From the Chicago Sun-times


                   Addison mayor holds 1st online town forum

   September 25, 1997

   BY HEATHER RYNDAK SUBURBAN REPORTER

   West suburban Addison became a cyberspace pioneer Wednesday with its
   first online town hall meeting.

   Resident Lorraine Heller wanted to know why the village fire hydrants
   have been painted white. Gene Campbell asked when the new village hall
   would be built. Steve, who withheld his last name, urged that summer
   speed bumps be added around Fullerton Elementary School to protect
   children.

   But for the first time, Lorraine, Gene and Steve didn't have to muster
   the courage or wade through traffic to address their public officials
   in person.

   Addison Mayor Larry Hartwig answered questions and responded to
   comments in a flurry of keystrokes for an hour and a half over the
   Internet.

   The meeting was an online version of a public forum in which more than
   30 computer-connected residents questioned Hartwig. Some asked about
   new businesses that may come to town or about village services; some
   offered suggestions, and some merely vented.

   Hartwig, with the assistance of a speedy typist, worked from a
   computer terminal in the village manager's office to field queries as
   they popped up on the screen.

   ``This is another way for residents to communicate about community
   issues,'' Hartwig said. ``Some people are not comfortable standing up
   in front of everyone and speaking. This is obviously not for everyone,
   but there is a segment of our population that enjoys using the
   Internet.''

   Hartwig said Addison may be the first suburb to offer an online town
   forum.

   He is likely to address the public via computer twice a year, for a
   ``six-month address'' to residents, and before various public events,
   village spokesman Christopher Short said.

   In addition, the town hall cyber-chat panel will feature a different
   community leader every two months online.

   Larry Weck, superintendent of Addison School District 4, will be
   featured next, on Nov. 6, Short said.

   ``The number of calls far exceeded our expectations,'' Short said.
   ``We were just hoping for 20 callers.''

   The online forum is part of the village's Web site,
   www.addisonadvantage.org.

   Village officials receive 15 to 20 e-mail messages weekly from
   residents reporting broken street lights, requesting road repairs or
   simply offering comments about services and policies, Short said.