We’re getting ready to say goodbye to 2002. How to best sum up such a busy year at the local level?

Since I love lists and love awards, I’m going to do it with a list of my awards for 2002.

Vindication of the year: Dave Mullenbach’s win over Truman Thrond in the election for District 4 county commissioner. Nobody was under more fire than Mullenbach about the county’s courthouse plans. But Mullenbach’s landslide win erased any doubt about whether his constituents supported his leadership on the courthouse issue.

Pointless controversy of the year: Mal Prinzing and his latest round of signs. This got much more attention than it deserved. Credit Prinzing, though, for being a publicity genius. He knows how to create a stir out of practically nothing.

Tragic crime of the year: A group of low-lifes called in a fake pizza order, then whacked the unsuspecting delivery driver with an axe handle. The criminals got about four bucks apiece and a pizza to share. The driver got a hospital stay and permanent injuries. This was the saddest, most disgusting news of the year.

Misconception of the year: We heard a lot about people’s &uot;right to vote&uot; on the courthouse issue. But rarely, if ever, does a municipality put such a project to a vote; nowhere in state law are they required to do so. Perhaps people are so used to being able to vote on school issues &045; as required by law &045; that they now expect a referendum on anything with a big dollar sign attached.

Letter to the editor of the year: Ted Hinnenkamp got right to the point in this letter: &uot;Congratulations Senator Dan Sparks. Whew!&uot; If only every letter writer could be so brief.

Obituary of the year: Former mayor, city councilman and all-around community guy Marv Wangen died in January, only a year after his last term in office. The obituary described Wangen’s extensive involvement in efforts to better the community. He gave a huge portion of his life to Albert Lea.

Quote of the year: Keith Porter Sr., when asked why he wanted to be elected Freeborn County auditor, had a great answer: &uot;It will keep me off the street.&uot; This could potentially have been the best political slogan ever: &uot;Vote For Keith, Keep Him Off the Street!&uot;

Disappointing news of the year: Of course, it stunk that Ford snubbed us. Unfortunately, there are strong candidates for runner-up, most notably Farmland’s bankruptcy, which has indefinitely stalled plans for a new plant here.

Encouraging news of the year: The 2001 Farmland fire still hurts, but developments in 2002 may help the city make the final transition away from meat-packing and into a bold new economy. The city hurried up and acquired the Habben Industrial Park, a project that had been stalled, as a possible Farmland site; Ford was later interested in that land, too. Having the site opens an opportunity for economic growth. The city also got its hands on the old Farmland site, right in the center of town. What goes there is anybody’s guess, but the land creates a great opportunity to re-do the city’s image.

New business trend of the year: Lingerie shops downtown. One opened, then closed; now another’s open. This is precisely the kind of economic development the city needs to encourage, right, fellas?

Song of the year: &uot;Taxman&uot; by the Beatles. The down side of good news like the school referendum and the courthouse project is that they aren’t free. People are going to see tax increases. George Harrision summed up some people’s feelings: &uot;If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street / If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat / If you get too cold, I’ll tax the heat / If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet.&uot;

Man of the year: Dennis Dieser. As leader of the TEAM group, he maintained a consistently positive tone during the debate over the school referendum &045; a welcome reversal from last year. The results of his efforts and others’ are easily visible: Both referendum questions passed.

Woman of the year: Jean Eaton. How can the city’s first woman mayor not get this distinction?

Couple of the year: Tony and Karen Trow. As the guiding force behind Destination: Albert Lea, these two have already started making a difference. Tony barely missed the cut in the mayoral primary, but his campaign made us think. From lake issues to downtown efforts to the courthouse, both have been consistently involved and vocal. Oh, and they also run a successful business that’s a model for companies who want to locate in small towns. Expect them to be just as involved, if not more so, in 2003.

Dylan Belden is the Tribune’s managing editor. His column appears Sundays. E-mail him at dylan.belden@albertleatribune.com