In an effort to keep Kaua‘i residents up to date on what’s happening in local government, county officials recently launched a new initiative that makes it possible for anyone with Internet access to receive the latest information on county government
In an effort to keep Kaua‘i residents up to date on what’s happening in local government, county officials recently launched a new initiative that makes it possible for anyone with Internet access to receive the latest information on county government via computer.
“Our IT (Information Technology) team is tasked with utilizing technology to help make county government more accessible to the general public,” said Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste.
“I commend them for their latest achievement.”
By using Really Simple Syndication (RSS), the county’s IT team members created a section on the county’s Web site where a user can subscribe to RSS feeds and automatically receive current information on local government immediately after it is published.
David Murray, a data analyst on the county’s IT team who spearheaded the recent Web-based initiative, has made it easy for anyone interested to sign up for this new, free service.
“I wanted to make it as user-friendly as possible,” said Murray, adding that he’s also amenable to tweaking things on the county Web site related to the new software if need be.
One of the great things about the new service, noted Murray, is you don’t have to give out your e-mail address to register for it.
Other advantages to the user include being notified whenever new content becomes available, and not receiving information he or she is not interested in.
Among the list of categories on the county Web site that users can subscribe to include news releases from those in the public information office; meeting agendas and minutes and miscellaneous documents from members of the Charter Commission; council agendas, ordinances, resolutions, workshops, notices, and pending council documents from members of the Kaua‘i County Council; Ka Leo O Kaua‘i projects and events from officials in the Mayor’s office; and Planning Commission agendas, public-hearing notices, open-space commission meeting agendas, and the Kaua‘i Historic Preservation Commission meeting agendas from leaders in the Planning Department.
Other choices include public-interest litigation data from lawyers in the Office of the County Attorney; information on the bike and pedestrian path from officials in the Department of Public Works Building Division; daily bulletins from officers of the Kaua‘i Police Department; press releases from lawyers in the Prosecuting Attorney’s office; and Liquor Commission agendas and public hearing notices from members of the Liquor Control Department.
So, how does one subscribe to RSS and receive the latest county government news and information?
Simply log on to the county’s Web site, www.kauai.gov/rss, click on the RSS help and content page link in the “What’s New” section, and follow the step-by-step instructions indicated.
Those with questions may send e-mails to webmaster@kauai.gov, or check out the “RSS Resources” link on the help and content page.
