This article appeared in my local paper yesterday:

Big Y2K publicity push will wait until summer By FOON RHEE Staff Writer

Some Charlotte-Mecklenburg officials fret about myths about the Year 2000 computer bug, but they don't plan to provide residents with lots of information right away to combat the hysteria. Their fear: Too much too soon could turn people off, so some might ignore important advice later.

``You don't want to make them deaf to the message,'' Susan Johnson, the city's Y2K coordinator, said Wednesday.

Instead, the city and county plan to launch most of their public information campaign this summer, when they figure people will be paying more attention and after major banks and utilities have finished their Y2K fixes.

Then, with the help of an outside firm, they plan a coordinated, intensive effort on what to expect and how to prepare. They'll put information in water bills, possibly buy ads or hang pamphlets from doorknobs.

Next month, the city and county plan to add Y2K information to their Web site. By October or sooner, they'll open a center where residents can call in questions. Other Carolinas cities are also waiting until later in the year to start their PR efforts.

It turns out one reason given for the delay -- a summer Y2K disaster movie -- appears to be just another Internet rumor.

At Charlotte's first big public forum last week, Johnson said the PR campaign would be timed to combat fallout from the movie. She said Wednesday she read on the Internet about the movie, supposedly a Y2K version of last year's ``Armageddon.''

But major-studio lists out so far don't include such a summer flick.

``That's good news,'' Johnson said. ``Our concern is there are enough people doing silly things now. The last thing I need is something out of Hollywood on horrible, terrible, end-of-the-world type things that are not going to happen.''

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff writer Lawrence Toppman contributed to this article.

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It pi**ed be off enough that I finally had to reply. This is the letter I submitted to the editor last night (we'll see if they print it). It's much tamer than I would have liked - would really liked to have thwacked her between the eyes with a brick.

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After reading the recent article in the Observer regarding the citys plans to delay disseminating information about Charlottes Y2K readiness status until this summer, several questions come to mind:

1) Is the city waiting until summer because current statistics might be too alarming to the public? If there is a possibility of disruptions in services, we need to know as soon as this information is available.

2) Why does Charlotte need to hire a Public Relations firm to help spin the information? The facts should speak for themselves. Statistics such as percent tested and in production, etc., are pretty straightforward.

3) Does Susan Johnson really think that the citizens of Charlotte cant discern factual information from a fictional Hollywood movie?? I find this to be an extremely condescending attitude at which I and every other citizen should take offense.

4) What silly things are people currently doing? Following the recommendations of FEMA and the Red Cross by stocking up on food, water and other basic necessities? How radical!

To date, Charlottes media coverage of the Y2K issue has been limited to ridicule of religious groups and thinly veiled amusement at the survivalists heading for the hills. The Y2K computer Bug is a real problem that affects us all. It is not about religion, or militia groups or wackos predicting the end of the world. Until our corporations and the government provides U.S. citizens with complete, unbiased and independently verified information regarding their readiness, we will have to continue to do our own independent research as to what we need to do to prepare our families and communities.

By not providing us with this information in a timely and forthright manner, you just might be fanning the flames of hysteria that you are trying so hard to douse.

-- Roland (nottelling@nowhere.com), February 19, 1999

Answers

Thanks for the info, Roland. Looks as if this could be what many municipalities might be planning. There's one bright spot--at least your city HAS a Y2K Coordinator.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), February 19, 1999.

Roalnd,

Let us know if they print it! :-)

-- Deborah (inquiring@minds.com), February 19, 1999.

Good letter - good luck with it sir.

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), February 19, 1999.

Good Luck Roland, but from the looks of it you may be wrestling with a pig, you know?

Arlin

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), February 19, 1999.

Arlin,

I don't expect them to change a thing...just some food for thought for JQP.

R

-- Roland (nottelling@nowhere.com), February 19, 1999.

Good letter Roland! Yes, let us know if they publish it. I've thought about doing the same thing but more along the lines of "why is there zero information in the local paper..." at least the City council has a web site with meeting minutes posted.

-- Shelia (shelia@active-stream.com), February 19, 1999.

Good for you Roland.

Just went down to the city offices in my home town and they still have NOTHING on Y2K. At least someone is now assigned Y2K issues. He was out.

Diane *Sigh*

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), February 19, 1999.