Government Technology - March 2008 - (Page DC4)

Introduction Group Publisher: Executive Editor: EDITORIAL Editor: Assoc. Editors: DON PEARSON dpearson@govtech.com STEVE TOWNS stowns@govtech.com BLAKE HARRIS bharris@govtech.com EMILY MONTANDON emontandon@govtech.com JESSICA JONES jjones@govtech.com Chief Copy Editor: MIRIAM JONES mjones@govtech.com Managing Editor: KAREN STEWARTSON kstewartson@govtech.com Justice and Public Safety Editor: JIM McKAY jmckay@govtech.com Technology and Politics Editor: CHAD VANDER VEEN cvanderveen@govtech.com Features Editor: ANDY OPSAHL aopsahl@govtech.com Staff Writer: MATT WILLIAMS mwilliams@govtech.com Editorial Assistant: CORTNEY TOWNS ctowns@govtech.com Contributing Editor: TOD NEWCOMBE tnewcombe@govtech.com Contributing Writers: INDRAJIT BASU, CHANDLER HARRIS, SASCHA D. MEINRATH, TODD SANDER DESIGN Creative Director: Graphic Designers: The Expanding Focus of Digital Communities T HIS ISSUE OF Digital Communi- this is summed up by our new tag line: ties is the ﬁrst since the Digital Com- strategies and solutions for cities, counmunities program expanded its focus ties and regions. I’ve talked to many local CIOs to to embrace all technology at the local government level. In Viewpoint, Todd understand how to make our editoSander, director of the Digital Com- rial content even more relevant and munities program, outlines our expand- insightful. These discussions resulted ing scope, which not only includes a in selecting four initial themes: broadband (including Wi-Fi), magazine and Web site, regionalization, sustaindigitalcommunities.com, ability and citizen engagebut also seminars, roundBy Blake Harris ment. And underpinning tables and other activities. EDITOR all these is quality of life. Several task forces, for As the task forces example, now are being formed in association with the Center develop — based on what CIOs and other for Digital Government (CDG) to help local ofﬁcials feel needs to be tackled — local governments tackle many emerg- more editorial focus areas will emerge. All in all, we’re excited about the ing technological issues. Government Technology has also direction Digital Communities is taking. partnered with the CDG to bring some The very notion of a digital community, of its highly successful activities, such as we think, is becoming more important the Digital Cities and Counties surveys, as the way forward. And how the evolution of communities plays out through under the Digital Communities banner. We’ve clearly recognized that digital the next couple of decades has a lot to do communities aren’t simply wireless or with the ultimate texture and health of digitally connected towns, cities and our society as a whole. Many U.S. citizens are increascounties, but rather the essence of what communities must become in the 21st ingly aware that America’s quality of century. Local governments must be life may face serious decline. Primetech-savvy, and in many ways, must time news programs talk about risbe innovators by harnessing rapidly ing poverty and the erosion of the evolving technologies to meet the chal- middle class. And the country’s mood lenges we now face — as communities, a this election cycle is one that’s eager for nation and a part of an interconnected real change in Washington. The challenges America faces in the coming global village. There’s much to be learned from one decades, however, can’t be remedied by another as we tackle some of our most a simple quick ﬁx. This brings even more relevance to serious issues. We believe Digital Communities can continue to evolve into a digital communities. Without healthy, valuable platform that facilitates this vibrant communities, how can America continue as a healthy, vibrant society? learning and sharing process. From an editorial standpoint, the In a world ever more dominated by expanded focus is evident in the wider digital interaction, the continuing evorange of articles now found in the maga- lution of the digital community is an zine and online. At the highest purview, absolute necessity. Illustrator: Production Director: Production Manager: Internet Director: PUBLISHING VP Sales: VP Strategic Accounts: VP Bus. Development: Sr. Director of Sales: Regional Sales Directors: KELLY MARTINELLI kmartinelli@govtech.com CRYSTAL HOPSON chopson@govtech.com MICHELLE HAMM mhamm@govtech.com JOE COLOMBO jcolombo@govtech.com TOM McKEITH tmckeith@govtech.com STEPHAN WIDMAIER swidm@govtech.com JOEI HEART jheart@govtech.com JUDE HANSEN jhansen@govtech.com DON PEARSON dpearson@govtech.com JON FYFFE jfyffe@govtech.com TIM KARNEY tkarney@govtech.com East PAM FYFFE pfyffe@govtech.com West, Central LESLIE HUNTER lhunter@govtech.com East SHELLEY BALLARD sballard@govtech.com West, Central Account Managers: KRISTA O’SULLIVAN kosullivan@govtech.com West, Central MELISSA CANO mcano@govtech.com East ERIN HUX ehux@govtech.com West, Central Business Development Director: GLENN SWENSON gswenson@govtech.com National Sales Administrator: SHANNON DURHAM sdurham@govtech.com Regional Sales Administrator: SABRINA SHEWMAKE sshewmake@govtech.com Director of Marketing: ANDREA KLEINBARDT akleinbardt@govtech.com Dir. of Custom Events: WHITNEY SWEET wsweet@govtech.com Custom Events Manager: LANA HERRERA lherrera@govtech.com Custom Events Coordinator: KARIN PRADO kprado@govtech.com Dir. of Custom Publications: STACEY TOLES stoles@govtech.com Custom Publications Writer: JIM MEYERS jmeyers@govtech.com Publisher’s Executive Coordinator: SARAH LIX slix@govtech.com Director of Web Products and Services: VIKKI PALAZZARI vpalazzari@govtech.com Project Manager, Web Products and Services: MICHELLE MROTEK mmrotek@govtech.com Web Services Manager: PETER SIMEK psimek@govtech.com Web Advertising Manager: JULIE DEDEAUX jdedeaux@govtech.com Subscription Coordinator: GOSIA USTASZEWSKA subscriptions@govtech.com CORPORATE CEO: Executive VP: Executive VP: CAO: CFO: VP of Events: Marketing Director: DENNIS McKENNA dmckenna@govtech.com DON PEARSON dpearson@govtech.com CATHILEA ROBINETT crobinet@centerdigitalgov.com LISA BERNARD lbernard@govtech.com PAUL HARNEY pharney@govtech.com ALAN COX acox@govtech.com DREW NOEL dnoel@govtech.com Government Technology’s Digital Communities is published by e.Republic Inc. Copyright 2008 by e.Republic Inc. All rights reserved. Government Technology is a registered trademark of e.Republic Inc. Opinions expressed by writers are not necessarily those of the publisher or editors. Article submissions should be sent to the attention of the Managing Editor. Reprints of all articles in this issue and past issues are available (500 minimum). Please direct inquiries to the YGS Group: Attn. Erik Eberz at (800) 290-5460 ext.150 or . Subscription Information: Requests for subscriptions may be directed to Circulation Director by phone or fax to the numbers below. You can also subscribe online at . 100 Blue Ravine Rd. Folsom, CA 95630 Phone: (916) 932-1300 Fax: (916) 932-1470 www.govtech.net Printed in the USA 4 DIGITAL COMMUNITIES MARCH 08 http://digitalcommunities.com http://www.govtech.com http://www.govtech.net

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Government Technology - March 2008

Government Technology - March 2008 Contents Point of View Big Picture The Last Mile On the Scene Four Questions for... Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers Let's [Not] Get Physical No Data Left Behind Conservation King Community Drug Test Reinventing the System Better Late Than Never Closing the Deal Spectrum Products Personal Computing signal:noise Digital Communities The Expanding Focus of Digital Communities The Digital Imperative Hot Fusion Redefining Municipal Wireless Made in the USA Bridge Detectives The 2008 Agenda

Government Technology - March 2008

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