Y2K: How Much Of The Hoopla Is Just Hype?

We've all heard the predictions.

Society as we know it could be facing calamities of apocalyptic proportions on Jan. 1, 2000. This is because our increasingly computer-based way of life will be changed via a simple change of four digits.

Computers and electronic appliances and components utilizing digital chips that are date sensitive won't be able to distinguish the 00 at the end of 2000 from 1900 - or 1800, or 2100. As a result, the fear is the hardware will shut down or the software the hardware uses won't operate.

Dire warnings of power grid shutdowns, telephone company computers going off-line killing dial tones, and banks being unable to dispense cash or process checks have raised anxiety levels around the world. Even improbable events, such as pre-1995 automobiles unable to start because of computer controlled ignitions not recognizing the year, have been alleged.

How much is hype and how much is true? Those questions were put to area utilities, public safety agencies, auto dealers and other establishments providing essential services to see what the true effects of the Y2K computer bug will actually be.

One of the key issues has been the loss of electric service, since so much of modern-day life depends on electric power. According to both Northern Indiana Public Service Company and Kosciusko County REMC, that won't be a problem in the county.

"As far as we know, we've gotten ourselves into Y2K compliance," said Glen Collyer, general manager for Kosciusko County REMC. "Most of our distribution system is mechanical and not vulnerable to the Y2K problem.

"Internally, we've gone through all our computers and we're ready. And our power suppliers have assured us that they are ready also," he said. "I really think the problem is being blown way out of proportion. Our customers can rest assured they'll have electricity on Jan. 1 of next year."

NIPSCO spokesman Tom Stevens said his company is also ready, having made a significant investment investigating the problem and making changes to ensure power disruptions aren't caused by the Y2K concern.

"We're not anticipating any significant interruption of service due to the Y2K problem. We've spent $13 million since 1996 testing our systems and we're ready," he said. "We can't guarantee everyone will wake up Jan. 1 and have their electric power - someone could run into an electric pole and knock it down coming home from a New Year's party. But if they don't have power, it won't be due to Y2K."

Lack of water won't be a problem either, according to Lester Melton, manager of United Water, even in the unlikely event that the electric water pumps don't have power.

"As a general rule, water companies are able to function without pumps for a short period of time," Melton said. "If there was a long-term power outage, we might have a problem. But we're working on contingency plans and they should be ready to implement them by July."

County public safety agencies have been working on the problem for more than a year as well. The county sheriff's department and dispatch system, as well as the Warsaw police and fire departments, have upgraded their systems or are in the process of the upgrades necessary to bring them into Y2K compliance by the end of the year.

"All our computers have been upgraded. We'll be ready to go," said Det. Tom Brindle of the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department.

Warsaw Police Chief Craig Allebach said his department is in the midst of completing its update and is working with other city departments in preparing for the end of the year as well.

"We're working on it at this time, installing new equipment that is Y2K compliant," he said. "We're also in the process, as is the city, of working with a consultant in making sure we have a plan of preparing for the end of the year in terms of Y2K."

Local banks are also prepared and are not anticipating any disruption of business due to Y2K.

"No one is really sure. We have a management team that are experts in the field and they're looking at everything," said Jean Northenor of Lake City Bank. "If all the other businesses are handling the situation the way we are, there shouldn't be a problem."

National City Bank spokeswoman Terri Wilson concurs, citing National City's $65 million spent to investigate and upgrade the bank's computer systems to bring them into compliance.

"We've been working on the problem since 1995, and we'll be ready," she said. "We're ready internally, and now we're starting to inform our customers of what they need to do."

As for cars not starting, no area auto service department expects any problem with any of their respective makes or models.

"Ford Motor Company cars do not operate any electronic equipment that is date sensitive, so there won't be any problems," said Darrell Shepherd of Rice Ford in Warsaw.

"None of the Chrysler line of vehicles have components that are susceptible to time/date computer operations," said Jerry Van Kovering of Petro Brothers Chrysler."

Ken Derf of Lakeside Chevrolet and Doug Miller of Max Capel Mazda-Nissan both said they are not aware of any anticipated problem either.