Welcome to Christmas in the Paine, where the lights are bright, the debt is brighter, and City Hall keeps singing carols while quietly setting fire to the balance sheet.

This year’s holiday hit isn’t from Bing Crosby. It’s from the citizens who noticed the tree is decorated with lawsuits, the gifts are IOUs, and the sleigh is financed over 20 years.

Let’s sing along, shall we?

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Verse One: Nothing You Confess Will Be Used Against You (Yet)

“God rest ye merry councilmen, let nothing you confess…”

That lyric alone could be engraved over the doors of City Hall.

While residents hum along, Jim Paine—our very own Krampus in a pressed suit—manages to rack up another civil rights lawsuit like it’s a collectible ornament. Limited edition. Very shiny. Very expensive.

And don’t worry, folks. He smiled while borrowing $10 million and promised “no new taxes.”
Which is political code for “Don’t look behind the tinsel.”

Oh tidings of lawsuits and lies… 
Yes. That tracks.

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Verse Two: The Ghostly Sleigh of Borrowed Gold

Krampus Jim rides again, sleigh runners greased with municipal bonds, hauling borrowed cash through town like it’s Monopoly money.

“Civil rights?” he shrugs.
“My lawyers save the day!”

Because nothing says good governance like budgeting for attorneys instead of infrastructure.

The debt isn’t gone—it’s just delayed, wrapped up nicely, and dropped down your chimney as debt service. Merry Christmas. Hope you like compound interest.

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Bridge: Borrowed Cash, No Spin (Just Vibes)

Let’s pause the carol for a moment of clarity.

Ten million dollars.
“No tax hike.”
Everyone smiles.

That’s not fiscal responsibility. That’s fiscal gaslighting—telling residents they’re warm while standing ankle-deep in snow.

This isn’t Santa’s sleigh.
It’s Krampus with a credit line.
And you are the co-signer.

Council Roll Call: Deck the Halls with Rubber Stamps

Ah yes, the chorus of nodding heads.

• • Ruth Ludwig stamps “APPROVED” so fast the ink never dries.

• • Nicholas Ledin looks like he wandered in from a lunchroom and stayed for the vote.

• • Mike Herrick practices the ancient art of saying nothing while holding everything.

• • Brent Fennessy rubbernecks as the train leaves the station—again.

• • Tylor Elm plays best man at every mayoral wedding, vow renewal optional.

• • Mark Johnson votes with dizzy grace, still looking for the map.

• • Garner Moffat grins like Santa asking for a raise.

• • Sarah Anderson follows close behind, reading from the script.

• • Jack Sweeney once had logic. We’re filing a missing persons report.

• • And Lindsey Graskey, allegedly running meetings like open-meeting laws are more suggestion than requirement.

Meanwhile, kids drink lead-tainted water and the golf course gets baptized like it’s the Vatican.

Priorities.

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Chorus: The Paine Is in Control

“God rest ye merry councilmen, the Paine is in control…”

If irony were taxable, this city would be solvent by now.

The pipes are full of lead.
The debt is fully baked.
But hey—those greens are looking lush.

Oh tidings of lawsuits and lies… 
It’s catchy because it’s true.

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Final Verse: A Very Municipal Christmas

So rest easy, councilmen. Krampus has the reins.

A lawsuit here.
A debt bomb there.
Another press release pretending this is all fine.

Superior gets the bill.
Leadership gets the halo.
And accountability gets regifted… again.

Oh tidings of municipal grift… 
Sing it loud. You already paid for it.

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Final Crossing Signal (a.k.a. The Mic Drop)

If this song feels uncomfortable, good.
Satire only stings when it lands close to the bone.

Christmas is about honesty, generosity, and responsibility.
City Hall gave us debt, lawsuits, and a playlist.

Mic dropped. Sleigh overturned.