Rhode Island News: M. Charles Bakst

M. Charles Bakst: Season's greetings, one rhyme at a time

12.25.2005

Extra

Journal political columnist M. Charles Bakst offers up his annual holiday poem.

Audio / MP3: Hear Bakst read his full poem (10.8 mins) / Listen to excerpts (3.7 mins.)

Look back at past season greetings

2004: Here's rhyme and here's reason to this holiday season

2003: A blessing on our House . . . and Senate and state . . .

2002: 'Tis the season for holiday verse, for better or worse

2000: Season's Greetings: Rhymes for the times

2001: Tis the time for holiday rhyme

1999: For pols and pals, seasonal rhymes for the times

1998: Season's greetings, for better or verse

1997: Marking time in rhyme

1996: A sure sign of the season: Our annual ode to pols and pals

1995: Here's rhyme and here's reason to this holiday season

Christmas has arrived, a grand celebration's in sight,

And as God would have it, Hanukkah starts tonight.

Sit back, relax, and savor this poem.

Then let the scent of latkes waft through your home.

We cite the pols who tax and amuse you,

But can't account for those who abuse you.

Lots of other folks merit a mention,

Even though they rarely get much attention.

They try to make Rhode Island a better place

Than when so much rode on money or race.

But we start at the State House, where Don Carcieri is gov,

He prowls the corridors of power with an iron glove.

He has some detractors -- well, at least a few

But no one dislikes the first lady, Sue.

Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty wants to wrest the top post --

To improve his shot, a wife would help most.

Sen. Maryellen Goodwin would make a great host,

It'd be a power marriage -- that's no idle boast.

Sen. Elizabeth Roberts aspires to Fogarty's position

With no Republican in sight, she can plan the transition.

ROLL OUT THE EGG NOG, time is a-fleeting,

Important state officials are having a meeting.

Administration head Bev Najarian tops our selections,

Followed by A.T. Wall, the director of Corrections.

Economic Development's Mike McMahon generates the bucks

That allow Transportation's Jim Capaldi to buy trucks.

Jane Hayward presides over the Human Services empire,

DCYF's Patricia Martinez helps kids whose lot is dire.

Dave Duffy is in charge of the Convention Center board;

It now runs The Dunk, which the city found tough to afford.

Leslie Gardner chairs the Capital Center Commission --

To build near the State House, you need her permission.

Providence Mayor David Cicilline's tenure has been brief

But distinguished by having Dean Esserman as chief.

If you miss Buddy Cianci -- well, he wouldn't be my pick --

You can relive old times through Cherry Arnold's flick.

Cranston will choose a new mayor, a vacancy sign is hung,

Could Steve Laffey's successor be Councilman Allan Fung?

Or maybe a guy who knows the value of a dollar, or euro

Yes, I'm talking about Councilman Mike Pisaturo.

UNWRAP THE PRESENTS, or maybe you should hide 'em,

More politicians are coming and some folks can't abide em.

Still, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed's a very popular fellow,

And Rep. Patrick Kennedy is beginning to mellow.

Rep. Jim Langevin appears headed for reelection

Though primary foe Jennifer Lawless plots a rejection.

Who knows what will be Sen. Lincoln Chafee's fate?

A large field of challengers is in the starting gate.

Laffey comes out of the Republican stable,

Some think he'll stumble, but others call him able.

Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse has been around the electoral track,

Matt Brown steps up in class and seeks to break out of the pack.

Federal Appeals Judge Bruce Selya would come out the best

If you gave every jurist a vocabulary test.

District Court Judge Will Smith is younger, his resume leaner,

But he's making a name with his even demeanor.

Some grouse that Mary Lisi will punish you just for thinkin' --

Ask Dan Bucci and Nigel Potter about what happened at Lincoln.

I have no quarrel with their sentences but still can't decide

Why they felt John Harwood would be interested in a bribe.

State Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank Williams has might

And the good taste to close down his personal Web site.

GIVE YOUR DREIDEL a spin until it lands on the ground,

The General Assembly is the best show around.

Joseph Montalbano serves as the Senate's president,

Majority Leader Teresa Paiva Weed is another power resident.

Rhoda Perry cares about suffering, she'd grant you marijuana

Dennis Algiere is minority leader, not too big an honor.

In the House, Bill Murphy reigns as speaker,

And shows no signs of acting meeker.

(If you want a diversion, call out his name

And ask him to take you to a Celtics game.)

Majority Leader Gordon Fox, Finance chair Steve Costantino,

Build a budget on slots, lottery tickets, dogs, and keno.

Tom Slater, Grace Diaz care about people in need,

When Minority Leader Bob Watson talks, most reps pay no heed.

It takes tons of staffers to keep politicians in tow,

Most are terrific and some just so-so.

Ken McKay, Steve Hourahan, Adam Bozzi, Jeff Neal,

Mike Mello, Karen Southern, Robin Schutt are for real.

Peggy Forbes, Larry Berman, Debbie Rich and Steve Kass,

Greg McCarthy, Robin Costello, Joy Fox are also first class.

Among party operatives you'll find none finer

Than Democrats Jack McConnell, Bill Lynch, and Mark Weiner.

Two Republican activists we wouldn't think of banning:

Chairman Patricia Morgan and National Committeman Rob Manning.

Here's a guy you'd never call a hack:

Domingo Morel of the Rhode Island Latino PAC.

Also, a tip of the hat to former Sen. Tom Coderre,

For telling the story of his addiction, a tough thing to bare.

IN THIS SEASON of reflection, behold the crown jewels,

The best thing in Rhode Island is the network of schools.

Welcome to Father Brian Shanley, who's PC's number one Friar,

Kudos to Sister Therese Antone, who takes Salve Regina ever higher.

Bob Carothers leads URI but resists the ivory tower

And Ruth Simmons has turned Brown into a football power. (Yes!)

Of course, she didn't do it alone, she had some assistance

From running back Nick Hartigan, who plows through all resistance.

Here's my idea of a sophisticated verse:

Laurie White is now prez of the Chamber of Commerce.

Jose Brito leads the Greater Providence Merchants Association --

If Hispanic business thrives it will be cause for elation.

Merrill Sherman and Barbara Cottam star in the world of banking,

James Procaccianti's Westin condos may be the city's top-ranking.

Weng Tao is a business name you'll want to remember

(There might be a quiz on these things come next December.)

Fidelity's David Weinstein is a good guy to know

If you want to add jobs and make the economy grow.

Then, if you need more stimulus, a greater churner,

Drop by GTECH and say hello to Bruce Turner.

In P.R. circles, where there's money to burn,

Our greetings go out to Cynthia Stern.

And Bill Fischer and Jenn Bramley and we're still not restin' --

Hi too to Christine Heenan, Dyana Koelsch, David Preston.

When it comes to wealth, Brian O'Neill has it made

His Carnegie Abbey offers condos, golf, sailing, and shade.

Frank Montanaro bestrides labor like the Colossus of Rhodes

Though Bob Walsh and Marcia Reback help out loads.

HOLIDAYS OR NO, Rhode Islanders aren't lazy

About going to restaurants and eating like crazy.

You might stop by Broad Street -- yes, bring the relations

And sample Ada Terrero's wares at Ada's Creations.

On Federal Hill, at Alan Costantino's Venda Ravioli,

Chef Sal Cefaliello's dishes are the next thing to holy.

Owner Bob Antignano wants to give Angelo's new sheen.

Okay -- as long as waitress Christine Manfredi stays queen.

If buying a pound of tongue doesn't faze ya,

Go into Davis' deli and ask for Mark Glazer.

Vinny Paz may be on the financial ropes,

But I enjoyed meeting his girlfriend, Holly Dolly Lopes.

At PawSox games, King Ben Mondor has a regal luxury box,

Mike Tamburro and Lou Schwechheimer are a team like bagels and lox.

At Fenway, Jerry Kapstein, Don Orsillo, Joe Castiglione

Are knowledgeable folks who sound the right tone.

At the Providence Bruins, Frank DuRoss rules the roost,

Sales director Kara Russo gives URI's Ryan Center a boost.

NOW EXCUSE ME while I decorate halls and foyers

And call the roll of some well known lawyers.

John Tarantino, Walter Stone, Max Wistow,

Angel Taveras, Meg Curran, and Eva Mancuso.

And of other folks who are far from shallow

Like the Rhode Island Foundation's Ron Gallo.

Henry Shelton, God bless him, continues to toil,

So people can get help to pay for their oil.

Bishop Geralyn Wolf has worked to shed light

On Rhode Island's homeless and the shame of their plight.

Elizabeth Burke Bryant, Kate Brewster, the Rev. John Holt

Work to give society's conscience a jolt.

Les Gutterman is one of the finest rabbis in the nation;

His wife, Janet Engelhart, has shone at the Jewish Federation.

In promoting affirmative action and equality for all,

Jim Vincent, Michael Evora, and Jenn Steinfeld stand tall.

Leisa Young has searched for justice for years,

Her love for her son shines through her tears.

Serena Conley raises funds for Sophia Academy for girls,

Karen Adams and Margie O'Brien are among TV's pearls.

Meeting the press, Chief Matthew Thomas has a gift for talk;

I like the steps Jim Taricani takes for the American Heart Walk.

It's sad to think of television news without the late Jack White

Or the Journal without Mimi Burkhardt, an editor so bright.

Steve Hamblett long ago retired as publisher here,

He struck me as approachable, inquisitive, a man of cheer.

Ann Hill ran John Hope Settlement House and Martin de Porres:

We'll think of her often and sing her praises in chorus.

May health and happiness mark Two Thousand and Six,

And if peace comes too it would be one heck of a mix!

M. Charles Bakst, The Journal's political columnist, can be reached by e-mail at mbakst@projo.com