Council Asks Residents to Defeat Measure S
The City Council is urging residents to vote against Measure S, an initiative on the March 26 ballot that would stop conversion of El Toro Marine Corps Air Station into a civilian airport.
Council members at their meeting Monday night passed a resolution that condemns Measure S and supports the airport proposal.
The resolution said that if Measure S passes, 50% of Orange County air passengers would have to use alternative airports. It also said the Orange County Regional Airport Authority “estimates that El Toro Airport will create over 53,000 jobs for our region.”
Measure S is designed to overturn another initiative, Measure A, which countywide voters narrowly approved in 1994. Measure A calls for conversion of the Marine base into a civilian air field.
Opponents of Measure A, largely residents of cities near the base, argue that additional review is needed. Many nearby residents also say they do not want an airport near their homes.
Councilman Tom Carroll said he believes the proposed airport is badly needed and would be an economic boon.
“For Orange County to get the economic benefits our children deserve, we’ve got to get this airport,” Carroll said.
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