Freeholder Chair Outlines Initiatives

The Springfield animal shelter wasn't the only thing on Freeholder Chairman Daniel P. Sullivan's agenda this weekend. Below is a release from the County about the other intitiatives Sullivan announced for this year.

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Freeholder Chairman Daniel P. Sullivan announced on Sunday a series of initiatives entitled "Helping People, Moving Union County Forward" that are designed to help those in need during this tough economic period, and to move the county forward with an emphasis on economic development, and green initiatives.

Sullivan, a resident of Elizabeth, was selected as Chairman for the third time in his Freeholder career at the 153rd annual reorganization meeting held in the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Sullivan was previously Chairman in 1998 and 2000.

Surrogate James S. LaCorte, of Elizabeth, and Freeholders Alexander Mirabella, of Fanwood, and Deborah P. Scanlon, of Union, were also sworn in to new terms. Mohamed S. Jalloh, of Roselle, was sworn in to his first term as Freeholder. Scanlon was appointed Vice Chairman of the Freeholder Board.

Freeholders also voted to fill numerous positions on county advisory boards and to adopt the board's 2010 schedule and procedural rules.

Sullivan announced three sets of initiatives: services designed to help residents (titled "helping people") in need during the tough economic period, "Go Green Round 3," a set of environmental initiatives which include recycling and green energy projects, and a set of economic development projects either reaching completion or beginning in the New Year that are designed to create jobs, help Union County's working class, and jumpstart the economy. According to Sullivan, most of the new programs would come at little or no additional cost, and many are funded by grants or stimulus monies.

Sullivan prefaced his initiatives by sounding the bell for continued fiscal austerity at the County.

"We're still going to have to do more with less," Sullivan said, adding the county will continue to look at service consolidations, new revenue sources and shared services. "

"We're going to continue to make sacrifices, as many of our residents are making and expect of us in turn," he added, noting the decision has already been made to freeze the salaries of all 640 non-contractual employees, including directors, freeholders, and constitutional officials.

All told, many will now have gone without raises for the past two and a half years, saving approximately $2.3 million during that period. Several other major unions — including Council 8 — are also in the middle of a salary freeze this year as well.

Sullivan also added he would fully support the effort to pursue a plan to either sell or seek an extended lease of the Union County Resource Recovery Facility. Such a plan could continue the low rate of waste disposal to the public, while ensuring very significant tax relief. With these fiscal measures in mind, Sullivan then announced his initiatives:

HELPING PEOPLE

First, the county will retrofit the Public Information van for winter usage as the "Union County Helps" vehicle. Those inside the van will assist residents with direct help and referrals to our One-Stop Career centers, foods stamps, utility, foreclosure assistance and more.

Second, the county will work to find funding for "Christopher's Program," which addresses the issue of gangs and youth violence. The program is made possible through the efforts of Freeholder Nancy Ward and through a new partnership with the family part of the New Jersey Superior Court. The goal is to educate youth on positive forms of expression as opposed to violent gang behavior.

Third, the Office of Emergency Management will seek new and enhanced ways to ensure the appropriate measures are taken before and during a disaster concerning those with special needs, including evacuation procedures and specialized sheltering requirements. This would also include working with the public to register in the Special Needs Registry and Union County First Alert.

Fourth, the Union County Vocational Technical High School will offer a new special education course beginning in September, which will provide young people the opportunity to become licensed health care aides.

Fifth,  the County's Office of Health Management will work to expand and increase its volunteer base within its Medical Reserve Corps, and will continue to educate Union County communities regarding preparedness and prevention related to communicable diseases and the potential third wave of H1N1 in the United States.

GO GREEN ROUND 3:

In January, the Union County Improvement Authority will hold meetings with municipal and school board partners regarding our Countywide Renewable Energy Program. This will seek to produce solar panel installations and a long-term goal of developing bio diesel and geothermal projects. The projects would all strive to be self-financing.

This year, the county will also use stimulus funding it received to maximize energy efficiency and conservation at a number of its facilities. As part of this effort, the county will also begin a process that will result in the installation of solar panels at Runnells Hospital, which would be self-financing.

Through grants dollars, the county is also embarking on programs to increase recycling collections at our county parks facilities and to re-educate multi-family housing and commercial institutions on recycling mandates. The county will also develop a component to include a trained educator, materials for our schools, an interactive display at the Trailside Nature and Science Center, and a stipend to our libraries to purchase recycling-related books.

The County's Vocational-Technical Schools will participate in a new state-wide initiative entitled the "Weatherization Training Program."  The $3 million program is a partnership with the New Jersey Building Laborers International - Local 55 and Union County Vo-Tech, along with nine other vocational-technical schools.

 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Chairman Sullivan announced a number of projects either beginning or reaching completion in the New Year. The projects are designed to create jobs and stimulate the economy. Sullivan, referring to former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's program, dubbed it all a "New Deal" for Union County residents. The list includes:

- The completion this summer of the Public Safety Vehicle Storage Office building, which will free up parking space at the complex in Westfield and provide office space. The building is green and will meet the LEED standard, meaning Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

- The Union County Vocational-Technical School District's Academy for Performing Arts building will also be completed in June 2010. The performing arts program is a cooperative venture with Kean University. The facility, located on the District's Scotch Plains campus, will contain a blackbox theater, a lobby and box office area, dance and theater studios, lighting and sound studios, classrooms and more.

- The Parking Authority of the City of Elizabeth is seeking to break ground on a 1,500 space parking facility at Caldwell Place at Elizabethtown Plaza, which will create 200 new jobs. The garage will have an adjacent building consisting of 27,000 square feet of retail, commercial and/or office space. This will not only spur additional construction and permanent jobs, but also alleviate parking issues in and around the County complex. The project is a partnership of the County, the City of Elizabeth, and Union County College.

- The beginning of construction on the new Galloping Hill Club House, which will continue the turnaround plan envisioned for the County's Golf Division. This facility will be in addition to the new driving range opened this past fall there.

- Planning for the construction of the Animal Shelter in the Houdaille Quarry at Springfield. The shelter will help local governments reduce their animal control costs, while providing a much-needed central shelter, an adoption program and veterinary care for animals.

- Finally, conceptual planning is expected to begin on the Union County Sustainability Corridor, which, if implemented, could connect rapid bus transit from Cranford to Route 1&9, Elizabeth and more. It could also enable bus access to the Jersey Gardens Mall, Port Authority and Airport facilities and other parts of Elizabeth. New Jersey Transit will fund the planning effort to determine implementation.