Airport is not what’s needed for...

Airport is not what’s needed for China trade

I agree with the title of the recent letter, “China business won’t

fly” (Thursday), but Shirley Conger’s conclusions make no sense.

By far, the majority of cargo is transported by sea, not by air.

Consequently, to increase trade, Orange County needs a deepwater

port, not a second airport. In fact, comparing year over year

statistics released by the airport, usage of John Wayne Airport is up

only 6.8% for passengers (not 21% as stated) and is down 6.9% for

cargo through October.

Conger further believes that the federal government should usurp

local land use decisions. Using her logic, the government should

federalize Orange County’s harbors and convert them into container

ports to increase trade. Fortunately, Orange County is part of the

Southern California region. We do not need to build and maintain

completely independent infrastructure as if we were a separate

nation. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach can accommodate

shipping by sea while Los Angeles International Airport, the Ontario

airport and March Inland Port can accommodate air freight for the

entire region.

All of these options are within 45 minutes by truck from Orange

County. Trade with China can and will flourish without a deep water

port in Newport or an airport at El Toro.

BRETT KAUFMANN

Laguna Niguel

Election tactics need

to be investigated

The Newport Beach community owes thanks to Rick Taylor for

exposing pre-election dirty tricks used by Dave Ellis, a campaign

manager who gave advice and presumably was under the direction of

District 4 candidate and City Councilman Gary Adams. Taylor, also a

District 4 candidate for City Council, conducted an honest and

ethical campaign, but thanks to Taylor’s recent detective work, it

appears that the same may not apply to Ellis.

Indeed, if the Ellis quote in the Nov. 21 edition of the Pilot is

correct (“We created [the phone call message] just in case we needed

it, but we decided we didn’t), it refers to contacting voters with

the lie that Ron Winship, running for City Council in District 4

against Taylor and incumbent Adams, was Greenlight’s District 4

candidate. The strategy obviously was designed to confuse voters and

take away votes from Taylor, who was heartily endorsed by Greenlight

as their one and only District 4 candidate.

The impact of the lie will likely never be quantified, except that

votes were lost by Taylor. And who knows what other tricks were

employed by Ellis and his gang, tricks that have yet to surface. And

could such tricks, if employed, have affected the results of other

council races?

The city attorney should investigate, or perhaps a blue ribbon

citizens’ committee should be appointed by the City Council to

investigate thoroughly and bring to light Ellis’ pre-election

activities, which may have been illegal or philosophically abhorrent.

The revelation of Ellis’ tactics casts a long shadow over the recent

city of Newport Beach council election.

ADELE AND MEL MANN

Newport Beach

Everyone supported

campaign winner

Outraged is not strong enough (“Consultant cops to phony phone

message,” Thursday).

Sad is a better word for what is happening to our city officials,

our local newspaper that supported them and the lack of integrity in

the latest campaign.

How can the Daily Pilot, Newport Beach City Council, Fire and

Police Departments all support such crooks? Dishonesty and

corruptness is human weakness. What goes around, comes around.

At least Greenlight and the principles it stands for are walking

their talk.

Stop the corruption and densification of our precious city.

Support honesty and integrity to make Newport a better place now

and for your children.

Don’t support crooked, money-hungry City Council members and

developers.

TOM BILLINGS

Newport Beach