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

DATE: TUESDAY, March 15, 1994                   TAG: 9403160014
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

BRIEFLY PUT . . .

ONLY THE deft style of a Garrison Keillor could place Roanoke on the buckle of a Guilt Belt and have it come out complimentary. But he does it - we think - on today's Commentary page, in a piece originally published Sunday in The New York Times.

From guilt and hypocrisy, Keillor maintains, arise the need to compensate by doing good works. That's better than the deadening qualities of just letting it all hang out in this age of Complete Disclosure.

Imagine the secret sins that must have motivated Roanoke's good citizens to produce such works as the Hotel Roanoke renovation and the downtown that Keillor so appreciates. But don't do more than imagine. We can't afford to run people out of town.

Places like Roanoke get a kick from having their names mentioned in The New York Times, especially in admiration of places like Roanoke. Still, we can't help wondering ... moonshine that doesn't leave a hangover?

CONGRATULATIONS to the General Assembly for doing a good turn for Virginia's young people. The budget proposed by former Gov. Douglas Wilder would have scrapped state funds for Offices on Youth set up in several communities, including Roanoke. The legislature wisely restored funding for this program, making $1.8 million available to keep the offices up and running for at least one more year. During that time, their effectiveness will be evaluated.

Fair enough. These offices, run mostly by volunteers and small staffs, sure seem cost-effective. They aren't crime-prevention agencies per se. But they work with young people at risk of being drawn into crime. They attempt to direct youngsters into positive programs that may change the course of their lives.

If, during the evaluation period, it's determined that this does no good, or that other agencies can do it better, so be it. But the funding plug shouldn't be pulled without giving Offices on Youth the chance to make the case for themselves.

Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1994

by CNB