Leaders’ Motives Are Questionable

Not many months ago, an orderly El Toro reuse planning process was in place. Then certain prominent business leaders foisted Measure A upon Orange County. Now we have disorder and acrimony and the possibility of years of litigation.

Now, some of the same business people are telling the county to cut government, privatize and sell off assets. They are even going to do us the favor of having the libertarian Reason Foundation write a county charter for us. Might there be motives for personal gain here?

Look at the names and the business interests of the people that move, not so invisibly, behind the scenes. You might gag at some of the names you see on Supervisor (Marian) Bergeson’s committee for the county audit she is proposing.

If you have any doubt that this county is run by business and for business (certain ones that is), just watch to see who will be in for the kill when that airport materializes at El Toro and the county sells its assets.

PAULA SKEEN

Fullerton

* The El Toro Marine base was part of a growing county and the base commanders compensated for this over the years with the abilities of their aircraft. They showed compassion for their communities. A major airport surrounded by a developed county could not do the same with the restrictions and limitations of commercial aircraft.

An airport should be dictated by those whose lives are to be affected, as was John Wayne Airport, not by a gratuitously appointed committee of business leaders--as the authors of Measure A furtively did not disclose to the public--that was also part of their initiative.

My praise to the Pentagon for continuing to recognize the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority.

MARY SCHWARTZ

Santa Ana