MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – To some skeptics, this Halloween tale from Middleburg Heights may sound truly supernatural. It's about government honoring the will of the people. First-grade people, no less.

Fifty-three first-graders from Middleburg's Big Creek Elementary School marched into City Hall recently and petitioned Mayor Gary Starr to add an extra half an hour of trick-or-treating this year. No, they didn't threaten to egg City Hall. But they showed Starr something dear to politicians: survey results.

The pupils had questioned schoolmates and found overwhelming support for longer hunts on Halloween for candy bars, lollipops and other sweets. They reported that 480 Big Creekers wanted to add half an hour, so the trick-or-treating on Friday, Oct. 31, would last from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thirty-seven schoolmates wanted to stick with the usual 6 to 8 p.m. Thirteen Grinches wanted to cancel trick-or-treating altogether.

Starr said he'd have to think it over. This afternoon, though, he marched into Big Creek, his alma mater, and announced, "As mayor of the city of Middleburg Heights, I am granting by order the extension of Halloween on Oct. 31 from 6 to 8:30, an extra half hour for you." Students cheered and jumped for joy.

OK, the extension wasn't entirely their idea. Pattie Oakar, the mayor's assistant, said she'd been longing for the good old days when standard time would return before Halloween and trick-or-treaters would brave the dark. "Halloweeen's supposed to be fun and a little scary," she said.

So, when teachers Kristy Krajniak and Susan Ohlemacher asked Oakar if they could lead a field trip to City Hall, the assistant proposed turning it into more of a mission.

At Big Creek today, Starr said he couldn't ignore the will of the people, no matter how small. "I'm figuring you're going to be voters in 12 years, right? I'm always planning ahead. Don't forget this day and what I did for you."

Don't assume Starr was kidding. He's been mayor for nearly 34 of his 64 years. What's another dozen?

Starr asked the first-graders, "You ever hear the old adage, 'You can't fight City Hall?' Well, you did and you won. You won by being intelligent and presenting evidence. Democracy works in Middleburg Heights."

As always in a democracy, the holiday will be voluntary for treat-givers and treat-takers alike. Homeowners may turn out the lights at the front door as early as they like. Trick-or-treaters may take their bounty home early, too.

Pupil Paige Donnelly welcomed Starr's announcement. "I think it's going to be fun because it's dark out. It's going to be scary."

Several classmates mainly welcomed the extra treats. "You get more candy," said Harley Gandias.

Ryan Gallagher also liked the lesson in democracy. "It felt scary to speak out at first, but when we were finished speaking to him I felt better. It's a good idea to speak out."