From Yahoo Y2K News dated today. <:)=

WASHINGTON, June 23 (Reuters) - One in four U.S. counties still has no plans to address any problems caused by the Year 2000 computer glitch, according to a survey released Wednesday by the National Association of Counties (NACO).

Smaller counties tend to be the least prepared for the millenium changeover at the end of this year, with almost half of those with populations under 25,000 people lacking any Year 2000 (Y2K) plan.

``The vast majority of the people in the country live in counties that are addressing Y2K issues,'' said NACO executive director Larry Naake. ``We just have to work a little harder with the smaller counties.''

It was the second survey by the local government group and it found that 74 percent of the 500 U.S. counties surveyed in April were making Year 2000 preparations, up from 50 percent last December.

The Y2K problem arises because many computer programs wereallocated just the last two digits for the year in dates. Unless amended or replaced, computers may misread the year 2000 as 1900, or simply fail to work.

Public safety, which includes emergency services and jails, was mentioned by U.S. counties as their top priority for Y2K compliance. Taxation and finance followed in second place with 71 percent.

``We are pleased with the results of our second survey. This increase of 24 percent is very good news,'' said NACO president Vernon Gray. ``However, it demonstrates that we still have work to do to help the remaining counties deal with this potential problem.''

(Randy Fabi, Washington newsroom 202 898-8300)

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), June 24, 1999

Answers

Yes....but what is the quality and realism of the contingenesy plans? I am still awaiting the sharing of our county's plans. They tell me that they have them and will get back to me. But that has been an ongoing fight with them for months now. I am getting so slap happy now, that I have quit worrying about any thing or anyone other than my own family and friends. And, I, like the rest of you am sick of having it all thrown back in my face due to lack of interest. My whole attitude has shfted to a bunker mentality.

Taz

-- Taz (Tassie @aol.com), June 24, 1999.

Taz, I feel pretty much the same way you do. Now that we're out of house-selling limbo and are preparing the house to receive the stuff we have in storage, it's becoming more clear to me that we don't have enough supplies for six months. No problem, I can up our stash, but I do feel angry that, as each month goes by, the lack of notification and contingency planning by our local officials causes me to extend our stash just that bit more.

When we first became aware of Y2K we set one month's supplies as our goal. Now I'm thinking I ought to get more than six. I have friends who work in city and county emergency services and they are (privately) NOT optimistic. Knowing local city officials from my involvement in civic work and published accounts of their shenanigans and ineptitudes, I concur with the pessimistic conclusions.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), June 24, 1999.

I feel equally as 'stumped' as the two of you. My husband and I were privy to the 'behind the scenes' mentality of both City and County government. We sold our home and moved in October (sorry Old Git, know right where you're coming from, barn and hay-loft full , double garage piled high with boxes I may never have room to unpack!). Most of these people we are placing our lives with, are either in complete denial OR have no concept of the magnitude of the problem. We found a half-page ad yesterday in one of the local papers about the extent of Y2K problems and the cover-up that has been in progress all along. I personally feel this to be the only hope for far-reaching awareness in the shrinking amount of time remaining. Too many without access to the Internet, too many who will remain in denial or "la-la-land". We must make every attempt to reach the far too few who WILL wake up and smell the coffee. This is the only 'hope' that remains.

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), June 24, 1999.

Will Continue,

Could you please reference that paper with the half-page ad? i would be interested in reading that.

-- J (jart5@bellsouth.net), June 24, 1999.

J: The ad was found in the "Shopper's Advantage" in Wellington, KS 1- 316-326-7045. The ad is placed on page 7. The title "Senate Report: Y2K Disruptions Almost Certain". It gives reference beneath the title to: San Jose Mercury News, 02/23/99. I was incorrect about the reference to a cover-up, in THIS article. A similar article appeared in a publication we picked up in Anthony, KS a few weeks ago. Apparently this ad is NOT the same one placed in the Anthony paper. I'll attempt to track down the other as well. We have seen many political ads of this nature since Clinton escaped his hanging. One regarding Reno's comments about 'who' should be considered a right- wing extremist requiring 'government intervention'. Ho, ho, ho. That discription fit the majority of people I come in contact with, both here and in Wyoming! Beneath the ad I'm informing you of, there is one titled, "The Numbers Game" by James Weinstein (Social Security- Fed budget deficit) and below it, "Utah Land Grab". In tiny print, beneath the 'ads' a list of Internet sources...FreeCongress.org, WorldNetDaily.com, citizensunited.org and a few others. These ads have been hotly debated in the break room where my husband works, HA! I might also add that similar ads have been found by us in publications from Wellington, KS (little boy trapped in the well?)and in Derby, KS. Most of the time, The Wichita Eagle is used in our wood- burning cook stove! I fail to see any other way of getting the job done, while still allowing people any amount of reasonable time left to prepare. Some of our more 'literary' types around here could surely give the rest of us something to circulate. I really enjoyed Dog Gone's piece last week (time? can't keep track).

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), June 24, 1999.

Just spotted an error in my above post. The child stuck in the well was in Mulvane, not Wellington. I really need to quit rushing into the forum between my other 67 daily duties!!

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), June 24, 1999.

Thanks for the heads up on those rags. The ads sound most interesting.

I appreciate your taking the time to track them down for me. I know what you mean about 'the other 67 things to do.' There is never enough time in the day!

J

-- J (jart5@bellsouth.net), June 25, 1999.

Will Continue - I agree wholeheartedly about the Wichita Eagle. I also use it to line the kitty litter box - and just keep the coupons.

LOL

justme

-- justme (finally@home.com), June 25, 1999.