ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : A Lesson in How-To

The county is considering some controversial proposals for the Tustin Marine Corps Air Station after it closes in 1997. And these ideas, which include detention facilities and a police training center, are not what the Tustin Base Closure Task Force, the local group planning for the base, has in mind.

The process is remarkable nonetheless. The discussion between county and local planners is being conducted in a cooperative atmosphere, unlike the contentiousness over nearby El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. While there is local opposition to what the county hopes for, community leaders have renounced the “not-in-my-back-yard” approach.

In so doing, they are providing a “how-to” model for El Toro, where there are many agendas and little consensus so far.

At the heart of the approach in the Tustin planning is a recognition that a cooperative front is needed when presenting plans to Washington for screening.

Today, the Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider asking the U.S. Department of Defense to allow detention facilities and a jail for prisoners on daytime work furloughs, a second juvenile hall, an alcoholism rehabilitation center and a law enforcement training facility.

Tustin Mayor Jim Potts says, “We’re all working on this together.” A member of the task force says, “Within reason, everything is viable.” Already, there appears to be room for negotiation.

Are the folks quarreling over El Toro paying attention?