Page 2 Thursday, April 8, 1999 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION
CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK
Wireless Phone Drive to Aid Victims of Domestic Violence
ELIZABETH A wireless telephone recycling drive to aid victims of domestic violence will be the cornerstone of Union County's efforts this year as our nation begins its annual month to recognize crime victims rights.
Union County Prosecutor Thomas V. Manahan said the program provides victims of physical beatings or threats of violence access to used cell phones that can be dialed directly to 9-1-1.
"It is a way to utilize old phones that would otherwise be discarded," said Mr. Manahan. "A victim of domestic violence should have a means of seeking help in an emergency."
The Prosecutor said Elaine O'Neal, the coordinator of the office's Victim Witness Advocacy Unit, is spearheading the drive that begins today across the county with the support and assistance of Bell Atlantic Mobile.
The company, as part of its "Wireless At Work Recycling Program," has agreed to test and reprogram the old wireless telephones that are donated by a person or a corporation and return the telephones to the Prosecutor's Office use by victims of domestic violence.
"One of the most dangerous times for a victim is immediately after she has left a violent partner," Ms. O'Neal said. "A portable phone could enhance victim safety and serve as a lifeline for someone who may be in danger."
Donated phones, which must be put with batteries and chargers in Ziplock bags, can be dropped off at the Prosecutor's office on the first floor of the County Administration Building in Elizabeth between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
"The evolution of wireless phones from analog to digital and the appeal
of newer, smaller, handsets has produced a large supply of old, unused equipment that is sitting in desks, cabinets and even toy boxes," said Charles Hand, President of Bell Atlantic Mobile's New York/New Jersey metro region.
"Our objective is to reclaim these phones and put them into the hands of people who may need emergency communications," he added.
Executive Assistant Prosecutor Robert P. O'Leary said the telephones will be loaned to victims in cases selected by the staff of the office's Domestic Violence Unit as well as the county's battered women's program. He said persons or corporations interested in participating in the cell phone donation effort should contact Ms. O'Neal at (908) 9653897.
Authorities said Bell Atlantic Mobile will provide those who make a donation that might save a life with a coupon for discounts on equipment available in its stores throughout the area.
"I know the citizens will respond to this," said O'Neal. "Before we even announced the official of the program for the first day of April we had seven phones sitting in our office just through word of mouth."
Each year, the Board of Freeholders adopts a special resolution recognizing all of the county's efforts on behalf of crime victims and supports special ceremonies held to advocate victim rights and highlight victim services.
Ms. O'Neal said her staff will also be conducting an open house for visitors regarding her unit on April 26. In addition, members of her staff will travel to Trenton on Sunday, April 11, to be part of a statewide ceremony at the War Memorial Building.
LIFELINES FOR VICTIMS...Donated cordless portable cell phones are accepted by Elaine O'Neal, Coordinator of the Union County Prosecutor's Office Victim Witness Advocacy Unit, left, and Assistant Prosecutor Laura A. Hook, the legal supervisor for the county's Domestic Violence Unit. Live Penguin to be Featured
At Wildlife Event on Sunday
MOUNTAINSIDE – A representative from Jenkinson's Aquarium of Point Pleasant will present a live penguin to visitors during a program called "Penguin Pointers" at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside on Sunday, April 11, at 2 p.m.
The program is part of Union County's 10th Annual Wildlife Sunday, which is taking place at Trailside from noon to 5 p.m. A variety of activities will be featured, including demonstrations, displays, vendors, nature walks, children's crafts and face painting.
" J e n k i n s o n 's Aquarium will introduce families to the life of a penguin and compare them to other birds, in order to find out what makes penguins so unique," said Freeholder Deborah Scanlon, Liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
"Facts will be given on the penguin's role in the ecosystem, their recent adaptations, and the most current conservation problems penguins face," she continued. "As a special treat, the public will get to meet a live African penguin and learn how the aquarium cares for their penguin colony."
Other featured presentations that day will include "The Great Reptiles" at 12:30 p.m., hosted by Bill Boesenberg of Snakes-n-Scales and Turtle Tales, who will introduce families to his collection of live reptiles.
Participants will have an opportunity to meet and learn about monitor lizards, ponderous turtles, giant constrictor snakes and the surviving ancestors of the dinosaurs — the crocodilians.
At 3:30 p.m., Vinnie Reo of Wolf Visions will teach visitors the important role wolves play in keeping a balanced ecosystem, as he provides an up close look at a live wolfdog. Information will be given on wolves' extended family groups, and how they maintain a well-defined social structure.
Ruth Yablonsky, a Union County park naturalist, will present Trailside's live snake collection to observe and touch between 1 and 3 p.m.
Grant Stiles from Stiles Apiaries will demonstrate the use of specialized bee keeping equipment, along with a live honey bee hive, at 1 and 2:30 p.m. Jim DeFino of the South Orange Fire Department will give an informal talk about the effects of forest fires on the landscape and on wildlife at 4:15 p.m.
Turtle Back Zoo of West Orange will have many live animals on display for children to observe. Other displays and informational talks will be given by New Jersey's Fish, Game and Wildlife division; the New Jersey Sierra Club, wildlife rehabilitator Renee Thomair, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection — Endangered and NonGame Species.
Admission to Wildlife Sunday is $2 per person and children ages 7 and younger are free. Trailside, located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside, is a facility of the Union County Division of Parks and Recreation.
For information on this event and other spring and summer programs, please call (908) 789-3670.
SPECIAL VISITOR…A live African penguin from Jenkinson's Aquarium in Point Pleasant will be featured at Union County's 10th annual Wildlife Sunday event on April 11 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside.
County Inmate Cleanup Scheduled For April 12
Union County's Inmate Labor Program will begin its spring and summer cleanup of litter and debris along county roadways, waterways and in parks on Monday, April 12.
This is the fifth year of the program, which puts supervised crews of inmate laborers to work on weekdays, picking up litter from county and municipal properties.
"This is a very positive, extremely popular program," said Freeholder Linda d. Stender. "It ensures that the "gateways" to Union County – our roads and highways – are clear of litter and debris and it saves money by putting inmates to work rather than using town or county employees."
Last year, inmates picked up more than 100 tons of litter and debris from 19 municipalities in Union County. The program sends out two crews, each with eight prisoners.
"This program helps inmates pay for their keep, which is something many taxpayers think they should have been doing all along," said Freeholder Chairman Nicholas P. Scutari.
"One of the obvious concerns about a program of this nature is that of public safety. The critical element to ensuring the success of this program is
careful screening of the inmates," said County Manager Michael Lapolla. "Maintaining constant communications with county and local police departments is another key element of our program."
Inmates serving time for violent crimes, sex crimes, weapons possession, arson, aggravated assault or escape are obviously not eligible to participate in the program, he said.
The program is funded through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Clean Communities Grant, which provides money for community education, enforcement and litter cleanup.
The project is a cooperative effort between the County's Bureau of Environmental Affairs and the Division of Correctional Services.
In addition to their regular cleanups last year, inmates helped clear and chip fallen trees in Rahway after the labor day storm and cleared up more than 10 tons of debris from an eight-mile stretch of railroad tracks in Plainfield.
For additional information on the inmate labor program or to request an area to be cleaned up, please call the Union County Bureau of Environmental Affairs at (908) 654-9890.
Outreach Services for Seniors To be Offered This Month
Union County's Division on Aging in the Department of Human Services has announced its Outreach Services Program schedule for April.
"The Union County Freeholders provide vital services to senior citizens through our outreach program," said Freeholder Lewis Mingo, Jr., Liaison to the Union County Advisory Council on Aging.
"We encourage all elderly, isolated individuals who meet eligibility requirements to apply for these helpful programs," Mr. Mingo added.
The dates, locations and times for applications are:
· Wednesday, April 14, in Elizabeth at St. Genevieve's Church on Monmouth Road, hosted by St. Genevieve's Leisure Group, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
· Thursday, April 15, in Garwood at the South Avenue Fire House, hosted by the Garwood Seniors at 12 30 p.m.
· Thursday, April 22, in Rahway at the Rahway Senior Center, 1306 Esterbrook Avenue, at 11:30 a.m.
County representatives will be on hand to provide assistance in completing the necessary applications for Gas and Electric Support (LIFE LINE), Pharmaceutical Assistance (PAAD), Home Energy Assistance (HEAP), Supplementary Security Income (SSI), Counseling on Health Insurance for Medicare Enrollees (CHIME), and the SHARE Food Program.
"These services can supplement the basic needs of the isolated elderly and sustain or improve their lives," Freeholder Mingo said. "Our senior staff members will conduct private interviews on request," he noted.
For further information on the Outreach Services Program and other programs offered by the Union County Division on Aging, please call the division's toll-free number: (888) 280-8226.
The "I love it!" vacuum
S SS SSINCE INCE INCE INCE INCE 1956 1956 1956 1956 1956 • Vacuums
• Sewing Machines • Outdoor Power Equipment • Janitorial Supplies • Air and Water Purification
Equipment
Old Fashioned Quality and Service
224 ELMER STREET • WESTFIELD 908•232•5723 Closed Wed. and Sun
SALES • SERVICE • PARTS RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL
NY/NJ LARGEST Multi-Line Oreck Dealer!
• Still 8 lbs. • Hi-Speed Brush
• Long Cord • Top-Fill Bag
• Hypo-Allergenic Filtration Available
SUPER BUSTER B COMPACT VACUUM FREE
We HaveThe NewModels
ON SALE NOW!
Your Environmental Headquarters
®
Nothing gets by an Oreck! ® ©1999 ORECK ® Holdings, LLC. All rights reserved. All trademarks are
owned & used under the authorization of ORECK ® Holdings, LLC
Power Washing
P PP PPERFECT ERFECT ERFECT ERFECT ERFECT P P P P PAINTING AINTING AINTING AINTING AINTING
Beautify Your Home
Z Z Z Z Z Walk Ways
Z Z Z Z Z Vinyl Siding
Z Z Z Z Z Clean Gutters
Z Z Z Z Z Remove Mildew
Z Z Z Z Z Remove Antennas
Z Z Z Z Z Outdoor Playhouses
Z Z Z Z Z Deck Cleaning & Sealing
Spring Cleaning Special 10 10 10 10 10 % %% %%
Present Coupon at Time of Estimate. Expires 5/1/99
OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF
(908) 272-4456
| www.goleader.com | press@goleader.com | Copyright © 1999 The Westfield Leader and The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood |