Category: Public Info

Do you like working with artists, teachers and students? The Union County Teen Arts Festival provides an opportunity for volunteers to get involved.

The Union County Teen Arts Festival, sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Department of Parks and Community Renewal, is a two-day celebration of the arts held annually at Union County College in Cranford. The event, scheduled for March 15 and 16, is open to all students from public, charter, private and parochial middle and high schools in Union County.

“Nearly 4,000 students participate in performances, critiquing seminars, master classes and workshops with a staff of 55 professional artists in every discipline – visual art, music, creative writing, theater and dance,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Volunteers are needed to assist artists with workshops, manage performance sites and staff information stations. We appreciate the invaluable assistance of our county residents with this exciting program.”

If you are interested in any of these activities, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07202. Telephone: (908) 558-2550; NJ Relay Users call 711. Or e-mail us at: culturalinfo@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 .

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee announce the opening of an exhibit to commemorate Union County’s role in the Civil War of 1861-65. The exhibit is scheduled to open on Thursday, Feb. 9, at 2 p.m. in the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street in historic midtown Elizabeth.

“This exhibit of Civil War artifacts and photographs will focus on the unique contributions of Union County citizens to the war effort,” said Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, chairman of the Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee. “We’ll place special emphasis on the experiences of Union County residents in the areas of the home front, the military, and the economic and political life of the County.”

Speakers at the opening event will include Karen Cassidy, Assignment Judge, Superior Court New Jersey; Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella; the Rev. Robert Higgs, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth; and Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi. There will be entertainment and refreshments. The public is invited to the opening of the exhibit, but you are asked to call Ms. Rajoppi’s office at 908-527-4787 to reserve a seat.

The Civil War commemorative exhibit will be on display until 2015 and 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.

The Civil War monument in Fairview Cemetery in Westfield was “Erected by the citizens of Westfield and Vicinity to commemorate the services of the soldiers and sailors of Union County who served in the war for the Union,” its inscription reads. A series of photographs featuring Civil War monuments throughout Union County will be part of the exhibit that opens at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth on Thursday, February. 9, at 2:00 p.m. The public is invited to the opening of the exhibit, but you are asked to call 908-527-4787 to reserve a seat. (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, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

SCOTCH PLAINS – The Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal has released details of the Ash Brook Reservation Deer Management Program, which will begin on Thursday, January 19 and continue through Saturday, February 11.

This program is intended to reduce the white-tailed deer population in the Ash Brook Reservation and Golf Course in an attempt 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.

A wildlife management contractor hired by the Township of Scotch Plains removed 241 deer from the Ash Brook Reservation between 2006 and 2009. In 2010, licensed hunters from the Cranford Rod & Gun Club removed eight deer, and in 2011 they harvested 22 deer.

This year, seven members of the Oak Ridge Sportsmen’s Association have been authorized to participate in this program and 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 Union 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.

Click here to view the program guidelines.

For further information, 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 .

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced that Union County will receive a grant of $3,426,758 from the Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  These federal dollars provide permanent and transitional housing for homeless individuals and families as well as support services such as job training, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and child care.

HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan announced the grant in a statement released December 20, 2011.

“According to a January 2011 survey, 584 children were counted among 1,471 homeless people in Union County,” Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella said. “The Freeholder Board is thankful that the County will be receiving these funds, and hopeful that with them we can improve the quality of life for these members of our community.”

Each year the Department of Human Services works closely with community partners like Bridgeway Rehabilitation Services, Inc., Community Access Unlimited, the Community Access Institute, the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless, Homefirst Interfaith Housing and Family Services, Inc., and the YMCA and YWCA of Eastern Union County, to accurately gauge the County’s needs and resources, in order to submit a comprehensive joint application to the federal government.

“This high degree of professionalism and cooperation enables Union County to obtain additional funding for vital programs like these on a competitive basis,” noted Frank Guzzo, Director of the Union County Department of Human Services.

Since 1998 this collaborative cooperation has resulted in Union County receiving $35.3 million in federal grants to help support the operation of programs that serve the homeless. Nationwide, for fiscal year 2011, HUD awarded $1.47 billion in homeless grants for renewal projects.

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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 Linda Carter (center) of Plainfield is sworn in as Vice Chairman of the Freeholder Board by Plainfield Municipal Judge Joan Robinson Gross during Union County Government’s 155th Annual Reorganization on January 8, 2012 at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Holding the Bible is Freeholder Carter’s mother, Adele Carter. (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

Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright of Union is sworn in to her first term as Freeholder by Judge Glen Grant during Union County Government’s 155th Annual Reorganization on January 8, 2012 at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Holding the Bible are Freeholder Wright’s daughter Patricia Johnson, daughter-in-law Deborah Douglas Wright, and her grandchildren Andrea Johnson, Mark McArthur and Anthony Wright. (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

Union County Freeholder Christopher Hudak (center) of Linden is sworn in to his first full term as Freeholder by Joseph Bodek, Municipal Clerk of the City of Linden, during Union County Government’s 155th Annual Reorganization on January 8, 2012 at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Holding the Bible are Freeholder Hudak’s wife Terri and their daughter Catie.  (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

Union County Freeholder Angel G. Estrada of Elizabeth is sworn in for his fifth term as Freeholder by Superior Court Judge Roberto Alcazar (not pictured) during Union County Government’s 155th Annual Reorganization on January 8, 2012 at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Holding the Bible are Freeholder Estrada’s grandchildren, Keith and Alexandra.  (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

Freeholder Estrada begins new term;
Freeholder Hudak begins first full term;
Freeholder Wright begins first term

UNION COUNTY COURTHOUSE, ELIZABETH—Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabellatoday announced a series of initiatives entitled “putting people first” that are designed tojumpstart economic growth, assist those with special needs, encourage green practices and recognize veterans and active military service personnel.

Mirabella, a resident of Fanwood, was selected as Chairman of the Union County Freeholder Board for the fourth time in his career at the 155th annual reorganization meeting held in the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Mirabella was last Chairman in 2009.

“For even among the shadow of a persistent economic hardship, and a decade of war that has transformed America, there is a new sun rising today, bringing rays of hope and renewal,” Mirabella proclaimed during his reorganization address. “Yet this sense of new hope is tempered by the reality that we still have a long way to go during these difficult times. We must continue to put the people of Union County first in all we do.”

Freeholder Angel Estrada, of Elizabeth, was sworn in to a fifth term; Freeholder Christopher Hudak, of Linden, was sworn in to his first full term, and Freeholder Vernell Wright, of Union, was sworn in to her first term. Freeholder Linda Carter, of Plainfield, 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 2012 schedule and procedural rules.

Mirabella also announced his initiatives will be done at little or no added expense to taxpayers, and some are funded through existing grant money.

“PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST” INITIATIVES:

“Union County Means Business” — Host the first of a series of “Union County Means Business” networking breakfasts for the business community and government representatives on February 1st at Kean University.Also, the nationally-recognized Rutgers Heldrich Center will finish their “Union County Competitiveness Study,” an action plan for keeping Union County’s economy healthy, and competitive. The report has identified two main sectors to focus on: health care and transportation-logistics-distribution. These are two areas—known as ‘clusters’– where Union County’s location and advanced labor force gives an advantage in creating even more job opportunities for residents and more growth for businesses.

New programs for the disabled and those with special needs, including:

• The development of an Autism Theatre Initiative with the Union County Performing Arts Center, to make plays accessible to children and teenagers (ages 5-18) on the spectrum. The goal is to provide a series of theatrical performances, at a nominal fee.

• The re-introduction of the “Horticulture for Children with Special Needs” program. This will be done in partnership with the Rutgers Cooperative Master Gardeners program.

• Several other new offerings for the disabled including a soccer instructional program, a barn dance in the Watchung Reservation, and a springtime social.

The creation of Union County Tech School of Design at the Vo-Tech. This will follow the same career academy format as the other Vo-Tech magnet school programs. It will function as a “school within a school” and service approximately 80 students over a four-year period and start next September.This initiative will provide for the initial group of 20 9th grade students to study digital media and computer aided design. Through an agreement with Kean University, students will have the opportunity to earn up to 30 college credits while attending the Vo Tech.

Green initiatives: Through a federal grant, a total of more than 25 county facilities have already or will receive energy efficient upgrades such as: lighting improvements, the installation of programmable thermostats, and installation of high efficiency air conditioning units, chillers, and boilers.The funds have also been used to jumpstart the creation of four different solar panel projects at the following locations:Trailside in Mountainside;The Juvenile Detention Center in Linden;Runnells Specialized Hospital in Berkeley Heights;and the Ruotolo Building in Elizabeth. Green LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards will continue to be applied to the County’s construction and renovation projects.

For active military service men and women, the County will be offering a card for complimentary services in its parks system in 2012. This will enable active service people who are County residents—and their families—to enjoy one free usage of some of the County’s most popular services—golf, pool, skating and more throughout the year.

For all Union County Veterans, the County will add a “Veterans Appreciation” concert in the parks system during the summer. Throughout the year the County will also work to enhance outreach to veterans through Union County’s Office of Veterans Affairs.

Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella of Fanwood is sworn in as the 2012 Chairman of the Freeholder Board by New Jersey State Senator Raymond Lesniak (L) during Union County Government’s Annual Reorganization on January 8, 2012 at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Holding the Bible are Freeholder Chairman Mirabella’s wife Phyllis and their children Micayla and Alexander. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – “Beyond Just Riding” is a series of five winter clinics being offered on Sundays at Watchung Stable. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal, the clinics will be held on Sunday mornings from January 15 through February 12.

“We are pleased to continue this program which explores different equestrian topics with no actual riding,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon. “This exploration of horses and horseback riding will help people learn simple behaviors of the horse and what it actually takes to own your own horse.”

Participants, ages nine through adult, are invited to register for as many clinics as they would like.  Each “Beyond Just Riding” session will last two hours and will focus on one of a variety of horse and horsemanship topics. All riding levels are welcome. The clinics will be held in the barn or the lecture area of the stable.

The winter clinics are being offered as follows:

• Jan. 15     9-11 a.m.     Grooming and Tacking Up;
• Jan. 22     9-11 a.m.     Behavior of Horses;
• Jan. 29     9-11 a.m.     Basic Tack and Care of Tack;
• Feb. 5       9-11 a.m.     Advanced Grooming;
• Feb. 12     9-11 a.m.     What It Takes To Own A Horse.

Space is limited and in-person pre-registration is required at Watchung Stable, located at 1160 Summit Lane in Mountainside. The cost is $20 per person for each two-hour clinic. For further information, call the Watchung Stable office at 908-789-3665 or e-mail your question tostablequestions@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 atwww.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .