Villa Park : Council Opposes Any Measure A Litigation

The city government here is miffed that some South County cities are threatening legal action against Measure A.

The City Council on Tuesday night passed a resolution stating that Villa Park is opposed to “any litigation challenging Measure A.”

Measure A was narrowly passed by county voters Nov. 8. It calls for creating a commercial airport at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station when the military departs. Villa Park’s City Council strongly supported Measure A, saying a new commercial airport would be an economic boon for Orange County. Some cities in South County, however, have said that a commercial airport would be an environmental disaster and have threatened legal action against Measure A.

George L. Argyros, chairman of Citizens for Jobs and the Economy, a group that supported Measure A, urged the Villa Park council to intervene in any legal action challenging the initiative.

“There is no cost to your city to join in Measure A’s defense as an intervenor unless you choose to financially participate,” Argyros said in a letter to the council.

Villa Park cannot afford to spend any money on a lawsuit, Mayor Bob Patchin said, but the city can offer its backing. The council agreed with the request and unanimously voted for a resolution condemning legal action against Measure A.