Buena Park Joins the Chorus of Opposition to Measure S

The City Council has joined a host of political and business leaders in publicly opposing Measure S, which would effectively prohibit the conversion of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station into a commercial airport.

Council members couched their support of the resolution against the measure in economic, and not regional, terms.

“In the county, there are cities and groups trying to make this a North-South issue,” Councilman Don R. Griffin said. “I think it’s a matter of good government and having facilities that meet the needs of the people. . . . An airport would benefit all the citizens of Orange County.”

The measure has become one of the most contentious issues facing voters on the March 26 ballot.

Technically, Measure S would repeal Measure A, a 1994 initiative that calls for a commercial airport to be built on 2,000 of the 4,700 acres of the El Toro base when it closes in 1999.

Opponents of the airport plan cite fears of noise, excessive traffic and the impact on South County property values.

Along with the resolution, city officials on Monday also distributed a letter by the Costa Mesa-based Citizens for Jobs & the Economy, No on S. It was signed by Assembly Speaker Curt Pringle, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach) and others who oppose the measure.

“El Toro is a regional asset that must be preserved for future generations,” the Jan. 30 letter said. “From our perspective, it would be a shame to let a turn-key airport valued at over $5 billion become a victim of shortsighted political interests.”

Supporters of the airport said the initiative would interfere with a $2.5-million planning process to consider the impact of all proposed uses of the base.

Cities, the resolution argued, could share in the $1.5 billion in revenue that an airport could generate.