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A proposed change to Fort Worth’s charter caught Static’s attention recently. Last July, Fort Worth City Council appointed a task force to recommend possible changes to Cowtown’s founding document. The charter has been updated every several years since 1924 but had not been revised since 1996.

Under state law, cities are required to give public notice for significant events, such as budget hearings and changes that would affect state property. The task force recommended pulling public notices from the print edition of the Star-Telegram and instead posting them electronically.

The benefits? Saving money while embracing new technology.

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Seems harmless enough, right? But Static’s dear old grandmother doesn’t know how to use a smartphone, let alone a computer.

Tim Morstad, AARP’s associate state director, said the move is understandable –– who doesn’t want to save money –– but that there’s still a “digital divide,” between seniors and everyone else.

“Our broad concern is that there are still many older Texans who rely on printed public notices to stay engaged in their community, participate in government, and know what’s going on,” he said. “It’s not just a problem for those who don’t have access to the internet. People may have access to it and not be proficient enough to view public notices online. The risk is that older Texans will be cut out of what is happening in their community and government.”

Fort Worth city attorney Sarah Fullenwider cautioned that the task force is still reviewing its proposal and has not made a final recommendation to city council yet.

Corrections

Last week’s cover story, “Not Another Brick in the Wall,” contained two errors.

While food stamps were federally banned for drug felons in 1996, most states have since loosened those laws. In Texas, first-time drug felons regained the right to receive SNAP benefits on September 1, 2015, though the felons can face a two-year suspension for a parole violation or a lifetime ban for a second drug conviction.

Federal educational grants also have become available for most drug offenders as well, but the monies come with requirements that many offenders cannot meet.

We regret the errors.

1 COMMENT

  1. This article is offensive and incomplete. Though I suppose the youngster think it cute. There are loads of people who can’t afford Internet access, I-phones and the assorted technology. Thanks for letting us know the city gives no thought to the old and the poor. Absolutely pathetic.

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