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Here’s my personal list of roses and raspberries for 2012

Following tradition, the past year gave Salmon Arm something old (the seemingly endless controversy over the SmartCentres development), something new (the first-ever Sturgis North Motorcycle Rally), something borrowed (Sorrento’s slogan), and something blue (well, Roots and Blues, that is).

But there are some other things to celebrate and denigrate about our community as we begin 2012, so here’s my personal list of roses and raspberries.

Best example of girl power: the election of four women to city council. This is the first time in Salmon Arm’s history that women have been in the majority in municipal politics and the second time the city has had a female mayor.

Worst name change: The Sunwave Centre becoming the Shaw Centre. Sunwave sounded cool and reflective of the Shuswap. Shaw Centre just sounds... corporate.

Best local singer: Move over Greg Sczebel... wait until you hear Salmon Arm’s singing waiter. Each week, Seniors Fifth Avenue Activity Centre volunteer John Thompson writes his own lyrics and sings the menu to those assembled for the communal meal. Check out www.saobserver.net under the Salmon Arm Videos tab to see him in action over the holidays. It’s a real gem.

Best surprise announcement: The news that the Salmar Community Association was lowering admission prices on movies. Want to know how many times before this I have covered a story about consumer goods getting cheaper? Zero. Now, if only those bright women (and men) on Salmon Arm council could figure out a way to do this with our taxes...

Worst parking lot: Try Bastion School at 8:10 or 1:55 p.m. It can be the most stressful part of my day, although I hear from other parents that Hillcrest Elementary can be just as bad.

Best parking lot: Is there such a thing?

Best use of tax dollars: Curbside recycling. Not everyone loves the system, but no one can deny that it has made a considerable reduction in the waste going to our landfills. Now, if only we could include glass...

Worst use of tax dollars: The mosquito device designed to deter teenagers from late-night loitering or vandalism in downtown Salmon Arm by emitting a screech at decibels only they can hear. It was later re-set to be an equal opportunity irritant to all ages.

Best thing about the first Sturgis North Motorcycle Rally: some businesses in town made money.

Worst thing about the first Sturgis North Motorcycle Rally: the number of local businesses awaiting payment from the Sturgis North organization for work on the event.

Worst uncontrolled intersection: Lakeshore Drive/Shuswap Street/Askew’s access.

Best traffic improvement: The soon-to-be implemented left turn signal on the highway at Shuswap Street.

If you’ve got some of your own bests and worsts, feel free to share them on our website or email them to newsroom@saobserver.net.