DART — To the Cash for Clunkers program, which turned out to be a clinker. An Associated Press report found that the most frequent deals involved participants trading in a gas guzzling truck for a new one that got only slightly better gas mileage.

Trading an old pickup for a new one doesn’t improve the environment much. It’s also likely that the truck owner would have bought a new truck eventually anyway.

This program spent a great deal of federal money to essentially move up the purchase timetable for many buyers. Because of this, don’t expect car sales to help jump start the economy in the coming months.

LAURELS — To all those who mentor students, especially Dennis Bedford, who is mentoring three middle school students now and has mentored many others over the years. Bedford is a staff member of the Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha, one of several organizations in Kenosha that matches mentors with students. Mark Gesner, community development director at UW-Parkside, which is administering a federal grant to expand mentoring programs, says one-on-one mentoring is one of the most effective ways to keep kids in school and learning. Bedford, who has been mentoring students since the 1970s, says it is extremely gratifying. “Knowledge is good, but it’s even more powerful when you share it,” he said. Bedford is a good role model for students — and for adults. More mentors are needed.

LAUREL — To Deborah L. Ford, who was inaugurated Friday as chancellor of UW-Parkside. In her inaugural speech, she talked about facing the future with courage — through collaboration, communication and cooperation. Also, apparently, with alliteration, and we’ve got no problems with that.

Ford also said in her speech that she wanted to work with Parkside faculty and staff and the community to mesh the school’s strengths with local occupational, cultural and other needs. That’s a good plan. Parkside and the surrounding communities need to be engaged with each other. The relationships should be beneficial to all.