Mittermeier ouster not a blow to El Toro, activists say

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- Local supporters of an airport at the closed El Toro

Marine Corps air base said Tuesday they didn’t believe the ouster of

County Executive Officer Jan Mittermeier will alter the city’s strategic

plans to promote the facility as a prime spot for a new airfield.

“As far as the airport, we don’t look at Jan as much as the overall

management,” said Tom Naughton, president of the Airport Working Group,

which proposes to build an airport at the base as a way of curtailing

expansion of nearby John Wayne Airport.

Mittermeier, who had survived three ouster attempts in the past and often

clashed with supervisors over the planning of the airport, was given her

walking papers Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors.

“It was a long time coming,” said Bruce Nestande, president of Citizens

for Jobs and the Economy, another airport booster group, adding that

there appeared to be a power struggle between Mittermeier and the

supervisors.

Following a closed-door vote, Mittermeier was asked to step down with a

$198,000 severance package in hand. The action was approved with a 4-0

vote, with 5th District Supervisor Tom Wilson absent.

Mittermeier had a 26-year career with the county and was most well-known

for her role in helping the county out of bankruptcy when she took over

as executive officer in 1995.

“I think Jan has done a good job as far as the bankruptcy,” Naughton

said. “The criticism has been that Jan is not as open as she should have

been. But, personally I’ve not had that problem.”

Until a permanent replacement is found, Health Care Agency Director

Michael Schumacher has been appointed executive officer.