LETTER OF THE WEEK
Having finally read one too many articles on the El Toro/John Wayne
debate, I decided to weigh in with my own thoughts and advice.
In short, South County wants no part of El Toro and wants to expand
John Wayne. North County wants a world-class airport at El Toro and
status quo at John Wayne. It has really become a question of whose ox is
going to be gored. The inland parts of Orange County are generally
ambivalent. They have no ox. By the way, doesn’t El Toro predate most of
the homes down there?
My suggestion is simple and free. Forget El Toro and close John Wayne.
Allow these facilities to lie fallow for all eternity. Let them evolve
into habitat for the fairy shrimp or the kangaroo rat. The South County
folks can drive to San Diego for their air transportation needs; North
County to LAX; and the inlanders to Ontario. The playing field would be
level because everyone would be inconvenienced alike.
Gone would be the issue of the “South-ers” exploiting John Wayne at
others’ expense, while refusing to shoulder some of the burden
themselves. The jobs and income which Orange County would forfeit to
these other airports would do wonders for their local economies. Los
Angeles, San Diego and San Bernardino counties would be grateful. And the
greens would be happy because there would be no more air or noise
pollution emanating from El Toro and John Wayne, and even the little
critters would have a home. Utopia, at last!
Finally, forget the fancy name. Let us call this the “April Fools
Plan.”
PETER C. PALLETTE
Balboa
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