For Immediate Release

 For Information Contact:
Thursday, January 15, 2004

Brian Adey
 798-5800

Oneida County Changes Web Site to OCGOV.NET
To Increase Access, Promote E-Government

Oneida County Executive Joseph A. Griffo today announced that Oneida County has simplified its Web site address to www.ocgov.net to make it more concise and user-friendly, and is also updating departmental pages to provide more information and give visitors an opportunity to engage in e-government activities.

"The Web site is a symbol of my belief that government must be user friendly and not bureaucratic," said Griffo. "Converting to ocgov.net makes it easier for county residents to access our departments electronically, and will simplify e-mail addresses for residents who want to ask questions of our departments."

Users will be able to navigate the site to find the department that want by scrolling down a list of departments. The site will also provide links to local governments, economic development and workforce development organizations, and other agencies that provide important information for county residents.

"I believe that e-government is the wave of the future," Griffo said. "Our Department of Central Services, headed by Anthony Milograno, has produced a very detailed, easy-to-navigate site. However, the best site in the world does not fulfill its function if people who need it can’t find it because the name is cumbersome. Converting to ocgov.net from the longer Web address will make it easy for county residents to get the information they need with just one click."

"This new and updated source of information will help us more efficiently serve the citizens of Oneida County and provide them with easy access to government departments and related agencies. The Web site offers county government new opportunities to communicate with citizens and provides timely updates about available services and resources, even those not directly provided by county government," Milograno said. "Increased usage will also help us to update the site with the information people want, which is our main purpose in having the site."

Griffo said the county Web site is always changing because departments are constantly refining program offerings to match the needs of county residents. "The continual updating of our site is a tremendous partnership effort that requires teamwork on the part of all county departments, and will continue to be a work in progress as we bring the best information available to everyone who has an interest in Oneida County," he said.

Griffo said county residents who view the site and want more information that is not available should follow directions to contact the county Webmaster, so that the site can become even more user-friendly.

"The Web site is the on-line extension of our commitment to provide the best possible service to the people of Oneida County," Griffo said. "Our new name is part of a very conscious effort on our part to make government efficient and effective."

Griffo said the county will maintain its current Web addresses (www.co.oneida.ny.us) and its related e-mail extension, allowing employees to receive e-mail from either addressing extension. However, outgoing e-mail shall carry the ocgov.net extension. An example of the new e-mail address for the County Executive's Office would be coexec@ocgov.net.