They don't log notes onto laptops or let handheld computers guide them throughtheir schedules. Yet they know enough to surround themselves with tech-savvystaff members and to do what it takes to establish their cities as technologicallyprogressive. To these city leaders, technology isn't a panacea. Still, they say the positives outweighthe negatives. Together, these citiesshelled out millions of dollars toward technology in 2000.
Technology can be a tool to streamline the way governmentoperates.
It allows us to use the resources that the taxpayers have providedfor us more efficiently. If money were no object, Schell would like to take Seattle even furtherinto the Information Age. At the same time, I'd supply each of our neighborhoodservice centers, which are placed in neighborhoods around the city, witha bank of computer terminals, providing an easy way for all residents toaccess city government, whether or not they have a computer at home. And Schell himself is learning a lot about governing in these changingtimes. Through that, the mayor posts messages and respondsto e-mail messages from constituents, reaching about 4,500 subscribers.