12/02/2005: "County To Have Remote Email/Computer Access"

Overriding concerns that unauthorized parties may be able to access the email messages of the BOCC, the Commissioners have decided that the ability to access their official email when not in the BOCC office outweighs any security concerns.

Ranker told the commissioners that since the Board will soon be part-time, it will be necessary for the commissioners to access their email when doing official business away from the office. Ranker gave the example of having traveled to Olympia on official business, but then was unable to access his office computer or email while he was there.

Lichter said "it was essential" to have access to the county records without having to by in Friday Harbor.

Myhr said that county employees should be able to access the computers in their home office when on the other islands., That it made no sense that a building inspector on Lopez, in his office, cannot access the department computer in Friday Harbor.

Myhr also expressed a desire to broadcast county meetings by the internet, so that county citizens from other islands could observe county meetings without having to come to Friday Harbor.