City Council Supports Antiairport Initiative

The City Council went on record this week in support of Measure S and blasted a Chamber of Commerce vote opposing the proposition.

“I am not blaming the members. This wasn’t put out to the membership to vote on,” Irvine Mayor Mike Ward said. “I am blaming the leadership.”

Ward said 70% of Irvine voters cast ballots in opposition to Measure A, the successful 1994 initiative that calls for an airport at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station after it closes in 1999.

He said last month’s vote by the Irvine chamber was cast by only 16 of 30 board members, who voted 12-4 to oppose Measure S, a March 26 ballot initiative that would overturn Measure A.

Councilman Greg Smith said that some of the chamber’s directors are not Irvine residents, suggesting that their position is not in line with the overall membership representing about 1,000 companies.

“I don’t think their board’s vote accurately reflects the views of the chamber at large,” Smith said, “and certainly not those chamber members who live in Irvine. Our residents need to be aware of that.”

Chamber of Commerce officials could not be reached for comment Friday. Executive Director Jacquie Ellis had said last month that the chamber’s vote should not be interpreted as pro-airport, but rather against “ballot box planning.”