NIAGARA FALLS — Dear Santa: As you fly high over the Niagara area on Christmas Eve, please drop off a few gifts that didn’t make it to the post office in time.

For mayor-elect Paul Dyster, a bundle of optimism, energy and faith that the Cataract City of tomorrow will be rebuilt in the image of the residents’ hope and ambitions for an improved quality of life.

• For Frank Parlato, who owns the former Occidental Center, a rooftop restaurant and 200 new orange flags to wave motorists into the parking lot.

• A 40-foot vessel for Clyde L. Burmaster to start a ferry service between Youngstown and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. (It could be the biggest economic boost to the area since a spa opened on Third Street).

• An 8-inch ruler for weather observer Gene Pacia so he won’t exaggerate the amount of snowfall he records for the National Weather Service.

• A condo in Phoenix, Ariz., for Major Vince Iacovitti of the state park police.

• A grant from the state Office of Historic Preservation for Ed Wojcik to convert the landmark Ontario House (The Jug) in Youngstown into a five-star bed and breakfast.

• For Mark Thomas, western district director of the state parks commission, 10 pickup trucks, four large dump trucks and 19 tractors so the regional parks can be properly maintained for the millions of annual visitors.

• For Mark Bibb, general manager of the Crowne Plaza & Suites, reserved parking spaces for 500 students and 50 chefs.

• For Bishop Edward U. Kmiec of the Buffalo Catholic Diocese, just one press conference where no one mentions “closing” or “merging.”

• The MAAC championship for NU coach Joe Milhalich and the Purple Eagles.

• For Rich Jensen, a shuttle service between his posh Lewiston residence and Sinatra’s Restaurant, Buffalo.

• For Gene Parrone (former owner of Hardings Restaurant), a motorized scooter to make his daily rounds at Our Lady of Peace in Lewiston. (Parrone lived there six weeks before other residents realized he wasn’t on the staff).

• For singer/songwriter Nick Zawacki, an invitation to sing the national anthem at the White House.

• An engraved trophy for Bill Choboy of Youngstown, for his relentless drive to restore the two-party system in Porter. (Democrats are no longer an endangered species.)

• For Michael “Mickey” Rimmen, chairman of the Niagara Falls City Democratic Committee, the new manual, “How to Build Party Unity.”

• And don’t forget for outgoing Mayor Vince Anello, a leather-bound copy of “Signing Valid Petitions for Dummies”

• For the staffs and volunteers at Heart & Soul and the Community Missions, deep gratitude for their quiet and tireless efforts to help the needy.

Finally, Santa, drop off a hefty bundle of hope that somehow this nation will find a sensible solution to the mess in Iraq.

Meanwhile, during this blessed season, we need to keep in mind the brave young men and women in the armed forces who make it possible for all us — at least many of us — to celebrate the holidays in a safe and peaceful environment.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Contact reporter Don Glynn at 282-2311, ext. 2246.