Should the city of Salisbury government block access to SbyNEWS? Probably. They should also block access to Red Maryland, Delmarva Dealings, Delaware Liberal, Two Sentz, monoblogue ... Do you get my point?
Government employees shouldn't be reading blogs on the taxpayers' dime. They shouldn't be surfing for porn (I don't know if that's blocked). They shouldn't be planning their next vacation.
Assuming that reports are true and that SbyNEWS is the only blog being blocked, this raises several questions. First, is Mayor Barrie Tilghman that petty? YES, that question is rhetorical. Second, how much has it cost the Salisbury taxpayer to purchase, install, and maintain blocking software that seems to be focused on Tilghman's little feud with SbyNEWS?
Someone should file a question with the Mayor's office. -
What was the cost?
What is the cost to maintain the software?
What specific sites are blocked? (often porn sites and some others are blocked through the use of a database subscription; don't really need that list)
Expect to fill out a form. Don't expect an answer anytime soon.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Block Two Sentz!?!?
ReplyDeleteHow dare you!
;-)
I am a City employee and a daily reader of SBYNEWS. I can agree with the taxpayers expectation that I not read or surf while working. No problem with that. It was provided and they have only themselves to blame for that. I will continue to read daily, but from my home. This will not stop me from contacting Joe whenever I see things that warrant attention of the public. You have exercised your right and now I'm exercising mine. Have a good day Mayor.
ReplyDeleteThree cheers for DPW!
ReplyDeleteNeed more people like DPW. Come on city employees, don't let the Mare CONTROL everything you do.
ReplyDeleteAre you aware that Salisbury has NO IT staff, none, zero, nada, zilch. Those guys work for Wicomico county. I'm not sure of the deal they have worked out but it's obvious that their primary responsibility and loyalty lies with the county, not the city.
ReplyDeleteHow about blocking the internet on work computers altogether (or take the programs off the computers)? Unless an employee has a legitimate reason for accessing the internet, and honestly I cannot think of one, then why don't employers block it - period.
ReplyDeleteEmployees, county and city workers are at their jobs to work - not surf the internet. Let them wait until they get home to do their personal business.
"Government employees shouldn't be reading blogs on the taxpayers' dime."
ReplyDeleteThat all depends on who the employee is. Frankly, I prefer that my government employees remain informed. It helps them to do a better job, especially if their role is to craft policy!!
Limited personal use of government equipment for such purposes is both allowed and useful. It should not be discouraged here at SBYNews.
One thing people don't realize is that some people NEED to use the internet at their work. I work for the county, and I have to use my internet daily. I know the IT staff we have here also does stuff for the city, but SBYNews is not blocked on my computer at work, so its probably just the city computers.
ReplyDeleteSo dont lump it together saying that people shouldn't use the internet at work, because sometimes its needed. Checking account balances, paying bills, booking travel and researching rates for when my bosses go on trips somewhere.
And yes, I am posting this from my house, not from work.
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteDo you people live in the stoneages or what? Dont you realize that there are so many government functions that rely on internet use? Looking up standards and specifications, accessing contract information, searching for materials, on-line certifications, mapping software, GIS servers, the list goes on and on. If these things had to be done the old fashion way, things would take much longer than they do. Generally speaking, only employees that need internet, have internet.
I said "unless an employee has a legitimate reason". If not, take it off.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the majority of city/county personnel probably have no such use for the "internet" services that are installed on their computers. And if they do, they are probably required to use a limited number of legitimate sites for their business dealings only. The blogs, newspapers, games, etc. should wait until they are off company time.
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteYou are out of touch with reality....
This is anonymous from 4:18.. I just had to chime back in and say yes Tracy, you are indeed out of touch with reality.
ReplyDeleteThe reality is that employers are paying for production, not for personal play.
ReplyDeleteIf the employees are the government personnel, the employers are you, the taxpayers. Do you want to pay for people to play on their computers instead of working?
8:13 If by such "playing" the worker is better informed and does a better job, then heck YES. The worst thing is a dull and wholly uninformed workforce. There's already way too much of that in the government.
ReplyDelete