Middletown 98% ready for Y2K

Almost all systems 'go,' official says

BY JANET C. WETZEL The Cincinnati Enquirer

MIDDLETOWN  The big day is months away, but this city is ready for Y2K. The city staff has worked since early 1998 to identify and correct Y2K-related problems, and Middletown is now at least 98 percent Y2K compliant, said Greg Parsons, information systems manager. All we're finding is minor things to fix, such as replacing the parking garage card-entry system, Mr. Parsons said. That's good for us and the city. But we'll continue looking, testing, and keeping our eyes open for surprises. During a meeting this week, Mr. Parsons told city commissioners that addressing Y2K here has taken four steps: awareness, assessment, action and validation. We are getting ready to go into the validation phase, he said. That means testing crucial systems, such as the 911 system, and police/fire dispatch console. The city also will validate the Y2K compliance of any external agencies with which it shares data; test any new computer hardware, software and equipment coming in for compliance; and test and revise the contingency plans to make sure they're workable and sufficient, Mr. Parsons said. We're so reliant on our outside agencies and providers  third-party service providers, such as Cinergy and Ameritech  we have to stay aware and keep up on everything, he said. During the commission meeting, Cinergy and Ameritech representatives assured city officials that they, too, are prepared. Cinergy is compliant, said Dick Lewis, program manager for year 2000. We're not coming late to the dance either. We started in 1996. We're very far along. Mr. Lewis said most energy companies in the state are far enough along to meet the June target date, but Cinergy is well ahead of that. Cinergy turned the clocks ahead on several units in two large, coal-fired generating stations, including the W.C. Beckjord Station near New Richmond. It has moved past the year 2000, and experienced no operational problems, Mr. Lewis said. Pat Ryan, of Ameritech, said that company's Y2K preparedness program that began in 1996 was more than 98 percent compliant for its most critical systems by last December. About 300 employees are working on Y2K. In Middletown, where about 25 employees are active in the Y2K program, even with the new equipment and hardware that has been purchased, only $51,673 has been spent of the budgeted $280,000. Assistant City Manager Susan Davis and Police Chief Bill Becker are directing plans to set up an emergency operations center in the city building to be staffed and operating on Dec. 31. Our residents should realize that city government is doing everything possible to be Y2K ready, Mr. Parsons said. But for personal preparedness, the American Red Cross has a Web site guide and a brochure, he said. 2-line deck

-- Norm (nwo@hotmail.com), April 22, 1999

Answers

Norm, Middletown where? Is that the Middletown outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (ie. Three Mile Island)?

-- (snowleopard6@webtv.net), April 22, 1999.

Middletown, OH (North of Cincinnati)

-- justsam (justsam@erinet.com), April 22, 1999.

Somebody is either playing games with my mind or their budget !
25 employees + new equipment + new hardware = $51,673
They must have bought each employee a new hand held calculator.

-- WebRNot (webrnot@ncap13k.com), April 23, 1999.