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Union County Commemorates Tenth Anniversary of September 11 at Echo Lake Park

The Union County September 11 Memorial in Echo Lake Park honors the memory of all those affected by the attacks. It includes two girders from the World Trade Center (rear). A special ceremony will be held at the Memorial on Sunday, September 11 starting at 1:00 p.m. in recognition of the tenth anniversary of the attacks. To affirm the community values of service and giving, the New York Blood Center will hold a blood donation drive nearby from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (photo: Jim Lowney/County of Union).

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites members of the public to attend a special ceremony to honor the memory of the 60 Union County residents killed in the attacks of September 11, 2001, and to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the event. The ceremony will be held at the Union County September 11th Memorial in Echo Lake Park, in Mountainside, beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 11.

In conjunction with the ceremony, the New York Blood Center will conduct a blood drive near the Memorial from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

“We hope that the donation of blood – literally giving part of oneself for the sake of a perfect stranger – will be an experience that helps to knit the Union County community more closely together on the anniversary of this tragic day, strengthens our respect for all life, and reaffirms the value we place on freedom and liberty as universal human rights,” said Alexander Mirabella, Vice Chairman of the Freeholder Board.

The Union County September 11th Memorial is located near the Springfield Avenue entrance of Echo Lake Park on the border of Mountainside and Springfield. Dedicated on September 13, 2003, it was constructed through private donations including in-kind work by labor unions and materials at cost.

The names of the 60 deceased Union County residents are etched into the memorial. The memorial also honors all those affected in the multiple attacks, through design elements that include two girders from the World

Trade Center arranged within a five-sided area representing the Pentagon, and an Eternal Flame representing those who died in Pennsylvania.

The Eternal Flame also honors the members of the Armed Services and emergency responders.

In addition to the ceremony at the Memorial, Echo Lake Park will host a display of 343 American flags from Friday, September 9 through Monday, September 12, 2011. The display is sponsored by the Union County Fire Chiefs’ Association to memorialize the 343 New York City firefighters who perished at the World Trade Center, and to honor the legacy of service that all firefighters continue to practice.

The Freeholder Board worked with residents of Cranford, Elizabeth, Kenilworth, Linden, Mountainside, Rahway, Scotch Plains, Summit, Union, and Westfield in planning and building the Union County September 11th Memorial.

Union County residents killed in the attacks of September 11, 2001:

Patrick Murphy, Berkeley Heights

Scott Hazelcorn, Berkeley Heights

James A. Nelson, Clark

Gregory Milanowycz, Cranford

Thomas Michael Regan, Cranford

Robert Henry Lynch, Cranford

Christopher Michael Grady, Cranford

Dean Philip Eberling, Cranford

Leonard Joseph Snyder, Jr., Cranford

Arcelia Castillo, Elizabeth

Carlos S. DaCosta, Elizabeth

Colleen Laura Fraser, Elizabeth

Margaret Susan Lewis, Elizabeth

Frankie Serrano, Elizabeth

Anthony Tempesta, Elizabeth

Robert Kaulfers, Kenilworth

John J. Tobin, Kenilworth

Wanda Anita Green, Linden

Anthony Infante, Mountainside

William Tselepis, Jr., New Providence

Gerard J. Coppola, New Providence

Richard A. Dunstan, New Providence

Michael Gogliormella, New Providence

Robert Wayne Hobson, III, New Providence

Susan D. Murray, New Providence

Tyrone May, Rahway

Manette Marie Beckles, Rahway

Mark Stephen Carney, Rahway

John G. Ueltzhoeffer, Roselle Park

Matthew Horning, Scotch Plains

Mark Rothenberg, Scotch Plains

James Walsh, Scotch Plains

JoAnn L. Heltibridle, Springfield

Lee Adler, Springfield

Thomas R. Clark, Summit

James Lee Connor, Summit

Kevin Raymond Crotty, Summit

Thomas I. Glasser, Summit

Robert A. Lawrence, Jr., Summit

A. Todd Rancke, Summit

Clive “Ian” Thompson, Summit

David Brian Brady, Summit

Mark Bruce, Summit

Robert Alan Hepburn, Union

Edward Calderon, Union

Khalid M. Shahid, Union

Charles Karczewski, Union

Brian Frederic Goldberg, Union

Thomas J. Fisher, Union

Wing-Wai Ching, Union

Bella Bhukhan, Union

Wayne Alan Russo, Union

Andrew J. Alameno, Westfield

Michael A. Davidson, Westfield

Stephen Mark Fogel, Westfield

Leo Russell Keene, III, Westfield

Richard B. Madden, Westfield

John “Pepe” Salerno, Jr., Westfield

See-Wong Shum, Westfield

Anthony Starita, Westfield

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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.

Public Info

PHOTO: National Night Out in Union County

Union County Freeholders Angel G Estrada (3rd L), Linda Carter and Christopher Hudak (2nd R) speak with (from left) Union County Police Capt. John White, Lt. Martin Mogensen and Union County Public Safety Director Andrew Moran (R) during the National Night Out event hosted by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders on August 2 in Meisel Park in Springfield. National Night Out, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, is a campaign geared toward generating drug and crime awareness and prevention throughout the country. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook

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

Public Info

Love the Outdoors? Join the Union County Master Tree Stewards this Fall

Union County, NJ – Union County residents are invited to join the Union County Master Trees Stewards and enjoy a series of guided educational walks through local forests this fall. The outings are part of the free training in trees and tree care that certified Master Tree Stewards receive from Rutgers Cooperative Extension experts.

The Union County Master Tree Stewards are part of the Extension 4-H youth program. Every year, Tree Stewards visit fourth grade classrooms throughout Union County to help youngsters learn about the importance of trees and their role in improving urban environments.

For the school visits, Tree Stewards use a classroom kit provided by the Extension. No teaching experience is necessary.

Tree Steward certification sessions are held on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., for 13 weeks starting on September 7. Most of the training consists of guided walks in the Great Swamp, Rutgers Helyar Woods, the New Jersey Forestry Center in Jackson, and other local forests.

There are no exams, and up to three absences are permitted. Indoor sessions are located at the Extension offices in the Union County Building in Westfield, at 300 North Avenue, across the street from the Westfield Diner.

For an application or more information, contact 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz at the Extension offices, 908-654-9854, or email nichnadowicz@unj.org.

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Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. Contact the Union County Extension office for information regarding special needs or accommodations. Contact the State Extension Director’s office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 732-932-5000, ext. 584.

Public Info

“Family Fun & Flix” includes a Classic Car Show Before the Movie, “Cars,” at Echo Lake Park, August 19

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal are happy to announce the next evening of “Family Fun and Flix” – the free summer outdoor entertainment and film series – will include a classic car show before the Golden Globe Award-winning animated feature film “Cars” on Friday evening, August 19, at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside.

“Family Fun and Flix is a great way to enjoy a summer evening in one of Union County’s parks,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon. “The movie begins at dusk, but come early to the park to enjoy a display of classic automobiles. Bring a blanket or beach chair to claim your spot on the lawn or save a seat in the bleachers – either way, the early birds are sure to like the car show before the movie.”

Come to Echo Lake Park at 7:00 p.m. on August 19 and enjoy a classic car show by G-Wiz Auto Entertainment and the Garden State Chevelles before watching the 2006 Disney/Pixar family film, “Cars.” At dusk, sit back with your popcorn and enjoy a comedy-adventure about a young racecar on the fast track to success. When he takes an unexpected detour on dusty Route 66, he learns what he’s been missing in his high-octane life. “Cars” features the voices of Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, George Carlin, Mario Andretti, the Tappet Brothers, and many others.

The next evening of Family Fun and Flix will be Friday, September 9 at Warinanco Park in Roselle/Elizabeth, co-sponsored by OneMain Financial. Enjoy a fun fishy craft project at 7:00 p.m. and free popcorn before the animated Disney/Pixar comedy-adventure, “Finding Nemo.”

Movies start at dusk, weather permitting. For more information, call the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal at 908-527-4900. For program and rain information call 908-558-4079 after 3:00 p.m. on the day of the show.

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Public Info

Joe Fischer, Magician Extraordinaire, Brings ‘Hocus Pocus’ to the Wednesday Matinee Series at Trailside, August 17

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Trailside Nature & Science Center’s popular Wednesday Matinee Series concludes on August 17 with a visit by Joe Fischer, Magician Extraordinaire, and his show, “Hocus Pocus.” This family entertainment begins at 1:30 p.m. and runs approximately 45 minutes. The show is recommended for children ages 4 and older. Admission is $4 per person. Tickets go on sale at 1 p.m. before the matinee.

Joe Fischer, Magician Extraordinaire, does a fast-paced show with the perfect blend of magic, comedy, audience participation and excitement. “Hocus Pocus” is sure to astound, baffle and thrill the audience – and teach them a few things about the basics of magic – as Joe shares his love of the magician’s art with others.

“The Summer Wednesday Matinee Series at Trailside offers families creative and interactive programs that will teach, entertain and delight children of all ages,” said Freeholder Daniel P. Sullivan, liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. “Union County is committed to providing affordable, fun, family programs at our facilities and Trailside’s Wednesday Matinee Series certainly is a summertime treat.”

For additional information about Joe Fischer’s “Hocus Pocus” show at Trailside on Aug. 17 or other upcoming programs and special events, please call 908-789-3670 or visit us at www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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Public Info

Free Concert by “Almost Queen” at Oak Ridge Park, August 17

CLARK, NJ – The Union County Summer Arts Festival concert series continues its 51st season of music on Wednesday, August 17, with an evening of music performed by Almost Queen. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, led by Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon, invites the public to attend this free concert that begins at 7:30 p.m. at Oak Ridge Park in Clark.

Almost Queen blends the vocal layering and precision that is a signature of the band with the energy and spectacle of a live Queen concert. The band can boast an unbroken string of sold out shows from New York to San Diego, while headlining major rock festivals here and abroad. Lead singer Joseph Russo (as Freddie Mercury) is a Broadway stage veteran who has toured throughout the world. He and the other Almost Queen members – Steve Leonard, John Cappadona, and Randy Gregg – flex all of their musical chops in proudly presenting the penultimate live Queen concert.

“Bring the entire family for a spectacular evening of music at Oak Ridge Park in Clark,” said Freeholder Chairman Scanlon. “Pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on, and enjoy the sounds of summer under the stars.”

The Union County information van will be at the concert site with personnel from the Office of the Union County Clerk along with other knowledgeable Union County staff to answer questions and offer information about interesting programs and recreational activities that are available to Union County residents.

Admission to the August 17 concert by Almost Queen is free of charge. Sponsored by Union Center National Bank and the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Summer Arts Festival concerts continue through August on Wednesday evenings beginning at 7:30 p.m. The remaining concerts in the series will be held at Oak Ridge Park in Clark and at Echo Lake Park on the Mountainside-Westfield border. Lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets are encouraged. Refreshments and snacks will be available from vendors.

The other free concerts in the Union County Summer Arts Festival series include:

August 24 – Parrotbeach (Jimmy Buffett cover band); at Echo Lake Park.

August 31 – The Nerds (high energy party band); at Oak Ridge Park.

For rain information call the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal at (908) 558-4079 after 3 p.m. on the day of the scheduled concert, or visit the Union County web site: www.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 .

Public Info

Trailside’s Evening Nature Walks and Meditation for Adults Continue on Wednesdays, August 17 & 24

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Watchung Reservation is the perfect setting for adults to enjoy a tranquil evening in a Nature Walk and Guided Meditation Program being offered on two evenings in August at Trailside Nature & Science Center. Adults, 18 and older, are invited to join a naturalist on a walk in the Watchung Reservation to experience the sights and sounds of a summer evening and then return to the Trailside Visitor Center for a relaxing guided meditation session. This program is being offered on two consecutive Wednesdays, August 17 and 24, from 7:15 – 8:45 p.m. Each session is $12 per person for Union County residents and $15 per person for out-of-county residents. Participants are welcome to attend one class or both.

“This Evening Nature Walk and Guided Meditation Program is a wonderful opportunity for adults to experience the beauty and tranquility of the Watchung Reservation and to gain insight into methods of relaxation,” said Freeholder Daniel P. Sullivan, liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

Participants will be treated to a guided tour of the picturesque Watchung Reservation and then be instructed in various meditation techniques that are devised to promote physical and emotional well being. Guided visualizations will be used to help participants learn how to relieve the tension and stresses of everyday life.

For information on the August sessions of the Adult Evening Nature Walk and Guided Meditation Program, or for information on any other programs or upcoming events at Trailside, call 908-789-3670 or visitwww.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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Public Info

Union County’s Mobile Document-Shredding Program Will Visit Union, August 13

UNION, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that its next mobile paper-shredding program for personal documents will be available on Saturday, August 13, at the campus of Kean University in Union.

“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents eliminate clutter in their homes and also fight identity theft,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon. “It is a cost-effective way to assist our recycling efforts and it ties in with our other Go Green Initiatives.”

The August 13th shredding event will take place in the parking lot of Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union. 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 all participants, there is a limit of four, 10-pound bags or boxes per person. Documents should not be bound. Please remove plastic binders and paperclips. 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 put through the shredder. 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 Thursday, September 15, at the Linden Recycling Center, located at 2 Donaldson Place in Linden.

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 .

Public Info

County Designates the first week of August as “Emergency Preparedness Week”

Activities planned to raise awareness and test response.

Union County – As part of a continued effort to raise awareness and test the County and its residents’ ability to respond during a time of crisis, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders have designated the first week of August as “Emergency Preparedness Week.”

Various activities and trainings, both internally and open to the public, have been scheduled during Emergency Preparedness Week. However, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is reminding its residents that they can prepare themselves, their co-workers and their families for emergencies by taking simple steps such as organizing an emergency supply kit, making a personal preparedness plan, becoming informed about different threats, and getting involved in preparing their community. These activities raise a culture of preparedness and can help save lives.

“While the County of Union’s emergency management officials regularly participate in various preparedness exercises throughout the year, the Freeholder Board felt it was important to set up a mechanism to raise awareness among county residents.” said Freeholder Mohamed Jalloh, Chairman of the Union County Homeland Security Subcommittee. “Holding an Emergency Preparedness Week in conjunction with National Night Out seemed like a logical solution.”

The County urges all residents to develop a family preparedness plan and create a “Go Bag” with supplies to support each family member and pet for a 72 hour period. Information and tips for how to create an effective plan and for what should be included in a “Go Bag” can be found at the Office of Emergency Management Webpage: https://ucnj.org/oem.

The County is encouraging residents to resister with Union County First Alert, a free emergency messaging system which allows residents to receive emergency service announcements from their local officials. The County will run a test of the UC First Alert system during its Emergency Preparedness Week. To sign up please visit: www.ucfirstalert.org

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders chose the first week of August as “Emergency Preparedness Week” in part to coincide with National Night Out. The Union County Freeholders are proud to sponsor the third annual “National Night Out” at Meisel Park in Springfield. This event familiarizes our residents with public safety personnel and teaches them some basic safety tips. The Union County Office of Emergency Management will be disseminating a limited number of battery powered flashlights to the public in attendance for their “Go Bags.”

The Ralph Froehlich Public Safety Building in Westfield will be open to the public on Wednesday, August 3rdfrom 1:00pm-3:00pm and Thursday August 4th from 10:00am-12:00pm for tours and information on some of the steps the County takes to prepare for emergencies. For more information or additional questions please call the Office of Emergency Management at 908-654-9881.

The County Office of Emergency Management will participate in Operation Cranford: Be Prepared, a program sponsored by the Cranford Boy Scout Troops 75 & 80. This program will help families learn what to do and what it would be like if home evacuation is needed and will support the ShelterBOX program. For more information or to register contact Tammy at 908-497-0221 or operationcranford@yahoo.com.

Finally, the County will also be performing various “in-house” preparedness drills and exercises throughout the week.

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Public Info

Freeholders Appoint Alfred Faella as New County Manager

ELIZABETH, NJ—The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders appointed Alfred Faella to be the new County Manager effective August 1st, Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon announced.

Faella will succeed George Devanney, who announced his retirement effective August 1st after more than nine years as County Manager. He will earn $155,000 as County Manager.

Faella, 56, a native of Elizabeth and resident of Mountainside, has more than 18 years of governmental leadership experience. He is the 11th top executive under the County Manager form of government. Faella assumes responsibility for the day-to-day operations and budget of a 21-municipality government with approximately 2,800 full-time employees. He will be responsible for the implementation of the policy of the Board of Chosen Freeholders.

“I am honored and would like to thank the Board of Chosen Freeholders for this opportunity,” Faella said. “I look forward to ensuring that Union County continues to deliver outstanding and innovative governmental services to our residents. I also remain committed to continuing the vision and goals set forth by the Freeholder Board and former County Manager Devanney.”

As his goals, Faella said he would continue to stress ways of finding efficiencies in government, while emphasizing economic development and sharing services. He added that one of his immediate priorities would be the creation of a governmental efficiency taskforce, which would work to streamline and consolidate certain functions.

“Job creation is among our residents’ highest concerns,” Faella said. “We will continue to develop important public-private projects and foster a business-friendly climate.”

As Director of Parks and Community Renewal, Faella recently worked through the Freeholder Board to retain and assist Wakefern, one of County’s largest employers, to expand operations and create hundreds of new jobs through $44 million in Federal stimulus financing.

Faella also oversaw distribution and management of more than $28 million over five years of Federal Community Development Block grant and Federal stimulus funds that have been used for a variety of purposes, including: improvements for senior and daycare centers, affordable housing, recreational centers, field and park improvements, street and infrastructure improvements, business district renovations, services and home repairs for the disabled, emergency shelters and the homeless, nutritional programs, home repair programs for seniors and income eligible families.

During his time as Director of Neighborhood Services for the City of Elizabeth in the ‘90s, Faella assisted in planning that led to the creation of the Jersey Gardens Mall, the state’s largest outlet mall, creating thousands of new jobs.

Faella also assisted in the planning and development of the HOPE 6 Project which leveraged over $130 million in public and private funds that transformed Elizabethport by transitioning residents from public housing to home ownership with their involvement in the planning process.

Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon noted that the Board has great confidence in Faella’s abilities, having worked productively with him over the years.

Faella has also served the County previously as its Economic Development Director, Information Technologies Director and also as Community Development Director.

“Al has developed a reputation as someone who is a problem solver and gets the job done,” Scanlon said. “He is also uniquely qualified having served in County, State and Municipal government at different levels. He understands public policy and we are looking forward to working with him.”

Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella added that Faella, a lifelong resident of Union County, also understands the needs of residents.

“Al is also a great listener and has spent time at the grass roots level with constituents,” Mirabella said. “He is someone who is responsive and sensitive to the needs of our residents.”

As a former Community Development Director for the City of Elizabeth, Faella worked to create Neighborhood Councils, which afforded citizens the opportunity to meet on a monthly basis with citizen representatives to address concerns and resolve issues. He also chaired the City’s innovative Community Policing program, which helped to reduce crime in the City.

As a County Director, Faella has remained involved at the community level. During the startup of the County’s Foreclosure Taskforce effort that he co-chairs, Faella himself went door-to-door in an effort to identify and assist troubled homeowners. He is also a regular at many County public events after work and on the weekends.

Faella has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Kean University, where he also received his undergraduate degree.

Faella currently serves as the secretary Treasurer for the National Community Development Association. His efforts earned the City of Elizabeth three consecutive “Best Practices” awards from the Department of Housing and Urban Development from 1997 – 1999, and the John A. Sasso Community Development Award, National Community Development Association, 1998 National award, which recognizes outstanding achievements in Community Development throughout the United States.

Faella is a former All-County baseball player from St. Mary’s High School in Elizabeth, who has also been active in youth leagues in Elizabeth and Mountainside in the past.

Faella and his wife, Mary, live in Mountainside. They have two sons, Jude, and Sean.