IRVINE : City Allocates $2,000 to Help Save El Toro

In a reversal of action taken earlier this month, the City Council this week voted unanimously to allocate $2,000 to a group working to prevent the closure of El Toro Marine Air Station.

The vote came two weeks after the council refused to give the Coalition for a Responsible Airport Solution $2,000 toward the production of a video that describes why the base should remain open.

At the time, the council majority complained that using a video in the effort was overly “glitzy” and would probably prove ineffective.

On Tuesday, council members said they felt more comfortable now about making the allocation because the money was not directly earmarked for the video, which is being paid for through donations from other cities. Irvine’s contribution will cover the city’s annual membership fee to the coalition and help fund mass-mailings.

The coalition, an organization of local businesses, government agencies and residents, still plans to send the video to the Defense Closure and Realignment Commission in hopes that members will spare El Toro.

Councilman William A. (Art) Bloomer, a vocal opponent of the proposed base closure, urged the council Tuesday to reconsider its opposition to coalition funding.

Bloomer argued that neighboring cities rely on Irvine’s leadership in the fight to keep El Toro open. He said denying the funds would send the wrong message.

“Everyone wants to see what Irvine will do,” said Mayor Michael Ward, who along with Bloomer supported the allocation.

That point was reinforced by former Mayor Sally Anne Sheridan, who spoke in favor of the $2,000 allocation at Tuesday’s meeting.

“I think the emotional support (of the allocation) is very necessary so that the mayor of Tustin and (officials from) other cities still feel that we are part of the team,” Sheridan said. “Leadership from Irvine is essential.”

The council members, who originally rejected the allocation, stressed that their decision was based on questions about the video and did not indicate that they were wavering in their opposition to the recommended base closure.

Several council members said that after the request was rejected earlier this month, they received calls from elected officials from surrounding cities who wondered if the action signified a shift in the city’s position.

“We never considered changing our position on El Toro,” Councilwoman Paula Werner said. “I have no hidden agenda.”