‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the town, Times Editor Mike Scharnow was wearing a frown.

His copy was edited, his stories were filed, but something was up, and he was understandably riled.

The year had been quiet, for the most part at least, but there were things out there still feeding the beast.

A grade school teacher lost her job to the disappointment of some, and Editor Mike knew the letters would come.

And came they did, in bunches, week after week, until finally a lawsuit the teacher did seek.

And while the school’s business just raged on and on, the town had its own things to ponder upon.

The Chamber said bye to its long-time head guy and welcomed a new one to reach for the sky.

Elected incumbents for the Town and the schools took leave of their seats, so new ones stepped up to see what they would meet.

The officials decide how to spend or save money and go on as they will with projects aplenty.

And in the downtown a big project was planned to make the great Avenue attractive again.

A contractor was hired and work was begun, but to many who watched they did seem to dally.

The contractor did say the fault was not his, it was weather, suppliers and SRP that should rally.

The council, however, not amused and did tell the contractor “get done or you lose.”

And the Avenue became the Plaza at last, the old ugly median was a thing of the past.

Downtown looked pretty, and Shea soon would be bigger, but somewhere out there was an even greater figure.

Like the work on Saguaro that would start just next year, in time for the drivers to lose their good cheer.

For the road would be torn up from bottom to top, causing lots of delays and an all-around stop.

Of smooth sailing from Shea to the boulevard, but that’s not the case. That old road is not smooth, and must be replaced.

And for Editor Mike that’s a big deal, with the Harley he rides. So he talks to wife Brenda, who takes it in stride.

For the couple goes riding as oft’ as they will, since it’s cool and it’s fun and it gives them a thrill.

Yes, the news goes on, the news does not stop, and the newspaper tries to always keep on top.

So Good Editor Mike will take to the streets to enjoy a good break, and go off with his sweetie, make no mistake.

When Editor Mike hops on his Hog and rides away with the roar of a frog, we’ll hear him exclaim over the blast of that Harley,

“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

With all appropriate apologies to Mr. Moore and Mr. Scharnow