El Toro Airport’s PR Plan Shot Down

The Board of Supervisors Tuesday unexpectedly rejected a plan to spend more than $450,000 on a campaign to tell the public about controversial plans to convert El Toro Marine Corps Air station into an airport and correct “misinformation” from foes of the project.

The proposal called for Nelson Communications Group of Irvine to develop a public relations program that would have included development of an El Toro “fact book,” a speakers bureau, media kits and a “crisis communications” plan.

Supervisors Thomas W. Wilson and Todd Spitzer, who oppose the airport, criticized the effort. Wilson said the proposal “sounded almost like brainwashing” and would be used to “promote only one side of the debate.”

Surprisingly, Supervisor Jim Silva, a strong airport supporter, also refused to back the plan, citing the cost.

“I think we have a responsibility to inform the public, especially on such a complex issue. But this is very expensive,” Silva said. “I think a professional public information campaign can be done for less money.”

Silva called on county officials to seek new bids from firms interested in doing the work and return to the board with a less expensive plan.

But County Chief Executive Officer Jan Mittermeier warned that the board’s action would “significantly delay the ability of the county to more forward” with the campaign, which she said is needed right away.

Supervisor Charles V. Smith and Board Chairman William G. Steiner expressed strong support for the proposal, saying it would counterbalance questionable claims that anti-airport forces have put out in the media and on a Web site.

“It’s unfortunate that we have to go to a public information campaign to get the facts out,” Smith said. “I think there is a lot of misinformation out there now.”

Smith said the $467,230 contract with Nelson was small given the $1.4 billion it is expected to cost to convert El Toro into a commercial airport.

Airport opponents have defended the accuracy of the information they have disseminated.

After the vote, Spitzer and Wilson said they will seek board approval next month of a plan that would provide some county funding to airport opponents who are preparing a non-aviation plan for El Toro.

Steiner said he hasn’t decided on that proposal but that he would oppose hiring a consultant to complete a non-aviation plan, as some have suggested.