Announcement of New Seattle.gov Web Site

07/20/05

Dear Friends,

The City of Seattle has a long history of striving to improve customer service. Neighborhood Service Centers serve people close to home, for example, and the Citizen Service Bureau is always ready to help Seattleites get the services they need.

Our presence on the Web should be just as helpful, which is why I’m proud to introduce the new face of Seattle on the Internet.

It’s the same address --- www.Seattle.gov --- but a whole new look. City services are front and center, with an easy-to-use search function, a list of the most commonly requested services, and the CSB phone number.

The new format is more simple, and allows site visitors to easily see the news and find links to my office, the City Council, current city issues, and other important information.

We’re also making great strides in serving non-English speaking populations. This is happening in a number of ways, thanks to the initiative and commitment of City departments.

A short list:

• Seattle City Light has a whole new website, offering services and information to Spanish-speaking customers: http://www.seattle.gov/light/spanish/


• The Office of Civil Rights also has a new page in Spanish: http://www.seattle.gov/civilrights/Spanish/Portal.htm


• The new Seattle.gov site features a language portal, which indexes all City information that’s available in 26 languages: http://www.seattle.gov/html/citizen/language.htm

Countless employees have been involved in the creation and development of these websites, and I know more are coming.

My thanks to everyone who works to make Seattle city government ever more responsive. You’re doing a great job.

Sincerely,

GREG NICKELS
Mayor