Leisure World Activists Rally Against Airport Proposal

Age doesn’t dampen some folks’ enthusiasm for politics.

That was evident at a rally in a plush Leisure World auditorium Thursday morning as 450 senior citizens raised their voices against the siting of a commercial airport at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

Hearty “No’s” echoed through the Clubhouse 3 auditorium as the senior citizens, some relying on walkers and hearing aids, responded to a speaker’s questions: “Do you want an airport?” and “How will we vote on Nov. 8?”

Other cities, such as Laguna Niguel, have held meetings with presentations by both airport supporters and opponents. But Thursday’s 1 1/2-hour gathering, sponsored by the Leisure World Community Assn., was a wholeheartedly one-sided affair.

Three speakers--Laguna Hills Councilwoman Melody Carruth, UC Irvine political science professor Mark Petracca and retired Marine Lt. Col. George Parker--all offered reasons to oppose Measure A, which requires the building of a civilian airport at the base site when the Marines abandon it in 1999.

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The speakers pointed to the initiative’s failure to allow more creative uses of the base, 9increased noise and traffic they believe would accompany an airport, and the potential for costly problems, such as those associated with Denver’s new airport, which is plagued by cost overruns and mechanical problems that have delayed the opening several times.

They were preaching to the converted.

“The Marines were here long before Leisure World,” said Belle Charleton, 75. “We can tolerate them. But we certainly don’t want the noise from a commercial airport.”

And, she added, with a knowing nod of her head, “We get out and vote.”

Local political observers have seen the clout the 20,000 residents of Leisure World can wield.

The first effort in 1989 to incorporate the city of Laguna Hills failed by 284 votes. People on both sides of that debate credited the high voter turnout at Leisure World as a main cause for its defeat. Leisure World residents had argued against cityhood, expressing fears of higher taxes and loss of community control.

In 1991, when Laguna Hills again sought incorporation--this time without including the Leisure World area--the measure won easily, 86% to 14%.

Petracca encouraged the audience to use word of mouth, letters to elected officials and the media, as well as organized campaigning, to create opposition in North County and Newport Beach, whose residents hope an El Toro airport could alleviate some of the noise problems they suffer because of nearby John Wayne Airport.

Organizers of Thursday’s rally said they hope 70% of Leisure World residents will vote on Nov. 8. The community association plans to send volunteers door-to-door to hand out voter registration forms and absentee ballots.