children succeed.”

Through a series of workshops for students and their chaperones, the Summit is designed to help students take control of their future by providing them with information and resources to guide them in making wise decisions and help them mature into productive young adults.

The available workshops include:

• Teen Communicating To Win – Reading Around the World, Student Workshop – designed to introduce students to the power of fables which can provide valuable insight about morals and life lessons, as well as expand knowledge about specific cultures.

• Violence Prevention, Student Workshop – will discuss youth violence and its impact so that participants can understand the long term effects of violence on families.
• Interactive Performing Arts, Student Workshop – designed to raise awareness and demonstrate the unique power that the arts play in youth development.
• Peaceful Alternative to Tough Solutions (PATTS), Student Workshop – designed to help students resolve issues without fighting back by practicing basic mediation skills.
• Youth Achieving Success Workshop for Caregivers, Parent Workshop – will provide parent(s)/guardian(s) with information on how decrease the likelihood of involvement in the juvenile justice system with emphasis on parenting skills.
• Current Drug and Alcohol Trends in Union County, Parent Workshop – will equip parents with the tools needed to identify risky behaviors related to substance abuse through early intervention and prevention strategies.

The program will also include presentations by The Institute of Music for Children, Prevention Links, the Youth Advocate Program Inc. of Essex/Union County, Family and Children’s Services, Care Plus, NJ, and Boxwood Development Services. Rev. Charles Atkins, Chaplain with the N.J. Department of Corrections’ Garden State Youth Correctional Facility, and Union County Sheriff, Ralph Froehlich will each serve as keynote speakers.

A continental breakfast as well as a closing lunch will be served.

To register for the Summit please visit www.ucnj.org/middleschoolsummit. Preregistration is required by Monday, November 26; there will be no on-site registration.

The Union County Youth Services Commission Engagement Middle School Summit is made possible through support from the Juvenile Justice Commission and the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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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.

Union County, NJ – FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has opened a Disaster Recovery Center in Plainfield 400 East Front Street, to help eligible residents connect with resources that can help them recover from the effects of the superstorm Sandy. It is open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. seven days a week and it may be used by any resident of New Jersey.

Residents can also use the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center that opened last week at the Chisholm Community Center, 100 South Springfield Avenue in Springfield. It is also open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

“Many people and businesses in our community suffered the impact of this storm, so if you have any questions at all about your eligibility for disaster relief, please come in and talk to a FEMA representative,” said Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Linda Carter, a lifelong Plainfield resident. “A face-to-face conversation is often the best way to get helpful information.”

Residents can visit the Plainfield and Springfield locations any time during the hours of operation. No appointment is necessary.

For more information about FEMA disaster recovery services and Hurricane Sandy, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or visit fema.gov/sandy.

For information about all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org.

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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.

Children of All Ages Can Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Usher in the holidays with the sights and sounds of the season at the 29th Annual Holiday Nature Craft Show at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside.  The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal are pleased to present this seasonal craft show and charity drive in conjunction with the Union County tree and menorah lighting celebration at Trailside on Sunday, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The price of admission is an item of dry or canned food or a new, unwrapped toy to be distributed through local charities.

“While shopping at the Nature Craft Show for unique gifts for friends and family, visitors will be treated to a festive afternoon of activities, including greetings from Santa and Mrs. Claus,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Adding to the holiday atmosphere, carolers will entice visitors to join them in a sing-along and decorated trees will be on display.”

Staff from various Union County departments and community organizations will decorate trees in the Trailside Visitor Center.  All the trees, ornaments, and gift cards collected will be distributed to Union County families in need. Visitors are encouraged to stop by each holiday tree and vote on their favorite decoration theme for this year.

With a large selection of handcrafted items available at the show, you will certainly be able to check some names off your gift list. More than 40 vendors will be selling nature-themed items such as ornaments, home décor, jewelry, pottery, stained glass, recycled items, and much more.   Light refreshments will be available for purchase throughout the day.

Children will be able to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus from noon to 4:30 p.m., and free children’s face-painting will be offered to keep the little ones entertained. The day’s activities in Trailside’s auditorium will include the Union County tree and menorah lighting at 4:30 p.m.

For additional information about the Holiday Nature Craft Show please call Trailside at

908-789-3670, or go to www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road (at Coles Avenue) in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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A VISIT WITH SANTA – Mitch and Jocelyn Zuber of Cranford visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at last year’s Holiday Nature Craft Show at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside. This year’s show will be on Sunday, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The price of admission is an item of dry or canned food or a new, unwrapped toy to be distributed through local charities. For information call Trailside at 908-789-3670, or visitwww.ucnj.org/trailside.

BEST DRESSED TREE – Freeholders Deborah Scanlon and Linda Carter congratulate the winners of last year’s Tree Decorating Contest at the Holiday Nature Craft Show at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside. The 2011 award went to the Watchung Junior Hunt Club, the Watchung Stable’s youth organization for riders ages 9-17. Pictured are (left to right): Freeholder Scanlon; Meghan Foley of Clark; Janine Puhak of Cranford; Melissa Shendell of Westfield; Candice Mason of Clark; and Freeholder Vice Chairman Carter. This year’s Nature Craft Show is Sunday, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The price of admission is an item of dry or canned food or a new, unwrapped toy to be distributed through local charities. For information call Trailside at 908-789-3670, or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside.

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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 .