ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : Breakthrough on El Toro
Some of Orange County’s key political leaders at last have grasped the need for a united front in planning the future of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, which is to be closed.
This comes after months of discord over whether the county or the cities would take the lead.
The proposed accord would move the county into uncharted waters--a planning approach that recognizes joint authority.
The county has swallowed its pride and prerogative in agreeing to a deal that represents a mature approach to addressing its future.
Without an accord, the county will receive no assistance from the federal government, which insists that any redevelopment plan reflect a united community.
A “well done” to Supervisors Thomas F. Riley and Gaddi H. Vasquez and to equally determined leaders of South County cities; the sensible agreement they struck assigns a weighted voting system to the county and participating cities.
Not everybody will be happy. Newport Beach--which wants nothing less than a guarantee of a commercial airfield at El Toro--seems poised to play the spoiler. It should participate; however, if need be, let it sit on the sidelines in favor of another city not now slated for the planning team.
Uncommitted members of the Board of Supervisors also should support this plan. It offers a way out of gridlock.
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