Hello again everyone,

I regret to inform you all that we have decided to cancel the 2009 HEEP Area I Conference.  I received feedback from only one person who said they thought they could come, and two more who expressed interest but said getting approval was a long shot.  Several others stated their interest but regretted that their agencies would not permit them to attend.

I think it is just a sign of the times that most states and provinces have drastically cut back on their travel budgets.  Hopefully this is only temporary and at some point in the future we can once again have meetings in Area I.  Until that time I hope to see some of you at the IHEEP in San Antonio this September, and at other IHEEPs in future years.

I would like to thank Bill Pratt, Eric Bergeron, and Julie Annino of Connecticut DOT for all their time and hard work in preparing for this conference.  Also I would like to thank Past Area I Director Dennis Folsom for all his valuable insight, time, and energy he gave to this effort.

A Happy Passover and Easter to all of you !!

Thank you,

Paul K. Fort
HEEP Area I Acting Director
609-585-9067

Dear HEEP Area I friends –

I’m hoping to see many of you at the IHEEP Conference from September 16-20, 2007 in Albany. If you have not registered, please do so as soon as possible. The conference web site is http://www.iheepny2007.org/.

As you may know, we will be having a short Area I Business Meeting at IHEEP. There are at least two important items we will be discussing:

1. The status of the Area I Meeting for 2008. One suggestion is to hold it jointly with Area II in Georgia. Another option is to have our own meeting if we can find someone to host it. If you would like to consider hosting it, please contact me before the meeting.

2. I will be retiring from the State of New Jersey effective September 1, 2007, with 30 years of service. According to the Area I Constitution and By-Laws, a retiree cannot serve as Director in the next calendar year after retirement. We need to find someone to serve as Director, and we also need to find a Secretary. I am willing to continue serving as Treasurer, as that is allowable under the rules.

If you know of any other item we should be discussing, please e-mail me back so I can place it on the agenda.

Have a great weekend, I’m looking forward to seeing you all at IHEEP in September !

Thank you,
Paul K. Fort, HEEP Area I Director
Office of Information Technology
State of New Jersey
(609) 633-0363