9AM EST Call-In Year 2000 Computer Problem: Public Safety C-SPAN, Washington Journal Washington, District of Columbia (United States) ID: 151839 - 08/31/1999 - 09:00:00 - 0:30 - No Sale

Romer, Bruce, Chief Administrative Officer, Montgomery County, MD

9:30AM EST Call-In Year 2000 Computer Problems: Food Distribution C-SPAN, Washington Journal Washington, District of Columbia (United States) ID: 151840 - 09/01/1999 - 09:00:00 - 0:30 - No Sale

James, William, Senior Vice President, Grocery Manufacturers of America, Industry Affairs

-- y2k dave (xsdaa111@hotmail.com), August 31, 1999

Answers

Yourdon on now at 11:00 EST. Good comments.

-- claire (listeningtocspan@aol.com), August 31, 1999.

Paloma O'Riley: excellent comments to the effect of "Don't make the people who are wise enough to prepare feel like criminals."

-- Claire (listeningtocspan@aol.com), August 31, 1999.

Any updates for the C-Span impaired?

-- nothere nothere (notherethere@hotmail.com), August 31, 1999.

They just started the replay at 9AM Pacific. If you install the free RealPlayer, you can watch or listen online: Watch C-SPAN

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.hid), August 31, 1999.

The last caller asked what they (Mr. Romer and the host) were doing personally to prepare. Host quickly deferred to Mr. Romer, who outlined what the County would be doing (primarily activating the emergency response center). He finished by saying that he personally would be following official recommendations:

"Be prudently ready for any household emergency... Don't do anything out of the ordinary... Enjoy the holiday season..."

His last comment: "We think we're ready. [chuckle]"

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.hid), August 31, 1999.

Tonite they will run y2k shows on Public Safety at 5:26EDT, Food Distribution at 5:54 EDT and Millenium: Historical and Religious Meanings with our dear beloved president and spouse at 9:27 EDT. I'll be at work, hope someone can scout these out.

-- claire (listeningtocspan@aol.com), August 31, 1999.

At 2:30 to 3pm... The program on public safety (y2k) is on with Bruce Romer, Mongomery county, MD. A lady called in saying its hype by sellers and those preparing are kooks and should be placed in a national asylum. Bruce says prepare for 3 or 4 days. The county has spent over $50 million over 4 years (they were on the 60 minutes program) and it is said to be the best prepared county in the country. Bruce said everyone should have contingency plans. Bruce said he will be at an emergency center on Dec 31 to oversee the rollover.....ready to follow-up on any problems.

William James with the grocery manufacturers in now on. It is now 3pm Pacific time and it is on c-span2

-- tc (trashcan-man@webtv.net), August 31, 1999.

Bill says don't worry, don't stock up on food or cash. Says there is a 60 day supply in the system. He does not see any problems with trucking, rail or anything else. Everybody is ready or soon will be. During the 30 minutes he took calls, his remarks would make you think it is a non-problem.

I would like to believe, but when a speaker says EVERYTHING IS AOK, then I question everything he has said.

I have been in the food and packaging industry for 40 years and I am prepared and I hope you are also.

-- tc (trashcan-man@webtv.net), August 31, 1999.