A look back at 2007

A look at the best—and sometimes not-so-best—in Yorba Linda from 2007:

Best City Council decision: Restoring openness to municipal government by eliminating closed-door council committee meetings, except for exclusions allowed by state law.

Second-best City Council decision: Paying facilitators $99,000 to help the Town Center Blue Ribbon Committee develop clear recommendations for Old Town redevelopment.

Worst City Council decision: A wrong-headed attempt to restrict Chamber of Commerce free speech rights by forbidding use of the organization’s resources for campaign activity.

Most responsible City Council decision: Ignoring political and personal differences by naming Jim Winder mayor and Jan Horton mayor pro tem under a wise rotation policy.

Best decision by voters: Returning 28-year City Council veteran and transportation and environment expert Hank Wedaa to the governing dais for an 18-month period last June.

Strangest election Web site claim: Yorba Linda Residents for Responsible Representation leaders “expouse communist ideals” and cover them up “under the name of Democrats.”

Best individual City Council member: John Anderson has worked diligently to fulfill reform promises he made in the 2006 campaign, despite losing some 3-2 and 4-1 votes.

Best method of covering all political bases: Mayor Jim Winder donated money to both Hank Wedaa and Keri Wilson in June’s bitter battle to select one City Council member.

Least reflective moment: Assemblyman Mike Duvall told a Town Hall audience he wouldn’t change a single vote he cast during six years on City Council (2000-2006).

Least successful strategy in a one-contest special election drawing a high percentage of retired voters: Stress a candidate’s age and mention mental and physical stamina issues.

Most surprising campaign contribution: Jan Horton, the city’s rep on the Orange County Fire Authority board, accepted $1,500 from the union representing Authority firefighters.

Best evidence of citizens eager to serve in city government: The record-breaking number of applications for three open Planning Commission positions.

Best method to bring more citizens with fresh ideas into city service: Limiting Planning, Parks and Recreation, Traffic and Library commissioners to three consecutive terms.

Best innovation: Streaming live video and archiving City Council meetings on the city’s Web site and providing easy access to the background reports for items on each agenda.