Irvine City Councilman Resigns From El Toro Advisory Commission

Councilman Barry Hammond resigned Tuesday from the El Toro Citizens Advisory Commission, citing his inability to gain support from South County leaders fighting an airport at El Toro.

“I had hoped that I could persuade other leaders of affected communities to join with me,” Hammond said in a resignation letter. “Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful.”

Hammond became the subject of harsh criticism in January when he joined the panel his city had boycotted for two years.

City leaders contended that he was jeopardizing the city’s chance of winning the legal battle it is pursuing against the county for refusing to give Irvine decision-making authority on reuse plans for the base. But Hammond argued that he thought he could better fight the enemy on enemy turf.

“The south could have controlled this commission if they had wanted to, but they have chosen to stay outside the tent,” Hammond said Tuesday.

The 13-member commission was created by Measure A, the initiative approved by voters in November 1994, calling for an airport at El Toro. The panel, made up of local elected officials and representatives of business, aviation and community interests, has been accused by some residents of having a pro-airport bias.

Some South County city leaders said they were elated about Hammond’s resignation.

“All I can say is I’m very pleased,” Irvine Mayor Christina L. Shea said. “I think it’s for the best of the city . . . and it consolidates the council.”

Lake Forest Councilman Richard T. Dixon said: “I applaud his integrity and ability to take a decision that he was very convinced was the right thing, get additional input and then make a different decision.

“We weren’t going to benefit from him being there. He was only lending credibility to the process.”

Stanton Councilman Harry Dotson, a county airport commission member who nominated Hammond for the seat, said he was disappointed.

“I know he didn’t get the backing of his community, but I thought he was going to fight a little longer than this,” Dotson said. “I’ve always maintained those folks representing Irvine and Lake Forest should have come forward. If they had been at the table, they might well have changed the minds.”