A message of good cheer

Honoring Herb Caen by noting notables

And marking the passage of time.

I offer all this without hemming or hawing

Just remember that rhyming is oft not my calling.

So, in here goes 2024, and here is 2025 —

A mere three days old.

So, let’s name some names for a new year

And the one just unfold(ed).

Let’s start with the folks who labor at the DJ

To produce the newspaper you peruse every day:

Alyse DiNapoli, Ana Mata, Holly Rusch and the boss, Jon Mays,

Nate Mollat, Terry Bernal and, of course, publisher Jerry Lee

Without this paper of record — just where would we be?

Plus, the usual suspects who share this page: John Horgan,

Sue Lempert, Annie Tsai, Greg Wilson, Craig Wiesner.

Their combined insights make this a lively organ.

Let’s not forget the young correspondents, earnest, well-read,

Who reassuringly show us journalism ain’t dead.

Two main characters from 2024,

Christina Corpus and Victor Aenlle,

Will be around this new year for, um, more,

Whether welcome or not, I suppose, anyway.

All this brings new focus on the county supes,

Dealing with controversy unprecedented for this group.

Noelia Corzo and Ray Mueller are in front on this matter,

No doubt hoping not to end up too battered.

Meanwhile, the wear and tear will continue

On the county’s exec, Mike Callagy, and attorney John Nibbelin,

Who must weave their way through all the quibbling.

And leading the board will be North County’s David Canepa.

Next year’s El Presidente, often meeting el gente,

Yet, he always has time to be on camera.

And let’s extend our thanks to two outgoing supes

Warren Slocum and Dave Pine, who proceeded sincerely.

Twelve years is a long time to be leading the troops,

But their character and steadiness will be missed dearly

And, here comes two new supes, with nothing to fear.

East Palo Alto’s Lisa Gauthier takes one seat,

While the other goes to former Rep. Jackie Speier.

A congressional farewell to Anna — she needs only one name.

Now the title of senior elected is Kevin Mullin’s to claim.

And hello to Sam Liccardo, who is new to our turf.

Can we expect his representation to be almost perf?

Goodbye also to Amo (Lee) and Lissette (Espinoza Garnica),

who served from the left without any regrets.

A host of names emerged from the sheriff’s hoo-ha.

Jerry Hill and Jim Hartnett, are mushing ahead on the recall.

Many of us read the massive report from Cordell (LaDoris),

Whose detailed account, please, do not ignore(ish).

Sergeants and captains and deputies, oh my,

Vaulted into the spotlight’s big, bright eye.

Terry Downing showed up in the role of PR,

While DSA President Carlos Tapia was a reluctant star.

Controversies aside, there always are those

Who make a difference for us in their everyday roles.

Labor’s Julie Lind is a mover and shaker,

While Don Cecil is a heartfelt difference maker.

South City’s Mark Nagales and James Coleman

Won reelection, and brushed aside the opposition

From Karyl Matsumoto, who always leaves her mark,

And also saw her name on a Caltrain park.

Nicole Taylor, Jeff Gee and good old Rich Hedges,

They all kept their public service pledges.

Alicia Aguirre, Marci Dragun and David Burruto,

The work they do is more than just show.

A pair of Papans, Diane and Gina,

Whose roots go back to the goddess Athena.

Emily Beach, April Chan and Michelle Bouchard

Keep things moving in the bus and rail yards.

Welcome aboard to Bella Chu and Danielle Cwirko-Godycki ,

(Rhyming this last name can get kind of sticky)

Also Nicole Fernandez and Mary Beth Thompson,

Elmer Saballos and Desiree Thayer.

Each has arrived as local-level player.

But, wait, there are more, we’re hardly done,

Not to mention Ron Collins and Mario Rendon.

Rosanne Foust, Paula Uccelli and Dennis McBride,

Whose efforts are cause for pride.

With the best of intentions, I give you Joe Simitian,

Who lost despite his outstanding criterion.

And I benefit directly from my old pal John Flaherty.

OK, not every name is going to rhyme.

There’s the once-a-month lunch bunch

Mike Scanlon, Chuck Harvey and David Miller

Where laughter is more than a conversation filler.

The geezers — Clem, Rob, Joe and Dick — who meet weekly,

Where stories are told more strongly than weakly.

This is the best place to give some passing mention

To the bottom-of-the-column irregulars, who comment with intention.

There are more I’ve left out, which I truly regret,

And some who are happy their names I forget.

But to all my dear readers, I owe you a ton

For tolerating this unmistakably Simple Simon.

As 2024 recedes in the rear view,

The promise of 2025 is both shiny and new.

Happy New Year.

Mark Simon is a veteran journalist, who inflicts this nonsense on the newspaper only once a year. He can be reached at marksimon@smdailyjournal.com.