Costa Mesa officially against park measure

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- In a tense meeting, where criticism and innuendo were

hurled, the City Council narrowly voted Tuesday night to officially

oppose Measure W, which allows for a park at the closed El Toro Marine

base.

Council members voted 3 to 2 to oppose the measure, which calls for

the zoning of the shuttered base to be changed to allow for an Orange

County Central Park. Mayor Linda Dixon and Councilwoman Karen Robinson

dissented, saying they opposed any city action that would tell people how

to vote.

“I don’t think it is fair to go to the people about how to vote,”

Dixon said. “I do not support a park at El Toro but I will not support a

measure that tells people how to vote.”

In November, the Orange County Regional Airport Authority adopted a

resolution opposing the South County-backed measure that calls for a park

at the former Marine base and halts any plans for an airport at the site.

Because Costa Mesa is a member of the airport authority, it was asked

to adopt a similar resolution opposing the Orange County Central Park and

Nature Reserve Initiative.

During public comments, audience members repeatedly accused the

council of not taking a strong enough position against an airport at El

Toro. People delivered blows to Councilwoman Libby Cowan, saying her

employment with the city of Irvine -- a major proponent of Measure W --

was a conflict of interest. Their criticism came despite the fact that

Cowan initiated a review of a possible conflict and was cleared by the

state Fair Political Practices Commission.

Cowan said giving direction to voters is appropriate when the outcome

would have a clear impact on the council’s ability to govern the city.

Costa Mesa is considered one of the John Wayne Airport corridor

cities, which sit under the airport’s flight path. El Toro airport

proponents claim the city would be greatly affected if an airport at El

Toro were not built because it would force the expansion of John Wayne

Airport.

Cowan was clearly frustrated by the attacking comments.

“I’d be glad to step away from the issue and leave you with a 2-to-2

vote,” Cowan said.

Resident and businessman Rick White said he was surprised at the tone

of the meeting.

“I feel a lot of tension. I can’t quite figure out what it is all

about,” White said.

He said he merely came to the meeting as a small-business owner who

supports an airport at El Toro and opposes the expansion of John Wayne.

All the references to some sort of foul play made him suspicious of

hidden agendas, he said.

“I can assure you there are no hidden agendas,” Dixon replied.

While blows were thrown by some residents, others simply called for a

definitive position on the airport issue.

“You are either for us or against us. You can’t sit on the fence any

longer,” said resident Bob Graham.

* Lolita Harper covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4275 or by e-mail at o7 lolita.harper@latimes.comf7 .