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

DATE: TUESDAY, October 19, 1993                   TAG: 9310280348
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CARS STILL GUZZLING TOO MUCH GAS

ON SEPT. 29, President Clinton, flanked by the chairmen of Chrysler, Ford and General Motors, unveiled an alliance with the stated goal of creating an 80- miles-per-gallon, low-pollution passenger car. The agreement merges automakers' expertise with government laboratories in hopes of creating a new generation of autos that would triple gas mileage over the next decade. No indication was made as to how much federal money would be spent on the program. Clinton, however, compared the research partnership to the Apollo project that put man on the moon and said it would usher in ``a new car-crazy chapter'' in American history, adding that the intent is to launch a technological adventure as ambitious as any our nation has ever attempted.

While appearing to welcome the collaborative effort, the auto executives immediately doused cold water on the project by expressing doubts about whether tripling auto-fuel efficiency is possible. And some industry engineers have indicated they foresee no technology that would lead to such gains and still keep cars at current size, safety levels and price. As everyone knows, American automakers have made little improvement in overall fuel efficiency the past eight years and they steadfastly maintain that no one is interested in small, economy cars nowadays.

Who do the president and auto executives think they are kidding? Last year, Honda Motors of Japan announced the development of a three-part rotary engine capable of obtaining 100 miles per gallon and stated their intention of having it in new Hondas by the turn of the century. If Japanese carmakers can do it, Americans can certainly do it, providing the desire is there. (I refuse to believe that the Japanese are smarter than we are.)

If Americans are not interested in small, economy cars, as Detroit claims,

someone should explain why there are so many Hondas and Toyotas on our highways and why Japan has been so successful in capturing one-third of the American automobile market.

CLAUDE E. STEWART JR.

VINTON

School's principal deserves support

WHEN WILL people start dealing with issues of concern rather than pointing fingers?

The Oct. 10 news article by staff writer Laura Williamson on Hurt Park Elementary (``A school plagued by conflict within'') was not on the demographic, cultural and socioeconomic factors that hinder its growth and financial support. Rather, very little was focused on these factors, or even Principal Shepherd's accomplishments or his love for the school's children and education. If he had more support from adults, teachers, the school board and parents, then he'd get more positive results from the children and community.

Shepherd was one of my role models when I went through school. Now, I'm an honors graduate from William Fleming High School and the Governor's School, and recently received my bachelor of science degree from UVa's School of Architecture. I've seen firsthand his belief in education and those kids. As a concerned friend and supporter of Shepherd, I feel compelled - no, obligated - to shed some positive light on this man.

It's all well and good for everyone to complain. But if more of the community would stand in support of Shepherd and the school, then perhaps more positive needs like grants, volunteers (positive ones), donations, etc., would come through. As adults, we should do what needs to be done rather than complain, create tirades and suck our thumbs. What should really count is Shepherd's support and love for kids and his wishes to nurture their growth through education and support - not the blatant lack of support from those who call themselves adults.

MICHELLE R. BORZOTRA

ROANOKE

Drug habit doesn't make you 'bad'

IN RESPONSE to the Oct. 10 letter to the editor by Velma Brookman entitled ``Sympathy for a burglar?'', I'd like for her to hear a difference of opinion.

I'm a mother of a 4-year-old girl. By the time she is a teen-ager, or perhaps even sooner, the availability of drugs and peer pressure will be far greater than we've ever experienced. Marijuana, LSD and cocaine are 100 times more addictive and lethal than they were in the '60s.

Our children are our future. We need to better understand and better educate them if we ever hope to help them.

Suppose that's your child 10 to 15 years from now. Would he or she be a bad person for having a sickness? No! We're not born bad and having an illness such as a drug addiction should not condemn us.

Jeff Pultz, the boy who was described as a bad person, wasn't that. He was a loving, caring young man with an illness called drug dependency, which is as easy to get as the common cold.

I'm his sister and I have a message: ``Roanoke, it's time to take a stand.''

TONJA JOHNSON

ROANOKE

by CNB