How Best To Help Our Most Vulnerable Young People?

An annual survey says Washington state youngsters are surviving to adolescence and beyond in greater percentages than before. But even though most of them are optimistic about their future, life is still often crummy.

Many live in poverty, says the sixth “State of Washington’s Children.” They have no caring adults to turn to. Drug dealing and abuse go on all about them. What’s more, Washington jails a higher percentage of kids than any other state.

Marilee Roloff, director of Volunteers of America, which runs the Crosswalk shelter for street kids in Spokane, says government and private nonprofit agencies have teamed up well to deal with some youth issues. But persistent problems bother her.

How else might that public-private partnership be used to improve the less encouraging aspects of the latest state report?

Do ads add up to multiplied smoking?

A billboard company in King County is removing all cigarette ads under a deal with health officials there.

Although the company’s president said the decision was “based on what is best for our business, our employees and the children of King County,” the deal actually came about after King County banned cigarette advertising on billboards near schools.

Anti-smoking activists are touting King County as a pioneer in the movement to prevent kids from smoking by curtailing advertising of tobacco products.

Is the strategy effective, though? Is Joe Camel really the culprit or are other pressures to blame for making children light up?

Good job … and goodbye

Spokane County employee Art Keinath did so well at his job - which included getting county workers to do less driving back and forth to work - that he won the county a commendation from a state program aimed at curbing auto emissions.

In a county budget cut, though, Keinath’s position was eliminated and his duties transferred to another employee. Taxpayers will appreciate efforts to streamline county government.

However, does being a good steward of taxpayers’ dollars mean just trimming expenditures or should reductions in the payroll also reflect some recognition - and appreciation of - individual merit?

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