Riordan defends decision regarding airport solution
June Casagrande
NEWPORT BEACH -- Responding to local officials’ allegations that
gubernatorial candidate Richard Riordan has betrayed the city by doing a
“180-degree turnaround” on an airport at El Toro, the former Los Angeles
mayor said Wednesday his shift to a regional solution doesn’t mean he’s
turning his back on locals.
“Until six months or so ago, I focused just on El Toro,” Riordan said.
“But after talking to people down there . . . now I’m saying that El Toro
is one of several possible solutions.”
A longtime supporter of an El Toro airport, Riordan drew fire from
Newport Beach officials after announcing a shift at a Costa Mesa
community meeting Oct. 29. He now advocates a regional solution for the
ever-increasing demand for flights in Southern California.
“That has to include expanding LAX, dramatically expanding Ontario and
Palmdale, and it also means that you need some more facilities in and
around Orange County,” Riordan said.
But he stopped short of saying what should be done within the county’s
borders.
“Orange County residents should decide,” Riordan said. “All I will
do as a leader is encourage them to come up with a solution. They should
not be left in a totally noncompetitive situation.”
Believing that Riordan’s change of position amounts to a cynical and
politically motivated betrayal, City Councilman Steve Bromberg on Tuesday
asked that the council consider sending a letter to Riordan to explain
locals’ position that an airport at El Toro is good for Newport Beach and
the corridor cities.
“Especially because there’s a chance he will be governor, he needs to
understand our position on El Toro and that of all the corridor cities,”
Bromberg said.
At its next meeting, the council will vote on whether to write and
send a letter to the former L.A. mayor, whose current run for the
governor’s mansion could have powerful implications for Newport Beach.
Bromberg noted that, though Newport Beach is a Republican stronghold,
it would be unwise for Riordan to assume he can abandon El Toro because
he already has local voters in the bag.
Of the two ZIP Codes in the state that contribute the most money to
political causes, Newport Beach’s 92660 ranks with Beverly Hills’ 90210,
Bromberg noted. Even if Newport Beach voters strongly support Riordan for
governor, a chill on check-writing from local Republican contributors
could hurt Riordan statewide.
Newport Beach advocates building an airport at the closed El Toro
Marine Corps Air Station to absorb future flight demand that otherwise
might mean expanding John Wayne Airport, where flights directly affect
Newport Beach residents.
* June Casagrande covers Newport Beach. She may be reached at (949)
574-4232 or by e-mail at o7 june.casagrande@latimes.comf7 .
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