Fred Chang’s Newsclips

By Hilary Maynard, Port Orchard Independent
May 27 2006

Members of the Port Orchard City Council may soon be able to access records, check their e-mail and surf the Web during meetings thanks to a pending agreement between the city of Port Orchard and Wave Cable.

According to Councilman Fred Chang, Wave Cable has agreed to provide a wireless Internet connection at no cost to the city that can serve as the basis for a system that would allow individuals to access the Internet on their laptops and cell phones.

According to Port Orchard mayor Kim Abel, the signal will be included as part of an ongoing franchise negotiation between the city and the Internet provider.

“The final franchise agreement where this action is contemplated is in final negotiations and will come to council for two readings, hopefully finalized by mid-July,” Abel said.

But regardless of the signal’s availability, Abel said the council will discuss whether it wants to use the signal and how it might be utilized at its June 12 meeting.

Internet access to city-owned computers would not change with the implementation of a wireless Internet signal in City Hall, said Vince Tucker, an LAN/GIS technician for the city.

Tucker said that if the council approved the use of a wireless system, access would most likely be limited to Council Chambers to ensure that city-owned computers could not access the wireless network and jeopardize existing security measures.

Tucker said another reason the council might want to consider containing the system is that having a signal available outside the building might lead to people loitering outside in order to log on to the Internet through the city’s system.

According to Tucker, once the council approves the use of the signal donated by Wave Cable, there is some equipment that must be installed before Internet access would be up and running, but Chang hopes to approach Office Depot and Staples to see if the companies would be interested in donating the necessary wireless equipment.

The city of Port Orchard is continuing its transfer into the technological age — along with agendas and minutes, the city code and annual report are now available on the city’s Web site, www.cityofportorchard.us.

© Copyright 2006 Port Orchard Independent