Mayors and city council members may have a reputation of being slow to adopt the Internet, but they have caught up and now actively use the technology in their jobs, says a survey expected to be released Thursday. The study, from the Pew Internet & American Life Project, shows that 88 percent of local elected officials use the Internet in the course of their official duties. Many say the Internet helps them stay in touch better with community groups, as well as helps them encounter fresh viewpoints in civic life. In the survey, 54 percent of officials who are online said their use of e-mail has brought them in contact with residents they hadn't previously heard from. Only 12 percent said the volume of e-mail they receive poses a problem.

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