Have you seen more local government publicity on Y2k as we have?

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In the Tucson, Arizona, area in the past several weeks we have been getting more on Y2k from the local county and city agencies on preparing for y2k. In Tucson, a Y2k Community Partnership has been formed, which includes the Red Cross, the city of Tucson, Pima County, Tucson Water, Electric Power, Southwest Gas, US WEst, etc.... On October 31,1999 they published a 12-page document, placed in with the advertisements, titled "Transition to 2000." However, most of my friends did not even notice it. It was a dull pale green, easy to overlook among the flashy ads for products. I almost missed it. I went to Tucson and picked up 75 copies to distribute in my church and other groups. Today, I called this document to the attention of the church women's group. Only a few had seen it, so I gave copies to those who wanted them. I pointed out that this Partnership "is encouraging individuals to take charge of their own Y2k future." So on one hand they say don't worry, on the other hand it is be prepared to fend for yourself. Since this is a church group, I pointed out that after the first of the year, the men might have to start collecting food for the food bank every week instead of once a month as they do now. I had lifted up Y2k for the attention of this group months ago. Some are preparing. I told them I would continue to be a "messenger" even tho I know what has happened to messengers in the past:)) I also mentioned the peak solar flare cycles in 2000 and 2001, which NASA expects will interfere with our satellites and power grids; more, but I seem to have run out of allotted space

-- Hilda Rose Zahn Spagna (Hspagna@aol.com), November 10, 1999

Answers

I haven't noticed any publicity locally, but was wondering if anyone caught the CBS Evening News on Monday night. They did a story on y2k and it was interesting.

The opinions given from several sources indicated that there are many areas where preparations are not complete. The reporters were a bit smirky. HOWEVER, I think there are a few important things to note here.... First of all, I think this is just the beginning of the media starting to seriously question y2k preparations. CBS put this story last so that they wouldn't be accused of "hyping." It wasn't even promoted at the beginning of the program. I wasn't sure it was actually going to be shown until the first commercial.

Secondly, I think they'll all stay smirky. See, this way if nothing happens, they can say they never believed either, but if things do go wrong, they can still say they did the proper reporting.

Third. No one in this story put the typical "happy face" on y2k. I think this could be indicative that we're going to see more and more serious stories on what has been proven to be compliant and what hasn't. As these stories grow more and more intense panic MAY start to set in and we may see things disappearing off the shelves. Unless of course, the DGI's remain apathetic.

If you're interested in reading the transcript, here's the link.

http://www.cbs.com/flat/story_200787.html

Kimberly

-- Kimberly Hott (ckhott@urec.net), November 10, 1999.


The Kaua'i County Mayor has been very proactive in promoting Y2K preparedness (as well as hurricane preparedness). The high level of communication (including posters urging planting "Y2K gardens") is continuing. But, I expect that Kaua'i is not indicative of the balance of the nation.

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), November 15, 1999.

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