Seneca County Commissioners heard a presentation from Jack Hudson of CASNET.
This company delivers “improved records management and integration of information to improve delivery of service to citizens as well as document protection and protection should be priority. CASNET is currently serving/facilitating 40+ counties in Ohio. Their assessment of unique needs of Seneca County could lead to more efficiency and eliminate duplication of services making better use of resources.”
Their presentation utilizes the idea of peer to peer networking, or a “wagon wheel” approach of co-operation and information sharing between departments. Currently county government information works in sales terminology as a “silo” or top down.
Apparently Mr. Nutter felt Seneca County could not afford a system of this type, and questioned their ability to judge the efficiency of our county offices.
Let’s see, we have terrible communication, a lack of cooperation, and outdated technology in some county offices, while other offices run well. What if they all shared the same technological computer programs, and could share information easily? Sounds like quite a concept, eh? Working together and making county government more efficient, now if only we could get Ben Nutter to bite….Of course maybe we won’t have to because I know some candidates who WOULD explore new possibilities. (Special thanks to our SBC friend who sent this information!).
Casnet website: http://gotocasnet.com/
Filed under: Uncategorized
To paraphrase Groucho Marx, “Mr. Nutter’s mind IS open – I can feel the breeze from here!”
THAT COMMISSIONER’s mind is like concrete: thoroughly-mixed and permanently set.
There’s one guarantee with concrete, it will crack.
Wouldn’t it be ironic if Commissioner-Captain Nutter suffered serious loss to his well being as a direct result of a communication-glitch in the system? Stranger things have happened. [Look what happened to Dale Williams in Bettsville!]
The vision of the wagon wheel is more than a great concept – it is literally how the county seat of Tiffin is mapped!
Having an expert consultant in local government to assist our leadership in long range planning is what is needed to move this county forward. CASNET knows how to coordinate efforts inkeeping with current and changing legislation (HB 46) ORC & OHS requirements, etc.
As involved as Nutter is with County Commissioner’s Association of Ohio, he should have been researching and advocating for a program of this type long ago instead of spending so much time saying NO and not truly investing dollars in Seneca County!
Sometimes the taxpayer needs to be lead to an understanding that some “things we can’t see” like stewardship and responsibility is a very wise investment in the future.
The only flip side comment I can think to share at the moment is that the local government portion of the CASNET company is named………George…..but let’s not let that partisan name get in the way.
Hey Tank, What happened pray tell to Dale Williams?
I thought he got lost long ago?! Is his name still haunting this blog?
Asking an outside expert to help the commissioners run things more efficiently would replace Nutter as the county guru and visonary. Do we really think he is capable of checking his outsized ego at the door and listening to anyone? Ohio USA is dead on target.
Senator – Dale Williams is in hiding because he doesn’t want to face the legal music.
I think this sounds like a very innovative approach. I would wager good money that some of our office holders would be interested in checking this system out.
“Dale Williams” could be an anagram for something.
I spoke to the data archival people after the commissioner’s meeting. I specifically wanted to know if there was a web package to enable the average citizen to go online and have access to contracts, records etc. I spoke about what they said in Fostoria last week. They told me after the meeting that there is a web package available…none of the commissioner’s asked, but I did, and it is reasonable cost.
Dale Williams and Emil Baxter were an awesome double-play combination on the girls’ softball team over there a few years ago. Dale became an executive in Joooooonier’s campaign machine and Emil has not been heard from since.
I have it on good authority that “Dale Williams” is the pseudonym of a Tiffin cop. I know who he is. It’s time that he does the right thing and comes clean.
Senator – I believe it was a group effort, and I agree 100% that they should step up to the plate. However, they won’t because writing that letter is a violation of the Hatch Act. For some reason, they believe that Egbert has their back. It is rather ironic they think this considering how manipulative and untrustworthy Egbert has proven himself to be time and time again. What they have inadvertently done by writing the letter, is break the law, and raise the specter of distrust within the legal community.
Scout639:
All right scout…..you lost me on the part about writing the letter was violating the Hatch Act and breaking the law. Could you elaborate?
I really should have said possible violation. Because the persons who I believe were behind the letter are not permitted to write the letter in violation of their employment/position.
Scout639:
I don’t know anything about your assertion but I do know that the Attorney General can only accept requests for opinions from legislators, prosecutors or law directors.
Scout, you are almost right. A letter by a classified employee is not a violation of the Hatch Act but could be a misdemeanor under the classified employees statutes and would be prosecuted by the prosecutor and if convicted would result in termination. Its a bit confusing at times, but the Ohio Laws and the Hatch Act are completely different animals.
Thank you, Senator for the clarification.
Senator, I have the same information you do. It speaks volumes about this particular officer’s ethics. I also have information that this is not the first time he has written a letter to the paper under a pseudonym during a political campaign.
We can…..improve technology!!!!!
During an important commissioners meeting for updates on the courthouse proposal yesterday, the county clerk and administrator couldn’t find a computer that would work to show a powerpoint. This was even when they knew ahead of the meeting it would be needed by a presenter.
The agenda for the meeting wasn’t posted on the website either as it normally is.
There seems to be numerous instances with various problems uploading video of the meetings which is the recognized form of retaining meeting minutes for public inspection. Which incidentally is done by the county administrator on a home computer???
They say Technology is great….when it works….now…how can we make it work better?!
Ohio USA – Did you know the county has a committee to oversee the purchase of electronic/computer purchases ?
USA USA – So are the commissioners in compliance of the Sun Shine Law? If there is no written record or usable video that can be used by all citizens are they in compliance?
I like how some videos can’t be down loaded, example when Ms Bernard walked out of questioning by the commissioners and when her cell phone went off and she left the room to answer it, again in the middle of questions from the three blind mice.
I guess Huss knew what she was talking about when she said that County needs to invest in updated computer equipment.
And so did our blogger who sent this in
Scout –
Glad to know there is a county technology committee. They need support. Hopefully they have a long range plan and can make some long overdue improvements.
If a techie is reghosting or reimaging or whatever, I can understand there may be some glitches or occasional problems.
Not providing the proper tools or training for people in positions of responsibility is unacceptable.
Johnny -
It is my understanding that a person can call or stop in the commissioner’s office for a copy of the meeting DVD and a paper copy of what is called an index.
It’s not wise to rely on digital technology as a permanent record of meetings. There should be a back-up on paper. Paper can be lost just as easily as the digital copy, but it takes no special technology to read information on a piece of paper.
I prefer the digital idea. It actually provides us with the opportunity to see our government actors in action and fully hear what they say. (If the technology is used correctly.) Afterall, if it were a paper record only, the required minutes could be very limited in scope…ie. the issue was debated by commissioners, the commissioners then voted….
My fellow Senator, you need only look to the US Congress to note and understand that paper backup is necessary. That’s why the Congressional Record is published on paper.
Senator Blutarsky: We should have both paper and digital. My concern is that 25, 50, 100 years from now the digital records will be of no value. Take the County Recorder’s office for example. There are documents that are 150+ years old, and there’s no problem reading them. Then go to the microfilm copies, which are scratched, torn and slowly disappearing. The Commissioners’ DVD’s are by no means a permanent copy. We are all falling into a technological trap.
Ohio USA – Of course we had some folks that refused to utilize the committee, our county prosecutor being one. He went straight to the commissioners, and the commissioners went along with it.
If you go to the commissioners office to get a a copy of a DVD of one of their meetings, don’t you have to PAY for it? Considering the lousy quality of what we see on the internet, who would want to buy that?
Sometime just this past July, the Ohio legislature approved of DVDs being an acceptable form of documentation/public record of commissioner’s meetings. Ohio Revised Code – ORC 305.10.
A problem exists when local government records commissions can’t assure they can stay up to date with changing formats in electronic resources or don’t have good plans in place to provide for conversion services when it becomes necessary.
The challenge to meet all the various records retention policies and storage/security requirements is definitely a concern for many.
Think about time capsules….when we are tempted to bury information about our times, we may think an audio tape or a CD is a great souvenir, but if we don’t bury the equipment to use it – it may become worthless to a future society.
Scanning/Digitizing certainly helps in storage concerns and provides better access….. unless someone is behind in the learning curve.
Saw that campaign blurb today advising us that Nutter “gets things done!” YOU BET! I always marvel at the great WORK he has accomplished in the Seneca County Court House effort. It is indeed a great asset to our community. THANK YOU, so much Dr. Nutter! OHIO will rest well in your hands!
How much does becoming state rep pay, as much as a fireman and commissioner combined? I guess him and Wagner will just swap seats. What a bunch of bull! When will this county wake up? Hello is any body home?
He hasn’t been elected to anything yet. He has to get past the primary first and, after that, whoever wins between Holly Stacy and Rex Damschroder. I don’t think that will be an easy feat.
Why can’t Nutter keep both jobs. If he can be a Commissioner and Fireman why not Fireman and State Representative.
To atommouse: How about State Fire Marshall and State Representative?
I do not think so. The State Fire Marshall position is full-time I would guess. Sounds like a conflict to hold those two jobs.
Maybe Mr. Nutter could help with unemployment by giving one of his jobs up so others could have a job.
That is an idea. Everyone that has more than one job should be forced to give one up to help the unemployed. Maybe we can have that be a law.
The former State Fire Marshall is now mayor of “T” town. I guess mayor is a better job. I’d rather have the SFM job then a $25 million deficit Toledo has.
I’d bet the voters would let Ben be a fireman and state rep at the same time.
No doubt. Sort of like voters that gave us George Bush for 8 years.
fuck
Anonymous – How are you using that word, noun, verb or adjective?
yes
Who is the fellow recently elected to the State House? I’m missing his name, but fear that it’s not Nutter!