Pro-airport groups to rally El Toro troops

Stacy Brown

NEWPORT BEACH -- Pro-airport leaders and city officials are looking to

“rally the troops” tonight as they participate in a public forum about

the controversial El Toro airport.

Another goal of the meeting, scheduled at the Newport Beach Central

Library, is to educate local residents about the possibilities of an

expansion of John Wayne Airport, officials said.

Proponents from the city and two pro-airport groups said it’s time local

residents realize that if El Toro is not converted into a commercial

site, John Wayne will eventually become an international airport.

“Every resident of Newport Beach and many in Costa Mesa should be

concerned about John Wayne Airport being expanded into an international

airport,” said Airport Working Group Director Bonnie O’Neil.

The 6:30 p.m. meeting will give residents a complete presentation of all

the facts regarding an expansion of John Wayne and an update on El Toro,

O’Neil said.

“There are so many half-truths and myths circulating about the airports,

so the people need to come out to the meeting and find out what’s really

going on,” she said. “This is very important so that people in both

cities won’t be surprised down the line at what may eventually happen.”

Newport Beach mayor Dennis O’Neil is one of four guest speakers scheduled

to speak. He plans to address the controversial Safe and Healthy Cities

Initiative, which could prevent a commercial airport from being built at

El Toro.

“This is a rallying of the troops to get the community involved,” the

mayor said. “As everyone knows, the city has filed a lawsuit challenging

the validity of the Safe and Healthy Cities Initiative and hopefully

we’ll succeed in the suit and remove that (obstacle).”

Tom Naughton, president of the Airport Working Group, is scheduled to

speak about the role his organization has played in the debate while his

colleague, Richard Taylor, will discuss where the issue currently stands.

Orange County Airport Alliance Director Tom Wall is scheduled to tackle

some of the frequently asked questions about El Toro and John Wayne.

“Some people believe El Toro is a done deal and some think there is no

way there will be an expansion at John Wayne, but they are wrong,” Bonnie

O’Neil said.The library is located at 1000 Avocado Ave.