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

DATE: SATURDAY, March 19, 1994                   TAG: 9403220018
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

BRIEFLY PUT . . .

ON SECOND thought, Gov. George Allen said thanks, but no thanks. He will, not, as his three immediate predecessors would not, accept honorary memberships in a couple of posh, private clubs in Richmond that remain enclaves for the white, male establishment.

His about-face is appreciated. As governor, he represents all Virginians, and should not associate himself with organizations that practice discrimination against women or blacks or both.

It's somewhat troubling that Allen first indicated he would join the clubs, and appeared to have a change of heart only after intense criticism. Better an overnight change of heart, though, than failure to comprehend the problem.

Besides, governor. An aw-shucks guy like you who chews tobacco, wears cowboy boots and is partial to a laid-back lifestyle wouldn't have much enjoyed hanging out at these stodgy clubs anyway.

HOW MUCH in state money Roanoke will get for a teen-pregnancy-prevention program is uncertain. But some for the city with state's highest rate of teen pregnancy is virtually guaranteed, and any is welcome.

The $32 billion state budget passed on the final day of the 1994 General Assembly includes $1.9 million for seven pilot programs, up from $1.2 million for the three already operating in Richmond, Alexandria and Norfolk. Roanoke, because of its high teen-pregnancy rate, is expected to have first call on money for the new pilots. Let the city now accept the challenge of constructing a program that will be truly effective.

by CNB