Comments on: Council Candidates on Technology http://hburgnews.com/2008/10/27/council-candidates-on-technology/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=council-candidates-on-technology Harrisonburg's Community News Network Sat, 03 Dec 2011 18:10:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: finnegan http://hburgnews.com/2008/10/27/council-candidates-on-technology/comment-page-1/#comment-55175 finnegan Wed, 29 Oct 2008 05:07:03 +0000 http://hburgnews.com/?p=1852#comment-55175 Post updated. Post updated.

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]]> By: Justin C http://hburgnews.com/2008/10/27/council-candidates-on-technology/comment-page-1/#comment-55066 Justin C Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:20:51 +0000 http://hburgnews.com/?p=1852#comment-55066 Brian, I just wanted to follow up on what Joey had to say. No one is accusing the city of not following laws or being unfair to local companies. City council owes nothing to local tech companies. My point is that it's very politically correct for candidates to say they support technology, but we rarely hear about specific ways they will help us. If it's just a vote of confidence so be it, it truly is appreciated. If a candidate believes in the industry however then with some real government support the tech industry could become a significant part of this community ( assuming it is indeed what the community wants). The discussion about bidding opportunities "In our technology circle" started when we realized the website for the downtown technology zone ( http://www.hdtz.org/ ) is being hosted by a company in Maryland even though there are at least 4, if not more, companies IN the tech zone who offer hosting. When I asked around to those companies, no one even know there was a website. It seems that if I were the one working to enhance the visibility of the HDTZ, I would try to support the companies in it instead of their out of state competitors. I have no idea who was in charge of that site and do not mean to say that anyone in the city has treated any company downtown unfairly. We just found that fact interesting. Brian, I just wanted to follow up on what Joey had to say. No one is accusing the city of not following laws or being unfair to local companies. City council owes nothing to local tech companies.

My point is that it’s very politically correct for candidates to say they support technology, but we rarely hear about specific ways they will help us. If it’s just a vote of confidence so be it, it truly is appreciated. If a candidate believes in the industry however then with some real government support the tech industry could become a significant part of this community ( assuming it is indeed what the community wants).

The discussion about bidding opportunities “In our technology circle” started when we realized the website for the downtown technology zone ( http://www.hdtz.org/ ) is being hosted by a company in Maryland even though there are at least 4, if not more, companies IN the tech zone who offer hosting. When I asked around to those companies, no one even know there was a website. It seems that if I were the one working to enhance the visibility of the HDTZ, I would try to support the companies in it instead of their out of state competitors.

I have no idea who was in charge of that site and do not mean to say that anyone in the city has treated any company downtown unfairly. We just found that fact interesting.

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]]> By: Joey Groah http://hburgnews.com/2008/10/27/council-candidates-on-technology/comment-page-1/#comment-55060 Joey Groah Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:01:37 +0000 http://hburgnews.com/?p=1852#comment-55060 Great point Brian, I should have been clearer in my post: My “‘Why can’t we put in a bid? Why weren’t we solicited for services?’ for substantial contracts.” complaint from other local companies wasn't directed at the City of Harrisonburg, but other local companies. In our technology circle I've never heard that concern about the City. Great point Brian, I should have been clearer in my post: My “‘Why can’t we put in a bid? Why weren’t we solicited for services?’ for substantial contracts.” complaint from other local companies wasn’t directed at the City of Harrisonburg, but other local companies. In our technology circle I’ve never heard that concern about the City.

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]]> By: Brian M http://hburgnews.com/2008/10/27/council-candidates-on-technology/comment-page-1/#comment-55036 Brian M Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:01:59 +0000 http://hburgnews.com/?p=1852#comment-55036 "'Why can’t we put in a bid? Why weren’t we solicited for services?' for substantial contracts." If I am correct, and believe myself to be, the City posts all Requests for Proposal and Requests for Bid at the Municipal Building (on the first floor) as required by law. Everyone has an opportunity to read them there daily. Also, the City advertises in the Daily News Record for larger Requests. Whether that is required by law or not is beyond me. If you have questions about the City's Policies or the City's adherence to State or Federal laws in regards to this subject, then I suggest you contact Pat Hilliard, the City's Purchasing Agent, at 540-432-7794. “‘Why can’t we put in a bid? Why weren’t we solicited for services?’ for substantial contracts.”

If I am correct, and believe myself to be, the City posts all Requests for Proposal and Requests for Bid at the Municipal Building (on the first floor) as required by law. Everyone has an opportunity to read them there daily. Also, the City advertises in the Daily News Record for larger Requests. Whether that is required by law or not is beyond me.

If you have questions about the City’s Policies or the City’s adherence to State or Federal laws in regards to this subject, then I suggest you contact Pat Hilliard, the City’s Purchasing Agent, at 540-432-7794.

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]]> By: Joey Groah http://hburgnews.com/2008/10/27/council-candidates-on-technology/comment-page-1/#comment-55008 Joey Groah Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:26:42 +0000 http://hburgnews.com/?p=1852#comment-55008 Justin hits on a lot of good points. Downtown (via HDR and the City) was very welcoming when we moved in a couple years ago, and always tries to be informed on what and how we're doing. I’d add that we’ve heard some concern from local technology companies on not being involved in bidding on local jobs (POS systems, database construction and maintenance, support), and seeing those jobs go to companies from outside the Harrisonburg area. And the concern hasn’t been “We want to be awarded local jobs!” but more “Why can’t we put in a bid? Why weren’t we solicited for services?” for substantial contracts. We’ve always felt pretty included in bidding on anything that might overlap in the services we provide. I’d also add the tech/creative businesses we regularly work with in Harrisonburg are relationships that both sides formed professionally and personally. Granted, none of us are pushing $12 million to the other company, but I know that between us and some other local companies we’ve referred a low six-figures worth of business to area companies in the last calendar year. For small tech companies who, as Justin stated, really like being in the area, having local resources who perform at a regional or national level of quality and service has been significant for us. Justin hits on a lot of good points. Downtown (via HDR and the City) was very welcoming when we moved in a couple years ago, and always tries to be informed on what and how we’re doing.

I’d add that we’ve heard some concern from local technology companies on not being involved in bidding on local jobs (POS systems, database construction and maintenance, support), and seeing those jobs go to companies from outside the Harrisonburg area. And the concern hasn’t been “We want to be awarded local jobs!” but more “Why can’t we put in a bid? Why weren’t we solicited for services?” for substantial contracts.

We’ve always felt pretty included in bidding on anything that might overlap in the services we provide. I’d also add the tech/creative businesses we regularly work with in Harrisonburg are relationships that both sides formed professionally and personally.

Granted, none of us are pushing $12 million to the other company, but I know that between us and some other local companies we’ve referred a low six-figures worth of business to area companies in the last calendar year. For small tech companies who, as Justin stated, really like being in the area, having local resources who perform at a regional or national level of quality and service has been significant for us.

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]]> By: Brian M http://hburgnews.com/2008/10/27/council-candidates-on-technology/comment-page-1/#comment-54940 Brian M Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:31:53 +0000 http://hburgnews.com/?p=1852#comment-54940 I believe this is the question that I originally asked, however it has really changed direction from what I intended. I am also curious about the Candidates' ideas about the City Government's Technology. Where do they see that we could improve the customer service? Of course that question may be asked and answered next. I can't quite remember nor can I find my copy of the final questions. I believe this is the question that I originally asked, however it has really changed direction from what I intended. I am also curious about the Candidates’ ideas about the City Government’s Technology. Where do they see that we could improve the customer service?

Of course that question may be asked and answered next. I can’t quite remember nor can I find my copy of the final questions.

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]]> By: finnegan http://hburgnews.com/2008/10/27/council-candidates-on-technology/comment-page-1/#comment-54930 finnegan Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:23:08 +0000 http://hburgnews.com/?p=1852#comment-54930 I agree with Renee. Justin's comment is really insightful. I agree with Renee. Justin’s comment is really insightful.

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]]> By: finnegan http://hburgnews.com/2008/10/27/council-candidates-on-technology/comment-page-1/#comment-54924 finnegan Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:51:44 +0000 http://hburgnews.com/?p=1852#comment-54924 I added Charlie's response. His email had been acting up and I didn't get it last night when he sent it. I added Charlie’s response. His email had been acting up and I didn’t get it last night when he sent it.

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]]> By: Renee http://hburgnews.com/2008/10/27/council-candidates-on-technology/comment-page-1/#comment-54923 Renee Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:47:25 +0000 http://hburgnews.com/?p=1852#comment-54923 "In those years however, the city has publicly been a huge supporter of local tech companies. Beyond that there has been very little real progress made." - I have to agree with that. There's a lot of talk and fanfare, and not much has come out of it yet. I hope it changes with our new City Council. “In those years however, the city has publicly been a huge supporter of local tech companies. Beyond that there has been very little real progress made.” – I have to agree with that. There’s a lot of talk and fanfare, and not much has come out of it yet. I hope it changes with our new City Council.

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