New laptops expected

to reduce paper use

January 13, 2006 DARRELL L. BREESE\Frontiersman reporter

PALMER - “How do I open it?”

“Where's the ‘on' switch?”

“Mine's not working.”

The questions weren't a good sign for deputy borough clerk Janice Case as she guided members of the Mat-Su Borough Assembly through an introductory course on how to operate their new laptop computers. Despite the initial obstacles, the students proved to be quick learners.

Assembly members learned the basic operating skills for their new Toshiba Tecera T4 Tablet PC computers, which were purchased to allow the borough to eliminate the use of paper for a packet distributed to assembly members. A typical packet for each of the regular meetings averages between 200 and 500 pages.

Once everyone figured out how to turn on their computers, Case quickly took them through a tutorial on how to operate the software, which will allow them to write notes with a stylus on their copy of the packet, right on their computer.

The current software set up on the computers will not allow for them to connect to the Internet while it is in use during meetings. Mat-Su Borough Clerk Michelle McGehee indicated that it was to prevent any possible Open Meetings Act violation.

“Why can't we have the Internet connection during meetings?” assembly member Jim Colver asked. “Part of being elected has a certain level of trust that comes with it. That should allow us to be trusted to use the computers responsibly.”

“I don't think it is a matter of trust,” assembly member Talis Colberg responded. “It is more avoiding any appearance of wrongdoing.”

McGehee said it cost the borough approximately $2,000 for each computer, including software and accessories.

Wasilla Clerk Kristie Smithers and deputy clerk Jamie Newman were also on hand for the tutorial. Smithers said Wasilla is considering purchasing computers for the Wasilla City Council to use.

In addition to the new computers, the borough clerk's office is working to secure new borough e-mail addresses for assembly members to use.

McGehee expected to have the assembly packet for the Jan. 17 meeting ready for use on their new computers.

Contact Darrell L. Breese at 352-2267 or at darrell.breese@ frontiersman.com.