Internet Offers Mostly Pluses For Some Of Newtown’s Officials

By Sarah Walton

Board members of town committees use the Internet frequently to accomplish numerous tasks. First Selectman Pat Llodra, Chairman of the Board of Finance John Kortze, Chairman of the Board of Education Bill Hart and Legislative Council Chair Jeffrey Capeci spoke to The Bee this week about daily use of the computer, and whether the Internet helps or hinders their work.

An unofficial Newtown Bee survey is available online for readers to add their comments on Internet use, and how it helps or hinders other work environments.

“I certainly spend a great deal of time on e-mails,” Mrs Llodra said. “I send well more than 100 e-mails a day to people with concerns.”

According to Mrs Llodra, there are a fair amount of questions, and e-mail is useful in community management.

Ms Llodra said she uses the Internet for research on background information and concepts, particularly for the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM). She also had a live feed recently of the Chilean miners’ rescue on her computer. “It’s a personal passion,” she said.

Another use of the Internet for Ms Llodra is responding to meeting minutes of other boards and agencies.

“I use e-mail to react,” she said. “If I see something, I’ll respond to the chairman of the board.”

E-mails are also sent between board of selectmen members for convenience.

“I don’t know to what extent my colleagues use the Internet; I can only speak for myself,” she said.

When asked if the Internet ever acted as a work distraction, Ms Llodra said she never allows this to happen. “It’s tempting though; it’s an opportunity to engage with information” she said. “One needs self discipline.”

Board of Education Chairman Bill Hart said he regularly looks at the state’s website. Mr Hart also said he does not send more than ten e-mails per day, but receives several.

“Most of them are spam or bacon,” he said, describing “bacon” as e-mails similar to spam, but which concern items in which he has an interest.

“I spend up to eight hours a day on the computer writing software for business, conducting research for the school board and checking e-mails,” Mr Hart said of his Internet use. “I may also be streaming music while working.”

He added he also used the Internet for personal communication, like when his oldest daughter, a journalism major at New York University, communicates with him via e-mail.

Mr Hart said the Internet has been a distraction, especially with an Internet-connected phone. According to him, e-mails from three different accounts come through his phone, which he must turn off occasionally. “I have learned to manage these distractions,” he said.

Mr Kortze said he never allows himself to be distracted by the Internet.

“I maybe check Google news during lunch, but that’s it,” he said.

He also uses the computer to manage money.

“I send and receive e-mails throughout the day nonstop,” said Mr Kortze of his e-mail routine. “I’m on the computer all day long.”

Legislative Council Chair Jeffrey Capaci said he uses the Internet extensively.

“On average I send and receive ten or so e-mails concerning the Legislative Council [daily],” he said.

Mr Capeci also said he gets “a lot of news off the Internet,” and uses the Internet to refer to state statutes and meeting minutes.

“At times I get distracted,” Mr Capeci said. “But I don’t play games on the Internet, much to my son’s chagrin.”

Ms Llodra concluded the Internet is helpful in her work rather than harmful. “It’s a tool among many other tools that provides opportunities, information, and communication,” she said. “And I use it that way.”

Mr Hart feels similarly, and said the Internet is an efficient way to communicate.

“I wouldn’t want to go back to the pre-computer, pre-network days,” Mr Hart said.

“The Internet is absolutely indispensable to me,” said Mr Kortze.

“Overall I find the Internet very useful,” Mr Capeci added.