Technology Concerns Clear Up For Commissioners, Sort Of
Officials Get Tips on BlackBerry Use

By Philip Rucker
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, May 17, 2007; SM03

The Charles County commissioners this week boldly went where no commissioners have gone before: They learned how to use their new BlackBerrys.

As part of their pledge to use various technologies to make local government more efficient, the commissioners began using the hand-held wireless devices a few months ago.

But the learning curve was steep. So the county's information technology department brought in a consultant Tuesday to give the commissioners a lesson in proper BlackBerry use -- or, as consultant Erica Bocaner put it, to teach the commissioners some "tips and tricks."

Bocaner delivered a 15-minute presentation titled "Mastering Your BlackBerry Device." Her tips included memorizing shortcut keys and preserving battery life. But just a few seconds into the presentation, the static started.

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You see, when the commissioners hold their BlackBerrys close to the microphones in the briefing room, the devices create static interference. Richard A. Aldridge, the county's information technology director, called this the "unforgiven sin."

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Finally came the troubleshooting questions:

"I have a terrible time getting the ringer set right," Commissioners President Wayne Cooper (D-At Large) said. "In the holster, it vibrates twice and rings once."

That's an easy fix, Aldridge's staff assured him.

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"My BlackBerry tends to have a mind of its own," Commissioner Edith J. Patterson (D-Pomfret) said. When it's in her purse, she explained, "It will call people! Is there a shield or something?"

A staff member ran over to give Patterson a sleek black BlackBerry cover. Apparently they call these "purse covers."

"Thank you very much!" Patterson said.

Bocaner asked if any other commissioners -- the other four are men -- needed a purse cover.

"Only if it comes with a Coach purse," Commissioner Samuel N. Graves Jr. (D-La Plata) chimed in, saying he would give the handbag to his wife or one of his two daughters.

Patterson, one of the more fashion conscious commissioners, told Graves he should go to New York to buy the best Coach bag. "On 34th and Broadway!"

Shhhh aahhhkkkk . . . shhhh aahhhkkkk.