County of UnionDefault category for all normal press releases
| Undersheriff Amilcar “Mickey” Colon, Captain Jeffrey Coon (28 years), Sergeant Erik Finne (25 years) and Sergeant Vincent Powers (25 years) retired today from the Union County Sheriff’s Office. Their retirement was marked with a traditional walkout ceremony on the steps of the historic Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. |
April 22 designated as “Wear Purple Day”
Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners will recognize April as Alcohol Awareness Month. Throughout the month, Union County will increase outreach and education regarding alcoholism and issues related to alcohol. A resolution recognizing April as Alcohol Awareness Month has been passed by the Commissioner Board and it also designates April 22 as “Wear Purple Day”.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been experiencing higher levels of stress, depression and anxiety, causing some to consume alcohol more than they would normally,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “The Commissioner Board is committed to helping the Union County community know the facts about alcohol by keeping the lines of communication open, ensuring that our community has access to resources that can prevent or overcome alcohol abuse.”
To raise awareness, the Office on Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse (OBHSA) will call attention to the dangers surrounding alcoholism, in addition to sharing resources to find support and treatment. Informational fliers will be placed in high-traffic and common areas in various Union County facilities. Banners honoring Alcohol Awareness Month will also be hung in the County Administration Building’s lobby and Alcohol Awareness ribbons will be distributed.
Alcoholism is a progressive disorder that results in severe health issues, and alcohol accounts for a significant proportion of substance abuse treatment admissions. In Union County, 35% of persons admitted for treatment list alcohol as their primary drug.
Alcohol sales in the U.S. rose 54% at the beginning of the pandemic, according to a Nielsen survey. A recent study also demonstrates consumption has increased significantly since two years ago, with women accounting for a disproportionate share of the difference.
As part of the month-long acknowledgement, all Union County residents and visitors are encouraged to wear purple on April 22, which has been declared “Wear Purple Day” in support of the Alcohol Awareness Month program of the Council on Substance Abuse – National Council on Alcoholism.
By wearing purple, members of the public demonstrate that they support treatment and recovery for alcoholism, or that they know someone who has benefited from treatment.
The Union County awareness campaign is being conducted through the Office on Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse in the Department of Human Services. For more information and resources, visit: ucnj.org/obhsa.
For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.
# #
For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
Connect with Union County on social media.
Redistricting based on results of Census 2020 impacts several County municipalities.
Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Elections informs residents that there have been many changes in Union County following the results of the 2020 Census. The New Jersey Congressional Redistricting Committee has approved the new congressional map. Changes impact several towns in Union County.
The new congressional assignments represent the congressional districts in which Union County towns will vote in 2022. The candidates elected in this year’s general election will represent the newly formed district when they are sworn-in, in 2023. Until the new congress is sworn-in in 2023, residents will continue to be represented according to the current congressional district assignments.
“The Congressional line has realigned many towns in Union County, which will affect who appears on the voters’ ballots and who will represent them in Congress starting January 2023,” explained Nicole DiRado, Administrator, Union County Board of Elections. “Affected voters need to be aware of this change and seek information on the candidates so they are not surprised by the ballot when they vote in June.”
Under the new map, Union County’s towns will vote in the following Congressional Districts in the upcoming 2022 elections:
Congressional District 7: Berkeley Heights, Clark, Fanwood, Linden Split Wards (Wards 2, 6 & 7 and 3-2 & 3-3), Mountainside, New Providence, Rahway, Scotch Plains, Springfield, Summit, Westfield and Winfield
Congressional District 8: Elizabeth
Congressional District 10: Cranford, Garwood, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden Split Wards (Wards 1, 4, 5, 8, 9 10 and 3-1 & 3-4), Roselle, Roselle Park, and Union
Congressional District 12: Plainfield
Following the Congressional Redistricting, the Ward Commissions of each of the 10 towns which have wards convened to review their respective ward lines. Both the Congressional Redistricting Committee and the Ward Committees work to ensure the population is equally distributed amongst their respective districts. The maps in Hillside, Summit and Westfield have not changed as a result of the 2020 Census data.
Ward lines have been redrawn in Clark, Elizabeth, Linden, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle, and Roselle Park. Then, the Union County Board of Elections Commissioners convened to adopt new election district maps to ensure voters are assigned to an election district, following the redraw of the ward line.
All affected voters will receive a communication from the Union County Board of Elections in May, prior to Election Day, alerting them of their new congressional district, ward and election district and polling place, if applicable. Voters will also find this information on their sample ballot.
Voters can visit the Union County Board of Elections Website (www.ucnj.org/boe/new-congressional-and-state-legislative-district-maps/) or call 908-527-4123 for more information.
Additional resource links: https://www.njredistrictingcommission.org/adoption2022map.asp.
https://www.apportionmentcommission.org/adoption2022map.asp For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.
# #
For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
Connect with Union County on social media.
Union County, NJ – April 4, 2022 — Union County residents who are puzzling over the recycling rules can get all the answers from Recycle Coach, a free app for all mobile devices.
“Easy access to information is the key to boosting our recycling rate countywide,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “With Recycle Coach, you never have to wonder what belongs in your recycling bin again.”
The Recycle Coach app helps prevent the scourge of “wish-cycling,” the practice of putting random items into recycling bins. These items contaminate the recycling stream. They result in extra sorting and higher costs for the recycling vendor. In extreme cases, an entire load can be rejected.
The Recycle Coach app features a user-friendly “What Goes Where?” search tool that prevents wish-cycling. It provides quick answers to questions like:
Recycle Coach is tailored to each municipality in Union County. Users can get all the details on their local curbside pickup programs. Schedules and information on countywide programs hosted by the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning are included, too.
Users can create and customize notifications for schedules and events.
Statistics show that wish-cycling is most common in the areas of plastic bags, and non-recyclable plastic containers, food and clothing.
Union County residents can help cut down on wish-cycling by observing the following guidelines:
The Union County Bureau of Recycling and planning hosts the following free, countywide drop-off recycling events:
Paper shredding – secure disposal and recycling for sensitive or personal documents (residential use only; business papers are not accepted at these events).
Household Hazardous Waste – environmentally responsible disposal for common household chemicals, hobby supplies and more (residential only/no business waste)
Scrap Metal – wide variety of metal items accepted, from pots and pans to gutters, fencing and sheds
For details about countywide drop-off programs use Recycle Coach or visit uncj.org/recycling. To contact the Bureau use the online form at ucnj.org/recycling or call 908-654-9890.
Residents, schools groups and community organizations can also attend a free “How to Recycle Right” webinar to get the latest updates and information in person from the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning. The webinars will be held on Tuesday, April 5 at 6:30 pm and Monday, April 11 at 7:00.
Details and registration links for both webinars are available at ucnj.org/recycle.
For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.
# #
For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
Connect with Union County on social media.
Innovative COVID-19 Safety Measures, ADA Accessibility Aided by Federal Funding
The Union County Board of County Commissioners are pleased to announce that Union County became first county in the state to provide residents with interview pods, which have the ability to conduct interviews for public assistance via video conferencing, in an isolated, sound proof, multi-functional enclosure.
The new service is administered under the Department of Human Services, who received funding from the CARES Act from the State Department of Human Services’ Division of Family Development.
“Union County has been a pioneer in embracing and providing the most update technology and thanks to federal funding from the CARES Act, we are at the forefront in using these pods to provide essential services, all while keeping our residents safe,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “I had a chance to take a tour of the pods, and I am happy to see we are meeting the needs of Union County families, the safest, best way we can.”
Union County Board of County Commissioners including Chair Rebecca Williams as well as Commissioners Sergio Granados, James Baker, Lourdes Leon and Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, had a chance to recently tour the Social Services office and see these new pods in action.
“Being the first in the State of New Jersey to provide our residents and case workers with the ability to conduct interviews for public assistance via video conferencing is a great accomplishment,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados, liaison to the Human Services Advisory Council. “These pods are an innovative approach in assisting individuals or families with the services they need, while maintaining full privacy and discretion and maximizing public health safety measures for not only our clients, but our staff as well.”
The Department has as many as 20 interview pods, ranging from multiple sizes including a single person, family-size, and handicap-accessible. Upon entering the pod, clients are greeted by a case worker who is located in their own offices. The client is able to see and speak to a case worker, who in turn, is able to see and respond to the consumer via a CISCO DX-80 Monitor using WEBEX conferencing software. The pods have LED lighting and all of the air inside the pod is completely turned over to refresh every 70 to 100 seconds. As a result, each new user will be met with refreshed air every time they enter the pod.
While the current pods are located in the Social Services building at 342 Westminster Avenue in Elizabeth, they are fully mobile for use in multiple spaces. The Department of Human Services will also be transferring pods to their Plainfield location, located at 200 West Second Street, to assist the needs of residents on the other side of the County.
Union County is commencing the next phase of this innovative program, working with an ADA compliant hearing loop induction company to install infrared hearing links to transmit an assistive listening audio signals into the handicap accessible pods.
Union County, NJ – April 26, 2022 — In celebration of National Poetry Month, the Union County Board of County Commissioners invites poetry lovers and American history enthusiasts to attend “Women Poets of the Revolution,” a free lecture on the works of Annis Boudinot Stockton and Phillis Wheatly hosted by Dr. Mary McAleer Balkun, Professor of English at Seton Hall University, at the New Providence Memorial Library at 377 Elkwood Avenue in New Providence on Tuesday, April 26, at 6:00 p.m.
The event is presented free of charge by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required to reserve a seat at ucnj.org/cultural.
“National Poetry Month is the largest literary celebration in the world, and we are very proud to provide the Union County community with an opportunity to participate and learn about the contributions of two important women poets in American history,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams.
The early American poets Annis Boudinot Stockton and Phillis Wheatley came from starkly different backgrounds to offer their own unique, eyewitness perspectives on the American Revolution, during a period in history when women literary figures were all but invisible.
Stockton was born into the privileged, elite social circle of Princeton, New Jersey. Unlike many women of her time, she had both the opportunity and the inclination to apply herself to the art of writing. She was producing sophisticated poetry by age 16. At age 21 she married the lawyer Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. When the Revolutionary War broke out, Annis Stockton supported the Continental Army with funds raised from publishing her poetry, in which she documented key episodes in the war and memorialized the leadership of George Washington.
Wheatley was kidnapped from her home in Africa and brought to the Colonies as an enslaved child in 1761. By age 14 she was an accomplished student of the Greek and Roman classics, as well as British literature, astronomy, and geography. By 1770 she was an acclaimed poet. When her first collection of poems was published in 1773, she was one of the first two women in America to have a book of poetry in print, and she was the first Black woman to have a book of any kind published in America.
Dr. Balkun is a Professor of English and Director of Faculty Development at Seton Hall University in South Orange. She earned her PhD. from New York University, and has an M.A. from Seton Hall University and a B.A. from Jersey City University. Her accomplishments include the 2017 Steven J. Rosen Mentor Award of the New Jersey College English Association, and the 2016 Bernard J. McQuaid Medal for Distinguished Service from Seton Hall University.
National Poetry Month is a project of the Academy of American Poets. Since its inception in April 1996, National Poetry Month has grown into an event celebrated by tens of millions of readers, students, K–12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, families and poets each year, signifying the importance of poetry in human life across the world. For more details visit poets.org/national-poetry-month.
Women Poets of the Revolution is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a Division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State. For more information about other history events presented by Union County, contact John Prescott, History Program Coordinator at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 908-436-2912 or by email jprescott@ucnj.org.
The Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs is an office of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. For information on all programs of the Office, visit ucnj.org/cultural, email culturalinfo@ucnj.org, or call 908-558-2550.
For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.
# #
For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
Connect with Union County on social media.
Two drive-thru events in Union and one walk-up event in Elizabeth to provide residents with food in the upcoming weeks
Union County, NJ – April 4, 2022 – The Union County Board of County Commissioners informs residents of the emergency food distribution events for Union County residents in April and May to aid those affected by COVID-19.
Saturday, April 9, 2022 – Holiday Distribution
Saturday, April 30, 2022
Saturday, May 14, 2022
The food distributions are open to all Union County residents. Food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and no registration is required. The events will take place rain or shine.
“Union County has held approximately 80 food distributions since the start of the pandemic,” said Union County Commissioner, Chair Rebecca L. Williams. We are proud to have provided assistance to nearly 35,000 households within Union County as they continue to deal with food insecurity as a result of the pandemic.”
“Over 16 million pounds of food has been distributed by Union County over the last two years, translating into approximately 14 million meals,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados who also serves as Liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board. “We thank Village Super Market and Gargiulo Produce for their continued partnership.”
Residents wishing to pick up food at the drive-up distribution events at Kean University must arrive in a vehicle. Walk-ups will not be accommodated in Union.
All drive-up recipients must remain in their cars with windows rolled up when possible. Food boxes will be placed in the trunk or truck bed of the vehicle by volunteers.
Residents picking up food at the walk-up event in Elizabeth are highly encouraged to wear masks. Walk-up recipients should bring a cart or be able to carry several food bags at the walk-up area.
Upon arrival, proof of New Jersey residency and indication of how many people reside in their household will have to be provided. Recipients will receive an emergency box of produce, dairy, and shelf stable food, with enough to sustain a family for several days. Please note that only one box of food will be provided per recipient at each event.
To learn more about Village Super Market, visit: https://www.myvillagesupermarket.com.
To learn more about Gargiulo Produce, visit: http://www.gargiuloproduce.com.
For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.
# #
For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
Connect with Union County on social media.
Union County, NJ – April 8, 2022 — The Union County Board of County Commissioners celebrates and commemorates Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first African-American woman to be nominated and confirmed as a U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice in the 233-year history of the Court, marking Thursday, April 7th, as a unique and powerful moment in American history.
The Commissioner Board stated: The nomination and confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is a history-making milestone in the progress our nation has made towards realizing the ideal of equality articulated by our nation’s founders.
The Union County town of Hillside has itself become a symbol of that progress, as demonstrated on Monday, April 4th, when U.S. Senator Robert Menendez chose Hillside as the first and only site in New Jersey for a press conference in support of Judge Jackson’s nomination.
The nomination and confirmation of Judge Jackson is especially meaningful for those of us in New Jersey, who aspire to serve the public in elected office.
Just two years ago, every County Commissioner, no matter what race or gender, was burdened with the colonial-era title of Freeholder, a continuing symbol of the power of white, male American citizens to own property, including slaves.
The Freeholder title stood for centuries as a discouragement to the public service aspirations of young African-American women and other people of color. Finally, it is no more.
We are proud to represent the people of Union County community as a diverse, majority-woman Commissioner Board, and we are proud that the “NJ Nineteen” group of African-American legislators, who are credited with rallying support for the new title, includes Commissioner Dr. Angela R. Garretson among its members.
And, on this historic occasion, we renew our commitment to the people of Union County, who trust us to continue working in the cause of equal dignity, equal respect, and equal rights for all.
“At last night’s Commissioner’s meeting, I made mention of celebrating one of the most moving and powerful moments in American history — the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “In achieving this position, Judge Jackson is all of us, no matter what ethnicity, skin color, sexual orientation, gender, creed, or ability. She is everyone who builds a vision of their future, from one step to the next.”
“On Monday, I was honored to join with Senator Bob Menendez in my home town of Hillside, along with the Reverend Dr. Christopher Michael Jones and other representatives of the community, to celebrate and support the nomination of Judge Jackson,” said Commissioner Dr. Angela Garretson. “So many people have had to overcome obstacles, and Judge Jackson’s appointment proves that if you work hard and believe in yourself, you can do anything or be anything you want to be.”
–30–
Union County, NJ – April 11, 2022 — Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that ballot position drawing for the June 7 2022 Primary Election will be both in-person and live-streamed on Facebook. The drawing will be held on Thursday, April 14 at 3:00 p.m. as designated by a recent law which moved it one day earlier due to Good Friday. A link will be posted prior to the drawing.
“My office will continue to make use of the technology at hand to ensure that the mandated steps occur according to schedule, while utilizing every available access to the public;” said Ms. Rajoppi.
In-person voting will be available on June 7, as well as Vote-by-Mail ballot, which voters can apply for if they are not already on the permeant list.
Early voting will take place from Friday June 3 to Sunday June 5. Early voting polling locations are posted on unioncountyvotes.com.
For more information on voting in Union County elections, including applying for a Vote-by-Mail ballot, visit the County Clerk’s Elections Division online at unioncountyvotes.com or call 908-527-4996.
For more information about all County Clerk programs and services, visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787.
For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.
# #
Connect with Union County on social media.
Union County, NJ – April 14, 2022 – Union County residents seeking a convenient way to dispose of old or unwanted metal gutters, fencing, cabinets, lawn furniture, tools, appliances, cookware, wire hangers, and many other kinds of household scrap metal can bring them to a free drop-off site this Saturday, April 16.
The April 16 event is part of a monthly series of free drop-off events for scrap metal, hosted by Union County each year.
“Many different household metal products can be recycled instead of going into landfills and incinerators. We encourage all residents to take advantage of this opportunity to help conserve useful resources while removing unwanted items from their homes,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams.
Scrap metal drop-off will be accepted on Saturday, April 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the following two locations:
Residents from any Union County municipality can bring their scrap metal to either of these two events.
For safety reasons, participants must remain in their vehicles. Materials should be placed in trunk, cargo area or truck bed and be easily accessible for staff to remove.
The next free scrap metal drop-off events will take place on Thursday, May 5 and Saturday, May 21. For a complete schedule of the 2022 program visit ucnj.org/recycling/scrap-metal.
For more details about all Union County drop-off recycling programs, including free personal paper shredding and household hazardous waste disposal, visit the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning at uncj.org/recycling.
For additional questions and information about Union County’s recycling programs, use the online form at ucnj.org/recycling or call 908-654-9890.
Download the free Recycle Coach mobile app to stay up to date on local recycling programs tailored to the user’s home town. Recycle Coach also includes information on countywide programs.
Quick links to all environmental programs and activities hosted by Union County are available at The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.
For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.
# #
For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
Connect with Union County on social media.