Tag: chairman granados

Union County, NJ – As part of Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados’s 2018 Union County Plant a Seed grants initiative, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that grants have been awarded to 27 garden projects in nine municipalities through the Union County Means Green Community Garden Grants program.

 “The goal of Union County Means Green is to enable more County residents to experience the benefits of growing fresh produce in their neighborhoods, including improved access to fresh produce as well new opportunities for education, socialization, recreation and civic service,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “By supporting these gardens, we support healthier lifestyles and help people forge stronger bonds with their neighbors and the community at large.”

Grants from Union County Means Green have helped to improve existing community gardens, start new gardens and transform empty lots into thriving centers for social and educational activities, with hundreds of pounds of fresh produce consumed and donated to local food pantries each year.

“The Freeholder Board has a longstanding appreciation for community gardens, and our goal is to ensure that these benefits are accessible to as many County residents as possible,” explained Freeholder Bruce H. Bergen. “Community gardens bring people together with a creative, cooperative purpose.” The Union County Means Green grant program was launched by Freeholder Bergen while serving as Chairman in 2016.

“As in past years, our 2018 awardees represent the wide range of diversity in the community garden movement, from small installations to large plots with dozens of beds,” said Chairman Granados. “Even a small plot of land can yield a bountiful harvest and provide people of all ages and abilities with an empowering experience. This year’s projects include extra high ‘senior’ beds that enable easier access for people using wheelchairs and walkers, and hydroponic tables that allow gardening to be practiced indoors, throughout the year.”

The 2018 program awarded three types of grants: pre-budgeted $1,250 all-in-one grants for starting new gardens, $500 block grants for expanding or improving gardens including the purchase of equipment and supplies, and $3,000 pre-budgeted grants for hydroponic gardens.

The 2018 awardees are:

BERKELEY HEIGHTS

Berkeley Heights Community Garden, Berkeley Heights Environmental Commission ($500 materials and supplies)

Hope Grows, Our House ($1,250 new garden beds with materials and supplies)

ELIZABETH

Elizabeth Branch Community Garden, Gateway Family YMCA ($500 materials and supplies)

Elmora Branch Library Community Garden, Elizabeth Public Library ($500 materials and supplies)

Peterstown Garden, City of Elizabeth ($1,250 new garden beds with materials and supplies)

Sampson Center Garden, City of Elizabeth ($3,000 hydroponic garden)

JFS Urban Community Vegetable Garden, Jewish Family Services ($500 materials and supplies)

Harvesting Without Soil, Josephine’s Place ($3,000 hydroponic garden)

P.I.S.C. Vira Verde, Portuguese Instructive Social Club ($3,000 hydroponic garden)

Elizabeth Parent Support Group Garden, Prevention Links, ($3,000 hydroponic garden)

Fort Leonard Senior Garden, Elizabeth Housing Authority/Division Street ($500 materials and supplies)

Bayway Family Success Center, Elizabeth Housing Authority ($3,000  hydroponic garden)

LINDEN

Sunny Gardens of Linden Garden ($500 materials and supplies)

Linden FSC Community Garden, Communities in Cooperation ($500 materials and supplies)

PLAINFIELD

The B.A.C.O.N.J./City of Plainfield Community Garden, Barbados American Organization ($1,250 new garden beds with materials and supplies)

JoAnne Hollis Garden, Plainfield Housing Authority ($1,250 new garden beds with materials and supplies)

Richmond Towers Community Garden Club, Plainfield Housing Authority($3,000 with materials and supplies)

RAHWAY

RWJ Hydroponic Table, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital ($3,000 hydroponic table)

Rahway Community Garden, City of Rahway ($500 materials and supplies)

JFK Community Garden, JFK Community Center ($500 materials and supplies)

ROSELLE

Glamformers Community Garden, Glamformers/Borough of Roselle ($1,250 new garden beds with materials and supplies)

BT and Diane Mathis Community Garden, Roselle Community Center ($500 materials and supplies)

SCOTCH PLAINS

Scotch Plains – Fanwood Community Garden, Scotch Plains/Frazee House ($500 materials and supplies )

SUMMIT

Summit ACHIEVE Community Garden, Summit Area YMCA ($500 materials and supplies)

UNION

Five Points Branch Community Garden, Gateway Family YMCA ($500 materials and supplies)

W.I.S.E. Center Branch Community Garden, Gateway Family YMCA ($500 materials and supplies)

Township of Union Community Garden, Union Township ($500 materials and supplies)

Union County Plant a Seed includes the Union County Means Green and Union County Kids Dig in grant programs, both administered on behalf of the Freeholder Board by the nonprofit community organization Groundwork Elizabeth. Plant a Seed also includes state-funded recycling grant programs administered by Union County and other initiatives that foster education, empowerment and community service.

For more information about Groundwork Elizabeth visit online at groundworkelizabeth.org.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs, activities and services visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

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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.

Photo caption: Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski and Freeholder Alexander Mirabella congratulated representatives from the Barbados American Organization and the Plainfield Housing Authority on receiving Union County Means Green Community Garden Grants (photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union).

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Alexander Mirabella and Bruce H. Bergen  joined Scotch Plains Mayor Al Smith, members of the Scotch Plains Council and Fanwood-Scotch Plains Rotary members at the ribbon-cutting officially marking the start of the exterior restoration of the historic Frazee House in Scotch Plains.

A major fundraising effort has been undertaken to complete the exterior restoration of the Frazee House. A total of $700,000 out of the $800,000 needed has been raised and work will begin this month. The County of Union has awarded more than $80,000 in grants towards the project. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

If you’ve been to the Deserted Village of Feltville recently, then you’ve seen the beautiful new signage that explains the site’s history.

If you’ve been to a local historic site, you may have picked up a new history card or had your passport stamped.

And if you were in Union County’s Oak Ridge Park last June, you were one of more than 5,000 people who witnessed one of the most spectacular re-enactments of the Battle of the Short Hills ever staged.

For all this and other history-related projects, Union County’s Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs is being recognized by the National Association of Counties (NACo) with two national achievement awards:

• “The Feltville Interpretation Program,” the new interpretive signage at the Deserted Village was recognized for its contribution to the Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation.
• “Embracing Our Historic Legacy” was recognized in the category of Civic Education and Public Information, for projects that included the new history card series, new signage reflecting the County’s inclusion in the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage area and sponsorship of the National Parks passport program, which has brought visitors from out of state to visit local historic sites.

Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados said the impact of Cultural & Heritage’s programs can be seen across the county, whether it is the Alexander Hamilton history card at Snyder Academy in Elizabeth or the creation of the Battle of the Short Hills Historic Trail through Scotch Plains.

“It is now hard to go anywhere in Union County without seeing a reminder that we were part of the American Revolution.  But our history did not end there.  We want folks to know about the famous authors and scientists who lived here, and the contributions they made, not just to our country, but in many cases, the world,” Chairman Granados said,

“Congratulations to everyone involved,” said Freeholder Bruce Bergen, the Freeholder liaison to Cultural & Heritage. As Chairman of the Freeholder Board last year, Bergen was one of the prime sponsors behind the Short Hills battle re-enactment. “These projects involved countless hours and dedication to see them through.”

“We have a county that is rich in history and we want our youngsters — and adults — to realize what a truly unique heritage we have,” Bergen said.

The two awards are significant coup for the County. No New Jersey county has received the award in the Arts, Culture & Historic Preservation category since 2007, nor has any county in the tri-state (NJ/NY/PA) area received the award.

The last New Jersey county to receive the Civic Education and Public Information award was Cape May County in 2010.

NACo President Roy Charles Brooks said, “Counties seize opportunities to deliver services more efficiently and build stronger communities every day. Achievement Award-winning programs are examples for counties that are determined to enhance services for our residents.”

Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide, Brooks said.

NACo will recognize award-winning counties at its 2018 Annual Conference and Exposition July 13-16 in Nashville/Davidson County, Tennessee.

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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 – As part of Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados’s 2018 Union County Plant a Seed grants initiative, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that grants have been awarded to 61 garden projects in 16 municipalities through the Union County Kids Dig In! school garden grant program.

Schools with students in grades pre-K through 12 were eligible to apply for a Union County Kids Dig In grant. The grants are funded through the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund.

“I started this initiative last year as Open Space Chairman to encourage students, school staff and parents grow healthy produce for students in their own schools and also to donate 30 percent of their harvest to local soup kitchens, food pantries, or community residents in need,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “This experience will have a lasting impact on our youth and encourage giving back to others throughout their lives. I have always been of the mindset that we must find ways to help others in need, and Kids Dig In is a perfect example of paying it forward while also learning about agriculture and stewardship of the land.”

“It’s also very gratifying to see how schools across the country are using gardens as a form of therapy for children with autism,” added Chairman Granados. “Gardening provides a broad learning experience with many physical, emotional and developmental benefits.”

“School gardens bring everyone together in a collaborative effort: students, teachers, school staff, parents and neighborhood residents,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, who is Chairman of the Trust Fund. “The Kids Dig In grant program helps to support the value that Union County residents place on preserving open space and fostering a healthy environment.”

The County presented the Union County Kids Dig In! grant program to each school district through its Open Space Trust Fund, offering a total of $70,000 in grant assistance through revenues from golf fees administered through the fund.

The grant program covers produce gardens including vegetables, fruits, nuts, berries, herbs and spices, pollinator-attracting plants and plants for pest management. It does not cover ornamental plants or non-producing gardens.

Gardens must agree to set aside 30% of their harvest for community donation and enroll in Come Grow With Us!, a free countywide information and resource sharing network for community gardens.

Those applying for grants were given four options, 1.) to apply for tools and equipment; 2.) to apply for establishing a garden with four raised beds with soil, irrigation, soil amendments, seedlings and provisions for educational programs; 3.) to apply directly for ten (10) Earthboxes with soil, tools, soil amendments, seedlings and provisions for educational programs; and 4.) To apply for funding covering other garden types including rooftop, hydroponic and any others.

The following is a list of schools that applied and will receive assistance through the Kids Dig In! program:

Berkeley Heights—The Mountain Park Elementary School for the Sow Happy Garden—Raised Beds ($1,250.00)

Clark—1.)Mother Seton Regional High School—Raised beds and equipment ($1,250.00)
2.)Valley Road Elementary School for the Grade 2 Garden–Tools & Material ($500.00)

Cranford—the Lincoln School for the Lincoln Garden–Tools and Material ($500.00)

Elizabeth (27 gardens in all)
1.) Madison Monroe School # 16–New Raised Bed Garden & Equipment ($1,250.00)
2.) John Marshall School # 20–Dr. Thelma Hurd Memorial Garden—2 or more hydroponic gardens or raised beds ($1,250.00)
3.) Egenolf Early Childhood Center—Earthbox Garden ($750.00)
4.) William F. Halloran School #22 —The Husky Patch garden–Raised Bed gardens ($1,250.00)
5.) Jewish Educational Center—Early Childhood Garden–Earthbox Garden ($750.00)
6.) Winfield Scott School # 2 School—School 2 Garden– Earthbox Garden ($750.00)
7.) Mabel G. Holmes School 5 Annex–Huskies Blooming Wonderland Garden—Tools & Material New Raised Beds ($1,250.00)
8.) Toussaint L’Ouverture Elementary # 6–Lion’s Pride Garden –New Raised Beds ($1,250.00)
9.) Terence C. Reilly School # 7—Live, Laugh, Learn & Grow garden—Tools & Materials ($500.00)
10.) Jerome Dunn Academy School # 9—JDA Field of Greens garden— Tools & Materials ($500.00)
11.) Elmora School # 12—BEST BUDS garden—New Raised Beds/Equipment ($1,250.00)
12.) Christopher Columbus School # 15—Garden Bed– ($1,250.00)
13.) Elizabeth Woodrow Wilson School #19–Earthbox Garden and tools ($750.00)
14.) Victor Mravlag School # 21–STEMS for Success Garden–Fence ($150.00)
15.) Dr. Orlando Edreira Academy School # 26– New Raised Beds ($1,250.00)
16.) Dr. Antonia Pantoja School # 27—Pantoja Gardens—New Raised Beds, Earthbox, Tools ($1,250.00)
17.) Juan Pablo Duarte Jose Julian Marti School # 28– School 28 Garden—Tools/Materials New Raised Beds ($1,250.00)
18,) Frances C. Smith School # 50—New Raised Bed Gardens ($1,250.00)
19.) Donald Stewart Center for Early Childhood Education– Donald Stewart School 51 Garden—Earthbox Garden ($750.00)
20.) Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ECC #52—The Reading Garden—New Raised Bed Gardens ($1,250.00)
21.) Thomas A. Edison Career & Technical Academy—Peter Herbal Herb Garden—Earthbox and Equipment ($750.00)
22.) Adm. William F. Halsey Jr. Academy–R.I.S.E.garden–New Raised Bed Gardens/Equipment ($1,250.00)
23.) Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy —TJAA Liberty Hydroponics Garden—Hydroponic Garden ($1,250.00)
24.) Dr. Albert Einstein Academy School #29—Einstein’s Outdoor Classroom—Tools/Equipment ($500.00)
25.) Abraham Lincoln School # 14 Lincoln’s Grove Tools/Equipment ($500.00)
26.) YMCA–The Gateway Family YMCA—Earthbox ($750.00)
27.) Joseph Battin School # 4—Battin Garden — Tools/Equipment ($500.00)

• Hillside—1.) Abram P. Morris Early Childhood Center–Materials, Raised Beds, Earthbox ($1,250.00)
2.) Hurden Looker School –Tools & Materials ($500.00)
3.) Hillside High School—Raised beds ($1,250.00)

Kenilworth—Saint Theresa School—Sts Garden Club Garden—materials and tools ($500)

Linden—1.) Linden High School/Academy of Excellence–TOP Garden–compost and fence, Raised Bed Gardens ($1,250)
2.) School # 2 Garden—Tools & Materials ($500.00)
3.) Elementary School # 1—Lettuce Grow Garden–Raised Bed Gardens ($1,250)
4.) School # 5–School #5 Family Garden—Raised Bed Gardens ($1,250.00)
5.) School # 6–School #6 Garden—Raised Bed and Tools ($1,250.00)
6.) Myles J. McManus Middle School –Raised Bed Gardens ($1,250)

Mountainside—Beechwood School—Berry Patch Garden—Raised bed gardens ($500)

New Providence—Morris-Union Jointure Commission–The Developmental Learning Center Garden–Earthbox Garden ($750)

Plainfield—-1.) The Plainfield Academy for the Arts & Advanced Studies–PAAAS it forward produce garden—Raised Beds & Equipment ($1,250) 2.) Jefferson Elementary—Earthbox Garden ($750) 3.) Emerson Community School—Emerson Community School Garden—Raised Beds & Equipment ($1,250)

Rahway—1.) Madison School Madison School—Tools & Equipment ($500)
2.) Rahway High School—Raised Beds & equipment ($1,250)

Roselle—Washington Elementary School—Washington Elementary School Garden—tools and equipment. ($500)

Scotch Plains—1.) Park Middle School Park Community Garden—Raised Bed Gardens ($1,250) 2.) Brunner Elementary School Brunner—Children’s Garden —Tools & Materials ($500)
3.) Union County Vocational-Technical Schools—Aero Mobile Garden ($1,250)
4.) JCC of Central NJ—Brody Family Early Learning Center Garden—Raised Bed Gardens, Earthboxes, Tools ($1,250)
5.) Evergreen School—Raised Bed ($1,250)

Union—The Deron School of New Jersey, Inc—
Cathy’s Garden—Tool, supplies, irrigation with timer ($500)

Westfield—1.) Holy Trinity School–Westfield Food Pantry garden—Raised Bed Gardens ($1,250)
2.) Washington Elementary School–Washington School Garden–Monarch/Pollinator teaching garden ($750)
3) McKinley Elementary School—Garden of Hearts & Minds—New Raised Bed Garden or fence ($1,250)
4.) Westlake School—Tools & Materials ($452)
5.)Jefferson School—Jefferson School Outdoor Classroom–New Raised Bed Garden ($1,250)

Winfield—Winfield School Garden—raised bed garden and cart ($1,250)

Plant A Seed includes the Union County Kids Dig in and Union County Means Green grant programs, both administered on behalf of the Freeholder Board by the nonprofit community organization Groundwork Elizabeth. Plant a Seed also includes state-funded recycling grant programs administered by Union County, and other initiatives that foster education, empowerment and community service. More information is online at ucnj.org.

For more information about Groundwork Elizabeth visit online at groundworkelizabeth.org.

Quick links to all Union County environmental programs, activities and services are available through The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:
ELIZABETH—27 Schools from the City of Elizabeth received Kids Dig In! grants from Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados (far left) and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski (far right) and Al Mirabella (second right)
CRANFORD—Cynthia Arch of the Lincoln School (second from left) receives Kids Dig In! grant from (right) Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, Freeholder Al Mirabella, and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (end, left).

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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 – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce WellCare Health Plans, Inc. as a “community” sponsor of Union County’s PRIDE weekend events Friday, June 15 and Saturday, June 16.

Hosted by Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Office of LGBTQ Service, this year’s PRIDE weekend events include:

The first Union County LIGHT UP THE NIGHT – TEEN PRIDE (the alternative prom) event for LGBTQ and ally high school youth (ages 16-19), presented in collaboration with the Union County Performing Arts Center, will be held on Friday, June 15 from 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.) at UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage located at 360 Hamilton Street, Rahway. Tickets are $25 each and are available online at ucpac.org.

The 2018 Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2018 from 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m. at Rahway River Park in Rahway. Admission is free to this inclusive celebration of family, equality, diversity and community. More info at ucnj.org/pride.

“The Freeholder Board is proud to partner with LGBTQ-ally businesses and organizations to provide an environment that promotes inclusion, acceptance, and celebrates individuality,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “We are thrilled to welcome back WellCare Health Plans as a top sponsor of the County’s PRIDE weekend events in support of the LGBTQ community.”

Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses exclusively on providing government-sponsored managed care services, primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical needs. WellCare serves approximately 127,000 members in New Jersey and 4.3 million members nationwide as of March 31, 2018.

“WellCare is honored and excited to again be a part of the Union County’s PRIDE events,” said Clarissa Robles, Senior Community Relations Specialist for WellCare New Jersey. “WellCare is committed to helping its communities live better, healthier lives, and removing barriers to health, social and educational resources for everyone.”

“Recently, GLADD released their annual Accelerating Acceptance report noting that 2017 is the first time the report has shown a drop in general acceptance for LGBTQ people – consequences of divisive rhetoric and actions from the current administration in Washington,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, liaison to the LGBTQ Ad Hock Committee. “The Freeholder Board is committed to countering attacks on the LGBTQ community with programs and services that support resilience, builds acceptance and defending the core American value that all people are created equal.”

The Union County Office of LGBTQ Services, under the Division of Outreach and Advocacy in the Department of Human Services, provides a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, and serves as a catalyst for advocacy, awareness and action on current and emerging issues that impact the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals. For more information about the Office of LGBTQ Services, contact Danni Newbury, Coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org.

For more information about Union County’s PRIDE weekend events, visit ucnj.org/Pride, or find the event pages at Facebook.com/CountyOfUnion, or call the Office of LGBTQ Services at 908-527-4742.

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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.

Women’s Empowerment, Yoga and Meditation Event “The Time is Now” offered at Union County College
Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that a free yoga, meditation class and emotional wellness event for women will be offered on Friday evening, June 1, at Union County College, Kellogg Building Room K-157, 40 West Jersey Street in Elizabeth.
The event, titled “The Time is Now,” is part of the free women’s empowerment series conducted through the Office on Women, Department of Human Services Division on Outreach and Advocacy.
“We want to ensure that every resident has the opportunity to engage with activities that contribute to overall health and well- being,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Our recreational and educational programs have been reaching out to embrace important new pathways for achieving personal growth, and I would like to thank Whole Foods and Athleta, Westfield for their support in this endeavor.”
• A short talk and introduction with time to network.
• Yoga session by Nicole DeAugustine, certified yoga instructor.
• Guided meditation ceremony
“The Time is Now” Yoga and Meditation begins at 6:00 p.m. on June 1, and is expected to conclude at approximately 9:00 p.m.
Attendees should wear comfortable clothing appropriate for yoga, and bring their own yoga mats.
The event is free but space is limited. Pre-registration is required online at ucnj.org/womans-yoga.
Union County College, Kellogg Building Room K-517 is located at 40 W Jersey Street, Elizabeth. Parking is available at the Bollwage Garage at the Corner of W. Jersey and Elizabethtown Plaza (there is a small fee for this parking).
The Office on Women was created in 2016 as an initiative of Freeholder Bruce H. Bergen. As the first county-based office of its kind in New Jersey, the Office on Women aims to help ensure that women connect with services and programs that enable them to reach their full potential at every stage of their lives, in education, in employment and business, health and in the social fabric of Union County, and to raise awareness of the many contributions that women make to life in Union County.
For additional details contact Jennifer Erdos, Union County Office on Women at jerdos@ucnj.org

Total of $1.5 million in grants awarded fourth annual time for various road and municipal improvements

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders today announced the fourth annual Union County Infrastructure Grant awards to 21 municipalities to help fund projects aimed at spurring economic development growth, making road, facility and other improvements throughout the County.

“This program provides our municipalities with financial aid to make various improvements that benefit our residents and businesses,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Many of the projects are much-needed road or sidewalk improvements, while others are facility, business district, public safety, or record keeping items.”

The program was conceived by Freeholder Christopher Hudak in 2015, developed by the County’s Freeholder Fiscal Committee and administered by the Department of Economic Development.  This year’s Freeholder Fiscal Committee included Freeholder Bruce Bergen (who chaired the committee), Freeholder Vice Chair Bette Jane Kowalski, and Freeholders Angel Estrada and Alexander Mirabella.

“The Union County Infrastructure Grant provides assistance to our cities and towns for vital improvements that may lack a sufficient funding source,” said Freeholder Hudak. “Our intent is to stimulate economic growth and maintain the high quality of life in Union County.” 

The matching grant initiative makes available approximately $1.5 million to Union County’s 21 municipalities, assisting them to accomplish tasks undertaken in calendar year 2018.

Funding for the grant is provided through the proceeds from the sale of Runnells Specialized Hospital in 2014.

Some examples of work funded include: milling and resurfacing of streets in Berkeley Heights; a road repaving program in Cranford; Orchard Terrace drainage improvements in Hillside; Sumner Avenue improvements in Plainfield; Hanratty sports complex improvements in Elizabeth; resurfacing of Meeting House Lane in Mountainside; and Springfield Avenue improvements in Summit.

Union County Freeholder Christopher Hudak presents Linden High School Seniors Taylor Battle and Jade Rodrigues with resolutions congratulating them on the Easter egg design they created being featured at the 140^th annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House in Washington, DC on April 2.

The U.S. Department of Education invited students throughout the U.S. to design an egg that reflects their home state. The designs had to be emblematic, including elements such as the state flower or state bird. Students from more than a dozen schools in New Jersey submitted their Easter egg designs to the state Department of Education for consideration, and the Linden High School’s design was unanimously selected.

Their Easter egg design chosen to represent New Jersey included includes many iconic New Jersey elements including our State Motto, “Liberty and Prosperity”; the Goldfinch, New Jersey’s State Bird; New Jersey’s State Fruit, the blueberry and even the Jersey Shore.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders this evening awarded Union County Infrastructure Grants and “Level the Playing Field” grants to mayors and representatives from all 21 municipalities in the County.

The Union County Infrastructure Grants help fund projects aimed at spurring economic development growth, making road, facility and other improvements throughout the County. The matching grant initiative makes available approximately $1.5 million to Union County’s 21 municipalities, assisting them to accomplish tasks undertaken in calendar year 2018.

“Level The Playing Field” is a new grant program designed to help every municipality provide inclusive playgrounds to children with disabilities, and is part of Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados’s 2018 Union County HEART initiative for community outreach and advocacy. A total of $500,000 in Level the Playing Field awards was funded through the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund and golf fees administered through the Trust Fund.

FREEHOLDER Al Mirabella, Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, and (far right) Freeholder Chris Hudak present Infrastructure and Level the Playing Field Checks totaling more than $100,000 for playground and various improvements to Kenilworth Mayor Anthony DeLuca, and Councilwoman Kay Ceceri.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski and Freeholder Angel G. Estrada joined Rahway Mayor Raymond A. Giacobbe in cutting the ribbon officially opening The Willows at Rahway. They were joined by Assemblyman James Kennedy, New Jersey Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency Chief of Staff Katie Brennan, Bruce Morgan of BCM Affordable Housing and Ingerman and Rahway Councilmen Rodney Farrar, David Brown and Joseph D. Gibilisco.

The Willows at Rahway is a new affordable rental community located in the Rahway Arts District in downtown Rahway. The project will serve as affordable housing with a preference for artists. Union County contributed approximately $800,000 in HOME Investment Partnership funds to the project. The community consists of one, two and three bedroom apartments featuring a full host of amenities and will cater to artists with designated artist spaces throughout the building.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)