Timothy Tyndall...:
The staff and volunteers at the RAIN Network welcome Ventura County
Supervisor Kathy Long. Having
Supervisor Long take part in our online Town Forum program gives
Ventura County residents the chance to see how Internet technology works to
increase citizen access to local government, in a productive and useful way.
Welcome!
Timothy...:
Supervisor Long, The first question received
for today is:
Does Ventura County have plans for making use of
the Internet to expand Library services. Either by
extending hours of Reference service via online
questions or extending the range , scope of
childrens services by making use of the Internet for
stories, bibliographies and other resurces?
email to RAIN.
Timothy:...
A second questions that came in early this morning was
regarding Youth / Young Adult Services. One of the
RAIN Network's members has been using the
Ventura County Courts project that is currently on RAIN for high school
and Middle School students.
Their question was regarding the application of Internet
technology to help youth services in different parts of the county. Through
focused projects, employment assistance and other areas of support including
counseling and neighborhood crisis resolution. The real focus of this
question appeared to be "can Ventura County make use of Internet to help
reduce youth crime / violence problems by redirecting and providing new
focus?
Valerie:...
How has the air quality in the Ojai Valley been effected by any
recent policies or programs?
David...:
Would the Supervisors be interested in having their meetings broadcast
by live Internet video so those of us unable to attend can participate?
and
we could then see it in the evenings as well and send comments by
email..
Idyllrich:...
Will you tell us why you decided there was a need to hold office hours in
Santa Paula? (And WHERE?)
Janet:..Mon, JUn 16, 11:32AM PST
Do you have any feelings on how you will handle the coming $18 million
shortfall?
11:36AM PST (-0800 GMT)
---
Silvia Tyndall...:
Thank you Kathy Long for joining us online today!
Can you please tell us what can be done at the local level
to insure availability of and access to quality technology
resources for families in our community?
Supervisor Kathy Long:...
Timothy: In response to the technology questions, specific to the
Libraries
..over the last year, the cities and county have been meeting to
discuss restructuring for governance and funding for our library
district. From all of these discussions, I believe we are on track with a
regional cooperative approach. The Board will be taking action tomorrow,
as will the seven cities over the next few weeks, to adopt the cooperative
structure for the libraries that establishes "library service areas" with a
return-to-source funding base. This means that the libraries located within
cities will have a baseline of funding and the ability to add dollars for
enhancement of hours, circulation, technology. Again, since the early
discussions of how to save the libraries, technology has always been on the ta
ble. I believe there is strong support for access and quality of technology.
We must first secure the agreement for funding base, establish this new
governance board, (to be made up of elected reps for the 7 cities and 1 Board
member) and then move out to the citizens for "enhancement" and direction as
to hours and programs. I look forward to serving on this cooperative and feel
it will provide a long-term health for our libraries.
Supervisor Kathy Long:...
Timothy: The Courts system has been very aggressive in getting the
technology out to the users/clients, via kiosk for traffic fines, and
internally working to improve client information flow, guaranteeing that
information flows quicker to all responsible agenices for decision making.
Specific
to the juvenile population, I'm not sure specifically what is occurring,
although I know we have an interagency team to address the needs of the
population -- That team includes the techies that can get the job done. I
serve on the Interagency Juvenile Justice Committee for the Board, and as we
search for stronger program delivery, funds for facilities and other needs,
the technology opportunities will be part of the discussion.
I support "preventative" approaches for our juvenile groups, programs that
reach those "youth at risk" and get their attention and interest in making
right choices. With the interest in technology and the many worlds opening
as a result, it is very important to tap into the options. Our Court
Administrator, Sheila Gonzales wil be receiving a state award next month for
excellence in services/programs under the system that have made access and
quality performance measures for clients served. If you'd
like specific info, suggest you check out the County page and e-mail Sheila.
Thanks for the Chat!
Supervisor Kathy Long:...
Valerie: Thanks for the question on air quality in the Ojai Valley. I
believe we have made progress over the last few years to improve air
quality and to make certain our land use decisions don't negatively impact
the air quality of the valley. We have in place policies that tie building
permits to air quality impacts, issuing specific numbers per the ordinance. We
also work to encourage car pooling, fund the trolley for valley shoppers, and
evaluate all projects under the air quality microscope. I believe the Weldon
Canyon landfill defeat was certainly a win for air qaulity! As a member of
the Air Pollution Control District board, I am committed to evaluate the
regulations, for cost-effectiveness, as well as having a measurable outcome
that truly benefits all of us in reaching the goals. Another area I'm
working on is the protection of our agricultural lands. This land policy is
very important in the big picutuure for our county and for the ag industry.
The Ag Policy Working Group I've establishedd will bring all of the studies
and data together on the current condition of our agricultural lands, and
provide us options for the long term picture. I envision this work to
then provicde a public processs from which we can go out to the ocmmunities
and discuss our common vision for our region. That certainly links all
those ""quality of liife" componnents such as air. The work ahead should be
rewarding for all of us. Thanks for the chat!
Silvia Tyndall:...
Services for the elderly and the handicapped are an important part of what
the Internet can provide.
Have you seen any examples of the county improving access to important health
or home assistance information for the elderly or handicapped?
A.T.:...
Can you provide services in spanish through the Internet?
Do Ventura County government plan to increase the amount of spanish language
access by using internet?
Supervisor Kathy Long:...
David: I think anyway we can bring the Board to the citizens and create
stronger
communications --- the better for all of us! Supervisor Schillo has been
working to get broadcast of the Board meetings, certainly internet broadcast
would be another tool to communicate. Our county is known for the percentage
of PC users -- highest in the state. We also have a reputation for
"cooperative" solutions. I certainly see an opportunity with our partners in
business, education, military, to continue to expand our technololgy base and
use the tools for better communications. Thanks for the thought and I'll
check into the possibility!
Supervisor Kathy Long:...Mon, June 16, 12:29AM PST
Silvia: Thanks for the question. We certainly see many benefits for our
elderly and disabled via the internet technololgy. Accessing information
, services, alone would be a positive. We have a very good network within the
county where a technology committee meets regularly to see how to expand the
use in services an programs. I know that Colleen House, director of our Area
Agency on Aging is very in tune with the needs of the agency's clients.
Again, through the County's home page, contacts can be made to all the
programs offered and who to contact for information. I would like to see
access for transportation services on-line, and specific programs offered --
whether it be nutritional information or listings on health programs. The
more we offer via the technology, at your fingertips, the better we will be
serving the public in all areas of needs. Thanks for the Chat!
... 12:34AM PST (-0800 GMT)-1
Supervisor Kathy Long:...Mon, Jun 16, 12:37AM PST
Idyllich: Thanks for the inquiry. My office hours in Santa Paula will be
on the Third Wednesday of the month from 3-5p.m. at the Public Health
buidling on Harvard Blvd., just near
the Shopping Center. Sorry, I don't have the address with me. I beleive the
office hours will be valuable in reaching citizens who can't get to the
Ventura government center, or just in making it more convenient for meetings
to take place with citizens from this area. I committed to reaching out to the
community, to listen and work together on issues important to this community,
and feel this is a positive way to do that -- at no additional cost to the
taxpayers! Santa Paula is a community that is changing in many ways. The
County's role in this community is limited to services addressing health,
welfare and public safety. I feel that my office presence will make the
two-way communications channels much stronger. I do set appointments during
these hours, but I also leave time for walk-ins. Please stop by and visit!
Thanks!
Supervisor Kathy Long:...Mon, Jun 16, 12:42PM PST PST
A.T.: Thanks for the question. Frankly, I don't know what, if anything,
we are currently doing to make county information on the internet
available in Spanish. I will inquire. I believe our kiosk has spanish
translation info, but beyond that, expect it is limited. I believe where
ever we can use the technology to reach all citizens, we should, including
language access. I appreciate your interest and will carry the inquiry back
to the experts. Thanks!
Timothy:...Mon, Jun 16, 12:50PM PST
Supervisor Long - a question came in regarding Telecommuting.
Does Ventura County Government permit telecommuting
by staff? If so has it worked well?
Supervisor Kathy Long:...Mon June 16, 12:56PM PST
Janet: Thanks for the tough question! The answers aren't easy and won't
be at the end of the process. Certainly, our answers would be much easier if
the State would just give back the $16 million they shift annually from our
local revenues! Expect we'll see a couple of million this year --- would be
happier to see a commitment at the state level that stops the annual bleeding
and commits to a 5-yr strategy to return all of the shifted revenues! But,
all that said, we must grapple with what we have. I think the Board must look
closely at programs and some budget line items. WE must review each
departments budgets to make certain they match our priorities for services
and programs. I am reviewing all areas of expenditures, such as services and
supplies, conferences, overtime expenditures and extra-help. I believe cuts
have been made to middle managment levels, but we must continue to review all
levels for savings. I don't support new programs, if they are revenue offset.
I think we must continue to push for full-funding for state mandates, and
evaluate levels of service to match the funding levels.
I think we may have some opportunity for reorganizing some agencies. Will
there be lay-offs --- yes. Will we be micro-managing some -- yes. We must
continue to review programs and make certain they are reaching the goals and
providing cost-effective service. I think all agencies must help in resolving
this shortfall -- the taxpayers deserve a cooperative approach and honest
dialogue. I'm sorry I can't give you more specifics, but I am still working
on the review and raising many questions, in order to make the decisions in
the fairest manner. Please feel free to e-mail my office for updates.
kathy.long@mail.co.ventura.ca.us Thanks.
Supervisor Kathy Long:...Mon, Jun 16, 1:03PM PST
In response to the telecommuting question -- yes, we allow, and by Board
action encourage, telecommuting. Is it working -- no, not as well as I'd
like to see it. In some ways, we're still stuck in the old management styles
of daily oversite of physical bodies!! Our office has had telecommuting as an
option for a couple of years and practiced it during the days of Rule 210.
Today, I encourage my staff, who are all technologically able to telecommute,
to do so, whenever possible. I will work to further the philosophy and move
into real practice this option for our employees. Even though Rule 210 is not
the guiding force of yesteryear -- the goals should still be the same until we
are no longer in the "severe non-attainment" air quality designation. Again,
our county is known for the percentage of PC users -- we are constantly
learning of new connections, and telecommute centers being on-line. We must
change our old behavorial worker/managment styles and utilize the technology
for the many benefits to be gained. Thanks for the chat!
Timothy Tyndall:...
Thank you Supervisor Long. Anyone coming into the chat late or reviewing
the transcripts please be sure to note that you can contact Supervisor
Long by email at
kathy.long@mail.co.ventura.ca.us by clicking here.
Any questions on our community online Town Forum, please contact me
at rain@rain.org.
Return to Chatroom archives
Return to RAIN HomePage
The online Town Forum Project is brought to you by the RAIN Network,
non-commercial Internet Broadcasting for the tri-counties.