At the June 22, 2004 regular BOS meeting (the first one for the newbies) Selectman Carla Chiles says:
(during discussion of computer system maintenance and preparing an RRF for it)
"I want someone who won't disseminate the information on the computers to his best buddies."
She also mentions that she believes the town's computer systems confidentiality has been taken too lightly.
Building Inspector, Mike Engel, is the town's current computer systems maintenance guy. Tom Bennhoff mentions that during this discusssion.
So, basically it sounds as though Carla Chiles is accusing Mike Engel of doing something illegal in his trusted position. Can she prove that? What has been stolen? Who are Mike's best buddies that she is referring to? Is this why they have been gunning after his job?
OK, let's get this straight. We've got a woman who is seriously underqualified in her position as the town treasurer, has kept terrible records of our town's funds, has "lost" invoices and receipts, has gotten the town in the middle of more than one investigation of town funds, has "put funds in places it shouldn't have gone", has gotten remarks from the town auditor for the past 2 years like "this may be a violation of budget law" and the town looks the other way. But they will go after a man who is more than qualified in his position, has never had a complaint or done anything illegal in his job, and who has been consistent in his enforcement of the codes. -Not to mention all of the great computer system help he has provided to the town (and the Visitor Center). When will those running the town stop running it for the purposes of their own vendettas?
We emailed this to Carla Chiles (and other town folks yesterday). Any selectman who publically accuses any person of illegal activity is obligated (by law) to back that statement up.
Hello Carla,
Last night you mentioned that you believed that access to the town computers were being taken too lightly. You said something to the effect of "people getting into the computers and passing that info on their friends". I found that to be quite alarming. Has there been incidences of this? Will all town employees now have limited access to the town's computer files, or is this specifically addressed at the building inspector who currently manages the systems? And if it is directed at the building inspector, what specifically did he disclose from the town's system?
FYI, I have volunteered on numerous occasions to update the town's website for the town. Mayor Bennhoff asked me a couple of months ago if I could scan and post material for Merinel on the website (agendas, minutes, etc). I was (am still) happy to help. Loading files to the town's ftp site would not require anyone to access the town's computer files. As a matter of fact, they are entirely separate things. The ftp (website uploading) is on webspace, not the town's mainframe.
As for the computer/website rfp, I have a couple of comments. A website is mostly a graphics, html issue. Computer systems, software, etc. is a purely technical issue. Most people who do one, do not necessarily do the other. I would be happy to help the town put together an RFP(s) for these services - as it appears that the town is a bit clueless on how these things work. I, however, understand that you believe I suck and won't be wasting my time putting in a proposal, so I would have no conflicts in this area of help. My goal, as it has been all along, is to help the town achieve their 3 yr. long promise of getting the website updated.
I would be happy to discuss this with you at any time.
Cheerio,
Kerry Ann
303-569-3808
Ms. McHugh:
I have passed your comments on to the members of the Board who were not included in the cc of your e-mail. I am sure this issue will continue to be discussed at future Board meetings.
Carla A. Chiles
Ward II
From: Malc001@aol.com
Sent: Jun 29, 2004 6:32 PM
To: selectmenchiles@earthlink.com
Cc: TBennhoff@earthlink.net, selemtmenhaines@earthlink.net, selectmenhodge@earthlink.net, selectmendunn@earthlink.net, gtownadmin@earthlink.net, mcginga@peoplepc.com
Subject: comments about town computers
Carla,
I would like a direct answer from you about who you were referring to in the BOS meeting regarding "passing on information to their buddies".
The response you sent Kerry Ann McHugh does not answer her question, and an answer is owed. This comment was made by you... as a representative of this Town, I believe you have an obligation to explain your comments if asked to do so by a member of the community. Kerry Ann has asked, and I am asking also.
Thank you in advance for a prompt reply.
Malcolm Schaefer
Mr. Schaefer:
I was not referring to anyone in particular. I am concerned about onfidentiality with the Town's computer system. I am concerned that information could be passed on to one's buddies. I do not believe that the information contained within the Town's computers should be easily accessed. I am concerned about the liability that the Town could be subject to should that confidentiality be breached. I will continue to pass your comments on to other members of the Board. I am sure we will discuss this matter in more depth in future meetings.
Carla A. Chiles
Ward II
From: Kerry Ann McHugh
Sent: Jun 30, 2004 4:01 PM
To: "Carla A. Chiles"
Cc: Tom Bennhoff , selectmenhaines@earthlink.net, selectmenhodge@earthlink.net, selectmendunn@earthlink.net, gtownadmin
Subject: Re: comments about town computers
Dear Carla:
At the meeting you stated, "I want someone who won't decimate the information on the computers to his best buddies."
The fact is that the only person who has been in charge on the town's systems has been Mike Engel -as you know, it is in his job description. If you were not accusing Mike Engel (and it definitely sounds like it. So, even if it was not your intent, I humbly suggest that a public apology is in order) of decimating the information from the computers, then it would appear that there is no problem with who presently runs the town's systems, but rather with who else, besides Mike, has knowledge of the town's passwords. The town is set up on a network password system, isn't it? Changing the passwords and keeping that info confidential would seem to be the key to your concerns. A ghost "nanny" software program could also further protect the town. It is basically a program that logs activity and details of that activity on a system or network and can specifically alert a manager of various password attempts.
Sincerely,
Kerry Ann McHugh
Ms. McHugh:
This issue will be discussed in future Board meetings rather than via e-mail.
Please feel free to attend the meetings.
Carla A. Chiles
Ward II
In other words, since citizens are not allowed to participate in Board discussions, Selectman Carla Chiles is saying, "We are not going to discuss this with citizens."