Edwards’ ideas debut in cyberspace

Jenifer Ragland

NEWPORT BEACH -- A resident who supports former Mayor Tom Edwards’ plan

for a compromise with South County on the battle over El Toro has created

a Web site to circulate the controversial idea on the Internet.

Dennis Ashendorf, who moved from Mission Viejo to Newport Beach about two

years ago, said he created the site so that people who are interested in

Edwards’ plan can easily access the latest news and background

information.

“I have worked in the past to try to secure a small, quiet El Toro, and

that is still of interest to me. But if there’s a compromise available, I

think we should do it,” Ashendorf said. “I think it’s the best all-around

approach for the citizens of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa and a

reasonable approach for the rest of the county.”

Edwards last month in a letter to the Daily Pilot outlined a course of

action that he believes could work to achieve what South County wants --

no airport at the closed El Toro Marine Corps air station -- and what

Newport Beach wants -- no expansion of John Wayne Airport.

His plan calls for cities on each side of the debate to join forces in

what is called a mutual defense agreement. It would legally bind those

cities into spending public money to defend against any action to build

an airport at El Toro or expand John Wayne.

The Web site includes all of the news articles on the issue, Edwards’

original letter and basic details on the history of the El Toro battle.

Although many in the community have said they agree with Edwards’ concept

-- including Newport Beach airport guru Clarence Turner -- city council

members have so far said they won’t give up on their push for an

international airport at the former Marine Corps base.

Edwards said he thinks the council will at some point have to consider a

compromise. And Ashendorf said he plans to take his opinions to the

council in the near future.

“I think the City Council should support this negotiation and should

proceed with it,” he said. “Due to the uncertainty of Measure F and the

fact that it passed by 67%, it’s a good time for these discussions.”

Ashendorf said he will continue to update the Internet site with news

articles and other bits of information for at least the next six months.

FYI

The “Quiet skies over Orange County” Web site can be accessed by logging

on to o7 www.quietskies.homestead.com/files/index.htmlf7