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