DRUG TASK FORCES DO KEY WORK

The recent drug busts in the Clarksburg and Morgantown areas should remind
all of us -- including area city officials -- of the great job the local
drug task forces are doing.

The task forces, made up of various city and county police officers, are in
the trenches fighting the war on drugs.

What they do is dangerous. It's low-profile and high pressure. And it is
absolutely essential in keeping drugs from becoming a bigger problem.

It is disheartening to hear that some local officials have questioned
supplying officers to these task forces. Seems some think it's a waste of
money.

I would think investing in efforts to keep our communities safe would be
money well spent -- especially in light of the success over the past few years.

Are drugs still a problem? Definitely.

But all you have to do is look at the court records to see that arrests are
being made and convictions are mounting.

More needs to be done to eliminate the demand - then the supply might dry up.

- - BETTER FEELING: After meeting with Gov. Joe Manchin for about 20 minutes
the other day, I left having a better feeling about the state's future.

I'm not sure why. I mean between pension funds and worker's compensation,
the state's more than $8 billion in debt.

But Manchin at least has a plan. I'm not sure it will work.

And I'm not sold on the idea of selling bonds. But it might work.

And at least he's talking about curtailing government spending -- something
past governors haven't been inclined to do.

I guess voters will just have to decide whether the bond sale is worth the
risk. If being $8 billion in debt isn't risky enough.

Manchin's ease at handling tough questions and his business-savvy make him
somewhat unique in terms of politicians.

He's got that certain quality that makes you want to believe him.

And you have to admit he's done a lot -- only time will tell if what he's
done is right for West Virginians.

- - AN OLD IDEA: A candidate for a local city election handed me a pack of
seeds the other day. It had his message stamped on the envelope -- the
flowers were forget-me-nots.

That brought back memories of elections when candidates were just trying to
get their names out -- instead of slamming the opponents.

I can remember campaign slogans on seed packets, popsicle sticks, rulers,
pens -- anything to get the candidate's name out.

I didn't have the heart to tell him that if elected, he will certainly find
out where the fertilizer is stored.