Local leaders take a fresh look at technology and tomorrow's government. By Bryan M. Gold For many local governments, Y2K was a visit to the dark side of the digital age. But, at the dawn of a new millennium, the worst is over and the future is looking up. The wonders of technology can be imposed from the top down in an organization. But, after a short time, it has to percolate up.
People have to be excited about the possibilities.
Philadelphia City Councilmember Brian O'Neill, who was 1998 president of the National League of Cities, has a similar view of technology. It wasn't directed at the big cities that have huge budgets. It was directed at a majority of members in smaller jurisdictions that don't have huge budgets to have a whole technology department. For elected officials like Johnson and O'Neill, it seems that tomorrow is here before yesterday is over. So the biggest issue, to me, will be how fast local governments move to not only embrace technology, but to use all of the developing technologies to enhance and improve services and the quality of life among citizens.