Monday, October 13, 2008

IRB CONNECTED

City Launches New Web Site

At the very first IRB City Commission meeting I attended many, many years ago, there was one guy in the house who just wouldn’t shut up about the City’s need for a Web site. Way back then, most meeting attendees--commissioners and citizens alike--greeted the idea with “Yeah…yeah…yeah….we don’t need no stinking Web site.” Yet he persisted.

Had it not been for this one lone voice, we’d still be requesting (and paying for!) hard copies of many documents which are now right at the fingertips of all connected IRB residents—virtually on demand. This forward-looking resident who constructed the City’s first Web site, paid the expenses out of his own pocket and even updated and maintained it in his spare time for years: former Commissioner Jeremiah Carmody.

Jeremiah hung on the legs of his fellow commissioners like a junk yard dog emphasizing the need to “be connected.” Had Jer not picked up the cyber ball and run with it, IRB would never be welcoming the brand new Web site the City launched just last week. While it’s still in the tweaking stages, be sure to check it out if you haven’t already happened upon it:
http://www.indian-rocks-beach.com/

Kudos to Danny Taylor and all those staffers who contributed to its design. It’s graphically pleasing, well organized and user friendly. (Danny & Co.: You’d better get the meeting minutes, after-action agendas, etc. loaded tout de suite; the troops are getting restless out here.)

By pioneering our City's Web site, Jeremiah Carmody taught us the need to look ahead. Next…streaming video of the commission meetings!! Well…maybe first we should get a sound system that allows attendees to actually hear what commissioners and residents are saying. Baby steps.

Thanks, Jeremiah. Your effort to promote open government online has been one of IRB’s most important contributions.

Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB

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