The Airport Debate

Pro-airport group should move on

This is regarding “Pro-airport coalition sues over Measure W,”

Tuesday). Enough already. First there was Measure A, now there’s Measure

W, soon we’ll have used the entire alphabet.

When do we stop using valuable resources to combat what is obviously

the will of the majority? I live directly under the flight path of John

Wayne Airport in Newport Beach and, yes, it’s sometimes a nuisance

although one I consider minor, especially in view of the beautiful Back

Bay area where I live. When I first moved to this Eastbluff area 30 years

ago, I knew there was an airport nearby and that it would probably expand

in the future.

Yes, I would like to see an airport at El Toro but we live in a

democracy, the strongest pillar of which is the will of the people. The

people have spoken, so why don’t we move ahead and try to find an

alternative? Why not a high-speed system to Ontario, where an airport

would face virtually no resistance?

Think of the millions of dollars that have been spent by both sides

and consider how those millions might have helped the poor and homeless

among us. It really is time to put this contentious issue to rest.

DONALD RAMSAY

Newport Beach

County, Newport Beach spent too much money

The answer, of course, depends on whether you win or lose (“$60

million jeopardized in El Toro crash,” March 8). When you win, the amount

of porridge is just right. If you lose, it is either too little or too

much, depending on whether your wallet is made of expandable alligator or

tight cloth.

Perhaps the real question, dear editors, should be, “How did we waste

so much money, where did we go wrong and how can we do better for the

future?” Let’s look:

* In 1993, the federal government said it would turn over the 4,700

acres to the county for free. They assumed we would use it responsibly.

Instead, we turned the issue into a civil war. It seems no accident --

that two days after this week’s “nay” vote -- the military suddenly

reclaimed and recouped the land. Sort of like a parent taking back a toy

from a child using it irresponsibly.

* Newport Beach and the county laid out $60 million. South County

cities spent $40 million.

* The aggregate result is that both North and South not only lost the

land, but coughed up $100 million for the privilege.

Granted, hindsight is 20/20 but how much more might we have all gained

with a honey rather than vinegar strategy? Working together we could have

had the land and devoured the money for visionary development too.

In this perspective, the answer to the Pilot’s initial question is too

much.

MICHAEL ARNOLD GLUECK

Newport Beach

It’s time for a vote on JWA

So Irvine spent more than $15 million of it citizens’ money to keep El

Toro from becoming an airport. I don’t think Irvinians like airports.

Maybe an airport scared them when they were young. Maybe it’s because an

airport at El Toro would have been so close to them.

Well golly, John Wayne Airport’s right next door. I think the good

citizens of Orange County should do whatever we can to protect the poor

Irvinites in their time of need. Who’ll join with me in putting a measure

on the November ballot to prevent John Wayne Airport from getting any

closer than 50 yards from any person burdened by an Irvine ZIP Code?

CHUCK CASSITY

Costa Mesa

County should reignite information campaign

I am writing about the future of the closed Marine Corps Air Station

at El Toro. Before the county proceeds with opening up the base for

development, we need to wait until the Navy Department and the FAA

deliver the final Record of Decision in April. Also, there may be further

delays after that if there are lawsuits concerning the validity of

Measure W.

About Measure W, I want to point out that in three of the five

supervisorial districts, Measure W was defeated. In one other

supervisorial district, all of the North County cities but one voted “no”

on this initiative. Only in South County cities in Supervisorial District

5 was Measure W supported.

Now we know the true impact of Measure W. It was a bait and switch

scheme designed to lure the voters into thinking they would get a Great

Park. Only the day following the election did the Navy announce it was

going to sell the El Toro base to the highest bidder. The Navy will not

give the land to Orange County for a park. They will sell it to the

developers. There will be no park. There never was a Great Park. The park

was the bait to entice the voters. The Navy would give the El Toro base

to Orange County only as an airport. No other way. By refusing the

airport, the county is refusing an $11-billion gift.

The alternative is a complete solid build-out of the small remaining

open space in this densely populated county. We can expect another city

the size of Santa Ana to be built at the former Marine base at El Toro. I

shudder to contemplate the traffic on the roads and freeways at that

time. Of course, all of Orange County will have to pay for this increase

in road building, in pollution and in overcrowding.

Since 21 of the North County cities supported the El Toro Airport by

voting no on Measure W, I believe the county should reinstate the public

relations efforts for the airport to raise public support even further.

SHIRLEY CONGER

Corona del Mar