Cash pours in as Measure F looms

Greg Risling

Two groups opposing a ballot measure that if approved could halt a

commercial airport at El Toro have seen an infusion of nearly $450,000

over the last three months, according to financial reports recently filed

with the county’s registrar of voters.

Still, the pro-airport camp has less to spend than a South County

anti-airport coalition that managed to haul in some $892,000 for its Yes

on Measure F campaign in that same time period.

Most of the money for pro-airport proponents, about $425,000, has been

funneled to Citizens for Jobs and the Economy, an organization led by

Newport Beach real estate developer George Argyros and consultant Bruce

Nestande.

Argyros is by far the biggest contributor to the anti-Measure F campaign,

giving more than $415,000 since January.

Combine that figure with that of the previous nine months and Argyros has

pledged a total of about $590,000 to the group through loans or

out-of-pocket expenditures over the last year.

A political action committee within the Airport Working Group, a Newport

Beach-based nonprofit opposed to Measure F, hasn’t shared in the same

wealth as Citizens for Jobs and the Economy has, however. The group has

only received about $19,000 since the beginning of the year.

Voters will decide Tuesday whether Measure F should move forward. If

passed, the initiative would require two-thirds voter approval before any

airport, hazardous waste landfill or jail could be built near residential

areas.

Both anti-F organizations support an airport at the closed U.S. Marine

Corps base at El Toro.

Initiative critics say without a commercial airport at El Toro, Orange

County’s only other airport -- John Wayne Airport -- will inevitably be

expanded.

Most of the money in the campaign has been used for commercial

advertising or glossy mailers that have been sent to Orange County

households.

There are three groups that support Measure F and oppose an airport at El

Toro that have also been busy soliciting residents for funds.

Citizens for Safe and Healthy Communities, run by a Laguna Hills

attorney, has collected the most: $654,900. At the last filing date, Feb.

19, the group had about $590,000 left to spend.

The Safe and Healthy Communities Fund, operated by an Irvine resident,

reported $232,000 in contributions but only had $48,000 remaining to

spend.

The last group -- Committee of 2000, Keeping Communities Safe and Healthy

-- has raised $6,400, most of which was left in its coffers as of the

last filing date.