Tuesday, March 02, 1999
Public computer puts Middletown online
BY JANET C. WETZEL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MIDDLETOWN — Residents with questions about everything from income taxes to city services and commission meeting minutes could find the answers as soon as they walk in the door — on a public-access computer in the city building lobby.
And if their interests reach beyond the city limits, one click of the mouse on the personal computer brings information from other areas. And it's all free.
The innovative way to improve customer service and provide another communications tool may be unique in Ohio, and it's unusual throughout the Midwest, experts say.
“This is a wonderful service, and one that's not all that widespread, particularly in that part of the country,” said Dale Bowen, director of online services for Public Technology Inc., Washington, D.C. “It gets to the whole issue of access to services.”
The 1990s sparked a national explosion in municipal Web sites, Mr. Bowen said. “But a lot of times the people who need the service the most can't afford a computer. This gives them access to such services.”
Middletown has long had a Web site. But this program is new, and plans are in the works to expand it, said Greg Parsons, Middletown's information systems manager. In a few weeks, computers also will be installed in the Middletown Senior Center and the Middletown Social Services and Health Center. And by next year, there could be a city computer kiosk in the mall, he said.
“We're looking at it as another means of empowering citizens and helping them get information,” said Mr. Parsons, who proposed and designed the program, which is run by his department.
The cost is negligible. The computers are recycled from other departments and the Internet use is a shared access, costing the city nothing extra, he said.
Some Internet sites are blocked, including pornography, entertainment and hate groups, said Susan Davis, assistant city manager.
The computer is available when the lobby is open — 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays.
“This is great,” said Anne Murphy, of the Dayton area, who stopped in the municipal building recently en route to work at Sterling Cottage of Middletown. “It's a wonderful resource for the community. There's current information about a multitude of city events, job applications, serv ices and government functions. More and better communication is always a good thing.”
Mr. Bowen and John Mahoney, deputy director of the Ohio Municipal League, said they know of no similar services in other Ohio cities.
“We don't have that here, but I think it's a really good idea,” said Sharon West, secretary in the Mason city manager's office. “It would probably save employees a lot of time. ... And it would probably eliminate a lot of phone calls.”
What does the latest road hog say about us?
Boy on bike critically injured by hit-skip truck
How can we stop drunken drivers?
Two Clermont drivers charged in deaths
How states punish drunken drivers
Health care plans ranked
Miami president's daughter eludes kidnappers
Professor sues Miami U to keep thong swimsuit
Concerns raised for Justin
Saving cats is her calling
Spaying and neutering services
Greater Tri-State Animal Rescue and Shelter Network
Aquarium nets sponsors to support largest exhibits
Voters face blitz on mayor-reform plan
How mayor's role would change
Blighted buildings tear at town
Ex-jailer denies he exposed himself
Forums let people weigh in on light rail
Hit-run driver gets three years
Jury out in minister's sex-abuse retrial
Public computer puts Middletown online
Voice-mail defense countered
Web site, hot line devoted to missing woman
Xavier resolves toilet paper revolt
4 in running for Butler bench
Car phones' role in wrecks queried
Edgewood huddles to stop jail
Grilling, wait nearly over for new police chief
Lawsuit claims cemetery lost remains
Loebs' legacy lifts Warren County
Lucas faces tough audiences
Newport water rates rise by a third
Paper plant accidents raise fears in Franklin
Pictoria Island plan to be shown
Restaurant tax hard to swallow
TRISTATE DIGEST
Turfway sale should close mid-month
