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September 2, 2003
GovPro E-Newsletter
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Tuesday, September 2, 2003

Volume 2, Issue 34

Welcome to the GovPro Newsletter brought to you by the Penton Government Media Group. Look forward to news, resources, product and supplier information, and links relating to the government market.

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CONTENTS

Weblogs Offer Chatty Venue for State News

Internet System Secures Metropolitan Area

Funds Help Safeguard Water Utilities

News of The Weird



FEATURES

BLOGGERS TRAIN SITES ON STATE GOVERNMENTS

Some of the best sources for information on the California recall election are not newspapers, not television stations and not radio shows. They are blogs.

Short for weblogs, these iconoclastic Web sites are a new kind of media, both newsy and personal. Some blogs feature the life of the writer, others technology and the arts. Many are devoted to current events.

The recall blogs are led by California Insider, which is penned by the Sacramento Bee's Daniel Weintraub. Another great source for recall information is Kausfiles, written by Mickey Kaus and appearing on Slate. These blogs have become go-to sources for recall news and opinion.

Weintraub regularly updates California Insider with his own commentary as well as tidbits of information he picks-up from sources. He also writes three columns a week for the newspaper's print edition.

On Wednesday, Weintraub used his blog to pick apart Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget plans, which were unveiled during a press conference.

"I asked him which programs he would cut, which I think people do care about, and he brushed off the question, saying that perhaps as the campaign moves on he will offer some details," Weintraub wrote.

Weintraub found this reply wanting.

"In the end, it was clear to me that Californians, if they want Arnold to be their governor, are going to have to take a leap of faith, to buy into his leadership abilities, his charisma, his communication skills, all of which are considerable, and accept his vision that the budget can be balanced without new taxes or cuts in education even as he repeals the recent increase in the car tax. Thats not a reasonable proposition," he wrote.

Weintraub isn't the only state government reporter who writes a blog.

The Austin American-Statesman's Bill Bishop recently started one called Lasso. Earlier this week, Bishop commented on the fact that Texas does not record legislators' votes:

"Lasso watched a good portion of the Legislature earlier this year on television and never knew who voted for what. Most votes aren't recorded. We know who died at the Alamo, but not who voted for what in the Legislature."

Bishop started Lasso a few weeks ago after convincing his editors blogging is a good way to improve the newspaper's Web site without taking on new costs.

"Management at the Statesman is convinced that the Web is the future of the paper, so they were more than receptive," Bishop wrote in an email to Stateline.org. "I do think what we're really doing is going BACK to earlier forms of journalism, more personal, looser, more explanatory, less concerned with convention. I love it."

In addition to featuring a more-conversational writing style, many blogs also allow for links to other Web pages for provide background or more detailed information.

Richard Roesler, a statehouse reporter with The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.), produces a blog called Eye on Olympia. He told Stateline.org that the blog allows readers to get an insider's view of how life works in the state capitol.

"Spokane's 300 miles away from Olympia, and it can be hard from so far away to keep track of the insider gamesmanship, favors and deals that determine the fate of so many bills. A blog helps convey that environment to interested readers," he said.

As old as the Internet itself, blogging picked-up steam after 9/11, as tens thousands of individuals streamed to the Web for community, self-expression and solace, according to Dave Winer, a blogging expert at Harvard University.

Winer estimates the Internet is home to between 200,000 and 300,000 regularly updated blogs, with more added every day. The attraction, he said, is the chance to publish articles, thoughts, poems, etc., for little more than the cost of a computer and an Internet connection.

"Blogging is a fundamental use of the Internet, like email, like instant messenging. But blogging is more like publishing. In the 1980's and 1990's publishing became very inexpensive. Now it's virtually free," he told Stateline.org.

KANSAS CITY DEVELOPS INTERNET-BASED SECURITY SYSTEM

A coalition of city governments is preparing to launch an Internet-based homeland security initiative in Kansas City that is meant to help emergency workers better respond to terrorism or natural disasters.

The computer system, operated by the Mid-American Regional Council (MARC) of governments and created by a Kansas-based software company, is to connect more than 100 government agencies across eight counties and two states in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The system is expected to launch in early 2004 and will allow emergency personnel from different cities in Kansas and Missouri to share information and coordinate their efforts during a disaster.

Officials believe Kansas Citys Metropolitan Emergency Information System (MEIS) to be the first of its kind in the United States. If the system works as planned, its designers hope to license the program in other metropolitan areas and plan to set aside a percentage of the revenues to a local victims relief fund.

I predict this system will become a model for other regions similar to us, said David Watkins, co-chair of MARCs Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Committee.

Improving communication and information sharing across jurisdictional and state lines has been a priority for state and local governments since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The federal government has given states nearly $4 billion for homeland security, 80 percent of which has been directed to local governments to better equip emergency first responders and to improve communication and information sharing.

Its the first of its kind to be deployed on a regional basis, MARC executive director David Warm said. Many specialty emergency management programs have been developed since 9/11, but none provide a framework that connects agencies across jurisdictional and state boundaries, he said.

The system will connect government agencies such as fire departments, law enforcement agencies and emergency management offices and will be administered by MARC. Private institutions such as hospitals, ambulance services and relief organizations will also be offered access to the system.

According to MARC officials, the system will be useful whether responding to man-made disasters or natural emergencies like tornadoes and ice storms.

The system will be critical in the event of destructive acts of terrorism, but equally valuable in other major emergencies, such as severe weather situations, Warm said.

For example, a tornado may damage some cities more than others. Officials in those cities can go to the Internet communication network to search for needed equipment or personnel from neighboring communities.

In the case of a terrorist attack, emergency responders in different areas would all look at the same emergency response plan. The system would also track emergency responders as they go in and out of a scene using a bar code and scanner system that is currently being developed. Elected officials, hospitals and federal agencies could monitor the situation or direct emergency workers.

This system will fill a void that emergency responders have identified in dealing with crises that have affected multiple jurisdictions, and it will make emergency responders more efficient, Richard Smokey Dyer, chief of the Kansas City, Mo. Fire Department, said.

Col. Tim Daniel, homeland security advisor to Missouri Gov. Bob Holden, said that he hopes to expand the network to other regions of the state.

This technology is urgently needed, Daniel said.

MEIS was designed by Kansas City-based Apex Innovations and funded half by federal homeland security grants and the Kansas City Community Foundation, a non-profit organization, and half from privately raised and local funding.

The system is expected to be up and running by early 2004 at a total cost of nearly $1 million. But once its operational, the cost of joining the network is expected to be less than $200 per organization, Warm said.

Because its Internet-based, organizations only need Internet access to participate. During a power outage, some participants may lose their connection to the system, but the network itself is not likely to crash because it has triple-redundancy protection, which means it has three sources of back-up power, Apex CEO Wayne Abrams said.

NEWS

MILLIONS AWARDED TO SUPPORT SECURITY TRAINING FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS

Three nonprofit groups will receive nearly $4 million in EPA grants to support security and preparedness at small and medium-sized drinking water systems. As part of EPA's continuing efforts to help drinking water utilities assess their vulnerabilities to terrorist attack, EPA's Office of Water recently awarded nearly $2 million to the National Rural Water Association (NRWA), and two grants totaling $1.7 million to the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), and the Water Environment Federation (WEF). NRWA will assist small community water systems serving populations between 3,300 and 10,000 people with security planning.

By June 30, 2004, small drinking water systems are required to submit vulnerability assessments to EPA under the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002. Through a combination of training sessions, on-site technical assistance, and Internet-based tools, the NRWA will educate system personnel to prepare vulnerability assessments and emergency response plans. Under this project, NRWA will assist approximately 4,400 community water systems in complying with the Act; ICMA and WEF will target training to the approximately 480 community water systems that serve 50,000 to 100,000 people. Community water systems of this size are required to submit a vulnerability assessment to EPA on or before Dec. 31. They must also certify completion of an emergency response plan six months after submission of a vulnerability assessment. For more information on the joint ICMA/WEF training program, see: http://www.lgean.org/watersecurity. For more information on EPA's water infrastructure security efforts go to: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/security/.

NEWS OF THE WEIRD: Bizarre but true stories about real people. http://www.govpro.com/GPRONewsletter/Article/29246/

LINKS

ORIX Public Finance, a leading provider of innovative financing for state and local municipalities, offers flexible terms, expedient processing and time-tested expertise. Let an ORIX professional help you today. http://www.orixfin.com

Federal Signal will accelerate your response time with electronic and mechanical outdoor warning sirens, software, and the Informer tone-alert radio. http://www.federalwarningsystems.com

PPI Modular Structures Inc. is a construction company that provides modular and pre-manufactured buildings. Custom applications are our specialty! http://www.ppimod.com

OLYMPIA! The only name you need to know for your office machine requirements! Paper Shredders, Typewriters, Calculators, Paper Handling Equipment. http://www.olympia.to

As a global leader in office furniture, Haworth offers a comprehensive line of furniture and service solutions for any office. http://www.haworth.com

Dawn Enterprises, a long time GSA choice for ultra-secure trashcans, planters, benches and bollards manufactured in either concrete or stone, in the colors of your choice. http://www.trashcans.com

GEM is the zero-emission transportation solution for your fleet needs. This Low Speed Vehicle is ideal for those everyday short distance trips. http://www.gemcar.com/gsa

John Deere. Better machines, greater choices. Lower prices, fewer hassles. Our complete online catalog brings the John Deere showroom right to you. http://www.JohnDeere.com/GovSales

Newark InOne is the only electronics distributor to have a catalog-wide GSA Schedule (GS-06F-0044M) exclusively for the supply of over 150,000 electronic components and supplies. Visit http://www.teamgov.com or contact 1.800.TEAM.GOV (832.6468) for a FREE catalog or to place your next order.

SimplexGrinnell: Your OneStop* provider for integrated fire, security and communications. Serving you via the GSA Schedule. To learn more, visit: http://www.simplexgrinnell.com/gsa

Custom-designed Meyer snow plows fit exact vehicle frame and weight specifications for exceptional performance in all applications. Visit: http://www.meyerproducts.com

KI is an award-winning, international furniture producer. Products include office seating, stacking and guest chairs, tables and wall systems. http://www.KI.com

Polythane Systems and the affiliated companies sell spray polyurethane foam for roofing, walls and tanks and the coatings necessary to complete the system. http://www.polythane.com

Alamo Industrial is the world's largest manufacturer of tractor-mounted vegetation management equipment. Built Sharper to give you the edge you need! Visit http://www.alamo-industrial.com

Installed in over 100 military and government facilities around the world, Onity provides superior electronic locking systems, e-safes and energy management solutions. Visit http://www.onity.biz

Skatewave Modular Skatepark Systems is a division of Landscape Structures Inc. Skatewave was founded in March 2001 and since then has installed more than 350 parks across the United States, Canada and Southeast Asia. Visit http://www.skatewave.com

Electric Eel Mfg. produces a full range of sewer cleaning equipment for the municipal market. Pipeline inspection and location equipment also available. Visit online at http://www.electriceel.com

Rubbermaid Commercial Products: Material handling, transport, sanitary maintenance, safety, waste systems, food service products, and healthcare products. Visit http://www.specialmade.com

Government fleets - comply with EPAct and Executive Order 13149, and meet petroleum reduction goals with help from FuelMaker and NGVs. http://www.fuelmaker.com

Toro. Power, Performance and Productivity. Discover solutions for your turf maintenance challenges at http://www.toro.com/grounds. Register for government updates at http://www.toro.com/grounds/gov/govform2.html

Upbeat's Institutional Catalog features site furnishings/amenities including trash containers, park benches, picnic tables, ash urns, bike racks, banners and more. Shop online http://www.upbeatinc.com

Issue employee badges, student ID cards, membership, or access control cards with the SP 35 card printer. This printer delivers excellent image and card quality, while optimizing ribbon usage. For more information, visit Team Marketing Co. at: http://www.teamphoto.com

Safety Storage, the first choice for custom and pre-fabricated hazardous storage buildings. http://www.safetystorage.com

C & H Distributors provide a fast, efficient way to purchase shelving, cabinets, packaging and shipping products, or office furniture. Visit: http://www.chdist.com

Crown Equipment designs, manufactures, distributes, services, and supports material handling products that provide customers with superior value. http://www.crown.com

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