Abingdon Council Goes Live Online

ABINGDON, Va. – Starting this month, town residents can watch their government in action on the Internet.

The Abingdon Town Council voted unanimously Monday to begin webcasting its regular meetings on the town’s Web site.

“If they tune in on council meeting night, they will see it live as it is happening, and it will be available to them on the Web to review after the meeting for about a month,” Town Manager Greg Kelly said. “With the computer age, virtually everyone now owns or has access to a computer, and it’s a good tool to be able to utilize, especially if you’re unable to get out and attend things in person.”

Town Councilwoman Cathy Lowe, who made the motion Monday to go online, said she believes it will make it more convenient for residents to get involved and learn how town government works.

“I think any time you give people information it’s a good thing,” Lowe said. “Government takes time … and if people can see what we’re working on, I think they’ll feel more secure in the management of the town.”

Kelly said the council’s decision came at Monday’s regular meeting after town officials’ desire to put meetings online came together with acquiring the technology and equipment needed to make it happen.

“Initially, we can continue streaming it from a live video,” said Floyd Bailey, the town’s director of information technology. “It’s just a start to what we hope to do in the future.”

Bailey said he’s hopeful that in the next few months video of the meetings can be posted – and, if the council wants to provide streaming or archived video of other town events, the technology is available.

“As much as they request us to put on, we’ll put on,” Bailey said, adding that streaming video of meetings hasn’t cost anything – though there is a cost associated with making large video files available.

Kelly said the decision to make more technology improvements would ultimately be up to the council – but he anticipates further development as the town continues progress on its free, wireless mesh Internet system.

“I’m sure we’ll have a few glitches along the way, but hopefully we’ll get this to where it’s a very good public tool,” Kelly said of the online meetings.

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