This year’s village election offers an interesting look at a pervasive aspect of small town politics _ newcomers versus native sons or daughters.

Our hats go off to all jumpers who took the plunge into freezing-cold water during the 15th annual Goodyear Lake Polar Bear Jump held on Saturday.

After last year’s inaugural Hall of Fame Classic, we wrote an editorial outlining some changes that we felt would make the game more appealing to baseball fans. Coincidentally or not, we’re pleased to see museum officials have addressed most of those concerns for the second Classic, which is scheduled for Father’s Day, June 20.

The village’s attempt to capitalize on some of its unique baseball heritage is a step in the right direction. The plan to take advantage of the village’s iconic Doubleday Field by licensing the commercial use of images of the field and marketing a newly developed logo creates a welcome new revenue stream.

Two weeks ago, Congressman Michael Arcuri said what should be obvious to everyone _ our water supply is our most valuable resource.

Last week, in a case of the worst kept secret in baseball history, slugger Mark McGwire finally admitted for the record that he used steroids during his playing career. After tearfully refusing to answer steroid questions before Congress in 2005, it was obvious McGwire had used steroids during his playing days.

Change, either good or bad, is typically not well received. However sometimes it is inevitable.

While many will spend the next few days reminiscing about 2009, we at the Crier are already looking forward to next year. We are ready to ring in a new year and look forward to the events to come.

At this holiday season, we take great pleasure in reprinting one of the classic newspaper editorials of all time — perhaps the best Christmas editorial ever written. It has survived the test of time and seems particularly fitting and poignant this year.