Airport Debate

Columnist spread word in fight for El Toro

Many thanks to Jim de Boom for his recent column warning readers that

if Measure W (the Great Park initiative) passes, the El Toro airport will

not be built (Communities & Clubs, “A matter of the heart,” Jan. 26).

That means there will be enormous pressure for John Wayne Airport to

significantly expand. De Boom asked us to consider the loss of our

property values and quality of life when we are forced to endure even

more planes over our heads 24 hours a day. A significant increase in

traffic on our roads will also be inevitable.

The bad news is that right now polls show Measure W will win. However,

those same polls indicate the measure loses when people learn the Great

Park will cost taxpayers billions. It is essential we get that

information to countywide voters, but courts prohibit city and county

funds from being used for that purpose.

That is why de Boom asked us to “step up big-time” with a private

donation to the Airport Working Group Political Action Committee. That

organization is legally allowed to use our money and inform all voters of

the truth. I’m sending a check.

For the sake of our community, I urge you to join me today while there

is still time to make a difference. Would you also make sure your

neighbors know the facts and give them the opportunity to help?

BONNIE O’NEIL

Newport Beach

Residents have everything to lose in Newport Beach

One thing that is difficult to understand in this brouhaha over

Measure W, the El Toro airport versus the Great Park initiative, is that

people in South County cities are contributing much more money for the

Measure F campaign than those in Newport Beach against Measure W, who

have much more to lose.

Without El Toro airport to handle Orange County’s growing air

transport needs, tiny John Wayne Airport will have to expand, perhaps

doubling its air passenger load by 2006 and then tripling it soon

afterward. This means that people living around Newport Bay will see

their property values drop 10% to 50% in the next few years. They have

much to lose.

Conversely, none of those living in South County cities will be

affected since none live within the El Toro noise range. This seems to be

a case of mass hysteria in South County and apathy in the corridor

cities, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Tustin, Santa Ana and Orange.

SHIRLEY A. CONGER

Corona del Mar

Columnist convinces reader to approve a park

I was going to dismiss de Boom’s first column (Jan. 26), but he then

responded to a reply by William Detoy that has some incorrect statements

and assumptions (Communities & Clubs, “A whole lotta money for teachers,”

Saturday).

De Boom attempts to lay the blame for increased demand on John Wayne

by more residents in Irvine and South County. Not all of those residents

are flyers. That assumption is as bad as the assumption put forth in the

budget for the number of people who will fly out of El Toro, which is

grossly inflated. The demand can, and will be taken care of by Newport

Beach’s proposed new allocation for flights.

Factually, the city “could have had even more money” to fight the

changes proposed for flight increases at John Wayne by joining with South

County forces against El Toro. An offer was made by the south to provide

their funds and fund-raising ability to Newport Beach if the city would

come out against the airport.

His example of a flight to Tucson? Nonsense. No business executive

would schedule a 9 a.m. meeting. You would miss it. Flights depart from

John Wayne at the earliest 7 a.m., and that is if you are No. 1 for

takeoff. That is 8 a.m. in Tucson. You can calculate the rest. You are

scheduling an appointment that you will always be late for. I never

scheduled anything prior to 10 a.m.

He states lack of competition is the reason for higher fares out of

John Wayne. Wrong, the weight restrictions imposed and the noise

abatement procedures send out flights less than full. Therefore, airlines

must charge more to make up the economics of their flights.

Southwest special fares are affected because John Wayne has higher

costs than other facilities. A dirty little secret, the city of Newport

Beach, prevailing with flight restrictions, has cost its citizens and the

traveling public millions of dollars in excess traveling costs.

Again the purported lack of noise at El Toro is false. There will be

more noise than when the Marines flew in and out, and we don’t want the

resulting pollution that comes with it. Look at the seven airports turned

over at the same time as El Toro; not one operates as an airport. They

have been developed into multiuse areas, residential, commercial, parks

and open space.

The county allowed the elite to bring commercial aviation into JWA.

They made millions from the sale of their airline. George Argyros would

stand to make millions again if El Toro goes through. Why else would he

give $237,000 to the pro-airport group. Not because his home is under the

flight path of John Wayne? Or would he?

Why is Bruce Nestande head of a pro-airport committee that is and was

funded by Argyros, and what is their financial relationship? No more

money from JWA, no more money from Argyros, and no money coming in from

the majority of people of Orange County. So, who do they represent except

self-interests?

So de Boom’s column clinched it for me. I have lobbied anyone who

would listen about the benefits of Measure W passing and I’ll go one

better. I have my absentee ballot in front of me, and you know how I will

vote. That’s a lot better than sending cash. It’s in the bag.

FRANK LIMBAUGH

Corona del Mar