By MONROE ROARK
Staff Writer

As far as Fayette County is concerned, the window for potential Y2K-related glitches has apparently come and gone without a problem.

None of the municipalities in the county has reported any problems stemming from computer noncompliance as calendars rolled over from 1999 to 2000, as months of preparation on everyone's part appears to have paid off.

Peachtree City issued a statement Monday that no trouble has been found within its borders. Plans were for the city to stand down its emergency operations as of 5 p.m. Monday if no additional complications arose.

Initial plans called for maintaining emergency operations until Friday.

Additional staffing for the city's four fire stations, ensuring that they would be manned around the clock, is being suspended as a result of the decision to stand down, city officials said.

Preparing for Y2K should prove that the city will be ready for any other crisis that may arise, according to city manager Jim Basinger.

“We are certainly pleased that no problems surfaced in Peachtree City's infrastructure during the date change,” said Basinger. “Preparing for possible Y2K effects provided excellent emergency training for City staff and for residents. If a natural disaster occurs, Peachtree City has a tested contingency plan in place to react as necessary.”

If additional complications arise from Y2K during the coming week or year, the plan will be reactivated. Peachtree City will continue to use the radio stations of News Talk 750 AM, B-98.5 FM, News Radio 680 AM, Jazz Flavors 104.1 FM and The Beat 95.5 FM to broadcast emergency information during any type of disaster.

In Fayetteville, Fire Chief Alan Jones characterized Y2K as “a total nonevent,” adding that the city was quiet even for a typical New Year's holiday.

The Fayetteville Police Department also reported no unusual events relating to the date change.

“There were no glitches,” said Lt. Tom Kirkbride of the police operations. “Everything's up and running.”

Kirkbride added that he knew of no calls from residents or businesses in Fayetteville for Y2K-related problems.

Statewide, a press release issued Saturday by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency said there were “virtually no reports of any substantial Y2K-related incidents or disruptions in essential services.”

GEMA's State Operations Center was manned 24 hours a day from Thursday morning until Monday evening.

“At the stroke of midnight [New Year's Day], nearly 800 entities, including local emergency management agencies, public safety organizations, health care facilities, and utilities began to submit status reports by phone, fax and e-mail,” according to GEMA's statement. “Within the first half-hour of the new year, most of the utilities had checked in and positive reports had been filed by 91 counties.”

While some telephone service providers noted increased usage, there were no reports of utility disruptions, GEMA said.

State mainframe computers that are used for administrative functions were shut down at midnight, as scheduled, and rebooted a short time later