Readers Respond -- Why is support growing for an El Toro airport?

An increase in support for an airport at El Toro can be directly

related to our citizens’ solution-oriented spirit that has gained power

recently from the presence of other immediate crises.

Since last March, electricity for our homes has become a valued

commodity. The general voice cries out, “Why don’t we have more plants?

Or better plants? Or more efficient plants?”

Moreover, some of our local beaches have had to close because of the

operating properties of a sewage plant. One recent voice even comically

suggested that residents of Riverside County who work in Orange County

kindly make their “biological waste” part of their commute. In other

words, don’t overload Orange County toilets.

In face of these issues, a zeitgeist has emerged that is centered on

the correct development of our civic infrastructure. We are Orange

Countians. We are pragmatic. We see the other crises and their link to

the limitations of existing property and plants. We will not sell

ourselves short now in other areas where we can foresee crises: where we

can foresee infrastructure limitations on the horizon such as with

airport travel.

JANE D’ALESSANDRO

Costa Mesa

As the economy slows, taxpayers of Orange County are beginning to

realize that the concept of “The Great Central Park” carries with it an

overwhelming tax implication. Just the nonrecurring cost of the

environmental effect of cleaning up a military base that has been in

continuous use for more than 50 years is mind-boggling. This does not

even address the recurring tax burden of maintaining such a massive park.

An additional realization may be the detrimental effect on major

commercial and industrial enterprises locating in a county overburdened

with taxes and high cost of living, with no compensating improvement in

lines of communication.

The question does not even address the huge cost of trying to make

John Wayne Airport into a major commercial airport. Just the thought of

the cost in the condemnation of 700 acres of major business and

industrial complexes that surround JWA is hard to contemplate. This is

just an incidental cost of acquiring sufficient acreage to just extend

the runway marginally.

I believe Orange County is just now awakening to the reality of what

is being placed on the ballot.

Thank you to the Pilot for your interest in bringing these critical

issues before the public.

ROGER M. SANDERS

Newport Beach

EDITOR’S NOTE: Sanders chairs The Bluffs Homeowners’ Assn.’sairport

committee.