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 .