Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 15, 1994 TAG: 9402250019
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
American school teachers, asked to identify the top in-school problems in 1940, listed: talking out of turn, chewing gum, making noise, running in the halls, cutting in line, dress-code infractions and littering.
Asked the same question in 1980, teachers listed: drug abuse, alcohol abuse, pregnancy, suicide, rape, robbery and assault. Doubtless, if teachers were polled today, guns in schools would also be on the list, probably near the top.
Actually, nostalgia is probably the wrong word for what you feel. Nausea may be more accurate.
\ GOV-elect George Allen says if there's money left over from funds he's raising to finance his inaugural festivities next weekend, he'll donate the money to charity. Good decision - and a smart political move, too!
There are certainly many worthy causes that can use and will appreciate the gubernatorial philanthropy. And, in this regard at least, Allen will look like a prince compared with Gov. Doug Wilder - who stashed away nearly $1 million in inaugural proceeds for purposes which, after four years,Wilder has yet to disclose
\ If you haven't been to the relatively new Department of Motor Vehicles' office at Crossroads Mall, it's worth a visit.
A government office worth a visit? No, we're not kidding. It is hard to find, to be sure. But the place is well-lit, there's a friendly information person by the door and a man in a suit trying to be helpful, who dircet you to the right line - which probably isn't long. The employees behind the counter are polite and efficient.
Which just goes to show you can have goverment with the customer in mind. This DMV probably compares favorably with departments in just about any state of the nation.
by CNB