Thomas Tsilionis, Roseland Candidate says, Technology can improve municipalities and schools

Oct. 29, 2009 - PRLog -- For example, one feature that would improve the effectiveness of the website would be to include live video so parents could enjoy their childrens’ events through a secure web site from work or home. Parents could watch school plays live at work, or archive the plays and watch them later.

Although this idea sounds cool, it actually is a small part of a bigger picture. Turning our school and municipality green, in addition to having a positive impact on our environment, will improve communications, help our teachers and school administration operate more efficiently, save money and make our school system better. Students at Lester Noecker will be able to download homework online and communicate with teachers through interactive mini-websites. Additionally, savings of time and expense would be achieved through lower printing and postage costs while at the same time parent-teacher communications would improve.

As a candidate for Councilman of the Borough of Roseland, I would like to bring my experience to our community and help Roseland go green. Additional initiatives will include:

1) Installing an Online Ticket Communications System: Currently we do not have a ticket desk for residents' communications that tracks and relays complaints, ideas and concerns. Like any business we need a database that contains all resident-municipality communications to insure proper responses . A ticket insures that the message is recorded and concerns are escalated within our municipality to ensure a proper and prompt response. Tickets should be maintained, closed and re-distributed to assure that all residents receive answers in a timely fashion. This system would be implemented for both online and offline communications including email and telephone inquiries.

2) Automating Communications: We would build and maintain an online email communications list. Other municipalities have started this process and are currently savings thousands of dollars on printing, postage and staff time. Surrounding municipalities that utilize an online communications system achieve 40% resident participation. Our residents should not rely on a local newspaper to obtain important information. Roseland residents should have the opportunity to communicate directly with the Borough.

3) Automating Billing: We will provide our residents with automated billing that will save our Borough a great deal of money. Our residents would have the opportunity to receive and/or pay property taxes and/or water bills online. This would save a great deal of money and provide a convenient service to those who currently pay bills online.

4) Automating Alternative Databases: We will create and manage separate online databases for each Borough department within the municipality including the Building Department. This database will incorporate online permit requests, payments and communications for each department.

Go-Green technology will not have any additional cost. This technology would be easily, quickly and inexpensively integrated through readily available software.

In conclusion, technology will save time and money. It will dramatically improve communications within our community. Finally, as a result, Roseland would be a modern, efficient township, focused on the needs of its citizens. Roseland would be a model community and would be a more attractive place to live.

On November 3, 2009, please vote for Peter Smith and I for Roseland Borough Council. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to making Roseland better place to live and work.

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Thomas V. Tsilionis and his wife Phedra have one son, Vasili. Vasili attends Noecker Elementary School and is currently in 2nd Grade. Thomas and family have lived in Essex County since 1970 and Roseland since 2004.