More Views on New Airport

Recently, it has been proposed that Camp Pendleton, rather than El Toro, should be used for a civilian airport.

As a former active duty Marine who has participated in live fire exercises at Camp Pendleton, I question the rationality of combining commercial aircraft and live military exercises in the same general area.

Military exercises using jet fighters, helicopters, artillery, troops with rifles and other ordnance are conducted at numerous areas spread throughout Camp Pendleton.

Unauthorized aircraft are not allowed to fly over these areas, to protect them from ordnance flying through the air or ricocheting off objects on the ground.

Orange County residents need to hear from Marine Corps personnel who would be able to give a more informed opinion of the feasibility of an airport at the base before anyone begins to herald Camp Pendleton as the solution to all our airport problems.

I would not consider a 747 full of passengers in close proximity to military ordnance exploding on the ground as a win-win solution.

TIM WILKINS

Tustin

* As an executive manager of the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce for over 10 years, I was able to observe the growth of not only the county in general but also John Wayne Airport. This is why I find it incredible when I listen to some of the commentary regarding the opponents of an El Toro international airport.

One only has to look at the growth of John Wayne Airport in the last 15 years to realize that this county needs another airport if it is to continue to grow and develop appropriately in the next 20 years.

The opponents of the international airport are missing the point. Without an airport at El Toro, the county will receive an influx of menial jobs, which will severely slow the economic development of the county and thus impact housing prices severely. With the airport in place, Orange County will be able to continue to meet its transportation needs and continue to attract high-quality businesses.

It would be a travesty to allow a small local minority in southern Orange County to derail a project that county voters have endorsed.

NATHAN READE

Costa Mesa

* We continue to see letters written pro and con regarding the development of the San Joaquin Hills toll road, the proposed conversion of El Toro Marine base into another commercial airport and the development of southern Orange County.

Where is it written that the mandate of Orange County is to continue development until every last square inch of land has been built upon?

Many of us moved here to escape the urban crush and deteriorating quality of life plaguing Los Angeles. But now, with the toll road having been forced upon us and with the powers that be steamrollering over the interests of those who live near El Toro and will be the most heavily impacted, open hillsides and rural canyons are fast disappearing.

Aren’t the same people who bankrupted the county in 1994 now deciding what measures are needed to shore up the failing financial situation of the toll road? Aren’t they voting to spend millions more to “convince” us that we really need the pollution and noise that another airport at El Toro will bring?

We need to realize that these projects only profit the wealthy elite who stand to make fortunes as further development is forced through. But the cost is borne by the rest of us who will see this region’s quality of life steadily deteriorate.

If the majority of northern Orange County wishes to develop a major airport in our backyard, let southern Orange County withdraw to form its own county and protect the life we moved here to enjoy.

JEFFREY KAUFMAN

Irvine

* Not a week goes by without reading something about the hassles associated with El Toro international airport.

Given that the county already has John Wayne Airport, has any discussion been initiated regarding increasing the runway length to accommodate the larger “international size” planes?

It would not be too difficult to extend the runway over the many lanes of Bristol Street and the Corona del Mar Freeway at the south end of the airport. This extension would increase the runway length by about one third. The runway bridge or tunnel would serve the same purpose as the Sepulveda Boulevard underpass at LAX.

If having an airport with international capabilities is so important for Orange County, wouldn’t it make more sense and be less costly to upgrade the runways at John Wayne Airport to match the recently upgraded (and not yet paid off) passenger terminal?

Other than a few golfers using the Newport Beach golf course and the sea gulls in the Newport Back Bay area, who would mind?

GEORGE KLASS

Costa Mesa

* Since the majority of voters in Orange County have twice approved measures supporting an airport at El Toro, the “very small rich, powerful and greedy group” that Samuel Krause refers to (Letters, July 6) must actually be the opponents of that airport.

I would be much more receptive to this group’s viewpoints and ideas if they would stop the name-calling, frivolous lawsuits and half-baked alternate-usage proposals and tell us honestly what everyone believes is their real objection to an airport at El Toro. Namely, that their opposition is really based on that age-old “not in my back yard” syndrome.

Once the real reason is out in the open, it gives everyone a chance to work together toward an acceptable solution. Unless, of course, people like Krause simply want to “dictate . . . their political and financial objectives” to the majority of the voters.

TERRY CABORN

Newport Beach