For the most part, the "Big Year 2000 Picture" coming from big business and government leaders has been the usual, "Don't worry. Everything's shaping up nicely." If you've read through the Lakes Area Awareness section, you may, like a lot of other people, wonder how that could possibly be... But that's another story. The point here is that during the first week of January, 1999, FEMA and the Red Cross came out with statements and guidelines telling local governments, emergency services agencies, and private individuals, to begin preparing now for y2k's possible impact. The urls/links below will open these announcements. They are huge, important public statements by America's largest emergency assistance institutions. Take them to heart...

FEMA Urges Local Communities, Emergency Services Sector & Public to Get Ready Now for Y2K

Washington, January 6, 1999 -- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials are urging the emergency management, fire and emergency services communities and the public to get ready now for Y2K.

"It is very important that counties, municipalities, school districts and other organizations that have not yet begun to work on Y2K issues, start now," FEMA Deputy Director Mike Walker said. "While some failures will be minor annoyances, some may have more serious consequences."

Full statement: http://www.fema.gov/nwz99/99001.htm

Red Cross: Y2K What you should know

"For more than 100 years, the American Red Cross has been at the cutting edge of disaster relief activities, helping people prevent, prepare for, and cope with disasters and other emergencies. That's why your Red Cross has published the following information about "Y2K"--its potential effects and what you can do to be prepared."

http://www.redcross.org/disaster/safety/y2k.html

-- Bill (billdale@lakesnet.net), February 23, 1999