Jim Roddy and King County, Wash. I-Net

["Ashley Schannauer" <schannauer@info-ren.org>]

The County Executive for King County, Washington, Ron Sims, will be
speaking in Pittsburgh at a Sustainable Pittsburgh Networking Forum
at Duquesne University on May 17.  Jim Roddy will be introducing
him.

The creation of the King County I-Net was one of Ron Sims' primary
programs when he became County Executive a few years ago.  King
County is the county that surrounds Seattle.

The King County I-Net is ambitious.  In a deal with TCI (now AT&T),
the County obtained an I-Net that consists of dedicated fiber optic
cable that is being designed and managed by King County.  See
http://www.info-ren.org/projects/pgh-inet/bb/seattle_and_king_county.html.
The County is trying to promote the I-Net's use by
government agencies, schools, libraries and non-profits.

I spoke fairly extensively with the staff at King County over the
past few months.  They say Ron Sims is enthusiastic about the King
County I-Net and would be happy to share his views with the
political leaders here.  If any people on this list have access to
Jim Roddy or his transition team, they may want to identify the
I-Net as an issue to discuss with Mr. Sims.  We should also attend
the May 17 event and ask Mr. Sims more about his project.

For more information about the May 17 event, call 687-0200, ext.
226.