LA PALMA : City Takes No Stand on Airport Litigation

In the wake of suggestions that John Wayne Airport be sold to help the county cope with its fiscal woes, the City Council has sidestepped taking a stand on Measure A litigation.

Measure A, passed by county voters Nov. 8, calls for creating a new commercial airport at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station after the military leaves. Some South County cities, however, have threatened to challenge Measure A in court.

Some cities, including Villa Park, have passed resolutions saying they oppose any move to nullify Measure A. La Palma’s council had a similar resolution on its agenda Tuesday night. Mayor Wally D. Linn noted that 63% of La Palma’s voters on Nov. 8 supported Measure A.

The council set aside the pro-Measure A resolution after Councilman Kenneth Blake said the fate of John Wayne Airport is still not decided. Blake said that if John Wayne Airport is sold to a private company, there will be strong commercial opposition to a second private airport.

The rest of the council agreed with Blake’s argument and sidestepped taking a vote on the proposed resolution.