NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 17, 1998

TOWN OF CARY ADDS NEW, EASIER URL

CARY -- Drivers on the Information Highway will find it a little bit easier to get to information about Cary Town Government as the Town adds another URL for its website. The new URL (uniform resource locator), <www.townofcary.org>, supplements the original URL, <www.ci.cary.nc.us>. While the new URL is in service now and the Town plans to promote it heavily, the original URL will remain active unless or until Town officials determine it has outlived its usefulness.

"While our original URL is in typical governmental format, it’s not citizen- friendly," said Cary’s Public Information Officer Susan Moran. "Our website can only be an effective tool for citizens if it’s easily found. This means choosing a URL that makes sense to users, is easy to remember, and is well-promoted." Moran noted that Cary is limited in its URL choices since URL’s cannot be duplicated throughout the world and, therefore, must be registered with InterNIC, a cooperative effort between the National Science Foundation and Network Solutions, Inc. that provides domain name registration.

With a recent survey indicating that as many as 78 percent of Cary residents have access to the Internet, the self-proclaimed "Technology Town of North Carolina" has even more reason to move ahead with comprehensive website development and implementation.

Originally developed in May of 1997, Cary’s website has undergone two major revisions, the most recent occurring this summer under the direction of Cary’s new webmaster, Neil Ghodke. Changes are also due in part to recommendations from the Town’s new Information Services Advisory Board, a Council-appointed citizen group which meets monthly and works with staff to advocate the highest level of communication between the Town and its citizenry.

In addition to the new URL, the Town’s website now includes a WHAT’S NEW section where visitors can more easily access a variety of types of documents related to hot Town issues. Items are moved in and out of WHAT’S NEW as the public interest in those topics comes and goes. Currently in WHAT’S NEW, citizens can get the latest information on Cary’s schools and traffic concerns as well as information on the upcoming bond referendum and the proposed water connections limit ordinance.

One of the most important and unique features of Cary’s expanded website continues to be its comprehensive AGENDA section. Meeting agendas, related staff reports outlining each agenda item, and supporting material such as color maps and photographs can be accessed directly from this section. In fact, Cary has effectively eliminated the traditional paper packets which typically go to elected officials before meetings. When Cary’s agendas are prepared, they are placed on the website for everyone, including not only Town Council but also the media and the general public. Cary Town Council members are provided with computers at home and in the Council Chambers to access the information.

Cary’s webiste continues to feature FAQ, or the "Frequently Asked Questions", section which provides a comprehensive, alphabetical listing of issues which are linked to the appropriate responses. Visitors can also ask questions of or make suggestions to Town officials using the site’s FEEDBACK option.

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PRIMARY CONTACTS: Bill Stice, MIS Director, 469-4027
Bill Coleman, Town Manager, 469-4002
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, 460-4951