Friday, May 11, 2012
A state legislative committee approved a bill this week that would bar the practice.
Can an employer force you to reveal your Facebook or other social media password as a condition for getting hired or keeping your job? That issue began to get some attention in March after a statistician in New York reported that during an interview with a potential employer, the woman interviewing him had searched for his Facebook and, upon discovering that it was private, asked him for the password. The statistician, Justin Bassett refused and left the interview, according to the Associated Press. But the story brought to light other instances where employers have sought similar access to social media accounts, and have led several states to consider legislation to ban the practice. California's assembly voted Thursday to approve such …
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
An editor's personal journey through autism.
This story is not mine to own. It could belong to you. It could belong to your sister, your friend, your neighbor, the waitress at Jersey Boys, the bank president, the school principal, the police officer directing traffic. In New Jersey, the story belongs to all of us. The findings of a federal study released last week show that one in 49 children, and one in 29 boys, are diagnosed with autism in New Jersey. Nationally, one in 88 children are diagnosed annually. Autism is a disease that gives itself freely and without prejudice. There is no way to protect your child from it; no diet or vaccine that will prevent it. It is, as experts will tell you, pervasive. Autism has been an unwanted guest in my house for 11 years. It has attached …
Sunday, March 25, 2012
This reader says film adaptation was true to the book.
It's not every week I'd let two of my kids stay up til 3 a.m. to go to a midnight movie on a school night - but the fact we were at Caldwell Cinema Thursday instead of sleeping, is a testament to how much we love Suzanne Collins' series, "The Hunger Games." And, if the packed theater was any indication, the rest of America does too. The movie was filled with fans - some who'd read all three books in the series, some who had only gotten through the first one. There was also one teenaged girl, was hurriedly finishing the pages of the first book, minutes before the lights went out. For book fans, the movie didn't disappoint. The depiction of Panem was just as bleak as described in Collins' trilogy. Prim and Rue were sweet and innocent, and …
Saturday, March 24, 2012
A rabbit can mean a 10-year commitment, and shouldn't be a hastily-decided Easter gift.
- OPINION
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Saturday, March 24
With Easter quickly approaching, many families seek the perfect gift to give their loved ones and children. An appealing option always seems to be a pet rabbit—what better way to celebrate the Easter Bunny than a fluffy friend of your very own? Unfortunately, many times the decision to purchase a rabbit is done in haste and new owners realize quickly these animals (whose lifespan is generally six to ten years) take more care and attention than most new owners are willing to give. It is estimated that the amount of rabbits abandoned at shelters greatly increases following the Easter holiday. This ends up leading to an influx of rabbits being neglected, improperly cared for, left at animal shelters, or, worst of all—let out into the wild, an…
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Ridgewood teachers trimming back on 'extra time' due to 18 months of stalled negotiations, salary freeze
[Editor's note: This report was last updated at 4:36 p.m. Wednesday to reflect comments from a parent who says her children have been caught in the crossfire.] It's no secret there's acrimony between the Ridgewood school board and its largest group of employers – teachers and guidance counselors. Both sides acknowledge the lack of a settled contract can be a distraction; little progress apparently has been made since negotiations began 18 months ago. Educators were budgeted a zero percent increase this current budget year with increased givebacks in health benefits. It's the only way to make the budget work, officials said. In a conversation with Patch at the Monday night protest, G.W. guidance counselor Michael Mullin said although …
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Survey praises state laws on open records, campaign finance disclosures, public integrity.
A new study ranks New Jersey tops in the nation for its procedures for uncovering corruption. In a report released Monday, the Center for Public Integrity rated all 50 states in terms of their laws for public records access, requiring reports of campaign donations, accountability of all three branches of government, state budget transparency, civil service procedures, purchasing procedures, lobbyist disclosure, audits, pension fund management, ethics bodies, insurance regulation and redistricting. "Keep in mind we're not measuring cases of corruption, but the systems in place to prevent it, and encourage openness and transparency in government," said Gordon Witkin, CPI's managing editor. The report is likely a surprise for many state …
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Women approve of Obama more than men.
The president is feeling the love in New Jersey with a 51% approval rating, according to Fairleigh Dickinson University’s latest PublicMind poll. Women in the state are among President Barack Obama’s biggest supporters, according to the poll. Read the full release here, and take our poll to tell us what you think of Obama. The president’s approval is up in New Jersey, and the “wrong direction” number is down. According the latest poll by Fairleigh Dickinson University’s PublicMind™, 51% of New Jersey voters say they approve of the way the president is handling his job, while 42% percent disapprove, a significant improvement from the president’s lukewarm 46%-45% approval in January. Men, in fact, are more likely to disapprove of the …
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Are those up in arms fighting for narrow interests or are they opposing an intrusion that harms all of Ridgewood?
Television news outlets have been toting their cameras around First Street and Barnett Place over the past few days, asking residents what they think about the 125-foot-tall cell tower T-Mobile hopes to construct with zoning board approval. It should come as no surprise neighbors have greeted the proposal with poor reception, citing worries in health, safety, appearance and yes, property value declines. It's not a unique stance; virtually all cell tower proposals in Ridgewood in recent years has seen swift denouncement from the respective neighborhoods. Mayor Keith Killion, who along with fellow council members pulled back on a controversial plan to have a tower constructed at Fire Headquarters, said there just isn't a good place in the …
Monday, March 12, 2012
Or are other issues like taxes, the state of downtown more important to you?
What matters most to you when you head to the polls to determine the village's municipal officials on May 8? As expected, some believe the upcoming election will be a referendum on Valley Hospital. The council switfly defeated the planning board's proposed "H-Zone" ordinance to allow a 100 percent expansion of the hospital, but the planning board's ordinance still exists. In other words, a future council could absolutely pick it up and reverse direction. At this point, we know where the six candidates for three open seats stand – Mayor Keith Killion, Councilman Paul Aronsohn and candidate Jane Shinozuka have opposed the expansion efforts of the East Side hospital. Candidates Russ Forenza and Gwenn Hauck have expressed support for a more …
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Lauren Miller, now a sophomore at Glen Rock High School, argues the level of homework given by teachers overloads students; says reduction or elimination of homework would benefit all parties
- OPINION
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Thursday, March 8
[Editor's note: The following essay was submitted for publication by Lauren Miller, who wrote the essay while in 7th grade. Miller is a member of the "Race to Nowhere" Student Leadership Board and has plans to show the film at Glen Rock High School. The essay is unedited.] A young girl sits at her desk, reviewing her homework assignments for the evening. English: read three chapters and write a journal response. Math: complete 30 problems, showing all work. Science: do a worksheet, front and back. French: study vocabulary for tomorrow's test. It's going to be a long night. This describes a typical weeknight for students across the country. Now is the time to start a homework revolution. Do students in the United States receive too much …
HobokenOwl
11:45 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
No kidding, B@b. My point was your "Professional" online persona is your linkedin account. Your fun online persona is fb. more ›