A representative of President Clinton's Council on the Year 2000 Conversion will be in the territory next week to take part in evening forums on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John to discuss community Y2K readiness.
According to John Koskinen, who chairs the council, the nation's "greatest risk for Year 2000-related failures is at the local level. From phone companies to banks and water utilities, Americans want to know how the important local services upon which they rely may be affected by computers' ability to process the century change date."
The Virgin Islands forums, co-hosted by the Lieutenant Governor's Office, will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 18, at the Educational Complex on St. Croix; on Thursday, Aug. 19, at the Charlotte Amalie High School Auditorium on St. Thomas; and on Friday, Aug. 20, at the St. Ursula Multipurpose Center on St. John. All sessions are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
Business leaders, government officials and the general citizenry are encouraged to attend, according to a release from the Lieutenant Governor's Office, which is co-sponsoring the meetings. The purpose of such meetings, being held across the nation, Koskinen said, "is for participants to share factual information about what's been done, what remains to be done and what additional actions a community should take."
The White House council is working with more than 20 major national associations to encourage local public officials and service providers to lead or participate in Y2K conversations in their communities, the release stated.