El Toro Adversaries Air Differences

* Orange County’s recession and bankruptcy are proof that a stable economy cannot be taken for granted. If we want to enjoy the benefits of living in an economically viable area, good financial decisions must be made. Most citizens had little to do with the above two economic disasters, but each of us has the opportunity to be involved in the next major issue affecting Orange County--the battle over reuse of El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

Facts, not emotion, support the need for this vital county property to remain an airfield. The two most important issues to keep in mind are: (1) John Wayne Airport’s permanent limited size prevents it from adequately growing to meet the county’s continued air demands. If we are to financially compete with other areas for business, an alternate county airport is a must. (2) Numerous studies prove the only possible location for another airport in Orange County is El Toro. If we don’t use this land for an airport, we will lose our last and only opportunity for significant air growth.

BONNIE O’NEIL

Newport Beach

* I continue to find the letters from residents around El Toro to be both creative and imaginative. They all seem to lack one thing: facts. Here are some facts:

1. Military planes emit about 120 decibels and commercial aircraft about 100 decibels on takeoff. Anyone who can’t tell the difference must be deaf.

2. The area around John Wayne was heavily populated before that airport existed. Not so for El Toro.

3. Building a commercial airport at El Toro is not estimated to reduce traffic at John Wayne.

4. If traffic at John Wayne is increased to capacity, it is possible the county would have to purchase many more surrounding homes (possibly more money than the total net cost to build El Toro airport).

5. No one, to date, has proposed to fly out of El Toro commercial airport 24 hours a day, or over any of the surrounding communities, both of which the military now does.

Here’s my creative contribution: I predict the South County El Toro reuse studies will show the top three uses for El Toro to be: 1. Open space. 2. Natural park. 3. Wildlife preserve. The runways would be used as a parking lot for reuse study agencies.

MIKE STEINER

Costa Mesa

* Opponents of Measure S would have you believe that it is just unfortunate that some residents of the county will have to live under the flight path but that the proposed airport will be of general benefit to the county.

Leisure World Laguna Hills is directly under the flight path. We have been able to tolerate the operations by the Marines because their volume is very moderate and they have been cooperative neighbors.

Leisure World consists of 12,736 homes, over 18,000 residents. We are seniors who have worked hard all our lives. We built our schools, freeways and many of our communities. We built the world’s greatest democracy and are responsible for the high standard of living enjoyed by all. Because of our conservative thriftiness and good planning, we were able to save enough to spend our remaining years in a safe and peaceful environment here at Leisure World.

Your home is your “castle” and every person, under common law, has the right to “the peaceful use and enjoyment” of their home. They are also entitled to a just compensation if that right is violated. There can be no peace, no serenity with a large air carrier over your “castle” every 30 seconds.

The county will be forced to compensate us homeowners for violating our rights. The estimated current market value of Leisure World properties is in excess of $2 billion. Who will pay this compensation? All the taxpayers in Orange County will be assessed this cost. It is for this reason, as well as many others, that every Orange County taxpayer should take another look at “the best and highest use” of the El Toro property. In order to do so, we must vote “yes” on Measure S on March 26.

ANN M. SNIDER

Director, Golden Rain Foundation

of Laguna Hills

* With everything being debated about whether or not the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station should be converted to an airport, I am surprised there has not been more controversy and opposition about the decision to eliminate the base itself. There are many of us who remember how unprepared our nation was to defend itself against attack during World War II. History teaches us there will always be wars, and President Clinton’s orders to dismantle so many of our military bases might not be prudent.

Keeping that area an airfield would offer a measure of protection for our nation, as well as our county. It would be a shame to destroy airstrips that might desperately be needed one day, not only in the event of war. Consider the advantage in case of a disaster such as a major earthquake.

LEONARD HALL

Newport Beach