Recall of an elected public official is a drastic measure that should be limited to extreme circumstances, and any recall effort must be required to clear a high bar to proceed.

A Skagit County Superior Court judge recently ruled that the recall petition against Sedro-Woolley Mayor Mike Anderson doesn’t meet the standards required for it to go forward, effectively quashing the effort.

It was the right call for legal and procedural reasons, which are the judicial branch’s realm, and for common-sense reasons, which are more important to Sedro-Woolley residents.

The recall effort grew out of the convoluted, legally ensnared dispute over permitting Deluxe Recycling and Disposal to build a garbage collection and recycling plant near Sedro-Woolley High School. What began as a permitting process morphed into a multi-jurisdictional legal firefight with local residents listening to verbal sparring between the city and the county.

No wonder Sedro-Woolley residents are frustrated. How that citizen concern grew into confrontation that exploded into rancor in the normally peaceable city is fodder for another discussion. Suffice it to say that city officials, elected and appointed, did themselves few favors in their handling of the recycling plant issue. Whatever public good or adherence to process was originally intended has been overwhelmed by suspicion and anger.

But being mad at or disagreeing with elected officials isn’t grounds for a recall, however much the elected official who is being targeted is perceived as having ignored the popular will. The most effective “recall” sentiment is expressed at the ballot box after incumbents and challengers have made their cases in public forums.

Superior Court Judge Dave Needy concluded there was no convincing evidence that Anderson violated his oath of office or did anything illegal. The judge, who pointedly put aside local politics as related to the Deluxe Recycling issue, noted that Anderson acted within his capacity as mayor. It’s in that capacity that the mayor ultimately will be judged by Sedro-Woolley voters.

Anderson said after the judge’s decision that he is concerned for his reputation. That’s understandable, but the larger concern is how to mend the rift between the City Council and the people it represents. Now is the time for measured leadership and for putting behind personal animosities.

The council began moving in the right direction this week when it voted to lower the fee for citizen appeal of some land-use decisions and decided to take a go-slow approach on a proposed annexation that has been linked to Deluxe.

Rebuilding trust will happen one decision at a time.

• Editorials reflect the consensus opinion of the editorial board and are written by its members: Publisher L. Stedem Wood, Editor Don Nelson and City Editor Dick Clever.