directive.js

    .directive('sides', function () {
        return {
            // this seems to solve the problem - don't use link, use a built in controller.
            controller: function ($scope) {//, elem, attrs) {
                $scope.sides = [
                    { Name: 'Buy', Id: 1 },
                    { Name: 'Sell', Id: -1 }
                ];
                $scope.side = $scope.sides[0];
            },
            restrict: 'A',
            templateUrl: '/JS/partials/side.tmpl.html'
        };
    })

year.tmpl.html

<div class="yearMenu">
    <select id="yearListBox"
            ng-model="year"
            ng-options="year for year in years">
    </select>
</div>