db:internet.pr               95-          Contact: Sonny Segal, (301) 217-2842
                                                   or Donna Bigler, (301) 217-6537 
 
 MONTGOMERY OFFERS INFORMATION ON-LINE
 THROUGH COUNTY HOME SITE ON INTERNET      For Immediate Release: Dec. 19, 1995
  
       County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today announced Montgomery County's
 holiday gift to its citizens: a web site on the Internet that offers a
 multitude of information about County programs and services, and an
 opportunity to communicate directly with the County Executive.

       Accessible to anyone with a home computer, modem and an Internet
 connection, starting December 22, the County web site will present up-to-date
 information about County programs and services, useful telephone numbers, news
 releases and media advisories, the County Cable 55 schedule, a basic map of
 the County, an organization chart, budget information, business development
 help, and County Council information.  The site will also offer biographies
 about the County Executive, Chief Administrative Officer, the Executive's
 special assistants and the nine County Council members.
 
       "Advances in technology and the increasing number of households with
 computers and modems make this an exciting time to be in public service," said
 Duncan.  "The County web site gives those of us in government a whole new way
 of communicating, and it allows us to be more accessible and responsive to the
 people we serve."
   
       According to the 1994 Census Update Survey, 47 percent of households in
 Montgomery County own a computer, and 26 percent have a modem -- a trend that
 is growing.

        The County web site is part of a six-month pilot project sponsored by
 the Montgomery County Department of Information Systems and Telecommunications
 (DIST) to improve employees' access to information and the County's
 communication with its residents.
  
       "By establishing the County's presence on the Internet, we are taking
 the first step towards realizing the County Executive's vision of using
 information technology to bring government closer to residents and
 businesses," said Donald V. Evans, director of DIST.  "We are exploring new
 ways to use technology to create an 'electronic village,' where information
 flows freely between the citizens and the County."

       Users can reach the site at http://www.co.mo.md.us.  The home page
 consists of a County emblem in red, blue and gold, surrounded by 10 red
 and Blue rectangular buttons for the following topics:  About Your County; County
 Government; Services; Guest Book; Questions for the Executive; News; Phone
 Book; Business Development; Council; and Related Resources.  Users simply
 click the computer mouse on the button of their choice to gain information
 about that particular topic.  Navigating the site requires nothing more
 complicated than clicking the mouse on highlighted text to move into more
 detailed information both within the web site and out to other web sites with
 related information.  The entire list of subject areas is located at the
 bottom of each page so that users can easily return to the home page or change
 topics.

       Although the County's web site provides an overview of County programs
 and services, it is designed so that information can be easily updated and new
 information added.  Citizens will soon be able to enter the web site to gain
  traffic updates and information about road conditions.  Future uses of the
 site may include electronic applications for building permits, recreation
 class registrations, submissions of procurement proposals, and payment of
 parking tickets and taxes.  Aspen Systems Corporation assisted the County in
 designing the web site and developing a management plan that includes the
 standards and procedures for adding to the site, at a cost of $16,000.