Rustling the debate about John Wayne

The recent Bell Curve column by Joseph Bell raised some interesting

points regarding the airport. Perhaps it is time John Wayne comes

under municipal control, from that of the present county Board of

Supervisors. I think we should think seriously about this, since it

seems natural that the harbor area residents have a lot more at stake

than the county supervisors; particularly with regard to the number

of flights, hours of operation, etc.

Bell also pointed out that the Costa Mesans appear more concerned

about a skateboard park than the airport. This appeared to be the

case when we were trying to overcome the Great Park issue and make El

Toro a reality. I believe our erstwhile congressman, Chris Cox, is

also a no-show on this as well.

PETE RABBITT

Newport Beach

The Daily Pilot has been covering the intramural scuffle between

Newport Beach and Costa Mesa over the former’s interest in

controlling any negotiations with the county on the matter of who

should control John Wayne Airport.

However, too many people have forgotten that the airport also

borders the city of Irvine, which bears much of the vehicle traffic.

While Newport Beach endures most of the takeoffs, other cities are

involved with JWA landings. Several cities and the county have major

financial stakes in what happens at John Wayne.

John Wayne Airport’s future might have been limited by

anti-airport Measure F. As some will remember, Measure F required the

approval of two-thirds of county voters before El Toro could be built

or John Wayne expanded. Measure F overwhelmingly was passed in 2000,

winning in every Orange County city except Newport Beach and Costa

Mesa.

Newport Beach groups, including the Airport Working Group, decided

to attack the anti-airport measure in court, and it was overturned.

Had they not done so, it might be law today and the current expansion

of John Wayne possibly would not be taking place. Expansion would

have needed to be ratified by a hard-to-obtain two-thirds super

majority of voters countywide.

The pro-El Toro groups may have shot themselves in the foot.

LEONARD KRANSER

Dana Point

* EDITOR’S NOTE: Kranser is the editor of an Internet site that

monitors the debate over the El Toro Marine base.