City Exploring Internet Options

Ventura may soon be rolling up the information highway.

In an effort to get more data to the public, the City Council voted to explore the possibility of posting campaign finance disclosure statements on the Internet and to look into the costs of producing a city newsletter.

The votes Monday do not commit the city to either project but merely ask city staff members to look into the costs and methods involved.

Councilman Steve Bennett suggested posting campaign finance reports on the World Wide Web. Such a site would list all campaign finance information now filed with the city clerk, including candidates’ statements of economic interest, as well as lists of campaign contributions that must be legally declared.

If the city--after reviewing costs and time involved--decides to post the reports, it would not do so until the 1999 elections.

Councilman Ray Di Guilio proposed that the city investigate the newsletter possibility.

“This city is rich in information,” he said, holding up dozens of brochures produced by various city departments. “But unless you make an effort, it is hard to get it.”

Several council members, however, voiced concerns.

“How do you safeguard this so you do not politicize it?” Bennett asked.

“We’re putting back everything that good budgeting said we should not do,” Councilman Gary Tuttle said.

Ventura resident Jim Jones urged the city to post financial disclosure statements on the Internet, to begin a city newsletter and to post the newsletter on the Internet too.

“I get more newsletters from E.J. Harrison than I do from the City Council,” he said. “It could be printed and then the same format could be posted on the Internet.”

Ventura does have an address in cyberspace.

The city recently posted its own home page--at www.ci.ventura.ca.us

“We are planning on moving much more information onto the home page,” said City Manager Donna Landeros, adding that she hoped city staff reports would be posted with council agendas soon.