Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Computer Project For Y2K

Gov. Mike Huckabee has created a Y2K project office to address year 2000 computer problems that could affect state and local governments. The office will be housed in the state Department of Information Systems.

The leadership team that will direct the office includes John Ahlen, director of the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority; Mark Diggs, an international authority on the Y2K issue as a private-sector representative; Bud Harper, director of the state Office of Emergency Services; Maj. Gen. Don Morrow, adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard; Michael Hipp, director of the state Department of Information Systems; and Gary Underwood, director of media operations in the governor's office.

"This is the result of an effort we started two years ago to minimize disruptions to state and local governments from the effects of the year 2000 problem," Huckabee said. "I am happy to report we got a jump-start on this issue. We are ahead of many states, although we still have a lot of work to do.

"We are well on our way to being ready for the next century," he continued. "As you would expect, some departments and agencies have completed their preparation and are now completely Y2K compliant, while others still have work to do. Those with the most work to do are typically departments with a greater reliance on computers."

The project office will ensure a coordinated effort by state agencies. Other duties include monitoring and documenting the progress made by each state agency; identifying agency needs and issues regarding education and communication with the public; developing contingency plans; and keeping the governor's office and public informed of the progress being made.

The governor said the project office will have a website early this year and will conduct training workshops for local and state employees.