Funding Available to 'Preserve Union County'

The Freeholder Board will again offer matching grants through the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund.

The following press release was submitted by the Union County Public Information Office. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the sixth round of funding is available for Preserve Union County, a matching grant program under the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. Preserve Union County is a merit-based grant program that helps local governments and preservationists save treasured civic landmarks and historic sites. “Union County’s roots go back more than 340 years, with a legacy rich in the historic moments that have defined our communities and our country,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, who is Chairman of the Trust Fund. “We are very proud that Preserve Union …

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Shred It and Forget It! Fight Clutter, Prevent ID Theft At Mobile Shredding Program

The county will host a paper-shredding program on May 4 at Union County College in Cranford.

The following press release was submitted by the County of Union. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that its next mobile paper-shredding program for personal, confidential personal documents will be available on Saturday, May 4, at Union County College in Cranford. “Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents fight identity theft and eliminate clutter in their homes,” said Freeholder Christopher Hudak, liaison to the Solid Waste Advisory Council. “It is a cost-effective way to assist our recycling efforts and it ties in with Union County’s other Go Green Initiatives.” The May 4th shredding event will take place on the Cranford campus of Union County College, located at 1033 Springfield Ave., …

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Longest Tenured Freeholder To Retire

After 19 years in office, Daniel Sullivan will retire at the end of his term in December.

The following is a press release from the Union County Democratic Committee. Citing the time as being “right” for his retirement from the board, Freeholder Daniel P. Sullivan today announced he will not run for re-election to the Freeholder Board, and will leave office at the end of his sixth term on December 31. Sullivan, a Freeholder who resides in Elizabeth who was originally appointed in 1995 to complete a one-year term, will have marked 19 years in office at the end of his term this year. He was the longest serving member of the Freeholder Board, and has served as chairman and vice chairman of the board.  “I have enjoyed serving the public as a Freeholder and I am proud of the contributions and achievements that I have been able to …

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County Manager Announces $120 Annual Tax Hike For Average Homeowners in 2013

Despite decreased revenue in Union County's $506 million spending plan, officials managed to close a $28 million budget gap, according to a letter to the freeholder board by County Manager Alfred Faella.

The following is a letter written by Union County Manager Alfred J. Faella to members of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, regarding the 2013 Executive Budget. Dear Freeholders: We are now at the beginning of a second year of what is a multi-year budgetary turnaround, as we have closed an approximate $28 million budget gap.  Overall, the County appears to have stemmed the tide of eroding revenue collections in line with the national recovery, while taking long term steps to create new revenue streams, and implement proactive measures controlling our costs for future budgets. This year, we have turned our attention to the completion of several areas identified in last year’s executive budget for reform: Runnells Specialized …

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Nota Whistleblower

8:22 pm on Sunday, April 14, 2013

hear, hear!!!! And, they should stop playing games with the Unemployment numbers..... It's 9.5 % in NJ and has been lowering Nationwide???? It's only because people ran out of their unemployment benefits and cannot find a job!   more ›

Freeholder Honored During Her Last Meeting

Union County Freeholder Deborah Scanlon will retire at the end of this year.

Freeholder Deborah P. Scanlon, a resident of Union, was honored by her colleagues on the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders during her last meeting as a freeholder this month. Scanlon, a five-term Freeholder whose retirement is effective at the end of this year, distinguished her career by serving as a steady advocate for women, children, and families in need. A two-time survivor of cancer, she championed cancer-prevention programs including mammography awareness for young and underprivileged women. She served as a liaison to Runnells Hospital, and worked to expand one of the county’s most popular family services, the Union County Child Safety Seat program, which has provided more than 50,000 inspections.

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County Recognizes Local Eatery For Collecting Holiday Donations

Union County officials presented a certificate of recognition to a local pizzeria.

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Freeholder Mirabella: Tested Once Again, Union County Looks Forward to 2013

Union County Freeholder looks ahead to new year.

Between the global economic meltdown of 2008 and a series of natural disasters culminating in Hurricane Sandy, Union County has seen its share of crises over the past four years. We have also been touched by the sorrows borne by communities not so very far away; here in New Jersey, the devastation of shore towns by the storm, and in Newtown, Connecticut, a human tragedy from which no real recovery is ever possible. While our hearts and minds reach out in sympathy, we can also look inward and prepare ourselves for the challenges ahead.  And as this year comes to a close, there is cause for renewed hope in the future. One cause for optimism has been the growth of new relationships all across the spectrum of our community. In this regard, …

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Freeholder Candidate: Weight of Tax Burden Pushing Properties Into Foreclosure

Diane Barabas addresses financial burden carried by Union County taxpayers.

Whether you are a Republican or a Democrat one must wonder why Union County Freeholders have passed a budget of $302.5 million dollars? It’s only $11.3 million more than last year? Even if the increase only means $90 per household as Freeholders claim, but it’s $90 that many families cannot afford. The weight of the tax burden has now pushed many properties into foreclosure or short sale, but the Freeholders still insist they need additional funds to manage 21 municipalities that are already struggling to maintain their own budgets. Successful tax appeals have been added to the mix and are painful for the municipalities because it means that homeowners are credited for money that has already been budgeted. First-time home buyers are …

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County Welcomes Autumn During Harvest Festival

The event was held at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside.

The County of Union recently celebrated its annual Harvest Festival with Fall displays, music and entertainment, Native American cooking and crafts and contests at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside.

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Freeholder Forum: Planning Ahead for Weather Emergencies

In this month's column, Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella discusses precautions that can be taken in the event of a natural disaster such as a storm.

We in Union County are fortunate to enjoy a relatively moderate climate. However, within the past couple of years we have experienced a series of extremes from destructive storms to heat waves, and that calls for a new level of awareness about preparing your household for weather-related emergencies.  The basics of planning ahead haven’t changed much over the years, such as keeping a supply of bottled water and nonperishable food in a handy spot along with a first aid kit. There are also some useful new gadgets on the market, including portable radios and flashlights you can power by hand if the batteries run down. One of the most effective things you can do is to keep informed about conditions before, during and after an extreme weather …

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