MAILBAG - April 29, 2000

It would be a mistake to make South County an ally

While I am sure Tom Edwards’ goal is to do what is best for Newport

Beach, I think he is naive in thinking a truce with South County

activists is the solution to stop an expansion at John Wayne.

What exactly is the plan? Anti-El Toro leaders have not offered an

official version, but the following has been suggested.

1. Newport Beach would be mandated to stop all lawsuits designed to

help promote El Toro airport, such as the challenge to Measure F.

(Edwards admits we have a good case and that Measure F will eventually be

declared unconstitutional).

2. Stop promoting an airport at El Toro (Yet, we know El Toro is our

only real assurance John Wayne won’t expand).

3. Support Irvine’s annexation of the El Toro property (that will

certainly give Irvine all the power, won’t it?)

4. Cease support of pro-El Toro airport Supervisors (even though they

are the ones who support our airport position).

5. Support South County’s “Park Plan” for El Toro. (Can we forget the

absurdity of that plan, including the enormous cost it will be to every

county taxpayer?)

Now, what does Newport Beach get in return? So far all we have heard

are vague promises of helping us to stop an expansion at John Wayne.

However, two questions come to mind.

1. Why do we need South County cities to stop such an expansion? They

are not part of the settlement agreement and have no authority to help

us.

2. Why would the Supervisors (the ones with the authority), or any

official for that matter, agree to stop a John Wayne expansion in the

future when the only other option for our county’s air transportation

need is eliminated? Seems to me we would be negotiating from a very weak

position.

Costa Mesa Councilwoman Heather Somers is to be congratulated for

seeing problems in a peace agreement with South County leaders. She is

not the only one. Other airport leaders I have talked to believe Edward’s

faith in our opponents is misplaced, that there is a far better way to

handle the settlement agreement extension, and that to retreat from our

original objectives now would ultimately spell doom for every resident

under the John Wayne flight path.

CLAUDIA DOWNS

Newport Beach

Reader disagrees with Bell on Elian’s plight

Joseph Bell’s recent column (“Our laws are clear, even if politicians

cloud picture,” April 13) -- now with a title like that wouldn’t you

think at least one example of politicians not conforming to laws might be

that of President Clinton? No! Bell was instead referring to the

presidential candidates who sympathize with Cuban political refugees who

condemn the order to return Elian Gonzalez to Communist Cuba.

Those refugees are in a much better position than U.S. Atty. Gen.

Janet Reno and group regarding understanding the fate of little Elian

should he be forced to return. I suggest the American Cubans’ motives are

not, as Bell suggests, “displaced people looking for revenge,” but

instead people of compassion who care about one of their own. Let’s not

forget Elian’s mother sacrificed her life to get her son to America. In

her honor, can we do anything less than allow him that privilege?

JANET WRIGHT

Newport Beach