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Fairburn Santa

Lt. Ed Promis of the Fairburn Police Department waves to the crowd at Fairburn’s Christmas Tree Lighting. Photo/Lindsay Bianchi. _________________

Like Tim Allen in “The Santa Clause,” Lt. Ed Promis of the Fairburn Police Department was thrust into the role of jolly old St. Nick nearly 15 years ago. His predecessor, G.P. Wingo handed him the furry red hat as he was getting ready to retire. Promis took up the mantle not realizing exactly what the job would entail.

The new Santa was somewhat apprehensive when he arrived on the firetruck for his first “command performance and saw the crowd of children waiting. He asked himself what would Santa do and soon he was ho ho ho-ing his way through the crowd.

“The kids run the gamut.” Promis said. “I’ve had 1 and 2-month-old children to teens to middle aged women sit on my lap. One older lady wanted Santa to find her a decent man.”

Some children bring their lists and letters for Santa. Promis said he has kept them all as very special souvenirs of the holiday season. Looking back over the lists he can see the trend in Christmas wishes change from Barbie dolls and Transformers, to Tickle Me Elmo and DVD players.

“A lot of children are asking Santa for a bicycle this year,” Promis was pleased to report saying that it might mean kids would be getting some outdoor exercise next year.

Promis says the Christmas requests have come a long way from when he was a kid and wanted green soldiers to play army.

“ I make sure I tell everyone who comes to visit Santa to mind their folks and I give each of them a candy cane.” Promis’ wife plays his helpful elf in charge of cane dispersal. When his son is old enough, he may join the family in the yearly festivities.

“Listening to Christmas wishes can really wear you out. I’ve sat for over an hour and a half at times.”

Promis plays Santa at the annual Fairburn Christmas tree lighting and at local schools and churches during the holidays. Look for him next year when he comes riding in on his firetruck, sirens wailing.