Category: Public Info

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites all residents and visitors to join in the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. This series of events, aimed at showcasing and exploring the diversity of the Hispanic Culture, will include live music, movie nights, arts & crafts and much more.

“It is my privilege to celebrate the vibrant and multi-faceted culture that makes up the Hispanic Community with our residents,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “As a Hispanic leader in public service, I am honored to advocate for the hard-working individuals who make up approximately one-third of Union County. Please join me in celebrating this rich heritage by participating in these upcoming events, see you there!”

Hispanic Heritage Month’s calendar of events kicks off with the Annual Union County Hispanic Heritage Flag Raising Ceremony on Friday, September 15^th at 4:45 p.m.  Guest speakers will notably include Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados, Commissioner Lourdes Leon, and the Consul General of El Salvador, Ariel Valle.

The full schedule of events includes:

Friday, September 15th

4:45 p.m. – Union County Hispanic Heritage Flag Raising Ceremony
Union County Courthouse – 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth

6:30 p.m. – Union County Residents: Meet & Greet Your Local Hispanic Civic Organizations
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) – 1601 Irving Street, Rahway

8:00 p.m. – Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) – 1601 Irving Street, Rahway
Free Limited Tickets Available, Visit www.ucnj.org/hhm to reserve today

Wednesday, September 27th

6:30 p.m. – Family Movie Night- Playing: Spiderman: Across the Spider-verse
Hubbard Middle School – 661 West 8th Street, Plainfield

Thursday, October 12th

12:00 p.m. – Hispanic Leadership Event
Marelyn Rivera, NJ Department of State, Executive Director for Hispanic Policy, Research & Development
Union College of Union County – 1033 Springfield Avenue, Cranford

Saturday, October 14th

2:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Family Fun Day
(Rain date Sunday, October 15th)
Free Live Music, Arts/Crafts, Food Trucks
Warinanco Park, Roselle/Elizabeth

5:30 p.m. – Family Movie Night
Playing: Vivo
Warinanco Park, Roselle/Elizabeth

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying Thursday morning, August 31, 2023, between the hours of 3:00 A.M. to 7:00 A.M. (Weather Permitting). Check below for the areas to be sprayed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Union County Office of Mosquito Control at 908-654-9834 or 908-654-9835.

Cities

• Berkeley Heights – Coolidge Dr., Wilson Dr., Harrison DR., Webster Dr., Harding Dr.
• Clark – Hill Crest Dr., Lawrence Pl., Thomas Dr., Armstrong Dr., Kennedy Dr., Miller Ave., Riverside Dr., Emeral Pl., Norwood St., Florence Dr.
• Fanwood – La Grande Ave.
• Plainfield – Brookside Pl., Geraud Ave., Jefferson Ave.
• Scotch Plains – Frank St., Round Hill Rd., Wedgewood Way, Nepawin Ln., Crabapple Ln.
• Westfield – Grandview Ave.

City Parks

• Plainfield – Milt Campbell

County Parks

• Plainfield – Cedar Brook

The Union County Board of County Commissioners recognizes this September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month by hosting a free webinar for all Union County Residents. The webinar, titled “Supporting Someone in Emotional Distress”will be presented by Caring Contact’s Crisis Line Director, Michelle Habayeb on September 13th from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. via Zoom.

“Recognizing the signs and symptoms of someone experiencing mental distress and knowing how to offer assistance can potentially make a significant difference in their life. By equipping ourselves with knowledge and increasing awareness about the connection between emotional distress and thoughts of suicide, we hope to provide support to those in need and guide them towards a path of recovery,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “I encourage all residents to make the most of this valuable resource and participate in the upcoming webinar.”

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience a mental illness each year.  Undergoing one (or multiple) stressful conditions, such as a demanding job, challenging home life, or traumatic life event, have been linked to making some people more susceptible to this illness.  This webinar will offer the education, awareness, and resources on how to support someone experiencing emotional distress.

This webinar is presented to you by the Union County Department of Human Services and in partnership with the organization, Caring Contact.  Caring Contact (formerly Contact We Care) is an award-winning, volunteer-staffed crisis hotline that provides a safe space and empathetic ear to all callers.

The ZOOM link for this webinar can be accessed by registering online at www.ucnj.org/spmzoom

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis or having suicidal thoughts and need assistance, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available for free and confidential support 24/7 at 988 via text or phone.  This lifeline is answered by trained crisis counselors and is available in multiple languages.

For more information on all Union County Human Services programs and activities, please visit online at https://ucnj.org/dhs/

The Union County Board of County Commissioners are thrilled to extend our warmest congratulations to fellow Commissioner Alexander Mirabella on his recent appointments to prominent leadership roles within the National Association of Counties (NACo).

“Commissioner Mirabella has been a steadfast advocate for Union County and New Jersey as a whole, and his new positions emphasize his dedication to serving his constituents at both local and national levels,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “I wish him the best of luck in his new appointments and have no doubt that his passion and tireless work ethic will continue to bring people together and make a positive change not only to us here in Union County but to all those he will collaborate with across the nation.”

Since his initial appointment as the NACo Board of Directors New Jersey representative in 2020, Commissioner Mirabella has consistently demonstrated his commitment to advancing the interests of his constituents and collaborating with leaders across the nation to address common challenges. His dedication to public service has been further highlighted by his participation as one of only fifteen commissioners selected from across the country to join the NACo Economic Mobility Leadership Network (EMLN). This esteemed two-year program, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, focuses on an in-depth study of economic mobility in the United States. Commissioner Mirabella’s involvement in the EMLN is a testament to his proactive approach to finding innovative solutions to promote economic equity and mobility.

“It is a great honor to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of NACo. I am very pleased to represent all of New Jersey and bring our concerns and questions to a national level,” said Commissioner Alexander Mirabella. “Serving on the Economic Mobility Leadership Network has been very rewarding, and I have incorporated my learnings into how I can be a better leader for the people of Union County. I am very grateful that NACo President, Mary Jo McGuire, appointed me to two leadership positions as Vice Chair of the Finance, Pension and Intergovernmental Affairs Steering Committee and the International Economic Development Task Force.”

Commissioner Mirabella’s dedication to public service and commitment to enhancing the lives of his constituents exemplify the ideals that the National Association of Counties upholds. As he assumes his new roles within the Finance, Pensions and Intergovernmental Affairs Steering Committee and the International Economic Development Task Force, we are confident that he will continue to represent the interests of Union County and New Jersey with distinction and diligence.

NACo President Mary Jo McGuire expressed her enthusiasm for Commissioner Mirabella’s appointments, stating, “As President of the National Association of Counties (NACo), it is my pleasure to appoint you to the committees in the attached letter He was chosen because my goal is to build a talented and committed leadership team for NACo. Our strength at NACo is in our members and your active involvement. As we move forward together, now is the time for county leaders to connect, inspire, and lead.”

For more information about NACo and Commissioner Al Mirabella’s appointments, please visit the NACo website at www.naco.org and the Economic Mobility Leadership Network at www.naco.org/resources/signature-projects/economic-mobility-leadership-network.

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying County and City Parks Tuesday morning, August 22, 2023, between the hours of 3:00 A.M. to 7:00 A.M. (Weather Permitting). Check below for the list of Parks to be sprayed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Union County Office of Mosquito Control at 908-654-9834 or 908-654-9835.

County Parks

• Clark – Esposito, Oak Ridge
• Cranford – Nomahegan
• Garwood – Unami
• Hillside – Conant, Rutgers
• Linden – Wheeler
• Mountainside – Echo Lake
• Plainfield – Cedar Brook, Green Brook
• Rahway – Rahway
• Roselle – Warinanco
• Scotch Plains – Ponderosa
• Union – Lighting Brook

City Parks

• Hillside – Sanford
• Linden – Memorial
• Union – Biertuempfel, Rabkin

Please note

This post was updated to reflect the correct day of the week of the spraying

This Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at 7:30pm, the Union County Board of County Commissioners is proud to present the final installment of its Summer Arts 2023 concert series: AFRO DOMINICANO. For the first time, the County will present this outdoor concert experience at Warinanco Park, which sits between Elizabeth, Linden, and Roselle. The concert is free for everyone to attend and will follow a free yoga lesson, which begins at 6:30pm and will be led by Roselle’s very own Ohmies Yoga Studio.

“I am truly excited to have the last concert of our Summer Arts Concert series at Warinanco Park for the first time ever,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “I know this band will draw in a large crowd with their fun beats and high energy and I invite all residents to join us. It’s a great opportunity to wrap up your summer and experience a free night out with friends and family. See you there!”

AFRO DOMINICANO hails from New York City, and plays an exciting fusion of Latin soul, Dominican folkloric music, punk, and reggae, among other genres. In recent years, they have played showcases through NAMM, the World Music Institute, and more. The band was also a finalist in NYC’s Music Under New York Inaugural Riders’ Choice Award, in which subway riders voted for their favorite buskers.

Attendees for both the yoga lesson and concert are asked to bring their own blankets, mats, and/or lawn chairs.

For more upcoming programs in Union County Parks, please visit ucnj.org/parks

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for mosquitoes Thursday evening, August 17, 2023, between the hours of 7:00 PM to Midnight (Weather Permitting). Check below for a list of areas to be sprayed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Union County Office of Mosquito Control at 908-654-9834 or 908-654-9835.

Cities

• Berkeley Heights – Coolidge Dr., Dorset Rd., Harrison Dr., Harding Dr., Rutherford Rd., Springfield Ave., Webster Dr., Wilson Dr.
• Clark – Devon Ln., Dorset Dr., Emerald Pl., Hayes Ave., Holland Dr., Jupiter St., Miller Ave., Riverside Dr.
• Cranford – Albany Ave., Bloomingdale Ave., Carole Ct.
• Elizabeth – Elizabeth/Essex Sewage Authority, Union Ave., S. 1st St.
• Hillside – Cornell Pl., Harvard Ave., John St., Rutgers Ave. Area
• Linden – Minor Ter., Tremley Pt. Area, W. Elm St., W. Price St.
• New Providence – Possum Way Area
• Plainfield – Brookside Pl., Madison Ave.,
• Rahway – Crescent Dr., Elston St., Lakeside Dr., Leesville Ave.
• Scotch Plains – Clarks Ln., Frank St., Nepawin Ln., Pheasant Ln., Pinehurst Ave., Round hill Rd., Wedgewood Way, Myrtle Ave., Seneca Rd., Sycamore Ave.
• Springfield – Cottage Ln. Area
• Union – Allen Ave. Area
• Westfield – Overhill St., Rahway Ave., Armory, Summit Ave., Area

County Parks

• Cedar Brook
• Rutgers

The Union County Board of County Commissioners proudly announces the Union County On Stage! Grant Program, as part of an initiative of Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados following in line with his theme of “Building a Stronger Union County” for 2023. This initiative, aimed at providing significant support to performing arts programs throughout Union County, is open to all Union County high schools and tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, and signifies an important investment in local arts.

“We have seen many instances in the past where Arts programs are the first to lose funding, and the first eliminated during budget cutbacks,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “That is why I have created this grant program that will allow local schools and nonprofits to create new programs — and develop existing ones — for the good of all our residents. There’s such tremendous talent here in Union County waiting to be unlocked. Our Board of County Commissioners supports the arts and will find innovative ways to showcase our local talent through programs like Union County On Stage! I encourage all eligible organizations to apply.”

The Union County On Stage! Grant Program includes two types of grants:

School Grant

All Union County high schools are eligible to apply. The total amount of this grant is $25,000.00. The funding available per school will be dependent upon the number of schools that submit applications.

Community Grant

Local non-profit organizations in Union County with tax-exempt status are eligible to apply. The total amount of this grant is $10,000. The funding available will be dependent upon the number of non-profit organizations that apply.

All applicants must be based in Union County. The programming covered by the grant must take place in Union County during Fall/Early Winter of 2023.

Grant applications must be submitted to the Office of Open Space, Recreation & Historic Preservation Fund, who is overseeing the program, by 5:00pm on Monday, September 25, 2023. To apply online, visit ucnj.org/onstage

For additional information, please contact Angelica Cedeno at 908-558-2279 or email at acedeno@ucnj.org 

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is excited to announce the launch of a pilot program, through one of Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados’ initiatives that fall in line with his theme of “Building a Stronger Union County” for 2023, which aims at providing swim lessons to youth in communities across the County. In collaboration with the Gateway Family YMCA, the program will take place at the Walter E. Ulrich Memorial Pool during the week of August 21st, 2023.

“Children account for one out of every four drowning deaths, so working in collaboration through our Union County Parks & Recreation Dept. & Gateway Family YMCA I’m eager to launch this pilot program in order to emphasize water safety and swimming skills among our youngest residents,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “The Union County Commissioner Board is dedicated to the well-being of our communities, especially the young children who deserve to have a safe and fun summer. Through this pilot program, we hope to identify all the benefits this will have for our youth and their families to ensure a successful full-scale launch next year, serving even more of our Union County community.”

Union County is committed to promoting a culture of aquatic awareness and aims to fully launch this initiative in the summer of 2024.

During the initial phase as a pilot program, swim lesson slots will be limited to 24 individuals and allocated on a first-come-first-served basis in order to gauge interest and develop relevant procedures. The program will offer four daily half-hour sessions, from Monday, August 21st to Friday, August 25th. The first session, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., will cater to ages 3 to 6, with a second session available for ages 7 to 12. The subsequent session for both age groups will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Union County invites families with children between the ages of 3 and 12 to take advantage of this unique opportunity. Interested participants are encouraged to sign up soon to secure their spots, and can register by contacting Angelica Cedeno at 908-558-2279 or by email at acedeno@ucnj.org