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WILKES-BARRE — It’s Christmas Day and with any luck, Santa arrived and left everything on everybody’s list.
But just in case, here are a few gifts Santa might have left, or should have:
• Mayor George Brown — To lead the city to new heights, except in the tax rate.
• Luzerne County Manager Dave Pedri — a slightly less confrontational approach to dealing with his elected county council so he can continue doing a superlative job.
• Will Beekman — to book Carole King at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. OK, that might have been on my list.
• Wilkes-Barre Township — to win a national award for economic development near the arena and beyond, and to continue to attract more shoppers, concertgoers and sports fans.
• Incoming Wilkes President Greg Cant — to effect even more positive change at Wilkes University.
• Luzerne County Community College President Tom Leary — to continue to serve the students who really benefit from LCCC’s programs and its affordable cost.
• King’s College President Rev. Jack Ryan — continue to make significant improvements to the campus, like the renovation of the Memorial Presbyterian Church on North Street.
• All veterans — to continue getting the respect and admiration from a grateful nation.
• Luzerne County Council — to work together for the betterment of the county and its hard-working people.
• Wilkes-Barre City Council — Where do we begin? How about working with the new administration and valuing public input.
• Chamber President Wico van Genderen — to hold several news conferences announcing large companies coming to the region with lots of family-sustaining, high-paying jobs.
• Diamond City Executive Director Larry Newman — staying on that upward path of incremental growth to a vibrant city.
• Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Association Chairman John Maday — increased membership in the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Association and his own Viking boat.
• Former U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta — a new career, a good cigar and more time with family and faithful companion Riley.
• Republican Party — to be willing to work “across the aisle” and to at least consider the concept of compromise.
• Democratic Party — Ditto.
• U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Moosic — To continue to bring those federal dollars to Northeastern Pennsylvania through his position on the House Appropriations Committee.
• U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas — to continue to make an impact in Washington D.C.
• U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa. — to use his seniority to guide the Democratic Party to a new beginning.
• U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa. — to continue to show that he will vote his conscience and not (always) his party.
• Gov. Tom Wolf — to keep White Haven Center and State Correctional Institution at Retreat open, protecting human lives and people’s jobs, not to mention the local economy.
• State Sen. John Yudichak, I-Swoyersville — to show why his move to become an independent is so important in effecting positive change in government.
• State Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township — to continue her commitment to representing her constituents and thinking outside the box.
• State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre — more help for grandparents raising grandchildren; accountability for prescription drug companies; and a new dance hall at Sandy Beach.
• State Rep. Mike Carroll, D-Avoca — better roads, better schools, more bipartisanship in Harrisburg.
• State Rep. Karen Boback, R-Dallas — a regatta for Harveys Lake and to keep working for our educational system.
• State Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-Kingston — to continue to work hard on issues that concern constituents, regardless of political affiliations.
• State Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-Butler Township —to stay focused on helping farmers and to be their voice in Harrisburg.
• State Rep. Gerald Mullery, D-Newport Township —continue his walking tours of towns in his district to learn about what issues are of most concern.
• Notre Dame fans — a new coach — please. (An annual request)
• Penn State fans — to continue to faithfully support one of the very best programs in the country.
• Yankees fans — Stop with the analytics already, play real baseball and get more real baseball players like DJ LeMahieu.
• Mets fans — Relax, “believe” and with that pitching staff your team should be playing in October.
• Phillies fans — It’s all there, just enjoy — but keep an eye on Joe “Genius” Girardi.
• Eagles fans — Carson Wentz is a good QB, the coach is better than most, now beat my Giants and head to the playoffs.
• Giants fans — Use Saquon Barkley more, shore up the offensive line and add to the defense and next year should be better.
• Steelers fans — Don’t even think of firing Tomlin; patience needed here; hope that Big Ben will return intact.
• Red Sox fans — Yikes! What the heck happened here? Be grateful that you have the best park in baseball.
• Dodgers fans — To win a World Series, well, maybe there is a Santa Claus.
• Political pundits — to stop the antagonistic approach to covering Donald Trump and politics in general; it’s silly, actually; like it or not, Trump speaks to America; until the Dems get that, nothing will really change.
• SPCA, Blue Chip Farm, et al — for more kind-hearted, compassionate souls to adopt abandoned pets and give them a good home. Please.
• Cable TV subscribers — the ability to choose a provider.
• Pizza parlors — to actually put $2 worth of toppings on a pie. C’mon, man.
• Brandon Matthews — to have the world emulate him after he showed us how to treat our fellow human beings.
• Pauline Bailey (mother of Phylicia Thomas) — for law enforcement to aggressively pursue this case to find out what happened, by whom and to find her remains and bring her home. It’s been 16 years; it’s a shame this case hasn’t been solved.
Merry Christmas to all and to all, a good year ahead.