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HEADLINES
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down to find summaries and links to the articles
DECEMBER
21 - 27, 2004
* Ottawa County: Local
units signing on to county-facilitated wireless network
* St. Ignace:
Council OKs budget, broadband, grant bids
* Berkley: New
Web site online for Berkley schools
* Dowagiac:
City redesigns its 4-year-old Web site
* Macomb County:
FBI joins Macomb Co. online crime unit
* Livingston County:
Municipalities going high-tech
* Troy: District
Web site earns honors
* Fenton:
High-tech maps show the way through nature sanctuary
* Osceola and Wexford
Counties: Committee considers shared IT
position
* West Bloomfield Township:
Students flock to video class
*
Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan, and Kent Counties:
Coalition tries to dispose of old electronics
DECEMBER
28, 2004 - JANUARY 3, 2005
* Lansing:
Otto pupils go online at home, thanks to city
* Macomb County: County
goes high-tech to combat soil erosion
* Royal Oak: Sharing
'hospital news' goes high tech
* Sterling Heights:
City reduces paper use by adapting to new technology
* Westland:
Catch Westland's most wanted suspects online
* Burton: Laptops
'a fun way to learn'
* Bloomfield Hills: E-mails
skirt meetings rule
* Milford:
Printer brings projects to life
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DEC
21 2004
* Ottawa County: Local units
signing on to county-facilitated wireless network
Ottawa County's effort to facilitate a coordinated
high-speed wireless Internet connection across the region is
garnering support from local municipalities, a bit of
skepticism from one large telecommunications company, and a
lot of questions. Last week, members of both the Zeeland
City Council and the Zeeland Township Board expressed
interest in supporting the non-binding initiative. The
Hudsonville City Commission is scheduled to discuss the
issue at 7 p.m. tonight.
Source: Advance Newspapers, http://www.mlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-2/110365902678190.xml?advancenewspapers?NEGV
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St. Ignace: Council OKs budget, broadband, grant bids
Meeting in pre-Christmas session, the City Council
approved a water tower lease to Internet service provider
Lighthouse.net for use of the city's Second Street tower for
a wireless Internet antenna. A representative of the Sault
Ste. Marie company was on hand to describe its plan to offer
"broadband wireless" service in St. Ignace. Under
terms of the three-year lease, the city will receive six
broadband connections for City Hall use at no charge from
the company. City Manager Pete Heckman said the free
broadband access is valued at about $700 per month at $99
per commercial access site.
Source: Soo Evening News, http://www.sooeveningnews.com/articles/2004/12/21/news/news852.txt
DEC
22 2004
* Berkley: New Web site online
for Berkley schools
Ease and opportunity will soon spring from the keys of a
computer as Berkley School District overhauls its Web site
with $18,000 worth of new and improved software.
“This new Web engine will thoroughly update the
capabilities of our system,” said Larry Gallagher,
the district’s director of operations and finance.
“Under the new site, every staff member of the Berkley
School District will have the opportunity to create his or
her own Web page. It will increase the quality and scope of
what we can carry. It will be a much more viable, active
site.”
Source: Woodward Talk, http://www.candgnews.com/editorial/2004/december/22/woodwardtalk/web.html
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Dowagiac: City redesigns its 4-year-old Web site
The ability to provide prompt customer service is important
to municipalities, which is why the City of Dowagiac
revamped its Internet Web site into the fresh and innovative
tool that went "live" last week. While the
original Web site was developed four years ago, as
technology advanced and other Web sites became more savvy,
it was soon clear to city officials that a major overhaul of
the site was not only needed, it was required to better
serve the public. The site was updated to be as
user-friendly as today's technology allows, as a wealth of
information is a mere click away. Building contractors, for
instance, can now obtain electrical or mechanical permits
from "Download Central." Just as easily, a
resident who disagrees with the assessed value of his
property can click on a button that provides information as
to how his assessment can be re-evaluated.
Source: Dowagiac Daily News, http://www.leaderpub.com/articles/2004/12/22/news/dowagiac_news/dnnews4.txt
DEC
23 2004
* Macomb County: FBI joins
Macomb Co. online crime unit
Macomb County Sheriff Department's recent agreement
to partner with the FBI on computer crimes is a move county
officials say will help them cross jurisdictions and
circumvent red tape to charge computer criminals more
quickly and efficiently. Sheriff Mark Hackel created the
Macomb Area Computer Enforcement unit three years ago. In
2002, the unit's first full year, it received 192 complaints
of computer crimes. Last year, that number rose to 226, and
in 2004, 568 cases have been reported so far.
Source: Detroit News, http://www.detnews.com/2004/macomb/0412/23/B05-40613.htm
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Livingston County: Municipalities going high-tech
For anyone looking to discover which Livingston County area
has the most parks, most lakes or best zoning ordinances,
one only need to let their fingers do the walking through
the Internet. Many Livingston County townships and cities
are actively using the Internet as a means of getting
information to residents and visitors in a timely fashion.
The local government officials agree that it's an efficient,
cost-effective, decision that has been well worth the
financial and staff investments.
Source: Daily Press and Argus, http://www.hometownlife.com/Hometownlife/NewsSearch.asp?pageType=Story&StoryID=76427
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Troy: District Web site earns honors
The Troy School District's Web site has recently earned two
prestigious communication awards. The district Web site
earned a distinguished award - the highest honor available -
from the Michigan School Public Relations Association, and
was recently named the best community organization site by
Internet Troy.
Source: Troy Eccentric, http://www.hometownlife.com/Hometownlife/NewsSearch.asp?pageType=Story&StoryID=76675
DEC
26 2004
* Fenton: High-tech maps show
the way through nature sanctuary
High-tech maps now show hikers, snowshoers and cross country
skiers the way to miles of trails around the 174-acre Dauner-Martin
Nature Sanctuary. "People can see exactly where they're
going and how far," said Bob Roehrig of Fenton
Township. He's a volunteer steward at the sanctuary, which
can be accessed off N. Leroy Street and Dauner Road. The
maps are a $3,000 gift in time and expertise from North
Arrow Technologies of Fenton. It's a Geographic Information
Systems consulting firm owned by former Davison classmates
Jason Taylor of Fenton Township and Jeff Lewis of Burton.
Source: The Fenton Press, http://www.mlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1104060313298530.xml?fljournal?FPNE
DEC
27 2004
* Osceola and Wexford Counties:
Committee considers shared IT position
A shared information technology position with
Osceola County continues to be pursued by Wexford County.
The agreement calls for Osceola County to employ the person
with a targeted cost of the position at $70,430. Wexford
County would pay 60 percent of the salary and Osceola County
40 percent. The person would work in Wexford County three
days per week.
Source: Cadillac News, http://www.cadillacnews.com/articles/2004/12/27/news/news04.txt;
Related story: http://www.cadillacnews.com/articles/2004/12/29/news/news04.txt
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West Bloomfield Township: Students flock to video
class
It was just four years ago when a single video
production class at West Bloomfield High School enrolled 25
students. Now there are several classes bringing in hundreds
of students to a program boosted by a technology bond voters
passed a few years ago that included rebuilding the outdated
television studio. "Probably the most exciting
byproduct of such a large program has been its spillover
effect into all the other subject matters," said Kevin
Walsh. "On a daily basis, we've got alumni of the
program in the control room and the studio working on class
projects for Japanese, calculus, physics, drama, chemistry
and robotics. Students see video production not only as a
separate subject, but also as an excellent tool to enhance
all other subjects."
Source: Detroit News, http://www.detnews.com/2004/schools/0412/31/B04-42451.htm
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Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan, and Kent Counties: Coalition
tries to dispose of old electronics
The number of outdated or unwanted electronics, such as
computers and cell phones, is growing, and community leaders
are looking to keep them from area landfills. Formed in
2003, the West Michigan Electronic Waste Recycling Coalition
consists of leaders from Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan and Kent
counties who aim to develop a recycling system to dispose of
"e-waste" items -- computers, monitors, copiers,
fax machines, printers and other electronic devices. The
closest such recycling facility is in Grand Rapids.
Currently, most e-waste generated locally winds up in
nonprofit resale shops or landfills. The coalition's
progress is slow, officials say, because the issue is in
need of legislative and community support.
Source: Muskegon Chronicle, http://www.mlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-5/110416232028520.xml?muchronicle?NEM
DEC
29 2004
* Lansing: Otto pupils go
online at home, thanks to city
Unless their dogs can gulp down about 5 pounds of
plastic, claiming "The dog ate my homework" no
longer will be a viable excuse for 59 Otto Middle School
students in Lansing. That's because from now on, those
students will be allowed to take their school-provided
laptop computers home. A $12,390 grant from the city of
Lansing's Economic Development Corp. is providing high-speed
Internet hookup at each student's home until the end of the
school year, said Karl Dorshimer, project coordinator for
the Lansing EDC. The project is part of the city's
Information Technology, or IT, Initiative, which aims to get
everyone in Lansing wired, thus making the city attractive
to businesses as an information technology center.
Source: Lansing State Journal, Source: Lansing State
Journal, http://lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041229/NEWS05/412290333/1006/ARCHIVES
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Macomb County: County goes high-tech to combat soil
erosion
To handle the growing number of soil erosion
permits, Macomb County's Soil Erosion Control Division of
the Office of Public Works Commissioner introduced Accela
Automation as its new Web-based Soil Erosion Management
System. "We have a software product that enables
agencies to track their process in the field," said
Maury Blackman, vice president of marketing and business
development for Accela. "We work with environmental
agencies to manage those regulatory processes that take
place. The online and wireless solution will automate the
division's permitting activity and improve agency
communication, translating to faster service for the
residents of Macomb County," he said, noting the Accela
is more efficient than other software.
Source: Macomb Daily, http://macombdaily.com/stories/122904/loc_soil001.shtml
DEC
30 2004
* Royal Oak: Sharing 'hospital
news' goes high tech
Keeping in touch with friends and relatives can be a
challenge during normal circumstances, and many parents find
it downright stressful when one of their children has been
hospitalized. Parents of young patients at William Beaumont
Hospital are having an easier time keeping loved ones in the
loop, thanks to a computer system that allows them to create
their own Web pages. The CarePages system is being made
available at no charge to new patients in the pediatrics
unit at Beaumont in Royal Oak and Troy, the neonatal
intensive care and mother-baby care units in Royal Oak and a
special care nursery in Troy. CarePages is a free,
Internet-based Web site service that enables patients and
families to stay in touch during hospital stays,
convalescence or long-term care.
Source: Daily Tribune, http://dailytribune.com/stories/123004/bus_20041230019.shtml
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Sterling Heights: City reduces paper use by adapting
to new technology
The city is one step closer to a paperless age.
Within the first few months of 2005, Sterling Heights
building inspectors will be trained in how to use pen tablet
computers for their daily inspections, eliminating the paper
trail. The training is one of the last phases of the
city’s plan to upgrade its permit and inspections system,
said Mike Bartholomew, building official. City inspectors
and engineers already use 19 pen tablet computers, which
look and function like large Palm Pilots, as their regular
desktop computers. The next stage after the training would
be switching over to what Bartholomew called a “true
wireless environment” in which inspectors would send
information to the city’s database while in the field.
That will occur in about 12-18 months, he said.
Source: Sterling Heights Mirror, http://www.hometownlife.com/Hometownlife/NewsSearch.asp?pageType=Story&StoryID=77593
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Westland: Catch Westland's most wanted suspects
online
They're Westland's most-wanted criminals, but their pictures
won't be seen at the post office. Instead, they can be seen
on a new link on the Westland Police Department's Web site
which shows surveillance photos of suspects involved in
local crimes. Police officials hope the pictures will elicit
tips from the public and help investigators solve crimes.
Source: Westland Observer, http://www.hometownlife.com/Hometownlife/NewsSearch.asp?pageType=Story&StoryID=77540
JAN
02 2005
* Burton: Laptops 'a fun way to
learn'
Thanks to a more than $400,000 "Freedom to
Learn" grant from Michigan's Department of Education,
the Bendle School District received 600 laptops this year.
And every third- through eighth-grader now has access to a
laptop at school - prompting revolutionary shifts in the way
curriculum is taught in the low-income school district. Now
during classes at West Bendle Elementary, students take
online tutorials, write typed essays, create PowerPoint
presentations, take virtual tours of national museums and do
Web research through filtered-Internet access.
Administrators say they hope the computers rev up students'
job market skills, learning and even MEAP scores. Niles
McNiel, who teaches seventh-grade social studies at Bendle
Middle School, said the computers eliminate many boundaries
in instruction. He added that the laptops also seem to pique
students' interest in learning.
Source: Flint Journal, http://www.mlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1104664978234470.xml?fljournal?BNNE
JAN
03 2005
* Bloomfield Hills: E-mails
skirt meetings rule
Victor Begg, a trustee with the Bloomfield Hills
school district, was growing uncomfortable with the volume
and the tone of incoming e-mail messages. That's why at a
board meeting earlier this month, he asked other trustees to
consider a policy that discourages board members from
discussing public matters via e-mail. "If it involves a
discussion that requires consensus, it becomes a matter of
violating the Open Meetings Act," Begg said. "It's
an efficient form of communication if we have to poll each
other about when to meet. The issue of e-mail communication
between members of a public body is not Bloomfield Hills'
alone. Public bodies around the country are dealing with
issues of e-mail and Internet communication in the absence
of laws that address newer technology.
Source: Detroit News, http://www.detnews.com/2005/technology/0501/03/B01-47821.htm
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Milford: Printer brings projects to life
It's not always easy for Dan Diachenko, 17, to
understand whether a project he created with the help of a
computer-aided drafting program will work in real life. But
the senior at Milford High School now has the help of a
high-tech 3-D printer, which actually details and builds the
exterior of the project, to know if his designs will work.
Milford High School students are able to create parts from
the design concept that they can hold in their hands with
the help of the prototyping 3-D printer. They produce the
prototype from digital data, and then they can evaluate
their designs in three dimensions. Through the process, they
understand the pros and cons of design concepts and see and
understand the tolerance of parts, as well as the importance
of the fit of individual parts.
Source: Detroit News, http://www.detnews.com/2005/schools/0501/03/B04-47759.htm
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