
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 16, 1990                   TAG: 9006180298
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

BRIEFLY PUT...

THAT ELMER Hodge is a finalist for the executive's job in Prince William County only confirms what has been evident since he became Roanoke county administrator five years ago: He's a top-notch public servant that a lot of governments would be happy to call their own.

Hodge apparently did not seek out the job. He says he likes the valley and isn't eager to leave. Still, he couldn't be blamed for accepting, if offered, the post in a larger and faster-growing county. If Hodge were to move on, good for him. If he stays, good for the county.

\ AS HE BOARDED an aircraft in Boston last Sunday, Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis joshed that a White House aide on the same flight might have a bomb in his luggage. Federal regulations call for treating such jokes as serious statements, and USAir officials said he should have been detained. Huffed Dukakis later: "The humor of it was obvious to everyone who was there."

It's probably the funniest one he's pulled since he got himself nominated for president.

by CNB