Bell’s right on who’s to blame...

Bell’s right on who’s to blame over El Toro

I think we’ve all suffered. There’ll be no such thing as a great

park.

And we know that this land is going to be auctioned off to the

highest bidders, who are in the pockets of the people that made this

happen.

It’s really a horrendous thing for those of us that did want the

airport there because we know we’re going to need it, but I refer to

Joseph Bell’s article:

“But now, already, Irvine is backing away from the park in the

sky. Community activist Shirley Grindle told The Times: ‘Are we going

to have to face the fact that Irvine may have pulled a ruse on the

public by making one deal with the voters and another behind closed

doors with the Navy?’”

Are we, indeed?”

Meanwhile, the developers -- Cox’s “private sector” -- are

standing by at the El Toro airport’s wake, anxious to be pallbearers

and get on with the burial.”

R.I.P., El Toro.”

I thank you Joseph Bell, and I hope everyone sees this and

realizes how we all have been taken in this matter.

JO BLACK

Costa Mesa

I think Joseph Bell’s column July 25 was right on concerning the

El Toro debacle. Bell hit the nail on the head saying the

anti-airport guys didn’t win the vote, the pro guys lost it with the

help of some of our high-profile politicos that ran like fleeing rats

when it looked like political futures were at stake!

Not only has this cost we citizens a ton of dough, much of which

is unaccounted for, but isn’t it interesting that the Great Park

suddenly has turned into a huge development opportunity? The

residential developers are smacking their lips and ready to strike

whenever possible to add zillions of homes.

This, coupled with the commercial guys ready with their plans for

hundreds of thousands of square foot buildings! Give me a break.

The pressure on our freeway and toll road system will be an

unbelievable joke in just a few short years, folks.

Using land for an airport will seem like chump change compared to

what’s ahead.

PETE RABBITT

Newport Beach

Navy, Irvine El Toro plan shouldn’t fly

The bait and switch that Irvine and our supposed Rep. Christopher

Cox masterminded on El Toro should be investigated by the GAO and all

the local news media.

How is it that we could have had two votes for El Toro to be an

airport and the Navy did nothing? Then a third vote carries for a

park, and the Navy and Cox announce the next day that it will sell

the land to the highest bidder.

What kind of collusion is behind this?

Surely someone should investigate.

The Pilot might win a Pulitzer Prize if it can explain that. Cox

will probably become an inside trader developing the land on El Toro.

The Pilot should watch his actions very closely.

I can only hope that the pro-airport groups are successful in

their lawsuits and the first two votes for an airport at El Toro

stand.

Surely the people that voted for the park should realize how they

have been duped. They should also defeat those that duped them (i.e.

Cox, et al.) when they run for reelection.

AGNES DUBBERLY

Costa Mesa

In regards to the airport article on Thursday: If we apply the

“family picnic test” to the three golf courses that are planned, they

will fail miserably. Try to picnic, hike, ride horses or bicycle on a

golf course and see how long you are allowed to stay.

Most of the rest of the so called “Great Park” also fails the

“picnic test” as well.

After the current golf craze fades into history, it is my bet that

buildings will be built on those golf courses rather than expanding

the park (if the park was ever built in the first place).

FRANK COLVER

Orange County Regional Recreational Trails Committee member

Newport Beach

The plan presented by Irvine and the Navy shows that Irvine, South

County and the Irvine Co. get what they want. That to a large degree

with the help of Chris Cox and Tom Wilson.

I wonder how much the Irvine Co. contributes to Cox’s campaigns?

It is still a fact that an airport at El Toro would be the best

use for the property, and would benefit the most people in Southern

California.

Instead it looks like the developers will reap rewards from the

use of this public land.

EDWARD R SCHEID

Corona del Mar

Bell and others need to get over El Toro

Joseph Bell’s article provides keen insight about the real reason

residents of Newport Beach and surrounding areas supported El Toro.

He refers to “aircraft noise over his patio,” indicating he looked

forward to spreading the noise around a little? Then goes on to rant

and rave how they lost the fight?

He blames our Rep. Chris Cox, who actually has saved Newport Beach

from becoming the very thing that they are afraid of, unlimited

flights, no curfews or noise-abatement procedures.

They now want to know how the money was spent?

People who understand fiscal controls would be monitoring how it

was being spent, not where did it go? That is appropriate to the

title of his column, The Bell Curve, they are behind it!

He must be related to Art Bell, the Celestial Observer, always

looking skyward. He and the people would do best to look down toward

city hall and how they budget and waste their money.

Stop blaming others that know how to manage their money.

That’s how we defeated El Toro.

Current example, the village of Corona del Mar requested $150,000

for median improvements. Outgoing Councilman Dennis O’Neill, who

represents Corona del Mar, recommended an additional $150,000, and

the City Council approved it on a 7-0 vote.

To close, the voters weren’t voting for a Great Park, they were

voting for no El Toro.

What better stewards than the city of Irvine to manage the

process? They are studied the world over for their planned community

that is so successful.

For Bell to use the term, “developers, Cox’s private sector” is a

ruse.

Citizens of Newport Beach had to take back their city from

developers with the Greenlight Initiative as the City Council was in

the hip pockets of the developers.

Get over it, it’s over and done with, and our entire county will

be the better for it.

Look inside your own tent, others can manage just fine without

your interference.

Now go do the right thing.

FRANK LIMBAUGH

Newport Coast