Best and not-so-best for 2013 (continued)

Here's the second installment of my annual “best and not-so-best” list for 2013:

Surest signs of City Council disharmony: The split votes naming Craig Young mayor and Gene Hernandez mayor pro tem and initiation of a recall of Young and Tom Lindsey, following a failed attempt to recall John Anderson last year.

Best watchdog efforts: Some council meeting attendees ask questions about costs and terms of the city's contract with the Sheriff's Department, a useful citizen oversight sadly absent for much of the 42-year term of the previous provider, even in years of significant cost increases.

Best citizen response: Residents resisting plans for 452 homes on county land north of city limits reflect actions by earlier denizens who supported the 1967 incorporation vote that put planning decisions into the hands of local elected leaders rather than county bureaucrats.

Most unanticipated accolade: The Kennedy Commission, which checks compliance with state low-cost housing requirements, commended the city “for its leadership and commitment in en-couraging and facilitating the development of homes affordable to lower income families....”

Best chance for advancement: Mayor Craig Young is the fourth sitting council member to run for higher political office, as he seeks to follow past mayor Mike Duvall to the state Assembly.

Strangest political shuffle: Termed-out current Assembly rep Curt Hagman filed an intent to seek termed-out Senator Bob Huff's job, as Huff filed an intent to run for Hagman's position, both in 2016, with combined campaign kitties totaling more than $500,000 as of June 30.

Best “no-brainer” City Council action: A 5-0 vote for a county program establishing two sites to distribute medication, vaccines, food, water and other services to residents during a large-scale public health emergency.

Loneliest City Council vote: Only Craig Young voted against accepting $212,515 in federal Community Block Grant funds that includes $31,877 for the senior citizens' lunch program, taking a principled stand against wasteful and inefficient government spending.

Oddest City Council vote: Approving Craig Young's request for $720 to pay for 100 coins with Yorba Linda and presidential seals as gifts to foreign dignitaries on Young's April trip to China.

Second loneliest City Council vote: Only Mark Schwing opposed a hike from $16,000 to $25,000 for this year's contract with the city's 100-year-old Chamber of Commerce.

Most misunderstood school funding source: As lotteries reach astronomical payouts, some expect the local school district's 35 campuses to be awash in dollars, but officials say state lottery cash totals about 1.7 percent of revenue, about $4.3 million for the most recent year.

Most interesting financial figures: An audit shows the city has $518 million in assets and $29 million in liabilities, with a $27 million value for the Black Gold Golf Club and $18.8 million in former Redevelopment Agency land held for resale, some to be sold to a downtown develop- er under terms now under negotiation.