SMOKE-FREE CLASS MAY HAVE LONG RANGE IMPACT

Vision 2000 has taken on a number of high-visibility projects in Cape Girardeau but few have the potential long-range significance of a program being reaffirmed Saturday. The Smoke-Free Class of 2000, which includes more than 500 city third graders, will hold its annual "graduation" celebration. The program is sponsored by the American Lung Association, American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society, and involves children in the Class of 2000 who have taken a pledge to remain tobacco-free. It is part of community wellness efforts initiated by Vision 2000. We applaud sponsors and students for the exemplary participation in this endeavor. Given the facts at an early age about the dangers of tobacco use can only help these young people make the right decisions later in life.

The city has made a considerable investment in the municipal golf course over the years. Arguments for this investment are sound: it is an asset for the community and complements other municipal activities in recreation, tourism and economic development. However, golfers have from time to time grown rightfully cross about inferior playing conditions at the course; their green fees and tax payments go toward upkeep at the course and they want it properly maintained. The City Council debated last year whether this goal could be better achieved with a full-time manager at the facility. That body decided, however, to retain only a local course consultant and seems at this point to have made a wise decision. Players are voicing satisfaction with the course and its improvements. We see no need to hire another city employee if this system continues to get good reviews from users of the course.

The Jackson school district has a uniquely challenging situation in providing bus transportation for its students. The district, with attendance centers as far apart as Fruitland and Gordonville, is spread across a broad area of rural countryside; the task of shuttling students is formidable. Still, the district must give its attention when complaints are registered about lengthy bus transportation times. Such a complaint was forwarded to the board this week concerning children in the district's North Elementary School. A parent claimed some students spend as much as an hour and a half on buses each day, with a number of them arriving at school as much as 45 minutes before classes begin. The school district has an enviable bus safety record, which is a foremost concern, but it must also take into account the problems posed with students spending so much time waiting to get from place to place.