NEW PALESTINE — They’ve offered to help the town government at no cost.
A group of community members who have expertise in information technology security and other areas wants to donate consulting services to the town. As if that wasn’t enough good news, officials from the Southern Hancock school district also are offering the use of a communications intern, for free, to help the town with marketing and communications needs.
Town council members accepted the help from the school district and put together a subcommittee to consider recommendations from the community technology group.
A group of community citizens calling itself the Information Technology Advisory Committee presented its offer to the council during the most recent council meeting.
The proposal was presented by Terry Pack, executive adviser for information security with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield; and Erin Willard, an IT executive with Eli Lilly and Co. They’re two of eight technology professionals in town willing to help as the community grows and looks to expand technology.
“We’ve got a lot of really good IT people working within New Pal, and we all have some of the same concerns,” Pack said, referring to town issues with technology and computers.
The town is assessing its computer technology as new council members have concluded the town is lagging in everyday work capabilities and security.
Committee members told the council they want to bring together residents with a wide range of degrees and experience to provide feedback and guidance as town officials assess and develop technology strategies.
“Our goal is to help the town, help you do what we can, and none of us have any skin in the game,” Pack said.
They also want to help the town modernize and fortify the management of critical systems, processes, and information data while also helping the council to define the future of services needed.
Pack and Willard are just two of the community members who have been attending more council meetings since revelations that the town had lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue because of mismanagement.
“Really we just want to be neighbors helping neighbors,” Willard said. “Together we’ve got over 200 years of experience, so you could call us seasoned.”
Among the many things the committee can do, Willard said, is help the council make solid decisions when people come forth and make presentations or offer bids on the town’s computer or IT needs.
Council member Angie Fahrnow noted for a town that operates on a limited budget (around $1.4 million per year) and often has to spend thousands for consultant fees, it would be nice to have a professional technology committee the council could turn to at no cost.
“I’m all about the free,” Fahrnow said.
Council vice president Clint Bledsoe agreed, saying he thinks letting the committee help advise the council would be beneficial.
As for getting the town some marketing help, Wes Anderson, community relations director for Southern Hancock schools, also spoke at the most recent council meeting. He said students looking to gain employment skills can work for the town as unpaid interns.
The idea is to have the students help create things like a new web page, update social media sites or develop other marketing materials. For example, students could help promote events such as Summer-fest or the Christmas Walk and earn class credit.
Brandee Bastin, president of the council, noted it would be nice to have someone put together a community monthly or weekly newsletter or “tips from the town”-type of publication.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Bastin said of using student talent.
The intern would work through Anderson, who would make sure the student’s activities would meet district standards for educational pathways.
The council passed a motion to move forward with Anderson’s idea. A student is expected to start working for the town in the fall.
