Supporters of airport unbending, they say

Jenifer Ragland

NEWPORT BEACH -- Pro-airport leaders don’t appear swayed -- at least not

yet -- from their push for an international airport at the closed El Toro

Marine Corps Air Station despite a suggestion this week that a compromise

plan could be prepared.

Former Mayor Tom Edwards, in a letter to the Daily Pilot, outlined steps

that could be taken to unite the county against both an El Toro airport

and any expansion of John Wayne Airport.

“There is so much in play that I don’t believe it’s prudent to make a

decision on any issues pending,” said Councilman Dennis O’Neil. “I am

leaving all options open, but one of those options is not to compromise

El Toro, in my opinion.”

He said Measure F’s passage shouldn’t affect the city’s strategy.

“Right now, nothing has changed in my mind, other than it’s prudent to

look at the settlement agreement,” O’Neil said.

Airport Working Group president Tom Naughton agreed.

“We firmly believe and we’ve believed since 1985 that John Wayne does not

meet future demand and a second airport will be required,” he said.

“Nothing has happened to cause us to deviate from that.”

Edwards’ steps involve extending John Wayne’s court-imposed curfew and

flight restrictions -- which expire in less than five years -- and

forming a pact with South County cities to spend public money defending

any attempt to expand the airport in the future, or build an airport at

El Toro.

It comes after Measure F -- which South County cities put on the ballot

to thwart the county’s El Toro plans -- passed with nearly 70% of the

vote. The El Toro issue has divided the county for six years and millions

of dollars have been spent by both sides on political campaigns.

Newport Beach’s motivation has always been John Wayne Airport, which

sends planes flying over the city’s neighborhoods seven days a week. As

the only airport in Orange County, they believe it is vulnerable to

expansion once the settlement caps expire in 2005.

Mayor John Noyes said city officials have always talked about extending

the settlement agreement, with or without Measure F.

“We’re looking at that and are looking to our leadership to help us do

just that,” he said.

But Edwards contends that extending the settlement agreement is not that

easy. And his proposal would go further by legally binding South County

cities into forever protecting that extension along with Newport Beach --

even if air transportation demands increase as predicted.

O’Neil said the council may have to meet in the coming weeks to reach a

consensus on what to do next, and to get input from the public.