FEEDBACK

Steve Smith’s column “We shouldn’t reject South County’s olive branch”

(March 11) has a few problems. Significant leaders in South Orange County

who are fighting against an El Toro airport have made it quite clear they

believe the answer to our county’s air transportation problems is to

expand John Wayne Airport.

Irvine Mayor Christina Shea, Irvine Councilmen Larry Agran and Dave

Christensen, and Assemblywoman Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) all have

expressed their opinion John Wayne can and should expand.

The city of Irvine has contributed millions of dollars to fight Newport

Beach and Costa Mesa on this issue. Are we to believe the leaders there

will suddenly change their minds and help us?

There might be some in South County who would help, but what good will

that be when those who have control of the most money think John Wayne

should expand?

Steve has placed his trust in a few people from South County who have

e-mailed him. I will put my trust in people who live in this community,

such as the entire Newport Beach City Council and the Costa Mesa mayor

and City Council.

CLAUDIA DOWNS

Newport Beach

Steve Smith’s March 11 column was outrageous. Rather than dissect the

entire piece of propaganda, I’ll concentrate on his last paragraph. He

stated: “You won’t find (the Airport Working Group) working to stop John

Wayne. They’ll be in court, trying in vain once again to convince

everyone that what is bad for the twin cities is good for El Toro.”

Does anyone else out there find Smith’s agenda to stop an El Toro Airport

frightening?

Apparently he thinks he knows better than our city government and every

other group that is fighting the expansion of John Wayne. He thinks that

all we have to do is trust South County to help us stop an expansion of

John Wayne Airport and it will happen.

Those are the people who have been shouting to anyone who will listen

that there is an artificial cap at John Wayne and that in the year 2005

(or possibly before), our settlement agreement will expire and John Wayne

will be forced to service twice the passengers it does today.

The Airport Working Group will be in court to challenge a very flawed

Measure F. Even before Measure F went to the voters, the Airport Working

Group realized it had many problems and challenged its legality. Two

judges expressed concerns about it and hinted at the possibility of a

successful challenge should the measure pass.

The Airport Working Group is fighting for the people of Newport Beach and

Costa Mesa.

I, for one, thank God for them.

DON NYRE

Newport Beach

A view from the South

It’s time courageous leaders in all communities admit the basic facts

about the El Toro airport debate:

The declining usage at John Wayne clearly shows that Orange County does

not need a bigger airport.

Two thirds of the county’s voters are against the county government’s

arrogant position on this issue.

The Millennium Plan is a superior alternative by any logical standard.

And last but not least, Measure F truly helps all communities, not just

South County. When Measure F passed, we didn’t lose an airport -- we

gained a gem named “The Millennium Plan.”

GERSHON SHAMAY

Mission Viejo