Hits and misses for Yorba Linda 2009
Here’s my annual review of Yorba Linda’s civic scene for the past year:
Best City Council contribution: Mark Schwing’s experience and leadership kept well-intentioned proposals from saddling residents with unnecessary regulations and costs.
Best city event: The well-attended May 3 dedication of the citizen-funded Veterans Memorial, culminating countless hours of labor by a committed army of volunteers.
Most missed city event: October Fiesta Days Parade (second cancellation since 1968).
Most historic city event: Opening Yorba Linda High School, a short 98 years after the city’s first elementary school, to 943 9th and 10th graders, including 894 Yorba Lindans.
Most controversial school board votes: Nearly all trustee votes are 5-0, but two votes for Yorba Linda High’s attendance borders were 3-2, first favoring one option, then another.
Most welcome return: Former director and longtime resident Steve Rudometkin is back running city parks, replacing retiree Sue Leto, for 30 hours weekly and $13,500 monthly.
Most startling transformation: Mike Duvall, the once-gregarious two-year Chamber of Commerce president, six-year City Councilman and three-year state Assemblyman, has been uncharacteristically silent since his legendary story-telling led to political disgrace.
Best City Council decision: Sending the strongest signal possible that blocking access to the city’s trail system will result in legal action, when needed to protect this key resource.
Another good City Council decision: Giving Traffic Commissioners a formal role in advising Planning Commissioners on traffic issues associated with large city projects.
Worst City Council decision: Allowing general fund revenues to subsidize the eastside’s sewers, while westsiders pay full sewer expenses through the Yorba Linda Water District.
Most disappointing delay: The ethics ordinance prohibiting campaign contributions by city contractors and limiting donations from parties who benefit from council decisions.
Most game-changing City Council action: Identifying 13 properties, 11 on the westside, for potential higher-density development to satisfy state-mandated housing requirements.
Most ripe for reform: Classifying City Council members as “employees,” thus allowing them $125 Calpers and $833 health or retirement plan contributions, city-paid, monthly.
Most misleading signage: Three “Work in Progress” signs in front of boarded-up city-owned properties in Old Town should more accurately read “Discussions in Progress.”
Most rewarding activity: 2009 marked my 50th continuous year of full and parttime work in the newspaper field, involving high school, college and many community publications.
Best City Council contribution: Mark Schwing’s experience and leadership kept well-intentioned proposals from saddling residents with unnecessary regulations and costs.
Best city event: The well-attended May 3 dedication of the citizen-funded Veterans Memorial, culminating countless hours of labor by a committed army of volunteers.
Most missed city event: October Fiesta Days Parade (second cancellation since 1968).
Most historic city event: Opening Yorba Linda High School, a short 98 years after the city’s first elementary school, to 943 9th and 10th graders, including 894 Yorba Lindans.
Most controversial school board votes: Nearly all trustee votes are 5-0, but two votes for Yorba Linda High’s attendance borders were 3-2, first favoring one option, then another.
Most welcome return: Former director and longtime resident Steve Rudometkin is back running city parks, replacing retiree Sue Leto, for 30 hours weekly and $13,500 monthly.
Most startling transformation: Mike Duvall, the once-gregarious two-year Chamber of Commerce president, six-year City Councilman and three-year state Assemblyman, has been uncharacteristically silent since his legendary story-telling led to political disgrace.
Best City Council decision: Sending the strongest signal possible that blocking access to the city’s trail system will result in legal action, when needed to protect this key resource.
Another good City Council decision: Giving Traffic Commissioners a formal role in advising Planning Commissioners on traffic issues associated with large city projects.
Worst City Council decision: Allowing general fund revenues to subsidize the eastside’s sewers, while westsiders pay full sewer expenses through the Yorba Linda Water District.
Most disappointing delay: The ethics ordinance prohibiting campaign contributions by city contractors and limiting donations from parties who benefit from council decisions.
Most game-changing City Council action: Identifying 13 properties, 11 on the westside, for potential higher-density development to satisfy state-mandated housing requirements.
Most ripe for reform: Classifying City Council members as “employees,” thus allowing them $125 Calpers and $833 health or retirement plan contributions, city-paid, monthly.
Most misleading signage: Three “Work in Progress” signs in front of boarded-up city-owned properties in Old Town should more accurately read “Discussions in Progress.”
Most rewarding activity: 2009 marked my 50th continuous year of full and parttime work in the newspaper field, involving high school, college and many community publications.
posted by Jim Drummond at 12:00 PM
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