Open Forum: Top stories (or worst) out of SGV City Halls in 2008

Today, we wrote about the top five most memorable politicians in the San Gabriel Valley last year. But there were also a lot of great stories that came out of area, including politicians, their mishaps, and the results of their actions.

OPEN FORUM: What are some of your top stories out of the San Gabriel Valley during 2008?

Here are some that come to mind:

1. I know this came late in the year, but Congresswoman Hilda Solis, D-El Monte, being chosen as labor secretary will hopefully have a positive impact for the SGV and will also bring with it an interesting race to fill her seat.

2. Budget Shortfalls: We've seen shortfalls across the SGV in cities like El Monte - from $400,000 to $4 million -- to West Covina to Irwindale. And these shortfalls keep growing, too, which means the effects on residents and city employees could only get worse.

3. Taxes approved: You'd think that voters would feel economically stressed, but surprisingly residents rose to the challenge when their elected leaders called on them to raise taxes. Pico Rivera, El Monte, and MTA taxes were all approved, and several school districts got their bonds passed, too.

4. Police contract dispute: We saw heated negotiations in Baldwin Park, Arcadia and Monrovia, but ultimately the police officers got what they wanted.

5. Anthony Bejarano was arrested - but cleared - for being drunk in public; former water board director Dolores Holguin can never serve public office again after being charged with one felony county of misuing public funds; the city paid out $330,000 to settle a sexual harassment claim filed against Rosemead Councilman John Nunez.