Newport shouldn’t be discouraged by Wilson’s remark

With all due respect to Supervisor Tom Wilson, the old Yogi Berra

saying seems an apt reply to the question of whether or not Newport

Beach should pursue its idea of controlling or at least having a say

in the control of John Wayne Airport.

“It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.”

Wilson threw a bit of cold water on the idea of Newport Beach

taking control of the airport this week as he told a reporter, “my

colleagues and I feel like having it managed by more of a regional,

global authority is better than a specific city.”

Yet, of the other county-controlled entities that the city is

interested in talking about, the Harbor Patrol, the Coyote Canyon

landfill and parts of Santa Ana Heights, Wilson acknowledged those

were legitimate items of discussion.

It’s just the airport that’s off the table.

But why is that?

Wilson, of course, has been part of the anti-El Toro airport

coalition for some time. He has remained steadfast in that stance

through thick and thin. Through it all, there was no small amount of

bad blood generated by Wilson’s South County constituents toward the

people of Newport Beach, who were largely in favor of an airport.

So now, despite any merit the John Wayne idea -- or any idea for

that matter -- may have, South County forces are determined to say no

to Newport Beach.

Wilson, who is running for a state Assembly seat, most likely

recognizes that and will probably do nothing that would anger or

raise suspicions among his anti-Newport, South County constituents.

Because logic tells you that if Newport has a legitimate case to

state in having control of the Harbor Patrol, Coyote Canyon and Santa

Ana Heights because of their effects on Newport’s sphere of

influence, then the case for John Wayne Airport is stronger not

weaker.

Newport Beach is the most directly affected city in the county

when it comes to John Wayne noise, pollution and traffic. Newport

Beach has spent millions on airport-related issues and has devoted

thousands of man-hours to settlement agreements and noise abatement,

something no other city can claim either.

Maybe in the end of the day, the evidence will make it clear that

the county should continue its control of John Wayne. But that

decision should be based on neutral facts and lengthy discussions,

not at the political whims of Newport’s enemies.