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Department of AdministrationP.O. Box 110200 Juneau, AK 99811-0200AndDepartment of Military & Veterans AffairsP.O. Box 5800 Fort Richardson, AK 99505-5800JOINT PRESS RELEASE |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
August 18, 1999 |
POC: Juanita Hensley, (907) 465-5648 Kerre Martineau, (907) 428-6034 |
PR# 990818 |
Y2K COMMUNITY DISCUSSION COMES TO BETHEL
State and local officials discuss Y2K issues for Western AK; Everyone invited to attend
JUNEAU, Alaska --- Is the Power Cost Equalization Payment Program Y2K ready? Will welfare checks and other State assistance continue after January 1st? Will computer systems that affect Seniors and Rural Alaska be ready? How prepared are the local telephone companies and other utilities? What if a Y2K disruption does occur, how will local communities and the State respond?
"Answers to these and many other Y2K related questions will be answered when the two-day Y2K Community Discussion comes to town," said Commissioner Bob Poe of the Department of Administration. Headed up by Commissioner Poe and Brigadier General Phillip Oates, Commissioner of the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, this event will bring together a variety of local and State government officials as well as local business leaders and utility workers.
"We’re working to bring together a wide range of people," said General Oates. "There are some serious questions and issues that remain open (about Y2K). We want to give everyone a voice in these important matters," he added.
Scheduled to attend are representatives from the State of Alaska Y2K Project Office, Division of Emergency Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Banking Industry, Utility Companies, Health Care Providers and Local Businesses.
The event will be held at the Bethel Cultural Center on August 25, from 1pm – 8pm, and August 26, from 9am – 1pm. The first day will highlight panel discussions on local utilities, transportation, health services, and community preparedness. Day two will address State and Federal response structures and review exercise scenarios of Y2K disruptions.
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