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 ›

Runnells Gets 'Powered Up'

Solar panels have been installed at the Berkeley Heights medical facility.

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Do County Nursing Homes Deserve Low Ratings?

Public-run facilities are ranked lower than private nursing homes, but some supporters praise the care. Runnells Specialized Hospital in Berkeley Heights scored favorably in the ratings.

Joan Grimes of Rockaway in Morris County wasn’t satisfied with the private nursing home where her husband was living. The place looked magnificent. Its main lounge featured a fireplace, piano and chandelier. Patients’ rooms were carpeted. The halls were decorated with paintings. But Grimes felt her husband, who has Alzheimer’s disease, wasn’t getting enough medical attention. “I’m a nurse, so I kind of know what’s supposed to happen,’’ she said. Grimes asked her doctor to suggest another place. When he mentioned Morris View, she was not sure that was such a good idea. After all, Morris View is owned by Morris County and county-owned nursing homes come with somewhat of a stigma. That was more than two years ago and Grimes is glad she …

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UPDATE: Bicyclist Hospitalized After Accident on Watchung Way

Scotch Plains man suffers multiple injuries.

A bicyclist with multiple injuries was transported to Morristown Memorial Hospital Tuesday evening after being involved in an accident on Watchung Way, in front of Runnells Specialized Hospital in Berkeley Heights. Union County Public Safety Director Andrew Moran, who was on the scene Tuesday night, described the incident as a single-bicycle accident involving 48-year-old James Graisser of Scotch Plains. Moran said it doesn't appear that any other vehicle was involved in the accident, which occurred around 4:59 p.m. The incident is being investigated by Union County Police because Runnells is operated by the county. Watchung Way is a steep hill leading up to Runnells. Moran said the accident occurred about midway on the hill along the …

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