Best, least, most, cutest in politics for 2008
Here’s a look at the highs and lows of Yorba Linda politics the past year:
Best City Council campaign platform: The inventive 17-point “contract for Yorba Linda” written by Ed Rakochy, Nancy Rikel and Mark Schwing based on an idea by Jeff Winter.
Best grassroots effort: Main Street businessman Louie Scull spent $987 on signs and flyers backing Measure BB, which ends eminent domain use for economic development.
Best (or worst) example of political expediency: Councilman Jim Winder voted against placing BB on the ballot, then signed the ballot arguments favoring the popular measure.
Least lamented departure: Water Director Mike Beverage’s developer-funded Past and Present Elected Officials Representing Yorba Linda quietly filed termination papers.
Cutest speakers to address the council: Allen Castellano’s daughters, Jessica, 13, and Amy, 10, welcomed their father home Tuesday nights after eight years of city service.
Least valuable government press release: State Assemblyman Mike Duvall spent tax dollars telling about film students using his “authentic Western saloon” as a setting.
Most historic political comeback: Mark Schwing won the most votes for his fourth council term after three straight defeats, twice for council and once for water board.
Most historic political defeat: Hank Wedaa lost his race for a record ninth council term after serving 30 years on the city’s governing body since his first election in April 1970.
Most surprising vote total: Yorba Linda’s Measure A school bond “yes” vote was 52.5 percent, with 55 needed to pass (results from other district cities accounted for the win).
Least surprising vote total: With more than $30 million in surplus funds, the past council sought a $44 annual arterial landscape fee hike, nixed by 75 percent of property owners.
Best example of apathy: Attendance at the city’s two-year-old, fifth Tuesday Town Hall gatherings has yet to break 100—ranging from 35 to 82, including council and city staff.
Best Web service: Viewing council sessions on the city Web site is better than watching in person, since staff reports not given to the audience are posted next to the live telecast.
Outstanding city management service: Parks Director Sue Leto’s widely respected equal treatment of the often-competing interests within the equestrian and athletic communities.
Most historic first: Nancy Rikel is the fifth woman out of the 29 individuals ever elected to the council, but she and Jan Horton are the first to serve concurrently.
Best City Council campaign platform: The inventive 17-point “contract for Yorba Linda” written by Ed Rakochy, Nancy Rikel and Mark Schwing based on an idea by Jeff Winter.
Best grassroots effort: Main Street businessman Louie Scull spent $987 on signs and flyers backing Measure BB, which ends eminent domain use for economic development.
Best (or worst) example of political expediency: Councilman Jim Winder voted against placing BB on the ballot, then signed the ballot arguments favoring the popular measure.
Least lamented departure: Water Director Mike Beverage’s developer-funded Past and Present Elected Officials Representing Yorba Linda quietly filed termination papers.
Cutest speakers to address the council: Allen Castellano’s daughters, Jessica, 13, and Amy, 10, welcomed their father home Tuesday nights after eight years of city service.
Least valuable government press release: State Assemblyman Mike Duvall spent tax dollars telling about film students using his “authentic Western saloon” as a setting.
Most historic political comeback: Mark Schwing won the most votes for his fourth council term after three straight defeats, twice for council and once for water board.
Most historic political defeat: Hank Wedaa lost his race for a record ninth council term after serving 30 years on the city’s governing body since his first election in April 1970.
Most surprising vote total: Yorba Linda’s Measure A school bond “yes” vote was 52.5 percent, with 55 needed to pass (results from other district cities accounted for the win).
Least surprising vote total: With more than $30 million in surplus funds, the past council sought a $44 annual arterial landscape fee hike, nixed by 75 percent of property owners.
Best example of apathy: Attendance at the city’s two-year-old, fifth Tuesday Town Hall gatherings has yet to break 100—ranging from 35 to 82, including council and city staff.
Best Web service: Viewing council sessions on the city Web site is better than watching in person, since staff reports not given to the audience are posted next to the live telecast.
Outstanding city management service: Parks Director Sue Leto’s widely respected equal treatment of the often-competing interests within the equestrian and athletic communities.
Most historic first: Nancy Rikel is the fifth woman out of the 29 individuals ever elected to the council, but she and Jan Horton are the first to serve concurrently.
posted by Jim Drummond at 12:00 PM
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