Category: Public Info

Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (R), Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (L) and Community Access Unlimited (CAU) Executive Director Sidney Blanchard congratulate Jamese Baker of Elizabeth on receiving the Disability Services Employee of the Year Award at the CAU’s 28th Annual Awards Night Celebration in Mountainside. Community Access Unlimited is a multi-faceted, human services agency that provides support services for at–risk youth and people with disabilities. For more information about CAU please visit www.caunj.org. (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 at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

(From left) Union County Surrogate James LaCorte, Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich and Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi congratulate the winners of the 2012 “My County” poster contest sponsored by the Union County Constitutional Officers. The top winners of the contest, which is open only to fourth-graders, are (from left): Diana Li (1st place) from the McKinley School in Westfield, Diego Fajardo (2nd place) from St. John the Apostle Elementary School in Clark, Alquadir Dixon (3rd place) from the Winfield Scott School No. 2 in Elizabeth and Matteo Patrone (4th place) from St. Michael’s Elementary School in Cranford. (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.

CRANFORD, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that its next mobile paper-shredding program for personal documents will be available on Saturday, May 5, at Union County College in Cranford.

“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents fight identity theft and eliminate clutter in their homes,” said Freeholder Christopher Hudak, liaison to the Solid Waste Advisory Council. “It is a cost-effective way to assist our recycling efforts and it ties in with Union County’s other Go Green Initiatives.”

The May 5th shredding event will take place on the Cranford campus of Union County College, located at 1033 Springfield Avenue, opposite Nomahegan Park. NEXCUT Shredding of Teaneck will be shredding documents at the site from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. The shredding event will end before 1 p.m. if the shredding truck reaches capacity.

All Union County residents are eligible to use the paper-shredding service. In an effort to accommodate everyone, there is a limit of four, 10-pound bags or boxes per person. Documents should not be bound. Please remove plastic binders and paperclips. Paper that is wet/damp will not be accepted. Residents should continue to recycle non-confidential papers and magazines with their municipal recycling program.

Documents are put into 96-gallon containers provided by the shredding company. The items are then dumped onto a conveyor belt and shredded on site. Participants are welcome to view the shredding process via a closed-circuit television. The shredded documents are then recycled, shipped to paper mills and used as pulp. The next shredding event will take place Wednesday, May 16, at the Public Works yard in Union.

The mobile shredding program is paid for through New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Enhancement Act Grant Funds. For more information about future events or directions please call the Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/recycle.

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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 Freeholders Daniel Sullivan (3rd L) and Bette Jane Kowalski (2nd R) and Union County Manager Alfred Faella speak with (from left) Barbara Levinson of Mountainside, and her two daughters, Marcy Williams and Dana Levinson after the dedication ceremony for a new waterwheel and restored gazebo at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside.

Mrs. Levinson made a $17,000 donation, which fully funded the cost of the replacement water wheel and supplies for the refurbishment of the gazebo, in memory of her recently deceased husband, Dr. Joel Levinson, and their son, Kipp, who was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 1985. (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 at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (R) and Freeholders Angel G. Estrada (L) and Vernell Wright (2nd L) join U.S. Senator Robert Menendez and Diane Johnson, Field Director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Newark Office, at the Union County National Community Development Week Celebration on April 12 at the John T. Gregorio Towers in Linden. (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 at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County, NJ – In celebration of National Volunteer Week 2012 from April 15 to April 21, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders extends a message of appreciation to the volunteer members of the Union County Medical Reserve Corps.

“The Medical Reserve Corps is an exemplary group of Union County residents from all walks of life, who have made the commitment to step up during an emergency and help provide for the health and safety of the whole community,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

The Union County Medical Reserve Corps consists of more than 200 medical and non-medical professionals. It was organized seven years ago in order to help the County prepare for emergencies on a regional basis.

Through the Reserve Corps, disaster planners can swiftly identify community members who have a professional background that enables them to provide assistance during an emergency. The additional volunteers enable trained responders to focus their efforts on priority situations that require specialized skills.

The Reserve Corps also helps to ensure that more citizens throughout Union County are prepared to provide assistance in an emergency. In case an extreme event makes travel difficult, Reserve Corps members can help out locally until career responders arrive.

“Whether it’s a destructive storm, a public health threat or a purposeful attack in the metro region, Union County is now better prepared to respond to emergencies, thanks to citizen involvement through the Medical Reserve Corps,” said Mirabella.

Many Medical Reserve Corps volunteers have a background in health care fields, but medical training is not needed in order to join. Communications, transportation, emergency shelter management and other related skills play a critical role in effective emergency response.

Medical Reserve Corps volunteers participate in training and planning sessions, and they also conduct public outreach efforts on a regular basis.

For more information on the Union County Medical Reserve Corps, contact the Union County MRC Unit Coordinator, Ella Shaykevich, at 908-518-5620 or email mrc@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.

Union County, NJ – With another week of dry weather ahead, Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella asked all County residents to be extremely cautious when using barbecue grills, outdoor power equipment, fire pits, candles, and torches.

“We are an urban area that is not usually subject to forest fire warnings, but these are unusually dry conditions,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Fires can easily start in our parks and wooded areas, and spread to nearby homes. We are asking everyone to be especially vigilant.”

Last month a brush fire cropped up in Cranford, an unusual occurrence for Union County.

Last week a “High” fire danger rating was issued by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service for northern New Jersey  and it may be stepped up to “Extreme.”

Union County residents can help prevent wildfires in public parks by using only the elevated grills provided at designated areas for cooking with charcoal or wood. Keep extra water handy, watch the grill for sparks while cooking and douse the fire thoroughly when finished.

Cigarette smokers should dispose of their butts only in trash cans, portable ash trays or car ashtrays.

County residents who live next to parks and other wooded areas can help in the following ways:

> Exercise extra care with grills and candles or other decorative fires.

> Keep an eye out for sparks when using power mowers and other outdoor equipment.

> Dispose of cigarette butts properly.

> Keep property clear of debris and fire hazards.

Union County offers free drop-off days to collect used motor oil, paint thinner and other flammable substances from residents. For information call the recycling hotline, 908-654-9889 or visit ucnj.org/recycle.

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that free passport photographs are available from Monday, April 23, through Saturday, April 28, when customers apply for a U.S. Passport at her offices in Elizabeth and Westfield.

“My offices will waive the normal $10 fee for having your photograph taken when you apply during the last week in April for a passport book or passport card at our offices in Elizabeth and Westfield,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “Besides encouraging you to get your passport ready for summer vacations, this will also assist people who are renewing their driver’s license.”

New federal security rules set to begin May 7 will require additional proof of identification to secure a new driver’s license. A current U.S. passport is one of the primary documents citizens can use to verify their identification.

Passport application forms may be obtained at the County Clerk’s main office in the Union County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth or at the County Clerk’s office annex at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. Applications for passports and related information also can be found online at: ucnj.org/government/county-clerk/Passports.

“Our Elizabeth office opens at 7:30 a.m. and it has experienced, helpful, English and Spanish-speaking certified passport agents ready to assist you in any way we can,” Rajoppi said. “Our Westfield office has convenient evening and Saturday hours and also is fully staffed.”

The Westfield Annex is the only County Clerk’s office in the state that is open during evening hours. The Westfield Annex is open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The telephone number at the Westfield Annex is 908-654-9859.

The Elizabeth office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The telephone number in Elizabeth is 908-527-4966. Clients are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to closing time to allow for staff assistance with the passport process.

For more information about obtaining a U.S. passport, please call (908) 527-4966.

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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 Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (L) and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (2nd L) join Union County College President Dr. Margaret McMenanmin (R), Union County College Foundation Chair Carol Hertling (2nd R) and Union County College Trustee Chairman Victor M. Richel in congratulating Romina Duarte of Kenilworth at the Union County College Scholarship Reception in Cranford. Romina Duarte was the student speaker at the event and received a Union County Freeholders Scholarship. (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 at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

PLAINFIELD, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that its next mobile paper-shredding program for personal documents will be available on Friday, April 27, at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield.

“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents fight identity theft and eliminate clutter in their homes,” said Freeholder Christopher Hudak, liaison to the Solid Waste Advisory Council. “It is a cost-effective way to assist our recycling efforts and it ties in with Union County’s other Go Green Initiatives.”

The April 27th shredding event will take place at Cedar Brook Park, located off Park Avenue in Plainfield, near the border with South Plainfield. NEXCUT Shredding of Teaneck will be shredding documents at the site from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. The shredding event will end before 1 p.m. if the shredding truck reaches capacity.

All Union County residents are eligible to use the paper-shredding service. In an effort to accommodate everyone, there is a limit of four, 10-pound bags or boxes per person. Documents should not be bound. Please remove plastic binders and paperclips. Paper that is wet/damp will not be accepted. Residents should continue to recycle non-confidential papers and magazines with their municipal recycling program.

Documents are put into 96-gallon containers provided by the shredding company. The items are then dumped onto a conveyor belt and shredded on site. Participants are welcome to view the shredding process via a closed-circuit television. The shredded documents are then recycled, shipped to paper mills and used as pulp. The next shredding event will take place Saturday, May 5, at Union County College in Cranford.

The mobile shredding program is paid for through New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Enhancement Act Grant Funds. For more information about future events or directions please call the Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/recycle .

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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 .