MAILBAG - Sept. 4, 1999

I am writing concerning the home at 3007 Samoa Place in Costa Mesa

(“Debate continues on Samoa Place,” Aug. 16). I have been following the

hearings on television and feel it is clear that the homeowners obeyed

all of the codes and did everything the city asked them to do. The city

has admitted this repeatedly. I have also looked at the codes and note

that they do not prohibit windows or dormers or a floor in an attic.

It is common knowledge that attics normally have floors, but aren’t

considered living space. It doesn’t seem right that the city can

arbitrarily demand that the homeowners change these things just because

neighbors don’t like the home.

I also noticed that the senior planner, who was given an opportunity

to speak at the end of the last hearing, did not deny that she told them

to measure straight out from the house, and in my book that is the same

as admitting it. To now tell the homeowners that they have to remove the

corner is extremely unfair, and I suspect [even more] complicated. If

the city insists on making them change their house I hope the city does

the right thing and pays for the changes.

It is obvious that the neighbors have another agenda in fighting this

home every inch of the way without compromise. I can only say I am glad I

don’t live on that street.

Marti Nelson

Costa Mesa

Brad Craig is example for all

This letter is in response to the rebuttal that Brad Craig wrote (“By

example, he will teach, not preach,” Aug. 31). It saddens me that he

should have to be defending himself to people that don’t even know him.

I work at Newport Harbor High School and have had the opportunity to

get to know this fine young man over the past few years. He is the

kindest, most considerate and caring young person that you would ever

want to meet. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.

He is intelligent, self-assured, witty and yes, a devout Christian. He

does not walk around school “preaching the gospel.” He doesn’t need to.

The kids all know and respect him and he does lead by example.

I feel that religion is a very personal issue. All children and adults

should be able to make their own personal choices. It should not be

forced on anyone at any level. At a time when life is so extremely

difficult for our teenage children and there are so many negative issues

for them to deal with, what could possibly be wrong with having a such a

strong and moral young man leading them into their adult years?

I found his letter to be rather humble. In person and on campus, he is

“larger than life.”

Teri Cothran

Newport Beach

Pilot misses point on El Toro

Your article in the Aug. 17 edition is so slanted and biased, it is

incredulous to me that it would appear in a publication that boasts it

has served “the Newport-Mesa communities since 1907” (“Antiairport camp

fires back at Newport Beach meeting,” Aug. 17).

Instead of quoting [antiairport initiative leader] Leonard Kranser and

discrediting the intellect and integrity of Newport Beach elected

officials and residents, you should address the most basic question in

this entire matter: Does Orange County need expanded airport facilities

in the foreseeable future?

If the answer is no, can we live with that? Extend the agreement on

John Wayne scheduled to expire in 2005. Stop the freight flights. Myself

and all the other misled residents will be pleased to travel to Ontario,

Long Beach or LAX for flights not available out of John Wayne.

If the answer is yes, let’s analyze the feasibility of El Toro and the

positives and negatives:

* El Toro is a centrally located, large airport operating military

aircraft since 1942, long before any development occurred in the area.

* Cost -- a gift from the federal government requiring [a much smaller

expense to the county] than any other option.

* Buffer zone -- several thousand acres. No school, home, hospital or

apartment house within the 65 decibel level. Commercial jet operations

are 70 percent quieter than military jets.

* Safety -- 90 degree runways, much longer and wider than John Wayne.

No need to throttle back engines on takeoff. If noise became a factor, a

similar takeoff procedure as John Wayne could be mandated. No

developments directly under the flight paths.

The only negative factor is that South County antiairport activists

have stirred up the South County population with a great deal of

misinformation and false predictions of flight paths and flight frequency

which have developed into a very emotional anti-El Toro Airport movement.

You should know that Newport Mesa residents, which your paper has

supposedly served since 1907, twice voted against converting Orange

County airport from general aviation to commercial use. But even so we

now have the John Wayne Airport with much greater traffic than ever

envisioned and plans to expand John Wayne even further.

You should research old photos of Playa del Rey before LAX was

expanded. A beautiful community with no buffer zone turned into a

wasteland. You have to answer the basic question of need for expanded

airport services. If the answer is “yes,” it would be unbelievably

foolish to turn down the El Toro airport. Newport-Mesa property owners

would be destroyed by the expansion of John Wayne. El Toro is a huge

facility operated as a military air base for more than 50 years with a

multithousand-acre buffer zone and a good safety record. Any negative

impact on South County would be minimal compared to the expansion of John

Wayne.

I would appreciate seeing a follow-up article appear in the Daily Pilot

that analyzes the issues clearly and doesn’t rely on the cleverly phrased

biased comments of some anti-El Toro activist.

Gene Sullivan

Newport Beach

Other views

Reader argues airport isn’t needed

This is in response to several letters published Aug. 24.

I think first the county and airport proponents need to prove Orange

County has an airport transportation need. There has never been a

marketing study to determine if an airport at El Toro would be

economically viable.

John Wayne Airport, the most restricted commercial airport in the

country, has been losing passengers.

Airports are being planned in North San Diego County and March Air

Force Base in the Inland Empire. Ontario Airport has recently expanded

and is in need of customers.

And if airport need is so dramatic, why does John Wayne continue to be

restricted? No one ever heard talk of Orange County’s “need” for an

airport until the closure of El Toro was announced. It couldn’t be that

Newport Beach and vested interests who stand to make a lot of money from

an international airport are pushing this albatross.

Supervisor Chuck Smith has repeatedly stated that curfews are not on

the table regarding El Toro. The county would not be able to recoup its

money with a restricted airport like John Wayne.

El Toro reuse planning was legally under jurisdiction of the base’s

surrounding cities until Measure A, supported by Newport Beach

millionaire George Argyros, hijacked the base reuse issue and put

planning under the county’s control (with Argyros at the helm of the

“Citizens Advisory Committee”). If you don’t believe me, look at the

Tustin base. It reverted back to the control of the city of Tustin, as

El Toro should have been released to the control of Irvine, Lake Forest,

Mission Viejo, Tustin and other cities.

I will state again that I grew up in North County and lived there

until very recently. I voted against the airport because I knew it would

destroy the quality of life for everyone in Orange County.

Mike Kilroy

Aliso Viejo