Lucas County Open Source Governing

... [Konop will] discuss and demonstrate his proposal to switch the county’s computer system from Microsoft to open source software. At the press conference, Konop will personally demonstrate the open source software that he hopes to have the county utilize when he is Commissioner. The Konop campaign is already utilizing open source software in its daily operations. open source software is available for free and performs very similar functions. In addition, open source software is less susceptible to viruses, eliminates inaccessibility of public documents, and allows for greater customization.

Based on estimates by the State of Massachusetts, which recently developed an open source software plan, switching to open source could amount to savings of $300 or more per user within the county. Thus, Lucas County taxpayers stand to save millions over the next several years with a new round of licensing and new products entering the market.

“I’m not a computer expert, but I know a good deal for taxpayers when I see one,” stated Konop. “As Commissioner, I look forward to moving Lucas County into the 21st Century and saving taxpayers money in the process,” added Konop.

I think it would be a great move for the county and when elected, I’m going to try and get it done. I’ve researched it quite extensively and the training cost issue posted by Mr. Anonymous is a non issue. For example, open office is 99% identical to Microsoft products and it took me about 5 minutes to learn my way around it. That’s compared to probably about one million dollars in savings over a 4 year period if we moved to open source. I think the taxpayers of Lucas County will take that deal any day. Plus you get better security and universal access. It’s a winner.

In reading today’s Blade, Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop has started an online forum which can be found here. Fellow Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken is also going to be blogging. As a supporter of blogs, I’m proud my county has that label of “first” and while I think this is a good start, we still have a ways to go before we provide the same level of online services other counties in Ohio give their residents.

I have begun the discussion about wiki-gov’t in Lucas County. I will continue pushing it.

First of all, I would like to thank Commissioner Konop for taking the lead on bringing Lucas County into the blogosphere. Like Ben, I believe this forum will be a useful tool for making government more accessible to the people it serves.

When I took office in January, one of my first priorities was to seek out ways to make Lucas County government more open and accessible to the public. In the 1930’s elected officials began using the radio as a means to reach out to their constituents. In the 1950's and 1960's television became the dominant mode of contact. Now as we move into the 21st century, the internet is providing government with an incredible opportunity to become more accessible than ever before.

With this in mind, I feel that having an active blog and official Lucas County blog will be an important step in providing better government. In fact, this will be the first official county government blog in all of Ohio! I am proud that our county will be leading the way in using technology to provide openness and accountability in public service.

The word “blog” has some negative connotations when it comes to politicians. People automatically assume that blogs will be used to blast other officials, or play political games. But, that is not how I hope the Lucas County blog will work. I want to keep you informed of what is happening in county government and get your input on what we can do better. I hope that citizens will feel comfortable asking questions and posting comments about what I write. This informal dialogue will not only make you more aware of projects or initiatives that I work on, but hold me more accountable to you, the citizens of our county.

In a marriage of democracy and technology, I announced this past Monday the creation of WikiLucasCounty, a collaborative public directory. The website, located at www.WikiLucasCounty.com, will empower residents of the community to share information and resources democratically. Any user can manage and update information at any time relating to over 450 public and private service provider in Lucas County.

The project, which will eventually include an open-source community calendar administered by the public itself, will help shine a light on community resources, encourage better and more efficient services, and allow local government to put its tools directly in the hands of its residents. I launched the site on August 3, the birthday of legendary Toledo Mayor Samuel “Golden Rule” Jones. Golden Rule Jones had it right: the people of a community must be able to speak for themselves. WikiLucasCounty is a perfect example of that important lesson and a tool to empower a local government of, by, and for the people.

WikiLucasCounty is paid for entirely by my campaign committee and services were donated by Terry Biel a University of Toledo graduate student. Like the most popular wiki sites, WikiLucasCounty will be monitored by its users and the County will take steps to add filters only if problems arise with posted material.