Deck The (City) Halls and Watch for Falls
Katy Grimes, Sacramento Union Columnist -
Published: December 23, 2008
’Twas the night before the council meeting when all through City Hall
Everyone was stirring, they were having a ball.
The council was nestled all snug in their chairs,
hoping the new mayor would soon be there.
When out on I Street there arose such a clatter
I sprang from my car to see what was the matter.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But our new Mayor Johnson and his new staff full of cheer.
More rapid than eagles his staffers they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name.
Now Lisa and Daniel, Charlita and Chris,
On Sarah! On Kunal! Don’t stand around like this!
To the top of the stairs! To the end of the hall!
Now dash away to the meeting, dash away all!
He invited us in, for a meeting—with a grin,
He let me sit in his chair, and give it a spin.
The mayor was ready to conduct city business
But the council members had issues, and most were still real “miffed.”
I flashed him my press pass and asked the first question,
Mostly I wanted a detailed session.
The budget, failing schools, our traffic and K Street,
violent crime, weak levies, library scandals, no cops on the beat.
So I asked the mayor for 12 Christmas gifts instead,
and I sang him a tune I dreamed up in my head.
On the twelfth day of Christmas,
Mayor Johnson gave to me
Twelve new cops policing
Eleven charter schools teaching
Ten light rail cops protecting
Nine auditors inspecting
Eight council members groveling
Seven K Street stores a selling
Six federal levee grants financing
Five golden Kings,
Four new library commissioners
Three Natomas fire stations,
Two riverfront developments,
And a budget in the black! |
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