Toll Road Terrorists: Opponents or Developers and Supervisors?
The head of the Orange County Transportation Commission, Stan Oftelie, suggests that people equate the San Joaquin Hills Corridor with “Field of Dreams”: “Build the road or not, the people will come” (Commentary, “Tollways Juggernaut: Is It the Right Road for Public Travel,” Feb. 10).
Some movie buffs see a much closer link to the corridors with “The Godfather”--Parts I, II and III. It seems our powerful Don (Bren) made the county an offer it couldn’t refuse.
Reflect on the people who have resisted the will of our godfathers. We all saw the demise of the majority of the Irvine City Council and the near-elimination of Robert A. Curtis, Mission Viejo city councilman. Philip Morris (the Mission Viejo Co.) decided that Curtis was not good for its health.
It will take a courageous Transportation Corridor Agency to say no at this point. But today’s heat won’t compare to tomorrow’s shame for railroading such a boondoggle on Orange County’s citizens.
Consider today’s variables: a nation at war, a recession that rocked the building industry, a water shortage and an energy crisis. These factors could lead to a partially completed road, bonds not backed by the county and a financial commitment to bondholders that couldn’t be met.
Now the titles that come to mind are “Risky Business,” “Apocalypse Now,” “Dances for Political Contributions” or the new Book of the Month, “The Toll Road Less Traveled.”
TONI ISEMAN, Laguna Beach
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