Editor, the News-Herald:

I get a kick out of the story about the Suffolk Santa.

Maybe it’s a job only fit for the unfit?

After all, you only work one night per year.

You don’t own a car. You push around a bunch of little guys to get your stuff ready to deliver.

You are overweight. You don’t bother to shave. You live in the middle of nowhere to avoid interaction with people?

You don’t get a paycheck. You sneak into people’s homes at night. You do your best not to get caught. Basically sounds like every serious criminal that I know of!

The funny part is that perhaps I am one of those guys! Lynette Brugeman, friend of my X, (Tourism Director?) asked me to be Santa one year and because the city and Lynette seemed to be in a bind, I agreed. It was a great experience! I got to ride in the parade and wave to the little kids. I got to experience the joy of the parents and children coming to see Santa at his little house (at the corner of Washington & Main at that time).

Unfortunately the time came when one small girl was scared to sit on Santa’s lap. I still remember and regret the trauma. Jokingly I said, &uot;Santa isn’t going to give your anything if you don’t come sit on his lap and tell him what you want&uot;.

I expected her to haltingly come tell me. Instead she burst into tears virtually falling apart emotionally and there was nothing that I, my Elf, the mother or father could do to console the girl.

I seriously regret that incident and hope that child was not damaged by this Bad Santa. So please remember at this time of year to be a little

forgiving even to the Bad Santas.

Merry Christmas to all but especially that little girl and her parents and the Bad Santas.

David Forsythe

Naples, Italy