Alex Holodak's Blog

Jamie Oliver's TED talk on America's Food Revolution

2010-03-27T16:56:00.001-04:00

Daily Targum: Health care law secures last approval

2010-03-24T02:48:00.001-04:00

By Colleen Roache

Published: Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Updated: Wednesday, March 24, 2010

When President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law yesterday in the East Room of the White House, he — like former President Lyndon B. Johnson 45 years ago — changed the scope of health care for millions of people nationwide.
“Many, many men and women are going to feel the pride that I feel in watching you sign this bill, knowing that their work has helped make this day possible,” Vice President Joseph Biden said in a statement prior to the president signing the bill. “But Mr. President, you’re the guy that made it happen. … You’ve done what generations of not just ordinary, but great men and women have attempted to do.”
With his signature on the landmark health care reform legislation, the president made the right to access decent health care a reality in the United States, Biden said.
“The bill I’m signing will set in motion reforms that generations of Americans have fought for and march for and hungered to see,” Obama said in a speech before signing.
Though some reforms will not take effect until 2014, the president discussed a few changes that will take place immediately.
For example, this year, tax credits will be offered to about four million small businesses to help them insure their employees, and insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage to those with preexisting conditions or drop coverage when insurance holders become ill, Obama said. Also, starting this year, young adults will be able to stay under their parents’ coverage until age 26.
Ultimately, reform will lower costs for families, businesses and the federal government, whose deficit will decrease by more than $1 trillion over the next two decades, Obama said.
Still, there are those who do not support the president’s actions regarding health care reform.
“I think that health is one of the most important things,” Ron Holden, president of Rutgers University College Republicans said. “Without your health, you’re nothing, but I just don’t agree at all with the way this administration is going about things.”
Though he said he does believe Obama is passionate about improving health care and does care about the American people, Holden said the law would do more to cause problems than solve them.
“I see him bringing Chicago-style politics to Washington, I’m pretty sure that wasn’t the change we we’re supposed to be believing in,” said Holden, a Rutgers College senior.
The law would be more favorable if it had support from both political parties in U.S. Congress, he said.
“Instead of just ramming something through, if he would’ve sat down and actually taken the time … to gain some conservative and Republican support by coming up with something that both sides can agree with, I think [there would be] something that could become effective,” Holden said.
Many Republican congressmen have vowed to fight the law, and Holden said the first step would be to listen to constituents, who are against the tax increases and other problems with the legislation. Republicans must make a point of challenging the constitutionality of the government regulating private industry.
“That might be what it takes to get this president to realize that he can’t just ram anything through … by giving people rides on Air Force One and by promising people political favors,” he said.
On the other hand, Alex Holodak, president of Rutgers Democrats, was pleased with the new law, passed over what he described as a “historic” weekend.
“It’s a huge step in the right direction for the country,” said Holodak, a School of Arts and Sciences senior. “A lot of the provisions that are in the bill are going to immediately help a lot of people.”
The law will be especially important to college students, he said.
Still, Holodak said one provision — a public option — is missing, but like past health care changes, such as Social Security and Medicare, the law would not be perfect on the first attempt.
Though some argue that the cost of the law is too high, Holodak cited Congressional Budget Office data that says insuring more people will save the government money. He expressed a need for the nation to prioritize its expenditures.
“We can spend millions and millions of dollars when it’s war, but we can’t when it’s caring about insurance and providing for our citizens in their time of need,” he said.
Republicans’ commitment to opposing the legislation is nothing but rhetoric, Holodak said.
“It’s similar to what we heard after Social Security passed,” he said. “It’s similar to what we heard after Medicare passed in 1965, that it would be a socialist takeover of the government and the American people wouldn’t accept it. You cannot find a Republican that would argue for getting rid of Social Security or Medicare today. …. It’s all about how we can better the system.”
Though he is happy the bill was signed into law, Holodak said this is only the first major step on a journey to health care reform in America.

http://www.dailytargum.com/news/health-care-law-secures-last-approval-1.2199425

My Experience with the South Korean Healthcare System

2010-02-08T14:31:00.008-05:00

It started out as a cough… a week before Christmas. Finals had just ended and I had caught a cold. It was just one more week till I flew to South Korea to spend my winter break with my girlfriend, Amy, who has been teaching English there. Having spent the very hot month of August there with her, I assumed I would try the other extreme the winter provided. The day after Christmas I was on a direct 16 hour flight from JFK to Seoul/Incheon airport popping rolls of cough drops to suppress the remnants of my cold - now just a rough cough. I had finally started feeling better and I felt incredibly relieved because we have had to spend so many months apart and I hated the idea of being sick for this trip.

Well, stupidly I’d been out running all over Seoul in the cold for much of my trip without the right amount of layers. We enjoyed all the outdoor markets, coffee shops, museums, parks, and restaurants, all the while braving the cold extremes of a Korean winter. It was freezing most nights, about 14 degrees on average. The largest snow fall in the last 40 years fell in Seoul which just under 1 foot. The country was largely unprepared, with no plows and many shop owners using brooms to push snow around. Walking through the slush wasn’t fun but the culture and beauty of the country made you forget the cold (so did a few beers).

My cough grew worse until I was coughing up mucus frequently. I’d be congested, started getting headaches, and then would run a fever at night. The cough grew worse until it felt like my lungs were cut up. I was increasingly miserable. I needed to see a doctor. What was my first thought? How much would it cost to see a doctor here? How easy would I be able to see a doctor without insurance? I put it off one more day until that night my teeth throbbed from the congestion in my head.

The next morning, I took 400,000 won out of the ATM (about $375) and walked to the nearby university hospital in town. Amy lives in Sanbon, about an hour south of Seoul, in a really nice studio apartment her English academy provided her with for the year. Sanbon is a really great area, there is always a lot to do downtown and there are tons of shops and restaurants stacked on top of each other. Around the corner was the hospital but because this area is pretty far removed from the city, I wasn’t expecting an English speaking hospital.

At the front desk, the woman did not speak English, but realized I was pretty sick. “Swine flu?” she asked nervously. “Anio,” I said, ruling that out after checking my symptoms online. A woman was walking by noticed the difficulty we both were having with the language barrier and offered to translate for us. She wrote my symptoms down in Hangeul and handed it to the woman at the desk and after a quick look she pointed me to the 2^nd floor. As I made my way to the escalator, the translator followed me up. “They probably won’t speak English at this hospital, I’d be happy to help you out since I have a lot of free time today,” she said. I looked down at her hand and noticed a bandage covered the mark an IV had left there. She had just had an MRI and had for headaches she’s had been having she told me.

Her name was Su-Jin, she had lived in Canada for two years studying Political Science and learning English. She was a life saver and good company, considering she had wanted to practice her English which she hadn’t used in years and I was really interested in hearing all about Korean politics. We headed over to check in at the desk. “You must pay to see a doctor,” she said. The hospital had an efficient layout with a large waiting area surrounded by doorways to different doctor’s offices categorized by their specialty with their assistants’ desks in front of the doorways handling patients.

“Name and birthday, please,” the receptionist said. I typed my name into the computer which was translated into Korean. “Okay, a foreigner without insurance… that will be 11,000 won to see the doctor.” (That’s about $9) Shocked, I paid and took my seat in front of my doctor’s office. Su-Jin kept me company explaining that since it was so busy I’d have to wait two hours to see the doctor and that she would wait with me and help translate. We talked for the two hours about life and politics in America and in Korea. In the very early morning, Su-Jin worked in Dongdaemun as a reporter for YTN (Korea’s CNN).

Looking around, the hospital was a sea of people surrounded in large screens with our names and wait times or Korean television (which when I had the opportunity to watch it, usually consisted of famous Korean actors eating spicy foods and people laughing at them). The most annoying part of the waiting experience was the cleaning crew that kept mopping the clean floor around us. Su-Jin explained that South Korea has a universal system of healthcare which mandated coverage to everyone in 1988. Their government is the primary payer to hospitals. Doctor’s fees and insurance benefits are standardized. In fact, Korea is ranked by the World Health Organization as being 38^th in the world in overall healthcare, while the United States is ranked 37^th. “There are always some complaints, but on a whole, the system has always been good to me and my family,” Su-Jin told me.

We eventually were called in to see the doctor. Around the reception desk of that portion of the second floor was his office next to several other general practitioners. Inside, there was the traditional bed with the sheet of wax paper over it and his personal desk and computer. I was surprised the office was an all-in-one room. So they actually see and treat their patients inside their office.

Su-Jin translated everything as we discussed what my problem was. “In the interest of saving you some money, I think we should either do blood work or an x-ray of your head and chest to determine your problem,” the doctor explained. “It sounds like walking pneumonia or bronchitis.” Here is where I would pay a lot more money, I figured. Not being a fan of needles, I opted for the x-ray approach and went to the 3^rd floor for my x-ray. They scanned my head and chest, wrote me a prescription of cough medicine and decongestant to hold me overnight, and scheduled me the next day to review the results with the doctor.

On the way out, I thanked Su-Jin and asked to buy her a cup of coffee at the nearby Starbucks. We talked some more over coffee and she invited Amy and I to a dinner with her and her husband at their house, just around the corner where Amy lives, over the weekend. Also, she said she’d meet me at the entrance at 2:30pm for my appointment to help translate again. I was blown away by her generosity.

The next day, I headed back to the hospital for my results. When I entered the building Su-Jin appeared and led me back to the doctor’s desk. I handed the receptionist my appointment slip and we were taken right in to see the doctor. He should me the x-rays of my head and chest on his computer. He recommended I see another doctor to have my sinuses and esophagus looked at. We went upstairs, went right in to see the new doctor right away.

Finally, we sat on deck while this young Korean girl sat, horrified, in a creepy well lit steel chair. Peering over the cubicle-like wall from the waiting seats, Su-Jin and I saw this rather scary looking doctor take this long metal prod and run it in and out of this girl’s nose vigorously. This long thin metal straw made a hissing noise like an air gun inflating a tire. Her eyes swelled, her face turned red, and mist began to shoot out of her mouth. She began to squirm and cry from the short discomfort. It looked horrible. Su-Jin looked more worried than I was for what was coming my way, but the pain and discomfort of my own condition numbed me from the fear of what we were witnessing.

The young girl walked passed up wiping away the tears and the doctor pointed at me over the wall. “Dangsin-eun da-eum,” the doctor said sternly, informing me I was his next happy customer. I sat in his cold seat as he adjusted his equipment and the near blinding light. He turned to me humming a song with a 1950s-horror-movie-doctor’s reflecting disc over one eye and tilted my head back. Su-Jin walked over and stared at me with a grossed out but curious look on her face. “We should have brought popcorn for this,” I said. The doctor slipped the long metal prod into my left nostril and pressed the trigger and instantly I felt my ears pop violently, my eyes felt like they fell back into place, and I noticed the fluid running in and out of my nose from the tube connected to his snot-prod. In and out, now the right nostril, finally spraying a mint mist into my mouth. I felt like Tom Wilkinson’s character in the movie Michael Clayton (except I wasn’t being killed, quite the opposite).

For the first time in weeks I felt amazing, almost instantly. Next, he held my tongue out with a piece of cotton and took a long super thin fiber optic camera with a light and sent it down my esophagus and turned me to look at my larynx on the bid screen, in glorious HD. “Ah ha,” the doctor exclaimed. “You have acid reflux disease it looks like on top of laryngitis and some bronchial swelling.” (Having suffered from stomach problems for years and years, I now knew what the problem was, when doctors had told me to just change my diet which was pretty modest to being with.) He pulled the camera out painlessly, and turned to his computer, punched a few keys in and turned to give me his printout for the prescription I needed. “A 4 hour IV or a week worth of pills?” he asked. I went with the pills.

Feeling better than I had in a month, Su-Jin and I headed to the reception desk to pay for everything since the doctor visit from yesterday. How much were the x-rays? 25,000 won (about $21). The fiber optic endoscopy and nasal vacuuming? Free because it was included as part of the initial doctor visit for 11,000 won ($9). A week worth of pills, easily pre-sorted in packs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? 30,000 won ($25). So all in all, what would have likely cost me several $100s at least in the States even with insurance (probably over $2000-3000 without), cost me only $55 in Korea. I was given better care as an uninsured foreigner than I’ve ever been given in any doctor’s office with insurance here in America. I was treated with respect by the doctors and even the creepy snot doctor was very friendly and happy to help me out. If it weren’t for their health care system and the quality of care I received, I probably wouldn’t have been quarantined at the airport with a fever, unable to fly home in the condition I was in.

Did I mention I got a great new pair of glasses for 30,000 won ($25) and only had to wait 30 minutes after a laser reading of my eyes to pick them up?

We need something like this in America -- our own version of a universal system. One that is not about profit but need. The current health care system in America bankrupts people who get sick and need care but can’t get insurance because of a pre-existing condition or even if they have insurance it can be too expensive an already tight budget to handle. We have absolutely nothing to fear from a system such as this, if we’d at least examine universal coverage as a real possibility.

Every American needs to see this

2010-02-07T14:40:00.004-05:00

Bose 321 II Firmware Update - August 2009

2010-02-06T20:39:00.002-05:00

Thought those of you that have the AV3-2-1II (Bose 3-2-1 II, IIGS, III, IIIGS) could use the nice new update!

Inspiration

2009-12-12T03:22:00.001-05:00

"I do not want to talk about what you understand about this world. I want to know what you will do about it. I don't want to know what you hope. I want to know what you will work for. I don't want your sympathy for the needs of humanity. I want your muscle." - Robert Fulgham

My Speech for the Obama/Corzine Event

2009-07-16T19:09:00.006-04:00

Good afternoon and welcome fellow New Jerseyans, members of the Rutgers community and welcome to our very special guest, the President of the United States, Barack Obama! Now, we are all here at the PNC Bank Arts Center, yet it matters not where you sit, but by whom you sit. Look now to your right, look to your left. They are your friends, they are your peers; this is your community, this is our state. We are here today for the common purpose of demonstrating our confidence in and our support for the governor of the great state of New Jersey – Jon Corzine!

If education is not our top priority today, then we invite failure tomorrow. To this noble end, Governor Corzine has endeavored to strengthen our schools, support our teachers and inspire our students. Without fear, Governor Corzine has not simply stepped on the so-called third rail of New Jersey politics, but has in fact dared to neutralize it. Once considered improbable, if not impossible, he signed legislation to consolidate school districts and services, thereby eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy and realizing greater efficiencies.

Breaking a 40 year impasse on school funding, Governor Corzine implemented a new formula that has brought our state’s students back into focus, one which provides for a more equitable distribution of funds and increases funding for special education.

Owing to our governors great efforts, we boast the highest graduation rates in the country. New Jersey is ranked #1 by Education Weekly for preschool enrollments and New Jersey students are also considered among the best prepared for higher education. We must now resolve to work hard so as to allow Governor Corzine another four years so he may continue raising the standards in education.
Jon Corzine is a chief executive, with proven successes in both public and private sectors, who has made tough decisions, and whose steady hand has steered our ship of state through a dark time. The current financial crisis looms large over us all, but we may find comfort in the seasoned financial expert, that is our governor, who leads our state. It is today, more than any other, worth mentioning that when the Obama administration crafted the economic stimulus plan, which has saved tens of thousands of jobs and strengthened our economy, they went to one of the nation’s foremost authorities on finance – Jon Corzine. Described by Vice President Joe Biden as, “America’s Governor,” Jon Corzine possesses precisely the knowledge and ideas of leadership necessary in this tumultuous time.

As president of the Rutgers Democrats, I am here today as, yes, a partisan. So-called partisan politics is decried in the media as a dirty word, but let’s take a look around. We should be proud to call ourselves democrats! I am proud to be here with my peers from the University, I am proud to be here with Rutgers President Richard McCormick, and I am very proud to be here with Jon Corzine and Barack Obama!

Speaking now, to those specifically of my generation, we must realize that what our president has said is true – that this is our time! We can no longer sit idly by with indifference and apathy. We possess the potential for immense political power, but many of us choose to ignore our obligations, instead finding blissful ignorance in hollow distractions. Don’t get me wrong, we all require and deserve outlets and levity, but I beg you to focus your energies this fall to the task at hand of re-electing Governor Corzine.

Today we have had an open and honest dialogue with one another. Yes, we are, for the most part, all democrats, but it need not be limited to one party. If explained gently, with kindness and patience, our friends from the other side of the isle will recognize what we know to be true. I recognize politics will not change overnight, but I also acknowledge that is changing.

I believe we stand at a precipice. Bastions of the old guard have signaled that even they are aware of the change that is so undeniably in the air. Look to Washington, where a woman serves as Speaker of the House, where a man who less than century ago could not even vote, serves as our nations president. Look to Europe, once separated by differences, now united in their common humanity. Look even to the Vatican, where Pope Benedict speaks not of maintaining the status quo, but of large changes. Up until today, there has been only tacit acknowledgement of the immense change that is taking place. Well, today, I challenge you to join me in turning the page. The seemingly endless chapter of old, dirty politics is over – we must turn the page. The days we were on the sidelines are over – turn the page. Gone is the fear and insecurity – We will turn the page this November! But let it not stop there. Let us continue this frank discussion. Let us continue to have ideas and to take action. We must endeavor to bring back the public square that is so necessary for the vital exchange of ideas, which drives that steady march of progress.

So with that said, I invite those of you Rutgers students, to join our organization, the Rutgers Democrats on Facebook, Twitter.com/RUDems, or rudemocrats.com so we can continue this discussion as we move forward.

Finally, I would like to thank the Corzine campaign for the opportunity to speak today. I also would like to express my appreciation to Rutgers University. They have gone above and beyond to help our student organization in this effort. I am proud to be a product of Rutgers University.

In closing, Martin Luther King told us that, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter." I want you to know that this matters! November 3rd matters! Our state matters! And re-electing Jon Corzine matters! We will not be silent! Go vote and spread the word! Thank you!

Taylor Mali is excellent!

2009-07-15T02:11:00.002-04:00

and

Download my Windows 7 NYC Theme

2009-06-04T22:14:00.000-04:00

Download it here!

Death Cab - Little Bribes Video

2009-05-21T22:02:00.000-04:00

Very cool:

Death Cab for Cutie - Little Bribes from Ross Ching on Vimeo.

Ken Robinson on how schools kill creativity

2009-05-03T03:22:00.001-04:00

This is just wonderful! Another great talk on TED.

Elizabeth Gilbert on Genius

2009-02-22T03:19:00.000-05:00

1Lt John S. Holodak (1919-2009)

2009-02-03T00:33:00.004-05:00

http://www.nyjnews.com/obituary/obit.php3?id=2693461

John S. Holodak, resident of Orange, CT, formerly of Hastings-on-Hudson and Yonkers, NY, died Jan 28th following a long battle with diabetes.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Mildred, of Orange, CT, sons John (MaryEllen), William (Bernadette), Richard (Carol) and daughter Susan; 7 grandsons (John, Scott, Chris, Derek, Alex, Matt and Mark) and brothers Thomas (Eleanor), Francis (Peggy), Robert (Betty), James (Dawn) and sisters Helen Scanlon and Lillian Rusie and predeceased by sister Marie Durant.

After graduating from Manhattan College ('41), during WWII, John enlisted as a navigator in the 8th Army's 458th Bombardment Group, flying B-24 Liberators out of Norwich, England. For a period of time, he worked as an interpreter for the Office of Strategic Services in London, communicating with the French Underground. On April 9, 1945, while flying on his 32nd mission, he was severely wounded when his plane was shot down over Germany, he was captured and incarcerated as a prisoner of war until liberated by General George Patton’s Allied forces near the end of the war. He received a Purple Heart and the Air Medal with 4 Oak-Leaf Clusters.

Following a long and successful career as a sales executive in the wine industry, John was an active member of Hudson Valley chapters of Ex-POW/MIAs and Disabled American Veterans organizations, a former president of the Westchester County chapter of National Alliance for Mentally Ill (NAMI), and former Grand Knight, Knights of Columbus, LaRabida Council.

A memorial service is to be held at Edwards-Dowdle Funeral Home, 64 Ashford Avenue, Dobbs Ferry, NY on Friday, Jan 30, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 pm to 9 pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. at St. Matthews R.C. Church, Warburton Avenue, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY.

Future interment will be scheduled at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Ex-POW/MIAs, Hudson Valley Chapter, P.O. Box 13, West Point, NY.

http://www.458bg.com/crewabramowitz.htm

Malcolm Gladwell: What Spaghetti Sauce Taught Us

2008-11-25T00:54:00.002-05:00

Very interesting talk by Malcolm Gladwell, author of Tipping Point and Blink, on TED.com.
He discussed how a marketing idea for spaghetti sauce has changed the way we see variables. Sounds weird but watch this:

Tony Benn in February 2008

2008-11-17T12:05:00.001-05:00

This says it all!

2008-11-06T00:06:00.002-05:00

Must read: "I Didn't Vote for Obama Today"

2008-11-05T17:54:00.002-05:00

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/eastside93/2008/11/i-didnt-vote-for-obama-today.php

I Didn't Vote For Obama Today
By: eastside93 on Talking Points Memo

November 4, 2008, 9:37AM

I have a confession to make.

I did not vote for Barack Obama today.

I've openly supported Obama since March. But I didn't vote for him today.

I wanted to vote for Ronald Woods. He was my algebra teacher at Clark Junior High in East St. Louis, IL. He died 15 years ago when his truck skidded head-first into a utility pole. He spent many a day teaching us many things besides the Pythagorean Theorem. He taught us about Medgar Evers, Ralph Abernathy, John Lewis and many other civil rights figures who get lost in the shadow cast by Martin Luther King, Jr.

But I didn't vote for Mr. Woods.

I wanted to vote for Willie Mae Cross. She owned and operated Crossroads Preparatory Academy for almost 30 years, educating and empowering thousands of kids before her death in 2003. I was her first student. She gave me my first job, teaching chess and math concepts to kids in grades K-4 in her summer program. She was always there for advice, cheer and consolation. Ms. Cross, in her own way, taught me more about walking in faith than anyone else I ever knew.

But I didn't vote for Ms. Cross.

I wanted to vote for Arthur Mells Jackson, Sr. and Jr. Jackson Senior was a Latin professor. He has a gifted school named for him in my hometown. Jackson Junior was the pre-eminent physician in my hometown for over 30 years. He has a heliport named for him at a hospital in my hometown. They were my great-grandfather and great-uncle, respectively.

But I didn't vote for Prof. Jackson or Dr. Jackson.

I wanted to vote for A.B. Palmer. She was a leading civil rights figure in Shreveport, Louisiana, where my mother grew up and where I still have dozens of family members. She was a strong-willed woman who earned the grudging respect of the town's leaders because she never, ever backed down from anyone and always gave better than she got. She lived to the ripe old age of 99, and has a community center named for her in Shreveport.

But I didn't vote for Mrs. Palmer.

I wanted to vote for these people, who did not live to see a day where a Black man would appear on their ballots on a crisp November morning.

In the end, though, I realized that I could not vote for them any more than I could vote for Obama himself.

So who did I vote for?

No one.

I didn't vote. Not for President, anyway.

Oh, I went to the voting booth. I signed, was given my stub, and was walked over to a voting machine. I cast votes for statewide races and a state referendum on water and sewer improvements.

I stood there, and I thought about all of these people, who influenced my life so greatly. But I didn't vote for who would be the 44th President of the United States.

When my ballot was complete, except for the top line, I finally decided who I was going to vote for - and then decided to let him vote for me. I reached down, picked him up, and told him to find Obama's name on the screen and touch it.

And so it came to pass that Alexander Reed, age 5, read the voting screen, found the right candidate, touched his name, and actually cast a vote for Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Oh, the vote will be recorded as mine. But I didn't cast it.

Then again, the person who actually pressed the Obama box and the red "vote" button was the person I was really voting for all along.

It made the months of donating, phonebanking, canvassing, door hanger distributing, sign posting, blogging, arguing and persuading so much sweeter.

So, no, I didn't vote for Barack Obama. I voted for a boy who now has every reason to believe he, too, can grow up to be anything he wants...even President.

This so beautifully written. Thank you.

What today means and why I voted for Obama...

2008-11-04T07:11:00.005-05:00

Hey everyone,

I know many of you are being bombarded with campaign e-mails, phone calls, and commercials as well as many of your friends online sending you messages to get out and vote today. For what it may be worth, I'm writing to you to do the same.

No matter who you support please get out and vote. This is the most important election we will ever see in our lives and we have the chance to make history.

For those of you who don't know, I just voted for Barack Obama.

This is the moment for our country to regain its standing in the world, to get our economy back on track, address the environmental crisis, end the Iraq War, finish the war in Afghanistan, and prioritize education and health care. This is our moment and its an exciting time to be alive.

Now for many of you in New Jersey (or other blue states), you may think its not as important because Jersey is probably going blue anyway, but that may not be the case. The more votes Obama can get today the more political clout and influence he will have as President. Also, lets remember, the "official" count after the Supreme Court stopped the Florida recount in 2000, Gore lost the state by only 537 votes!

Tonight will be incredibly exciting and I hope it turns out to be a great night. The younger generations have an opportunity to be a huge deciding factor in this election like never before. So tell your friends to vote, drive your neighbors to the polls today, make phone calls. Do what you can and after today, please continue to participate in our democracy and keep an eye on things.

Anyway enough of my rant. Lets go change the world.

Yours,
Alex Holodak

Fix for: Samsung LN-T4061F Firmware Crazy Color Bug

2008-10-14T02:36:00.002-04:00

I don't usually post these types of things but here is a problem I ran into with my Samsung LCD TV and updating the Firmware. I found this forum post (Link below).

In the below settings, you'll want to press buttons slowly. The TV lags between when you press a button and when it responds.

0. Set the TV onto an unused source so you have a black or blue screen. This makes reading the menu easier in later steps.
1. Turn the TV off.
2. On the remote, press MUTE, 1, 8, 2, POWER
3. The TV will turn on into service mode. It takes a few seconds after powering on to display the service menu.
4. Using the arrow buttons on the remote, go down to Option Byte and press Enter.
5. Arrow down to "Lvds Tx Fmt" and press Enter.
6. Using the right and left arrow buttons, change the setting. Mine was set to JEIDA. Setting it to VESA fixed things.
7. Press Menu to exit.
8. Turn the TV off to apply the changes.

Also, check the info from the link I posted (below) to make sure that a few other settings in Option Byte are correct for your tv.

Quote:

Make sure the SCREEN SIZE is correct: Panel Option = 46AMW for LN-T4665 displays, and 46AM for LN-T4661 displays.
Make sure that if you own an LN-T4x65 that your Lvds Tx Bit = 10bit.
Make sure if you own an LN-T4x61 that your Lvds Tx Bit = 8bit.
If you own an LN-T4x65, your should change your model so it says "Tulip Side."
If you own an LN-T4x61, you should change the model so it says "Tulip."

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1023759

Moon Ring!

2008-10-14T01:24:00.002-04:00

Flashback: Barack Obama's Speech on Race

2008-10-07T01:19:00.002-04:00

This speech is wonderful. If you somehow have not watched it yet, you need to.

Bill Maher's most important point ever.

2008-09-25T02:31:00.001-04:00

Cool ad in UK depicts past 122 years of British history.

2008-09-25T02:27:00.000-04:00

Very cool.

Students face-off over 2008 campaign

2008-09-18T00:47:00.005-04:00

Two young representatives of the Rutgers College Republicans and RU Democrats advocated their prospective parties' views in a coffeehouse-style debate last night in the Red Lion Café.

The representatives sparred over issues of importance to voters, with special focus on issues of significance to young voters, including issues concerning the economy, the environment and foreign policy.

Representing the RU Dems and reflecting the views of Barack Obama was School of Arts and Sciences senior Alex Holodak. For the Republicans, School of Arts and Sciences sophomore Kyle Barry mirrored John McCain's views to the small crowd of about 30 students.

When questioned on the economy, Barry reiterated Barack Obama's alleged inexperience, while Holodak emphasized McCain's apparent disillusionment.

"McCain is saying that the fundamentals of the economy are strong, when that's just not realistic," Holodak said.

Kerri Willson, the event's moderator, asked about the candidates' stances on the Bush Doctrine, a national defense policy that favors preemptive and preventive warfare, and has defined the last eight years of President Bush's term in office.

"We've squandered our stance in the world with the Bush Doctrine," Holodak said. "We've set a dangerous precedent."

Holodak said the Bush administration created a fragile situation in Iraq. He suggested the country carry out a phased withdrawal, and said he disagrees with McCain's stance on continuing the war.

"When we have college students that can't afford to stay in school anymore, we can no longer afford to be the policemen of the world," Holodak said.

Barry replied by contrasting the candidates.

"Obama's plan is shady," he said. "McCain has said we should leave with victory in Iraq. We're making progress, you just never hear about it."

Barry said just because Obama throws around the word 'change' a lot, doesn't mean he will be a capable leader.

"I want someone who is qualified," Barry said. "The rhetoric is not why you should vote for him."

After the representatives answered the planned portion of the question-answer session, students spectators were asked to put forth their own questions to the debaters.

One question about media bias led to a lighthearted feud between the challengers.

"With the media, I don't think anyone can dispute that it has been in favor of Barack Obama," Barry said. "For college students, I would say watch Fox News every once in a while."

But Holodak expressed different feelings about the news network.

"This is our time," he said. "Every four years we get to make this decision. I do watch Fox News every once in a while - when I want to feel pissed off."

President of the RU Dems Brett Tinder, who argued in previous debates for the RU Democrats, emphasized both political group's desire for fresh representation at debates.

"Debates are a great opportunity for our groups to get new people involved," said Tinder, a Livingston College senior.

Rutgers College sophomore Melissa Gotanco said the debate was helpful to her in making a decision come Election Day.

"I came to learn [because] I don't know who I am voting for," she said. "I learned a lot more about Barack Obama, and I think both [representatives] spoke well."

http://media.www.dailytargum.com/media/storage/paper168/news/2008/09/18/PageOne/Students.FaceOff.Over.2008.Campaign-3437503.shtml

Solar Panels and our Public Schools

2008-08-30T12:48:00.002-04:00

The time is now for the American people to push for green technology in our local school systems. The average budget in New Jersey is around $2 million dollars a year for electricity. If the Federal, State, and Local government spent money lining our school buildings with solar panels we would quickly eliminate our electricity costs.

Many electricity providers will allow extra electricity generated to be put back into their grid, thus alleviating the strain on our power systems. The electricity put back into the grid can be sold back to the electricity companies. In other words, with the growing efficiency of solar panel technology our school budgets could have a negative electricity bill if enough gets generated.

WalMart is now putting solar panels on their buildings to eliminate costs.

Everyone is upset about their property taxes due to their school budgets growing increasingly every year. This is a smart way to better our country, save money, and get off of oil sooner.

Obama picks Sen. Joe Biden as VP pick.

2008-08-23T02:09:00.001-04:00

Obama picks Senator Joe Biden - Delaware as Vice Presidential candidate.

Here is a clip of how great Joe Biden is.

Radiohead: Reckoner

2008-06-02T16:07:00.000-04:00

An Open Letter to Hillary Clinton

2008-04-20T13:01:00.006-04:00

Dear Senator Clinton,

Why? Why have you ran such a unorganized and reckless campaign of attacks against Senator Obama? Your campaign's "kitchen sink" strategy is causing it to self-destruct along with the Democratic party and is undermining a new generation of voters.

As it stands today, you have a 10.4% chance to win legitimately with the remaining races (thats without the help of the party's super-delegates). First off, let me say I'm not writing to argue that you should drop out of this race immediately. Baseball games shouldn't end until the 9th inning, right? I'm writing to you to stop these attacks against Senator Obama, the more likely nominee at the moment, who will face a Republican machine that will cite your attacks when/if running against Senator Obama.

I've been reading recent articles online about your campaign affiliates putting forward essays on how the GOP will use certain information against Senator Obama if he were the nominee (as though it were as bad as what the Republicans would do with your past as ammunition if running against you in the general election). As a result, your strategy isn't going to work out for the benefit your campaign (as we've seen Obama's poll numbers increase despite the "controversies"), nor the Democratic party, nor the benefit of the country and McCain is looking more and more likely of a possibility ever minute you are still in this race.

I understand you have high aspirations for this country, if what you say is true. But, since you are staying in this race, attacking Senator Obama with pointless, unimportant, and issue-less charges like having a Pastor who is taken out of context and quotes a Fox News broadcast rejecting America's foreign policies which have led up to the attack on our country, and playing along with this misconception in the media as a way of bringing down your opponent is shameful.

Then there is Sen. Obama's "bitter" statement controversy which you, Sen. McCain, and the media have construed as "elitist" when you know that he was referring to GOP tactics to create ballot questions like flag burning, guns, same-sex marriage, stem-cell research, and immigration to pull out certain voters that support their candidates instead of voting for their economic interests. Which is a truism, that rather than show humility and realize this as an untimely poor choice of wording and nothing more, but parrot the Republicans and go along with the spin is also shameful.

If you really care about America then you realize that at this moment we cannot afford a President who has the same economic and war policies as the Bush Administration and that this country needs a democrat, and the people have spoken, and with your 10.4% chance from this moment, you alone are playing America in a bad game of high-stakes poker with a horrible hand and you're refusing to fold your cards, which with your strategy is ruining the wellbeing of your party and your country. This makes me believe that you aren't doing this for your country, but you are doing this for yourself.

That may not be the case, but if your campaign continues to seek in turning the voters and the media away from the issues, and your party away from a likely victory in November, and your campaign continues to focus on bad choices of words and who Obama's pastor apparently is in order to make your opponent (who you are "honored" to be running with) seem like a confusing choice to more and more voters, then you Senator, will be responsible for your party's latest failure, and a likely continuation of the Bush-style era and Republican rule.

There are people on my campus at Rutgers and all around this country who have never been interested in politics until this election and until Senator Obama's campaign. They have never really had much faith in politics nor their potential as citizens until now and Senator Obama's campaign. There are actually some Republicans that are fed up with their party's radicalism in the last few years and can see a President Obama that would unify this country again, make us respected around the world again, and inspire a whole new generation of people to actually care about government again (as John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. did for your generation).

Senator Obama's campaign is inspiring the next generation in believing in government and calling themselves the future face of the Democratic Party. These will be the people who are going to face (and are in the position to positively affect) the likely end of oil, the repercussions of the climate crisis, the clean water and food shortages, and the future global economic hardships.

We have already wasted 8 long, important years and have made matters worse with the Bush Administration. Cold water shouldn't be thrown on the inspired and they shouldn't be shunned from a system now that will rely on them in the future. Please don't be the one to do this, because staying in this race and allowing your "politics as usual" "kitchen sink strategy" will only certify a McCain's presidency, ruin the Democratic party, and demoralized the inspired and kill a movement with incredible potential I don't think you realize.

Sincerely,
Alex Holodak

RU Dems and I Interviewed on Fox News during Super Tuesday!

2008-02-06T01:42:00.001-05:00

Cool mention in the NY Times Blog

2008-02-01T22:14:00.000-05:00

Bill Bradley and the 'Obama Generation'

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Though most of the more than 100 students at a Barack Obama rally at Rutgers University on Thursday afternoon were not yet teenagers when the event’s keynote speaker, Bill Bradley, was a presidential candidate, they still gave the former senator two standing ovations.

In between the applause, Mr. Bradley dared to give the students’ generation a sobriquet. “Just as there are people my age who call themselves the Kennedy generation,” he predicted, “you’ll call yourself the Obama generation.”

Mr. Bradley, who endorsed Mr. Obama a month ago, said after the event that he would speak at Bergen Community College on Friday and then, “wherever they ask me.”

By “they,” he means the Obama campaign, which on Wednesday afternoon contacted Naomi Michaelis, 19, the New Jersey director of Students for Barack Obama. They informed her that she had 24 hours to coordinate an event featuring Mr. Bradley, Representative Steve Rothman and Mayor Jun H. Choi of Edison. Though daunted by the challenge, Ms. Michaelis threw herself into the work of scheduling a room, sending out invitations and making signs because she felt that Mr. Bradley’s visit represented her burgeoning political career coming full circle. In 2000, when she was 11, her mother took her to Mr. Bradley’s presidential campaign office in West Orange.

“That was the first campaign I really cared about,” she said. “So it’s really cool to have him here.”

Mr. Bradley wore a navy blue pinstriped suit with a green and navy striped tie. Underneath layers of winter clothes one student wore a Barack Obama “Got Hope?” T-shirt. Others wore shirts advertising Rutgers and campus fraternities, and one student wore a T-shirt emblazoned with the logo for the 1980s punk rockers Bad Religion.

Many students at the rally said they knew Mr. Bradley by reputation only, but came out because of their enthusiasm for Mr. Obama’s campaign.

“I got the e-mail about this rally last night,” said Martha Guarnieri, 19. “I came because of Barack Obama.”

While Ms. Guarnieri was one of dozens of students who planned to vote for Mr. Obama in Tuesday’s primary, others were undecided.

Though she held aloft a hand-painted sign reading “Fired Up And Ready to Go: Obama,” Charlotte Burkly, 22, said she wasn’t sure who to support in Tuesday’s primary in New Jersey.

“Maybe this will persuade me,” she said before the event.

Mr. Bradley said that Mr. Obama is the only candidate who will “put his country before his party” by uniting the Republican ethos of “individual responsibility” with the Democratic ethos of “collective caring.” He named affordable health care and college tuition, higher salaries for public school teachers and higher fuel efficiency standards for cars as issues where Mr. Obama’s leadership would be best for America.

Without naming any other candidates, Mr. Bradley criticized those who voted for the Iraq war and then tried to “razzle-dazzle explain it so you can try to have it both ways,” perhaps a thinly veiled swipe at Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. After the event Mr. Bradley told an audience member that he was disappointed in what he perceived as negative campaigning by former President Bill Clinton.

Among those who rose to their feet before and after Mr. Bradley spoke was Chris Howell, 34, a London resident who scheduled a two-week visit to New Jersey to volunteer for Mr. Obama’s campaign. Barred from voting and contributing money, he said he has spent hundreds of dollars on Barack Obama T-shirts and art supplies to make campaign signs. He said it is crucial for his country that Mr. Obama be elected president.

“For the last few years England hasn’t had a brain, we’ve been trailing behind the U.S.,” he said. “I don’t mind trailing behind if Obama’s in charge.”

After Mr. Bradley’s speech Alex Holodak, 20, shook hands and had his photo taken with the former senator from New Jersey and basketball star, whom the political science and public policy major called “a great inspiration to me.”

After the flash the photographer exclaimed, “This is going up on your Facebook site,” as Mr. Holodak beamed.

Mr. Bradley looked amused. That’s one difference between the Kennedy and Obama generations.

Read more Primary Journal blog entries from the New York region.

On Barack Obama's Homepage

2007-10-04T14:27:00.000-04:00

Read the article here.

I took a trip with other like-minded students to the Barack Obama rally in New York City. The Rutgers Student-run Newspaper - The Daily Targum covered the rally on its front page last week. That article and the link is below.

Obama: Are you ready to go?

By: Dmitry Sheynin and Jessica Durando / Staff Writers

Posted: 9/28/07

NEW YORK - Dressed in scarlet and sporting homemade signs, a group of 17 Rutgers University Democrats ascended the subway steps at Penn Station yesterday to catch the C-train downtown where a rally was taking place.

They joined thousands of people in New York's Washington Square Park who came to see Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., a 2008 presidential candidate, speak about education, the Iraq War and health care.

"We are tired of an administration that sees the Constitution as an obstacle to be avoided. We are tired of a justice department that doesn't seem to put a premium on justice. We're fed up with a war that shouldn't have been authorized," Obama said, standing on the stage wearing a white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a pair of black slacks. "It's time to say enough. We are tired of being sick and tired."

RU Democrats President Brett Tinder, a Livingston College junior, said the rally has served as the best opportunity the organization has found so far to get the members involved in next year's presidential race. But the group's presence did not represent an automatic endorsement for Obama.

"If John Edwards was coming to give a rally somewhere in New Jersey or New York, we'd be going. If it were Hillary Clinton, we'd be going," Tinder said. "As a club, we won't endorse any candidate until the nominee is chosen."

Maxwell Lorick, a New York University first-year student, said Obama has a unique appeal amongst college age people. Other attendees agreed.

"I think he's very popular for the younger generation mainly because he's not accepting federal funds for his campaign. He's raising it grass roots. Lobbying isn't interfering with the campaign," said RU Dems member Alex Holodak, a Rutgers College junior. "We need to get away from the usual kind of politicians. He just comes off as a guy looking to change Washington."

Alan Jiang, an NYU first-year student, said he stood in line since 1:20 p.m. waiting for the gates, which opened at 5 p.m.

"I'm not even American. I'm Canadian," Jiang said. "I just love Obama."

But some attendees present were not as supportive of the candidate.

Logan del Fuego, a City University of New York student, said he didn't want to endorse either Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., or Obama because there are pros and cons associated with both candidates.

"There seems to be a trade off," Fuego said. "Hillary has the experience, but she has more backs to scratch. Obama lacks the connections Hillary has. It's power that he doesn't have."

During his speech, Obama used a personal anecdote to explain the state of the country's health care system. He said when his mother died of cancer at 53 years old in the hospital, she wasn't thinking about her mortality but instead about whether health care would cover her medical bills.

"I will pass legislation that will give all Americans the same access to health insurance that I get as a U.S. senator," Obama said.

He also made it a point to defend his credentials in the face of critics describing him as inexperienced.

"They call me a hope monger. I'm guilty as charged. They call it a symptom of my lack of experience. Well, I've been a public servant for over two years. I may not have the experience Washington wants but I promise you I have the experience America needs," Obama said. "There are a couple of guys named George Bush and Dick Cheney who have two of the most impressive resumes in Washington. Longevity does not guarantee good judgement."

But some RU Dems questioned his ability to win the democratic primary and the presidency.

"I like Obama's politics better than Hillary's or McCain's," said Dominic Bombace, a School of Arts and Sciences sophomore. "I don't know if America is ready for a female president or a black president. You have to take that into account. Not everybody lives in Jersey."

Caryn Miller, a School of Arts and Sciences first-year student, said he is inexperienced but believes he is less polarizing than other democratic candidates.

"I like Hillary's ideas and views but the GOP is so anti-Hillary that if she gets the nomination it would be all about pro-Hillary or anti-Hillary," Miller said. "Someone like Obama is not as polarizing but I do think he needs more experience. It's only his first term in the Senate. I think he could probably adapt but he would probably have to look to his advisors a lot."

Tinder said the RU Dems are working in an effort to align itself with all democratic candidates, regardless of the fact that some group members do have their favorites.

"I don't want people to think that the Rutgers Democrats are only in support of Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton," he said. "We've met with both campaigns so far. We feel it's important [to be there] because we want to be affiliated with these campaigns, we want to reach out to them."

Besides attending future rallies in support of democratic candidates, the RU Dems are also working in an effort to include more of the student body in democratic politics on the New Brunswick campus. Tinder said they were working with other organizations to bring candidates to the University.

Toward the rally's close, songs with messages of faith and hope played over the speakers as the rally disintegrated into an impromptu dance party.

Obama asked the crowd, "New York, are you fired up? Are you ready to go?"

Attendees answered him, shouting back, "Ready to go."

"A Bi-Partisan Betrayal"

2007-06-08T18:13:00.000-04:00

Future Leaders Story on Me in the Suburban

2006-06-06T14:51:00.000-04:00

Alex Holodak

At age 18, young man already owns a business and ran for school board

By Eileen Koutnik-Fotopoulos

A business owner and former Old Bridge Board of Education candidate are two accomplishments one may think are associated with an older individual.Well, 18-year-old Alex Holodak is no ordinary young man.

The freshman Brookdale Community College student opened PC Authority LLC in Aberdeen at the age of 16.Although he recently closed the location to concentrate on his studies, Holodak is thinking of making a comeback this summer.

His love for computers started before he was even reading.“My older brother, Scott, was into com-puters.When I was 4, I started playing with computers.As I got older my brother put parts in front of me, and I started building computers,”he said.

In his spare time, he puts his computer talents to work with the nonprofit Community Service Society of New York as a consultant for their IT department.

He said owning a business has been an eye-opening experience, and taught him how to work with customers. Plus, he did all of the company’s bookkeeping and other financial paperwork.

Holodak credits his father, Jack, as his biggest influence and role model.“I don’t know what I would’ve done without him. My dad was always helping me with the books and working with the lawyer,”he said.

Holodak said that both of his parents were supportive of his business and his run for the Board of Education.“My parents were really great. I couldn’t ask for better parents,”he said.
Holodak, who calls himself a “news junkie,” is vice president of the Brookdale Democratic Club. He decided to run for the Board of Education because he was looking at the school budget and wanted to get involved with the community.

When asked about his age and his involvement in politics, Holodak said,“Age hasn’t ever really mattered. I’ve always been driven by the end result and not just trying to make a statement.” Although Holodak lost his bid for the Board of Education, he said it was a great experience and he plans to run again next year. He thinks more campaigning and posters will help lead him to victory.

Holodak isn’t new to politics. The Brookdale Democratic Club recently met with senators and representatives in Washington, D.C., about lobbying for voting reform.

Does this mean he has ambitions for the Washington political scene? He said anything is possible, and if he was to proceed with politics he would start out by running for township or Board of Education seats.

As for his future plans, Holodak hopes to transfer to Rutgers University or possibly Cornell University after he finishes his sophomore year. His long-range plans include opening a computer business again.

ALEX HOLODAK

Age: 18

School: Brookdale Community College

Goal: to continue business venture*

Congratulations!

2006-04-26T15:48:00.000-04:00

To John P. Allen who at last nights Board Meeting is now the President of the Board.
With a 8 to 1 majority vote. Frank Piccillo was the only one who voted no.

Congratulations John!

Election Results

2006-04-19T00:48:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone.

The top 3 were:
1 - Ellen McDermott #4
2 - Anette Hopman #1
3 - Matt Sulikowski #6

Also, the budget was voted down by a nearly 2:1 ratio.

I want to thank each and every one of my supporters. Thank you for your support and vote. I ended with 695 votes.
This is not the end for my race for a seat on the Board, this is only the begining. I am going to run next April and with more exposure. This race was sucessful in getting my name out to the rest of Old Bridge and I am confident for a victory in 2007. Thank you all again.

Election is tomorrow!

2006-04-17T13:31:00.000-04:00

Wow things are moving too fast!
The election is tomorrow! We need to get the vote out!

If you want true change in Old Bridge vote #4, 5, and 6!

#4 Ellen McDermott
#5 Alex Holodak
#6 Matt Sulikowski

Polls will be open from 2pm-9pm tomorrow!
Thank you all!

Yours,
Alex Holodak

In the papers again...

2006-04-10T18:11:00.000-04:00

Click Here for Article

Crowded field talks school issues in O.B.
Three incumbents, former board member among those running
BY LAUREN MATTHEW
Staff Writer

OLD BRIDGE - Seven candidates will vie for three seats on the township's Board of Education in the April 18 school election.

The field, all seeking three-year terms, includes a host of longtime board members and three newcomers.

Incumbents include current board President Annette Hopman, Lawrence Redmond, and Ellen McDermott, who has served 11 consecutive terms on the board, while former board member and president Frank Weber is seeking a return to the board.

Other challengers are Matthew A. Sulikowski, David L. Josselyn and Alex Holodak.

Hopman said her greatest motivation for seeking another term is her love of children.

"Without an education, a child has no future," she said.

Hopman, 54, has lived in Old Bridge for 40 years. She graduated from Madison Township High School and has three children who have also gone through Old Bridge schools. After working in the district as a paraprofessional aide, Hopman decided to run for the board and won her first term six years ago.

She now works as a claims coordinator for University Radiology Group in East Brunswick.

Hopman said her experience would make her an asset to the board. She noted that she has attended all scheduled workshops for board members since she was initially elected.

"I have set goals from the very first time I was elected," she said.

Those goals included adding elementary school counselors.

"I absolutely saw the need for that," she said, noting that a $1 million grant allowed the placement of those counselors into schools.

Also, Hopman worked toward adding security officers to the high school staff - which is now in place. She also supported the alternate placement of discipline students, bringing them back into the district at the John Glenn School instead of sending them to other towns.

Hopman said many goals still lie ahead.

"I would like to see a lot more shared services with the municipality," she noted.

She would also like to see the district partner with local businesses.

"Other districts have been very successful with that," she said.

A daycare program for district employees is also on the agenda for Hopman. With an influx of younger teachers, she said, the district must try to accommodate the needs of younger children. Hopman hopes to pattern the program after one in effect in Toms River and run by the Board of Education there. The program, she said, would be open to employees of the district and the rest of the community.

She said the best part of the program, though, is that it could give young children a head start.

"They are teaching the core curriculum," Hopman said.

Hopman noted that she looked at an agenda for an upcoming board meeting and saw that six district employees will be taking time off for maternity care.

"They need to know that their children are going to the best place possible," she said.

Hopman, other board members and Superintendent of Schools Simon Bosco visited the program in Toms River and were impressed, she noted.

"That is the biggest thing I'd like to see happen in Old Bridge," she said.

McDermott, 67, began serving her first term on the board in 1972. She has lived in the township since 1954, and her interest in education grew from raising 10 children and stepchildren, she said.

"I've actually watched the district grow up," McDermott noted.

Now that she is a grandmother, that interest still holds.

McDermott said the school district suffers from "rampant nepotism," something she feels should change.

"I see us going backward the last couple of years," she said.

Five of the nine board members, she noted, have relatives working in the district. There was a similar situation when she began her board service, she said.

"I don't believe you can be objective [in that position]," McDermott said.

Also, McDermott said she wants to see district test scores rise. Right now, she said, they're "deplorable." Programs should be put in place to improve them, she said, even if it requires budget tightening in other areas.

Before working as a deputy tax assessor for the township, McDermott was employed as a real estate agent. She has a degree from Rutgers University and has just been re-certified for another three years of work for the township. In the 1960s, she was a bus driver for handicapped children in the district.

McDermott said she is a comprehensive high school advocate. The needs of all children in the township, she said, should be addressed by the district.

Redmond, 56, who currently serves as chairman of the township's Planning Board, said he feels he is a good fit on the Board of Education. He was appointed to the board last year.

"I feel we have things moving forward on the board right now," he said.

Redmond, a father of four who has two children in the township's schools, said he enjoys attending school events and working with the board to help the children.

"It's just been a pleasure working with them," he said.

Since state aid has been frozen for years, Redmond said it's time for the board to seek more creative ways of lowering the budget.

"I'd like to see us find a way to get more money into the system," he said.

Working with local businesses could be a way to do that, he said. Teaming with the township, he noted, is another way - something that he feels has gone very well during his brief time on the board. Redmond, a former township councilman, said he feels that because he has worked so closely with township officials in the past, there is a better understanding of how each entity can help the other.

Though he knows no one is going to be thrilled about the proposed tax increase in the school budget, Redmond said that any reductions would be at the expense of cutting programs for students.

"I'm not going to ask these kids to sacrifice in the classroom," he said. "I can't do it. It's their future, not ours."

Redmond works as a project technician for the Middlesex County Municipal Utilities Authority, overseeing construction projects. He has lived in Old Bridge since moving there as a child in 1956.

Josselyn, 43, said he became interested in serving because of his two children. He has lived in the township for 18 years and has been attending Board of Education meetings for the past two.

Josselyn said he first started going to meetings because of his son, who is part of the township's special education program. He said board members told him he might be a good candidate for the board. He submitted an application to fill the position that was eventually given to Redmond after the resignation of Al DiRocco. He has been an active part of five board committees, he said - something he counts as a major asset.

"You've got people running for the board that never go to meetings," Josselyn noted.

He splits his time between volunteer work with the Cheesequake First Aid Squad and the township's CERT (Community Emergency Response Team). Josselyn said he also does "handyman work."

Josselyn said he would like to see issues at Cheesequake Elementary School addressed. That school, he noted, and all other district elementary schools are in need of climate control. The heating system at Cheesequake, he said, is a problem.

"One side [of the school] is sweating," Josselyn said.

Josselyn would also like to see the school budget lowered, and have adequate soil and contamination testing done at the Nike Missile Base, which the district has used as its transportation hub. A retired National Guardsman, he said there are different ways to test the soil, some more thorough than others, and safety should be a primary concern.

Weber, 61, is no stranger to the Old Bridge Board of Education. A township resident since 1974, he served seven years on the board and was president from 2000 to 2002. Weber was board president when the district's recently completed construction referendum was formulated and passed.

"One of the big things that I was involved with was in long-range planning," he said.

But the promise of the referendum, Weber contends, has not been fully realized. It was supposed to result in smaller class sizes, he said, but that has not happened. The district, he said, does not have the money to hire the necessary staff to reduce class sizes.

"I think that's, quite frankly, a disgrace," he said.

The board, Weber said, had years to figure out how to make class sizes smaller, but nothing was done.

"They all knew when the shovel went into the ground," he said.

According to the district's state-issued report card, class sizes at the high school and middle schools are 40 percent higher than the state average, Weber noted.

Weber would like to see test scores improve, and also wants changes made to the high school schedule. Right now, he said, the school operates on a nine-class-period day. But the result is that students have less time in necessary activities and classes, he said. Returning to an eight-period day, as Old Bridge had in the past, would improve on that, he said. That schedule would also free up teachers, allowing for potentially smaller classes and more attention to planning.

Weber would like to see an anti-nepotism rule go into effect for the board. As he has stated in the past, he is strongly against the fact that five of the nine board members (Hopman, Redmond, Gail Kubicke, Frank Piccillo and Fred Colabella) have relatives working in the district. This, he said, creates situations in which they either cannot vote on certain issues or where they are forced to vote because they have a majority.

"The conflicts have not gone away," Weber said. "I'm not quite sure that this board understands that."

Weber works as an account executive for an insurance company, and has four children and four grandchildren.

Sulikowski, 59, said he takes a different approach to his run for the board. After working as a teacher for 36 years - 33 of them in Old Bridge - Sulikowski, now retired, would like to see changes to the education model itself.

"Our school systems, they haven't really got the time for the kids," he said.

There is too much of an emphasis on the core curriculum, he said, resulting in students' particular skills or interests being "pushed out." More work should be done, he said, to individualize education for each pupil. Test scores should be reviewed with parents as a matter of course, he said - not just because a pupil is having difficulty in class.

"I want to change the education system," he said.

Sulikowski maintains that if a child is working in a subject that he or she enjoys, the discipline and test score problems will disappear.

"We have to customize and concentrate on the student," he said.

Right now, Sulikowski said, students get a "cookie-cutter education," and that worries him.

He is hoping that he can have an impact on that issue.

"I'm an educator," Sulikowski said. "I got so much out of the town. I want to put some back in."

Sulikowski has lived in the area for 40 years and in Old Bridge for 10. He has two grown children, one of whom is a teacher in Monroe Township, and he is also a grandfather. He holds a degree in industrial technology from Newark State Teachers College and also has a photography degree. He works as a wedding photographer.

Holodak, 18, said his perspective as a former student will offer a fresh view to the board.

He has lived in Old Bridge his entire life and is currently an honors student at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft section of Middletown, with plans to transfer to Rutgers University.

"I wanted to serve the community, basically," Holodak said.

He noted that he has been reading about local issues that affect the board and has had a look at the tentative budget.

"It seems that it's going to call for [tax] hikes," Holodak said.

But, he said, there are no new programs for students. Tax increases with no benefits for the district's pupils will "scare people away," he said.

"I don't think people should be taxed out of Old Bridge," Holodak said. "I don't think that's right."

Another issue for Holodak is the security at the schools. Though security officers and equipment have been approved and placed in the district, Holodak said more can be done. Old Bridge High School was very safe while Holodak was there, he said, but a school can never be too safe.

Holodak said he believes that the current board members have done a great job. But, he said, he is close to what is taking place in the district's schools, since he has just been through them.

"I've been exposed to what they've decided," Holodak said.

Back from DC

2006-04-09T12:06:00.000-04:00

Hi folks.
Here are some pictures from my trip to DC.

Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and myself.

Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ) and myself.

Me near the capitol in DC.

DFA Site for my Campaign

2006-03-27T15:01:00.000-05:00

This is a very good website, I have set up my campaign on it and I may get endorsed by Democracy for America, that would be great. Here is the link to the site.

Nutritional Food Providing Alternative

2006-03-21T00:29:00.000-05:00

This was shown in the movie "Super Size Me" which exposed the food provider (Sodexho), our current provider.

This alternative looks interesting, its called Natural Ovens Bakery. Check out this alternative here.

Can't Cut Budget? Cut Costs by Conserving Energy.

2006-03-20T23:56:00.000-05:00

I mentioned this at Candidate's Night.

I proposed a way to save money and not cut from the budget. This is done by changing the light bulbs throughout our schools with energy star certified CFL light bulbs (the curly ones), also any further applainces and computers purchased should be Energy Star complaint which are generally cheaper or around the same cost.

Here are some facts about CFLs from Energy Star:

"Changing the world starts with simple actions. When you replace light bulbs or entire light fixtures in your home with ones that have earned the ENERGY STAR, you help preserve energy resources and contribute to a cleaner environment while saving money and time buying and changing lights in your home.

ENERGY STAR qualified lighting provides bright, warm light while it requires 2/3 less energy than standard lighting, generates 70% less heat, and lasts up to 10 times longer." (Average savings are around $30 per lifetime of each bulb)
Here is the link for this information.

The proposed budget is asking for $1,984,143 for Electricity. Doing this transition will make a considerable impact on the price for Electricity, allow more money to be allocated for New Student Programs which are nonexistent on the budget. Our schools can be "green friendly" schools, we can teach our students on energy conservation by setting the example.

What are your thoughts, please comment, I'd love your opinion on this and any other subject affecting our schools today.

My message to the residents of Old Bridge

2006-03-20T22:52:00.000-05:00

Ladies and Gentlemen,

First, I would like to thank the PTA for setting up Candidate’s Night tonight; they have done a wonderful job and should be congratulated for their continued excellence in the Old Bridge Public School System.

My name is Alex Holodak.

Now I’m sure some of you are wondering, why I am running for the Board. The main answer is that I want to serve my community; I want to give back to a school system that has prepared me for life.

I am a life-long resident of Old Bridge and a 2005 graduate of OBHS.

During my junior year, I worked as a computer technician for a computer repair company in Aberdeen. By the time my senior year came, I owned that business. A time came where I felt that I could take matters into my own hands and make that business better. Long story short, with the money I had saved I offered to buyout the location. I started my own limited liability corporation called PC Authority and I ran the business for two years, starting when I just turned 17. The business was a huge success.

I am a Phi Theta Kappa Honor student at Brookdale Community College.

Recently I have been working as a technology consultant in New York City for the Community Service Society of New York, a non-profit charitable organization. I am planning on transferring to Rutgers University for Business in the near future.

The experience I have gained from owning my own business will go with me the rest of my life. However, that small chapter of my life is over, and I’m here tonight to start a new one.

As a product of Old Bridge Public Schools, with thirteen years of experience in our school system, I know my addition to the board will benefit the people of Old Bridge and each and every student that goes to our schools. I will do my part and work with the Board to make sure the budget will benefit every student’s education. I believe we must not sacrifice Education (the end product) to the process of churning students through a system. I believe we must identify and eliminate wasteful spending that continues to tax the elderly and those who are struggling to make ends meet which, if it continues, will drive life-long residents out of Old Bridge.

A very important ingredient to our school system is great teachers. It is our duty to continue to attract the best teachers possible to our township. Great teachers are part of the key to our student body’s success and encourage more people to move to our great township.

Another critically important ingredient is parent’s participation in their child’s schooling. With both parents working being the norm today, it’s harder for parents to get involved with the school and their student. As a board member I will work tirelessly to increase parent participation in the school system and the voting process.

As a board member, I will be open to all students, parents, and teachers ideas and concerns, so that together we all can work towards a better school system.

Tonight I hope the public gets to learn a lot about the candidates before you, and I ask you to make the best possible choice. If you believe that I am that choice, I ask for your vote, I will not let you down. Thank you.

BoE Questionnaire for Download

2006-03-20T00:43:00.000-05:00

This is the questionnaire I have filled out which will be distributed at Candidate's Night on March 20th in the Grade Nine Center Building Library.

Note: This is in MSWord Format

Download it here.

Candidates Announced!

2006-03-20T00:35:00.000-05:00

From the Home News Tribune:

STAFF REPORT

Feb. 27 was the deadline for candidates to file for school board seats. The election will be April 18. Residents also will vote on school budgets.

Here's who is running:

Old Bridge

Seven people, including three incumbents, are seeking the three three-year seats up for grabs.

Incumbents running for re-election are Annette T. Hopman, Ellen McDermott and Lawrence J. Redmond Jr., who was appointed by the board last year to fill Albert DiRocco's unexpired term.

Other candidates include Alex Holodak, David L. Josselyn, Matthew A. Sulikowski and Frank R. Weber.

Home News Tribune Article

2006-03-20T00:32:00.000-05:00

OLD BRIDGE — After quelling concerns about the hiring process, the Board of Education appointed a longtime employee as the district's superintendent Tuesday night.

The board hired Simon Bosco, who is now acting superintendent. Bosco will replace Nicole Okun, who announced her retirement in September.

Bosco's appointment is pending contract negotiations, but he is slated to take over when Okun retires on Wednesday.

"I feel euphoric," Bosco said after the vote. "It was a roller coaster ride for a while tonight, but the final support of the board members is very touching."

That ride began with Alex Holodak, a 2005 Old Bridge High School grad who questioned the board's hiring process.

Holodak said board members did not conduct a superintendent search and discussed Bosco's hiring at a Feb. 14 agenda session even though the item was not listed on the agenda. Thus, the public was left out of the discussion, he said.

In addition, Holodak said, several board members did not attend that meeting. They later found out Bosco's hiring was scheduled for a formal vote at Tuesday's regular school board meeting.

Board members John Allen, Gail Kubicke, Linda Ault-McLaren and Ellen McDermott seconded Holodak's concerns. Allen and Kubicke had not attended the agenda meeting.

"I do believe the public trust was violated," Kubicke said. "I can't think of anybody who's more qualified than Si Bosco . . . but this whole process has turned my stomach."

Board President Annette Hopman said the public was aware of the agenda session through a newspaper article. In addition, the board has repeatedly discussed Bosco becoming superintendent and no one has ever objected, she said.

The board did not conduct a superintendent search because it would not be cost-effective to look for outside candidates when Bosco is qualified for the position, board member Barbara Rossi said.

Board members also debated why Okun changed her retirement date from June 30, a move that some members believe sped up Bosco's hiring process. Allen and McDermott said Okun had been treated unfairly in recent months while other members said she just wanted to spend more time with her family.

Okun did not attend Tuesday's meeting and could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Allen, Kubicke, Ault-McLaren and McDermott eventually voted to table Bosco's appointment, but the motion failed by a 5-4 vote.

Discussion about Bosco's hiring continued for 30 more minutes, with the remaining board members either making statements supporting Bosco or rebuffing previous comments. At times, the discussion was heated.

In the end, the board voted unanimously to appoint Bosco as superintendent, with all members agreeing his expertise makes him the best person for the position.

"I support you. I don't support the process," Kubicke said, looking at Bosco.

Allen, Ault-McLaren and McDermott echoed Kubicke's feelings.

Current and former district employees filled the meeting room Tuesday in a show of support for Bosco. They gave Bosco a standing ovation following the vote and congratulated him with hugs, kisses and handshakes.

Bosco has made many friends — including students, parents and staff — during his 35 years with the district.

He started in 1971 as a language arts teacher at Carl Sandburg Middle School. He later became an English teacher at Old Bridge High School, then called Madison Central High School. In 1999, he was named vice principal of the high school.

Since 2002, Bosco has worked in central administration. He served as an assistant to the superintendent and assistant superintendent of personnel and professional development.

A former president of the Old Bridge Education Association, Bosco earned a bachelor's degree from King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He also earned master's and doctorate degrees from Rutgers University.

In the newspaper again.

2006-03-01T23:50:00.000-05:00

Hey folks, long time, no posts... i'll update you on the rest later.
The Home News Tribune
The Suburban