Chanukah's lights dazzled but the glow is now out,

Next comes Christmas - this is no time to pout.

It's the time of the calendar when your humble scribe

Pauses to greet luminaries of the state's political tribe.

They think they're hard-working, like industrious elves,

They have no idea when they make fools of themselves.

But let's be fair: Some of these folks are on our side,

Rather than ego, they let conscience be their guide.

It's a sad tale to tell, but we lost one of the best,

When John Hubbard Chafee found eternal rest.

Yet legions remain for us to salute or to tweak ó

We can needle the big names and celebrate the meek.

When you stop to think, Rhode Island offers a tableau

Of all kinds of citizens who make this state go.

Many toil without glamour to improve life around here

For those who are poor, or sick, or cowering in fear.

So rev up the engines, we're off on a tear,

Listing as many names as this space will bear.

Fetch the frozen latkes, fry them up in a bunch,

Let Governor Linc Almond eat them for lunch.

Sure, some will twit him: "He's too quiet, too tall" ó

I prefer to thank him for bringing us the mall.

As for other things he's done but you may have missed,

Press secretary Lisa Pelosi will give you a list.

Linc Chafee has inherited his dad's Senate seat,

Holding onto it next year will be no easy feat.

He'll face Rep. Bob Weygand or (you may think this a reach)

Another Democrat running, former Lt. Gov. Richard Licht.

Gearing up for the race, Chafee's surveying his realm

And on his Providence staff has placed Will Smith at the helm.

Without such aides, our pols would soon founder ó

Surely J.B. Poersch makes Sen. Jack Reed sounder.

And while Rep. Patrick Kennedy is a very decent fella,

Where would he be without Tony Marcella?

Quaffe down the egg nog, hang up the holly,

Some pols are headed for a terrible folly.

Four Democrats want the Second District House post,

One will be nominated, the others will be toast.

Jim Langevin and Kate Coyne-McCoy are two of the names,

Kevin McAllister, Angel Taveras also have aims.

Charles Fogarty, Sheldon Whitehouse, Paul Tavares can wait

For 2002 elections that will decide their fate.

Gather up the presents, tally up the wealth,

Thank God we have Patricia Nolan watching out for our Health.

In the world of transport, two women can preen:

Beverly Scott at RIPTA, Elaine Roberts at Green.

Though some government officials are very touchy feely,

Crooks should avoid Ethics director Marty Healey.

And Lisa Farrell rules the Parole Board with a hammer,

Don't cross her up or you'll stay in the slammer.

For holiday entertainment you could hire singers so fancy,

But why bother when you can bring in comic Buddy Cianci?

He can invite Joan Edwardsen to add glitter to his act,

And they can debate the subtleties of humor and tact.

Regards to Joe Paolino and his office on Dorrance,

I miss Joyce Acciaioli Rudge and the Splendor of Florence.

That reminds me: There's something I just have to know:

When will Barnaby Evans's WaterFire light the Arno?

Attention, shoppers: If you'd patronize Providence Place

It would bring a smile to Dan Lugosch's face.

At the Chamber of Commerce, money is might:

Meet Fred Lohrum, Jim Hagan, Laurie White.

Need a P.R. type? No cause to get huffy:

Try John Barrett, Tom Walsh, Marisa Poli, Dave Duffy.

Having gotten engaged, photog Susie Dittelman is cooing,

But I wonder if she really knows what she's doing.

(Memo to Bruce Sundlun: Just kidding. Don't call.)

Bring out the reindeer, hitch up the sleigh,

We've plenty more names to get out of the way.

State Senators Bill Enos, Mike Lenihan, Teresa Paiva Weed

Back Majority Leader Paul Kelly whenever there's need.

Sen. Maryellen Goodwin chairs the Lottery Commission,

Which installs video slots without Almond's permission.

You could argue that in the Senate the GOP barely rates:

Yet here are Dennis Algiere, June Gibbs, David Bates.

House Speaker John Harwood may miss Mesolella, Vinny,

We admire David Cicilline, Mike Pisaturo, Joanne Giannini.

In Superior Court, with Joe Rodgers presiding,

A lot of other talent is also residing.

Frank Williams is an expert on Abraham Lincoln,

And here's something else that's got me thinkin'.

Judges Rogeriee Thompson and Ed Clifton share a tie:

She married his brother Bill, a most lawyerly guy.

In this season of miracles, myrth, song and cheer,

Let's recall others who improve life around here.

Frank Montanaro, Marcia Reback highlight labor's front rank,

Barbara Cottam is a star at Citizens Bank.

U.S. Attorney Meg Curran adds real class to this poem

Why not? With aide Richard Rose, she runs Plunder Dome.

Jack McConnell, Amy Gabarra, Joe Fleming, Mark Weiner

Are operatives for pols some worse, some finer.

In Latino political circles, several figures intrigue us:

Juan Pichardo, Carolina Bernal and Pablo Rodriguez.

In protecting boys and girls, Laureen D'Ambra's a giant,

Ensuring every kid counts is Elizabeth Burke Bryant.

Welcome to Providence, School Supt. Diana Lam,

We know you'll find a way to ensure folks give a damn.

In human rights, Christine Roundtree fights hate,

As do Montiero, Cliff, and Monteiro, Kate.

As we approach the millennium, we consult with the sages,

Hoping to profit from the wisdom of ages.

Rabbi Wayne Franklin tells Bible stories of yore,

Father Victor Vieira crusades for East Timor.

I have to tell you I'm also a fan

Of an Episcopal priest, Nunley, Jan.

Barbara Fields Karlin helps people put a roof over their head

At Amos House Deb Brayton provides food and a bed.

Serena Conley's efforts help Genesis Center,

Lawyer Casby Harrison is a leading child mentor.

Viewers love Channel 36 for a very strange brew:

Susan Farmer and her Lively Experiment crew.

Jim Taricani and Gene Valicenti grace TV lots,

But some faces are missing: Sean Daly, Pam Watts.

Radio reporter Deb Becker makes the news seem so near,

Catch her on WRNI, the NPR affiliate here.

Save those ribbons, let's keep the wrap,

There's a whole roster of names we still want to tap.

A political aide now helping folks who are sick,

Is the Hospital Association's Ed Quinlan, a guy very slick.

At the Lung Association, Margaret Kane's voice rings

Denouncing tobacco and all the grief that it brings.

At the U of Rhode Island, how interesting this would be:

President Bob Carothers inviting Sally Dowling to tea.

Maureen Moakley, Mary Ann Sorrentino, Pat Devlin teach classes,

Student president Joe Walsh has support from the masses.

Rhode Island College's social work school has somebody neat:

Poverty fighter Nancy Gewirtz, who steps on politicians' feet.

Pawsox owner Ben Mondor is king of the regal McCoy,

Mike Tamburro, Lou Schwechheimer help add to our joy.

Providence Bruins owner Ed Anderson sports Calder Cup rings,

Look for his daughter Tara she'll some day run things.

We're in the home stretch, but the list's still not right,

Omitting the wrong people could cause a big fright.

Nordstrom's Lisa Hornbuckle caters to those who have gold,

Susette Rabinowitz helps out folks who are old.

Regards to a golden ager who influenced my life:

Former editor Al Johnson (and hi to Annie, his wife).

And best wishes to another senior it's impossible to hate her,

The Democratic National Committeewoman, Eleanor Slater.

Restaurateurs Walter Potenza, Neath Pal have a lot on the ball,

Angelo's Christine Manfredi is best waitress of all.

We hope skies brighten for someone who's met with defeat:

A former Rhode Island first lady, Patricia DiPrete.

As the year closes, another woman lives on in our mind:

The late Julie Gutterman, who was one of a kind.

We also lost General Holland, who left Earth's borders,

Somewhere, I'd like to think, he's still barking orders.

The poem is now ending, our labors will cease,

May Y2K bring you health, prosperity and peace.

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