‘No on F’ brings voters to polls

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT-MESA -- Local voters concerned about the possible expansion of

John Wayne Airport were drawn to the polls Tuesday to vote against

Measure F.

“I have a sense the [big draw] is Measure F,” said Frank Feller, who ran

a polling site out of his garage. As he spoke, a steady stream of voters

moved past him against the sound of the grinding, punching and cranking

of the ballot boxes.

“No on F!” said resident Sue Curtis, firmly. “Big surprise there.”

The measure was written by a group of South County cities that are

against the conversion of the vacated Marine Corps base at El Toro into

an international airport -- a touchy subject for North County voters who

don’t want to see nearby John Wayne expanded. Measure F proposed to let

residents vote on the construction of airports, jails and hazardous waste

landfills in their communities.

As the election drew closer and millions were spent on respective

campaigns, the division between North and South escalated into a civil

war of sorts.

Another emotional topic was Proposition 22, which proposed to prevent the

state from recognizing homosexual marriages. While California law defines

the union as a civil contract between a man and a woman, it generally

recognizes the legality of homosexual marriages that took place outside

the state.

Judging by the number of “Yes on 22” signs posted on lawns across

Newport-Mesa, many local voters supported the concept. However, those who

were most vocal about the proposition were against it.

“It’s pretty much unconstitutional and hateful,” said Costa Mesa resident

Thalia Marinos. “It’s ridiculous.”

She added that it was almost impossible to buy a “No on 22” sign. Marinos

finally got one from a friend who had hunted around on the Internet.

“I just think it’s prejudiced and wrong,” agreed Newport Beach resident

Brenda Hohnstein.

Another local resident, Harris Sherman, added that same-sex marriages

should be legalized and those couples should be given the same legal

burdens as heterosexual marriages. Perhaps the state could call them

“legal bonds” or “unions,” he suggested.

There were also those annual voters who weren’t driven to the polls by

any particular political issue. They showed up in droves, simply to stand

by their civic duty as American citizens.

Tammi Nicholson said she wasn’t drawn to the polls for any particular

issue, but that she’s made sure, rain or shine, that she’s voted for the

last 13 years.

Sue Curtis said she wanted to show her kids the importance of voting. The

teenagers -- still a few years from voting age -- waited in the car as

their mother turned in her ballot.

“They have to know it’s their civic duty,” she said.

Only one voter mentioned that she was out to give her two cents on the

country’s top spot.

“I’m here for the presidential opportunities,” said Ethel Dudzik, adding

that she put her confidence in Texas Gov. George W. Bush.