Best, worst, least, most and touchiest of the year

Before tackling what promises to an eventful year, let’s take our annual look back at the best--and not-so-best--of the past year:

Best news for Yorba Linda – The private Friends Christian High School and public Yorba Linda High School made steady progress, with officials from both schools voluntarily working with residents to eliminate negative impacts on neighborhoods.

Best decision by school trustees – Retaining class-size reduction options in 59 kindergarten, 95 first-grade and 92 second-grade classrooms for 5,490 students.

Second best decision by school trustees – Selecting the names Gualberto Valdez Middle School and Yorba Linda High School for campuses slated to open in 2007 and 2008.

Best decision by City Council – Renaming Valley View Sports Park as Veterans Park, thanks to local American Legion and VFW leaders and tireless activist Sue Fenwick.

Fastest action by the sign police – A few anti-redevelopment signs reading “Got Blight?” were removed from the Old Town area within hours of a Saturday morning appearance.

Slowest action by the sign police – Dozens of signs advertising a “Hot Tub Blowout” at an out-of-town business remained on many roadways throughout the city for two weeks.

Busiest--and shyest--professional political consultant – Dennis DeSnoo has worked for all five sitting City Council members and Old Town developer Michael Dieden. DeSnoo said he doesn’t grant interviews and acts aggressively to keep his name out of the newspapers.

Most questionable political tactic – City Council members delayed a public vote on the Right-to-Vote land-use initiative until June because of the busy holiday period, but rushed far-reaching Town Center zoning rules to final approval just five days before Christmas.

Touchiest subject with City Council members – The solicitation of campaign funds from developers, city contractors and other individuals and businesses that profit from council decisions. The practice doesn’t reflect this community’s high expectations for its leaders.

Worst expenditure of public funds – The large legal fees resulting from two government agencies--the Yorba Linda and Orange County water districts--suing each other.

Least fair City Council practice – Allowing some supporters greater leeway than some opponents when enforcing speaker rules during the council’s public comment periods.

Best hopes for reasonable future development – The current petitions seeking to overturn the City Council’s new zoning rules and the right-to-vote initiative on the June 6 ballot.

Most embarrassing gaff in a $300,000 document – A rushed environmental impact report section confused Old Town with Anaheim’s Platinum Triangle, listing a build-out of 9,500 residential units and 5.5 million square feet of commercial/office space.

Most embarrassing moment for a downtown developer – Michael Dieden’s refurbishment plans for his Main Street headquarters didn’t meet a city-determined “standard of quality.”

Best evidence of the too-close ties between developers and the council – The misleading Dec. 31 mailing to residents signed by council members but organized and paid for by the same developers who are in negotiations with the council. Who’s really running this city?