The best of times, sometimes

Here’s my compilation of the best--and sometimes not-so-best--in Yorba Linda for 2004:

Best decision by a mayor’s blue ribbon committee—Selection of longtime public servant Paul Armstrong as the first city-sponsored Citizen of the Year.

Most promising political newcomer—New water board director Ric Collett, who grew up in the city and has a historical perspective unmatched by most other elected officials.

Most unlikely event for a family-friendly city—The October prostitution arrest at a Main Street business establishment.

Most effective grass-roots group—Residents Against the Metrolink Station, which quickly organized an articulate campaign against a commuter rail facility at Esperanza and New River roads. (An approaching City Council election didn’t hurt their cause.)

Best political spin on bad decision-making—City Council members putting a “win-win” label on the long-delayed settlement with the school district over Redevelopment Agency revenues. What’s “win-win” about $3.5 million in legal and staff expenses?

Worst decision by locally elected representatives—The lawsuits filed against each other by the Yorba Linda and Orange County water districts over an 1899 agreement updated in 1970, with ratepayers footing the legal tab for both sides.

Best academic program for high-achieving eighth-grade graduates—The International Baccalaureate course-of-study at Valencia High School, coordinated by Tiger alum Fred Jenkins, a Harvard University and Hastings College of Law graduate

Best second-chance for high school students—The caring staff at the El Camino Real continuation high school have helped hundreds of at-risk students earn a diploma.

Least favorite word of city officials—Bulldoze, as in bulldoze homes and businesses in the Old Towne redevelopment area. (Until now, the word never appeared in this column.)

Best pork project—The federally funded $3.1 million Imperial Highway pedestrian bridge near Main Street, courtesy of Republican Congressman Gary Miller. (We’d give it up in a hurry, if they’d guarantee the money would buy armor for our troops in Iraq.

Best year-and-a-half-late City Council decision—Splitting with the school district the cost of returning a School Resource Officer to Esperanza and upgrading the job to a full-time position, finally matching the services Placentia provides at El Dorado and Valencia.

Best free-ride in town—Enjoyed by some residents of the 147-acre Fairlynn and 222-acre County Club county islands, who use city parks, recreation programs and library privileges without having to be official, dues-paying members of the city family.

Most coincidental series of events—On April 6 City Council members approve a big increase in salary and retirement benefits for former City Manager Terry Belanger. On May 4 the council announces Belanger’s resignation, tendered in a letter dated April 22.

Most twists in the wind—Suffered by good Samaritan Karen DiEugenio, who awaited a city decision not to sue her over her role in aiding a boy injured while walking to school.

Most troubling trend—Officials accusing opponents of increased housing density and traffic in the Old Towne area of being “afraid of change” and just plain “misinformed.”

Least conservative City Council decision—Authorization of eminent domain in an Old Towne section, allowing the city to seize private property to sell to other private entities to develop into city-approved high-density housing and revenue-boosting businesses.

Kindest council comment--Ken Ryan describing Mike Duvall’s Old Towne business building as “a whimsical interpretation of turn-of-the-century Main Street architecture.”

Strangest e-mail sent to a Viewpoints columnist—The one I received accusing me of being in cahoots with the City Council to cover up malfeasance in city government.

Best friend to the city—The Nixon Library, for hosting Fiesta Day, Sunday concerts, the Veterans’ Day program and other events, including fund-raising opportunities for the Boy Scouts and the many emcee chores by vibrant-voiced Executive Director John H. Taylor.

Worst political practice—City Council incumbents accepting campaign contributions from individuals and businesses dependent on council votes for their bottom-line profits.