Teleconference to address Y2K concerns

Iowans who are concerned about the strike of the so-called millennium bugwhen the new year arrives may find some reassurance in a town hall meeting.The interactive video-conference is being broadcast tonight under theheading: “Statewide Y-2-K Community Conversation:”Tom Hudson is the Y-2-K team leader for the Iowa Emergency ManagementDivision. He says the general public is encouraged to attend the meetingat any of more than two dozen remote sites. Hudson says it’ll featurecomputer experts, state and local government leaders, and utility officials.He says Iowa is among only three states with a Y-2-K compliant state computersystem.Hudson says the Iowa National Guard plans to have a large number of troopson stand-by New Year’s Eve who’ll be able to handle any troubles that mightarise if vital computers crash.Tonight’s broadcast will run from 7:30 to 9:30 and will be carried to 26sites statewide over the Iowa Communications Network. The communities are:Anita, Calmar, Carroll, Cedar Rapids, Centerville, Council Bluffs, Creston,Cylinder, Davenport, Dubuque, Elkader, Fort Dodge, Ida Grove, Iowa City,Iowa Falls, Johnston (2), Keokuk, Marshalltown, Mason City, Mount Pleasant,Oskaloosa, Sheldon, Sioux City, Storm Lake and Waterloo.