University Daily Kansan / Wednesday, February 22, 1989 11 N.C. town like home for Soviet The Associated Press NASHVILLE, N.C. - Small-town life in the Soviet Union isn't so different from rural life in North Carolina, says a Soviet journalist who is getting a taste of Southern life while reporting for a twice-weekly newspaper in Nash County. "I come from a similar background, from a smaller place in the southern USSR," Alex Podakin said. "Seeing this kind of country, the commodities, is all very simi- ture." He was familiar, even though I left the small town for Moscow 30 years ago." Podakin, the managing editor of the North American section of the Novosti Press Agency in Moscow, was spending two weeks as a reporter for the twice-weekly Nashville Graphic under an exchange program sponsored by the National Newspaper Association. The Graphic's editor and publisher, Hal Sharpe, earlier spent two weeks in the Soviet Union. In his first few days in the United States, Podakin got a sample of small-town Southern life — local government meetings, civic clubs, the chamber of commerce and barbecue. "That was a great experience — sort of 'Eat it or else.'" Podakin said of his first taste of the spicy Southern pork dish. "So far, it has been OK. We have something like chicken brisket, so it's mashed up. It is like what you call shish kebab, bits of meat on a stick with a sauce." And, small towns being small towns, he meets lots of curious people on the street who stop him to ask questions. "I presume they might be puzzled about me being here, but all I have gotten are smiles, friendliness and a great deal of interest," he said. "People are just trying to find out answers to lots of questions. They have been deprived of this kind of contact for so long. It's like a thirst being quenched." Citizens are watching Big Brother on screen The Associated Press SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Computer-equipped citizens can fire off an angry electronic letter to city hall, see if their favorite book is at the library or check the bus schedule in a pioneering program switched on yesterday SPRING FILMS CALENDAR IS NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SAN OFFICE Home computers connect with city hall Wednesday Feb. 22 8 p.m. $2.50 with KUID Woodruff-Kansas Union MR. HULOT'S HOLIDAY Thursday, Feb 23 8 p.m. $2.50 with KUID Sunday, Feb 26 8 p.m. $1.50 with KUID Adelson Auditorium Experts say Santa Monica's Public Electronic Network is at the leading edge of a national trend linking local computers with their constituents through computers. Once enrolled and assigned a password to get into the system, citizens will be able to tap into city files on proposed developments and other city council action, find out how to get city permits and licenses, get schedules for city services and get a range of consumer advice. Santa Monica began enrolling computer owners in the service yesterday, and City Manager John Jallah said interest appeared high, although a customer count for the free service wasn't immediately available. They will also be able to complain, directing "electronic mail" at council members, department heads and the public at large. The city promises its residents "I love it," said Michael Hill, a teacher and active citizen who was the first to sign up for PEN. "We live in an electronic age and we have this technology that allows us to use The city promises to respond. computers to access information. He planned to fire up his home computer yesterday afternoon to offer some ideas on how to fit a park improvement project into the new budget. computers to access information." The system is housed in a computer separate from the city's internal data processing to allow users to work inside information or planting destructive viruses. Although Santa Monica's system appears to go further than most, many local governments around the country are experimenting with computer citizen communications, said Ted Shugo, marketing manager for Huntington, D.C., that researches technology for local governments. Santa Monica's Jaili sees the system as a way to improve service. Terminals have been installed in all libraries and there are plans to put them in recreation buildings and citizens' center under construction. Of course, many people who need help or information from city hall don't have personal computers. "First of all, it's going to stop the phone game where people are transferred to eight different places," Jailaid said. "And there a person can during their work day call a car when they get home city hall is closed." Tokyo tightens security for Hirohito's funeral The Associated Press TOKYO — Representatives of 16 countries arrived yesterday for Emperor Hirohito's funeral, and concern for the safety of visiting world leaders grew with the discovery of projects near Tokyo's airport. The projectiles were in launchers aimed at the heavily guarded airport, about 40 miles east of the city, and apparently were planted by radicals opposed to Friday's state funeral, a police official said. The official said a timer also was found. He declined to say at what time it was set. Cargo traffic and flights through Narita International Airport and Tokyo's domestic airport will be mobilized. 0,000 police have been mobilized in Tokyo. 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