Takeover of some county operations worth discussing

Newport Beach is a world-class city.

It has the finest of beaches, the largest recreational harbor in

the nation, five-star dining, lodging and shopping and it

consistently ranks near the top in median income and median home

prices.

So the fact that it has a world-class airport in its backyard is a

natural.

But despite the clear effects that John Wayne Airport has on

Newport Beach’s neighborhoods and its quality of life, the airport

that is in its backyard really isn’t.

It is and always has been under county control.

Maybe it’s time for that to change.

At least that is one of the questions Newport Beach officials are

asking as a committee was formed to study the possibility of taking

control of a number of county operations that either border Newport

or reside within its boundaries.

John Wayne Airport, notably named after one of Newport’s most

famous citizens, is one part of a discussion that city officials hope

to have with county leaders. There is also the question over who

should control coastal tidelands, the sheriff’s Harbor Patrol, the

Coyote Canyon Landfill and the remaining bits of Santa Ana Heights.

In each, there are dollars to be discussed and efficiencies of

operation and whether or not it would be in the best interest of the

city to even entertain this undertaking.

And there are also going to be other questions, like ones from

those in South County and elsewhere who will be suspicious of the

city’s motives and accuse Newport leaders of a power grab.

It will be up to city leaders to make the case publicly to those

outside the city that this is not the issue. It will be up to those

same city leaders to assure residents throughout the county that they

will remain able stewards of these lands should they ever assume

control.

For Newport residents it will be a lot easier argument. Officials

can point to the long and arduous battle to extend the settlement

agreement that caps flights and extends curfews at John Wayne.

With that agreement expiring in 2015, the process would certainly

be much easier if the city is running the airport operations.

As Newport Beach Mayor Steve Bromberg told Daily Pilot staffers,

“this is the responsible thing to do.”

Similar arguments can be made with Santa Ana Heights, Coyote

Canyon and Harbor Patrol.

With so much at state, we look forward to seeing the talks begin

and hope that whatever happens, the interests of Newport residents

will be served.