ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, August 6, 1996 TAG: 9608060098
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JONATHAN HUNLEY STAFF WRITER
THE CITY VENTURED INTO CYBERSPACE Monday with the debut of a World Wide Web page that gives residents access to most everything found in the Municipal Building.
Roanoke couldn't be outdone by Roanoke County and Botetourt County.
Previously, theirs were the only governments in the Roanoke Valley with sites on the World Wide Web. On Monday, however, Roanoke unveiled its own Internet page, CityWeb.
The site is basically an on-line version of the city's Municipal Building.
"We hope to eventually parallel on the Web what we do in this building," Craig Fifer said from inside the actual edifice on Church Avenue.
Fifer, a summer intern with the city government, is its webmaster. He oversees the operation of the site and was responsible for much of its development.
The 18-year-old Virginia Tech computer science major will continue in the job on a part-time basis after he starts his junior year this fall.
Fifer said Roanoke has three goals for CityWeb: to provide public information; to promote the city to the world; and to assist city employees in their jobs.
Visitors to the Web site can gain access to a variety of information about Roanoke and its government, including:
* Job listings. Internet surfers can find out what positions are open and download application forms.
* City council biographies. A link on the page contains pictures and facts about the members.
* Links to city offices, including the city attorney and the police.
* The entire city code.
* Demographic information and tax rates.
* A link to a program that provides directions to Roanoke from anywhere in the United States.
Even with these features, however, CityWeb is not in its final form. It will be constantly updated, Fifer said.
Indeed, a glitch prevented access to certain parts of the site Monday shortly after a news conference announced its creation. It was quickly repaired.
Folk who visit the page can be assured of their anonymity. CityWeb technology records only the name of the Internet provider visitors use - not their names or personal addresses.
For example, people delinquent on their taxes can look at their records without fear of city officials banging down their door later in the day, Fifer said.
"The whole thing's about making life better for citizens," he said.
CityWeb's Internet address is http://www.ci.roanoke.va.us
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