The Missourian, February 8, 2000, news page 8

GLITCH HOLDS UP CIVIL SUIT

A new computer system delayed summons issuances in a wrongful death suit.

Because of a computer glitch in Jackson County, defendants in the Dominic Passantino wrongful death lawsuit were not served with summonses until almost two months after they were issued.

Passantino died in a fire at the Sigma Chi fraternity house on May 8. His mother, Donna Henson, filed a civil suit with the Jackson County Circuit Court in Kansas City on Nov. 29. Due to computer problems, the issuance of summonses did not begin until late January.

"We've been tremendously frustrated with it but this is what we're dealing with in Kansas City right now," Henson's lawyer, Jim Frickleton, said.

According to Ellen Crawford, public information officer for the Jackson County Circuit Court, the problem was with a new computer system that the courts switched to last year.

"We're a large urban court and the system didn't handle the volume well," Crawford said.

The previous program was designed specifically for Jackson County but it was not Y2K compliant. As part of a statewide switch, officials in Jefferson City chose Jackson County as a pilot court for the new system.

"There were a lot of problems and one of them was issuing summons," Crawford said. "We're moving along much more rapidly now."

Mark Anderson, spokesperson for Sigma Chi International, said the corporation was served last week. Frank J. Raymond, president of Sigma Chi International headquarters in Evanston, Ill., is named in the lawsuit as the representative of Sigma Chi International.

Michael J. Blake of Kansas City, a member of the Missouri Xi Xi chapter, was named in the suit but would not comment on the case. He confirmed that his parents were served with his summons in the past few weeks. According to court records, Blake's summons was served Jan. 24.

Eric Fritsche, president of the Missouri Xi Xi chapter, was served with a summons Jan. 27. Fritsche declined to comment in the case and said all questions should be directed to attorney Larry McMullen. McMullen did not return calls regarding the case.

Sigma Chi House Corporation was served Jan. 26. Court officials could not confirm if George Gale, alumni advisor of the Missouri chapter, and Sigma Chi of Missouri had been served with their summonses.

Source: The Missourian - University of Missouri

http://digicol.missouri.edu/dcwww?-show:client/mizzou/missourian/j2000/q1/m02/t08/pa/s008/003_001.dcs

-- Lee Maloney (leemaloney@hotmail.com), February 14, 2000

Answers

(Same Missouri court system, Y2k troubles multiplying)

Jackson County Collection Department having Problems with Property Taxes THOUSANDS OF JACKSON County residents are having trouble with their personal property taxes. Theyve paid them but they just cant prove it. Long lines and plenty of frustrations are now common place at the Jackson County Collections Department. Officials said the problem is due to a computer glitch that is showing thousands of homeowners property taxes as delinquent even though they have been paid.

The departments computer system was upgraded but its required extra training and lots of trial and error.

Other glitches include a printing problem and an error with a processing computer that affected some twelve thousand taxpayers. But the departments said they are making changes, added more staff and are upgrading their website. They said they want to have taxpayers eventually estimate their own vehicle taxes and get many of their questions answered on-line. Officials said there are still 3,000 payments that need to be processed and those should be finished by Friday February 18. In the meantime, the department is issuing temporary receipts. If you are having a problem call Jackson County Executive Katherine Shields office at 816-881-3333.

http://www.msnbc.com /local/KSHB/168871.asp

-- Lee Maloney (leemaloney@hotmail.com), February 19, 2000.