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
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