Tustin’s Views on Copter Rerouting

On Sept. 30, you carried a story concerning Army National Guard helicopters (“Helicopter Rerouting Proposals Draw Fire”).

I was amazed and disappointed the story did not include any statements from Tustin city officials regarding our views of the effects of U. S. Rep. William Dannemeyer’s proposal to relocate Army National Guard helicopters to Tustin. It dawned on me that perhaps The Times is not aware there is a City of Tustin.

Tustin was incorporated in 1927 and has a present population of approximately 45,000, which is expected to grow to 70,000 by 1997. We are the home of several major corporations and the location of two highly successful business-industrial parks. Each day we endure overflights from John Wayne Airport and the Marine Corps helicopter base. Commuters routinely use Tustin’s streets to bypass the Interstate 5 and Interstate 55 interchange. Tustin is definitely an integral part of Orange County.

We are deeply concerned about Congressman Dannemeyer’s proposal to relocate Army National Guard helicopters to the Tustin Marine Corps helicopter base. After years of negotiations, the Marine Corps has agreed to allow Myford Road to be extended through the helicopter base. This road is crucial to solving severe traffic problems in the Tustin-Irvine area. In exchange for the road, Tustin has agreed to land-use restrictions within the Marine Corps’ principal helicopter route. Relocation of Army National Guard helicopters to Tustin would impact a delicate balance between the city’s ability to ensure economically and environmentally sound development in areas impacted by Marine helicopter operations and the Marine Corps’ need to preserve use of the helicopter base.

Simply relocating a source of noise from one populated area to another is not an appropriate solution. I would suggest that Dannemeyer follow our lead and work with the Army National Guard in identifying practical solutions.

FRANK H. GREINKE

Mayor, Tustin