I am the editor, and you're not, so I get to arbitrarily pick the top ten Highline stories of 2006.

1. Burien officials struggle all year over North Highline annexation, while an organized citizen's group lobbies hard against it.

Burien council members began the new year by inviting Seattle to sit down and talk about an annexation solution. The public spoke loudly, in most cases, against any form of annexation.

In June, council members seemed cool to annexation but later voted to declare two areas of North Highline as potential annexation areas.

They reversed themselves in the fall, saying they wanted to study adding all of it to Burien.

Like a typical big brother, Seattle said if Burien wants all of North Highline, they do, too.

2. Burien holds a groundbreaking ceremony as construction is set to begin next year on the long-anticipated Town Square.

As annexation noisily grabbed attention, lawmakers quietly moved ahead with design and financial plans for the square. They also hired a city manager with extensive experience with the Kent Station development.

The seven Strobel sisters sued, but the state Supremes (court) said, "so long."

With his landlord's case thrown out, the educational services district in Renton, Gottschalks long gone and city hall moved next to Wizard's Casino, Kevin Fitz closed Meal Makers. Kevin was an asset to the community and will be missed.

3. The Port of Seattle completes its third runway embankment project.

The beginning and end of 2006 was rocky for the Port, operators of Sea-Tac International Airport, but the middle was pretty good.

In January, the state Ecology Department fined the Port and TTI Contractors over $100,000 for series of uncontrolled muddy storm water releases.

But in summertime, the results of a study commissioned by the Port, revealed that nearby residents hardly notice the third runway construction project.

And, on Halloween Eve, Port staffers celebrated completion of the embankment. Paving begins in 2007.

December felt like the Halloween season when the Port stumbled by removing Christmas/holiday trees after a rabbi demanded a menorah be placed at the airport. Workers quickly reinstalled the trees, and conservative talk-show host Bill O'Reilly is sleeping easier at night.

4. The Highline School District passes its school-construction bond on the first try as administrators try new programs to improve test scores.

Technology upgrades and security improvements were added to the construction bond, and it easily passed.

High schools configured into various small learning community models. Tyee continued in separate schools, each with its own principal. Highline went wall-to-wall with small learning communities. Evergreen phased in small schools. At Mt. Rainier's temporary Olympic campus, freshmen and sophomores went small, while juniors and seniors stayed "old (comprehensive) school."

Two former school superintendents, Citizen of the Century Carl Jensen and his successor, Robert Sealey, died of cancer within five weeks of each other.

5. After three tries, Des Moines voters approve a property tax levy lid lift to pay for increased police services

Police staffing was ramped back up to 1999 levels and a Redondo police substation was added.

With political turmoil behind them, Des Moines council members studied economic development plans.

The political turmoil switched to the Des Moines campus of Highline Community College, where popular president Priscilla Bell was suddenly ousted. Will somebody tell us why?

6. Efforts to improve fire services took a step back when SeaTac voters narrowly defeated a tax hike proposal.

Plans will move forward for a new fire headquarters station at McMicken Heights.

City officials are also making plans for transit-oriented development around two light-rail stations.

7. North Highline residents watch as they are alternately "dissed" and drooled over by Burien and Seattle

Last year, North Highline Unincorporated Area Council members said they wanted to be annexed by Burien.

North Highline Fire Chief Russ Pritchard retired after commissioners said they wanted to go in a different direction. They cushioned his departure by raising his pay to $16,500 per month.

8. Deputy Steve Cox was killed while questioning a witness to a shooting at a North Highline house.

A tragic loss, not only for Cox's family, but also for the community he worked so hard to help.

9. A smooth transition is expected at Highline Medical Center as Paul Tucker retires and is replaced by Mark Benedum

Benedum has been at the medical center for 22 years, most recently as chief operating officer. He will succeed administrator and chief executive officer Paul Tucker, who oversaw Highline's transition from a hospital to a medical center.

10. Water District 49 commissioners decline to renew manager Dale Cap's contract.

Cap was at the center of two controversies. The district stopped billing customers for street lights and Seattle City Light threatened to turn off the lights before the matter was resolved.

Cap also took responsibility for authorizing water service through Burien Mayor Joan McGilton's property to a neighbor, even though the neighbor lived in the Highline Water District.

Eric Mathison can be reached at hteditor@robinsonnews.com or 206-388-1855.