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, May 8, 2012
Patch asked readers to celebrate their favorite teacher. Here is what Stephen Deduck, a SPFHS sophomore had to say.
To the Editor: I believe that the three best teachers are Mr.Tiedemann - SPFHS U.S. History II, Mrs.Eryan (nee Wolf) - SPFHS Economics, and Mr.Ryan, SPFHS Freshman English, who I believe is the single greatest teacher I have ever had. Mr.Tiedemann is very good at teaching US History II. He makes learning enjoyable and can make class seem less like a chore and more like a normal discussion that relates to history. Mrs.Wolf makes economics, which can be very complicated, simple and easy to understand. She also makes class fun as she is and is very good at engaging in conversation. If i ever need help she is always there to assist me. She approaches every aspect of class with a positive attitude. Mr.Ryan is so awesome. He made English last …
Saturday, May 5, 2012
The blockbuster hit is showing in Westfield, Mountainside, and Union.
The Avengers officially opened on Friday and is showing at the Union Theatre in Union, AMC Loews Mountainside, the Rialto Theatre of Westfield. Find showtimes here. Overall, The Avengers is one film that delivers, blending non-stop action with comedic relief. Expect many of the one-liners to be quoted this summer. This Marvel Film directed by Joss Whedon is great entertainment and not just for comic book fanatics. Take it from someone who easily tires of long action scenes. The superheroes with their unique skills and personalities and the stunning visual effects keep this movie interesting. Seeing all those superheroes in one film, interacting and battling through rivalries is really pretty cool. The superheroes are summoned together …
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Robyn Martin writes a beautiful tribute honoring a woman known for her unconditional kindness and selfless heart.
By Robyn Lynn Martin Eleven years ago, on Mother’s Day my mother watched me graduate from College. What was supposed to be one of a daughter’s moments to show there love to their mother, she allowed me to take that moment from her and celebrate my moment. So in the mountains of Vermont, with the sun shining so beautifully down on the Everett mansion, I received my Bachelor’s Degree. Four years of hard work had paid off. The joy of receiving my degree was the end of what was a crowning achievement in my world. She allowed me to soak in every moment of it. With all of my family there, my mother, father, brother, sisters, and aunt and uncle, we celebrated at the steak house and the journey of the real world began. No one knew …
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Llewellyn Jones speaks out against Councilman Glover's proposition to move $100k from the sewer utility to offset the general budget.
Letter to the Editor: While I am fully on board with efforts to keep property taxes low, needlessly sacrificing the principle of fairness is not something I can support. In that regard, the town council's 3-2 vote to approve Councilman Kevin Glover's amendment to move $100k from the sewer utility to offset the general budget is the wrong decision. First and foremost, it is unfair to the approximately 54 entities that are Federal and/or State tax exempt (such as churches, schools, etc). I am a member of the JCC and YMCA and I know they pay hefty sewer bills. However, with this decision, part of their sewer bill payment is no longer available to hold down future sewer bills, and is simply lost to them. Second, consider two hypothetical …
Congressman Leonard Lance speaks out against President Obama's tax plans.
To the Editor: Tax Day, April 17, reminds us that the current tax system is too complex, too costly and too burdensome. According to the U.S. House Budget Committee to comply with this inefficient tax code, individuals, families, and businesses spend over six billion hours and more than $160 billion per year trying to do their taxes. And the tax code is unfair, as many of the deductions and preferences are available mainly to a relatively small class of taxpayers. It's wrong and it's why House Republicans have a reform plan that calls for a simpler, flatter and fairer tax system that will restore economic opportunity and prosperity to our Nation's economy. Earlier this month the House passed a 2013 budget blueprint. Among the many …
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 …
Friday, March 30, 2012
Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Ryan Miller needs your help to find SPF alums who became pro or Division I Collegiate Athletes. These stellar former students will be honored at the high school.
To the Editor: The Blue Raider Booster Club of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School has agreed to create a perpetual plaque to honor the graduates of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School who have continued their athletic careers at the Division I college level and at the professional level. Each category will have its own plaque and will be placed in a prominent place in the building near the New Gymnasium. Our current staff at the High School has been able to amass a list of over 120 Division I Collegiate athletes; however, we recognize that our list may not be inclusive of every athlete. In addition, we have identified over 15 professional level athletes from our school’s history. We are fully aware that our resources are limited and are …
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Local resident who lost father to pancreatic cancer thanks volunteers.
Dear Editor, April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and I would like to take a moment to sincerely thank all of our volunteers with the Northern New Jersey Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, the national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure for all their hard work and support. The award-winning Northern New Jersey Affiliate has relied on its amazing group of volunteers to host numerous events and raise over $500,000 since the affiliate’s inception five years ago. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death. New Jersey residents working to improve the survival rate for those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the …
Monday, March 26, 2012
Some job seekers are now being asked to allow prospective employers to view the content of their social media accounts.
Would you let a prospective employer snoop around in your social media accounts? More and more employers are reportedly asking to do just that. According to Reuters, studies have shown that examining a job seeker's Facebook profile can yield more information than a personality test. However, as social media users become more security-conscious, employers are asking for -- and in some cases getting - access to private information. USA Today reports that a Maryland correctional officer willingly gave his password during an interview because he feared that failure to do so would prevent him from gaining employment. "I needed my job to feed my family. I had to," he recalled, according to the USA Today article. New York statistician Justin …
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 ›