Chanukah's lights have dimmed, Christmas is coming,

In the columnist's gig, poem time is humming.

We take note of politicians who author our laws,

Though in fact many of them give us great pause.

Some other pols don't make laws - they break them,

You have to wonder where the future will take them.

We chronicle pols who've established their places

And others who are planning ambitious races.

Many community leaders deserve our thanks ó

Whether in arts, nonprofits, labor or banks.

Since last we sat down to call out the roll,

Tragedy struck America, with an unimaginable toll.

We remember victims and heroes and pause in our grief

To salute President Bush, our commander in chief.

vvv

Rhode Island's pols form a never-ending stream,

With Jack Reed and Linc Chafee heading the team.

It's nice to see Patrick Kennedy spending time in the state,

And to realize that Jim Langevin has become his House mate.

Governor Linc Almond bestrides the scene like a giant,

But the General Assembly usually isn't very compliant.

Joe Larisa runs the staff for the lame-duck gov,

While press aide Lisa Pelosi fits her job like a glove.

There's more to the office than meets the news:

Meet legal counsel Claire Richards and her deputy, Erika Kruse.

Lt. Gov. Charlie Fogarty has put gubernatorial plans on hold,

In the end, it was too hard for him to come up with the gold.

Strategist Sue Pegden should tell him in a tone heartfelt:

Next time, get born into a family with gelt.

Watch for Fogarty to back Sheldon Whitehouse's bid,

When it comes to campaign cash, the AG has no lid.

Speaking of wealthy candidates, we watch like a hawk,

To see another gubernatorial run by old pal Myrth York.

We know Tony Pires still aspires to the post,

And that the GOP also has candidates who boast.

They include Don Carcieri, Bernie Jackvony, Jim Bennett,

But, say, is any Republican running for U.S. Senate?

Secretary of State Ed Inman asks voters to keep him around,

And Treasurer Paul Tavares hopes the markets are sound.

vvv

Deck the halls, hang high the holly,

Politics can be full of folly.

Three Republicans are taking aim at Kennedy's seat:

Christine Ferguson looms as the one to beat.

But Mike Battles and Dave Rogers insist they're for real:

One was an Army Ranger, the other a Navy SEAL.

We need a special category for the Brothers Lynch:

Bill is Democratic chairman, Patrick looms as an AG cinch.

Leo Fontaine is stepping down from the Republican helm,

That once-proud party is now a very small realm.

Sometimes voters hold their breath and say a prayer:

In 2002, Providence will elect a mayor.

For more of the same, there's always Buddy Cianci,

But voters have plenty of reasons to be antsy.

If you want to know more, give Meg Curran a call,

When it comes to Plunder Dome, the U.S. attorney knows all.

The mayor's top aide is Artin Coloian,

Talking to him can be very annoyin'.

As David Cicilline mounts a mayoral drive,

Amy Gabarra raises money to help him survive.

Before this passage makes you weary,

Let's remember Cranston's mayor, John O'Leary.

Warwick's Scott Avedisian wants a handy railroad stop,

So airplane passengers wouldn't have very far to hop.

vvv

Order in the court, the judges are on the bench,

Many of them deserve the accolade mensch.

Frank Williams has become the Supreme Court chief,

The guy to see if you have a judicial system beef.

Superior Court now has a judge who's a pearl:

Plaintiffs and defendants, greet Susan McGuirl.

Several others on that court also can preen:

Steve Nugent, Judy Savage, Mike Silverstein.

Now to the state Senate, where Bill Irons stands tall,

When you're majority leader, you have the world at your call.

Frank Caprio chairs Finance, where he watches each buck;

Let's hope he's sensitive to folks down on their luck.

Elizabeth Roberts, Charles Walton, Rhoda Perry:

These solons are bright and I do mean very.

In the House, Denise Aiken is champ of the maps,

When redistricting upsets people, she takes the raps.

Nancy Hetherington, Maxine Shavers add more class to the place,

And watch Stella Guerra Brien, who won a special House race.

Several reps are outstanding, as good as can be,

But Sue Story is tops: Hey, she represents me.

Speaker John Harwood presides, demonstrating finesse,

He's a very friendly guy but seldom talks to the press.

Majority Leader Gerard Martineau is a loyal number two;

Bob Watson is minority leader, so he has little to do.

vvv

Fry up those latkes (remember to open the vent!),

We'll serve them to lawyers with a political bent.

Eva Mancuso, Jack McConnell, Angel Taveras ó

We could name more if you'd but dare us.

How about Walter Stone, Sam Zurier, Jeff Pine?

And Gerald Harrington, Will Smith, Alan Gelfuso make nine.

If you're having a fundraiser, you're dealing with peasants,

Unless lobbyist Bob Goldberg arrives to lend you his presence.

Which reminds me: It's been some time since I've heard

From Sheldon Sollosy, a circuit regular and very tough bird.

At the Chamber of Commerce, where money's never tight,

A prosperous new year to Mark Formica, Jim Hagan, Laurie White.

Nick Janikies owns Burger Kings, which have plenty of fans,

But I'm more interested in his Krispy Kreme plans.

We know some execs in banking it would behoove you to meet:

Barbara Cottam of Citizens and Anne Szostak of Fleet.

Public relations all-stars I'm thinking of convenin':

Tom Walsh, Mike Trainor, Julie Andrews, Christine Heenan.

In labor's ranks, Frank Montanaro and George Nee,

Are atop everyone's list of powers to see.

But there are many other folks who add to life around here:

Juan Pichardo, Betty Bernal, Yahaira Placencia bring cheer.

Note to Dr. Pablo Rodriguez, a major dignitary in the city:

At our country club, you'll chair the admissions committee.

Quaff down an egg nog as we continue the roster:

Where's operative Mark Weiner and his friend Richard Oster?

Here are two guys who came to a parting of ways:

John Holmes, Ed Morabito, who met in Almond's balmier days.

In the world of art, where success is hard to deliver,

Count on PPAC's Lynn Singleton he's not chopped liver.

Marcos Antonio is invaluable if you have a film to show

And when it comes to drama, Oskar Eustis is rarin' to go.

At the Pawtucket Red Sox, where attendance is large,

Ben Mondor, Mike Tamburro, Lou Schwechheimer take charge.

At the Providence Bruins, you should know Frank DuRoss:

He's become the team's owner yes, he's the boss.

As an Olympic goalie, Sara DeCosta's gained reknown,

And Digit Murphy coaches women's hockey for Brown.

Joe Castiglione, Don Orsillo, Dave Goucher may be found

Broadcasting sports what a wonderful sound!

At 1290 on the dial, Deb Becker highlights NPR's Morning Edition;

Jim Taricani and Gene Valicenti maintain Channel 10's tradition.

Channel 36 experiments in very lively fashion ó

This Susan Farmer show unleashes great passion.

In the halls of religion, graced by great shrines,

Catholic Bishop Robert Mulvee's countenance shines.

A fellow who's sweet, but who sure can be loud,

Is the Rev. Marlowe Washington, who refuses to be cowed.

The Rev. Anne Grant also champions people in need ó

Her arrest to protest homelessness was an excellent deed.

Remember the candles and the warmth that they brought,

And consider the spirit these Rhode Islanders caught.

Two women who understand that poverty hurts

Are advocates Linda Katz and Nancy Gewirtz.

Noreen Shawcross's coalition wants decent housing for all,

Elizabeth Burke Bryant counts kids young, short and tall.

We herald Serena Conley for her charitable aid,

Giving of the spirit means more than getting paid.

At International Institute, Bill Shuey's kind of tweedy;

Deb Brayton's left Amos House but it still serves the needy.

To fight drunken driving, you should sign on with MADD ó

Meg DeCubellis will be grateful, and you will feel glad.

As state police colonel, you don't want Tom, Dick or Harry,

That's why the gov gave the job to Steven M. Pare.

In academia's ranks, these profs are strong as a pillar:

PC's Eric Hirsch, URI's Maureen Moakley, Brown's Wendy Schiller.

Mount Pleasant High School principal Nancy Mullen

Toils very hard to make sure kids are not sullen.

Let's not forget another principal of the talented sort:

You'll find him at Classical his name is John Short.

Into troubled lives social workers bring joy ó

In their name we hail Kate Coyne-McCoy.

For fun dining it's hard to beat a restaurant's mirth,

Christine Manfredi of Angelo's is the best waitress on earth.

This year saw the death of a man who was a life enhancer:

Einar Gustafson, who inspired the Jimmy Fund for cancer.

Katie Brown died and you can mourn her in silence,

At Barrington's memorial to domestic violence.

And Al Johnson, who gave young journalists tough love,

Passed away and is now editing stories above.

In the year coming up, may good health be in store,

Let peace reign everywhere, now, forever more.

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