El Toro Plans Invite Dissent

* At last we have before us the county’s four different plans for the conversion of the Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro from a military airport to a civilian airport.

No mention is made of alternatives for the land use; it is obvious the county has none. Three of our five elected members of the Board of Supervisors are having it their way, hang what is best for the hundreds of thousands of citizens who will be adversely impacted by a civilian airport at El Toro.

They have closed their ears to the desires of those most affected by their decision, even with the health warnings and those made by the airline pilots’ associations.

What can be done now to correct this obvious foregone situation? A recall drive is not feasible, so what do we have left? Secede from the county and form one of our own, electing members who will answer to the desires of their electorate, not to the dictates of their own interests.

The million or so residents in South County certainly could support their own board, and continue to enjoy the health, happiness and tranquillity that we all looked for when we moved to “South County,” California.

H.H. MINICK

Laguna Hills

* In December 1996, the Board of Supervisors voted as a concession to South County residents to limit any El Toro airport to 25 million passengers per year, and keep John Wayne open to commercial aviation.

Now, less than two years later, the board has authorized studies in which two of the four proposals exceed this limit, one eliminates commercial traffic at John Wayne altogether, and three of the four reduce traffic volume at John Wayne.

If the board was sincere in their previous vote, then why are they wasting taxpayer dollars studying proposals which do not meet their earlier criteria? And if the board is not sincere, then what reason do we have to believe them in the future of the planning process?

RICHARD PLAVETICH

Laguna Beach

* Compromise is the fair solution regarding the El Toro airport debate. The supervisors originally approved an airport capable of handling 38 million passengers a year. Some people would prefer no airport. The smallest of the four proposed new airport plans, Plan A, approves 19 million passengers, which happens to be right in the middle of the two extremes.

We could all save a lot of effort, time, money and stress by not demanding “my way or else.” Whether people have consideration and respect for others is more important in determining the quality and future of Orange County than any other factor. Plan A might not be the first choice for either side, but it is the fair choice for both!

ANGELA O’NEIL

Costa Mesa

* Supervisors Charles V. Smith, Jim Silva and William G. Steiner continue to characterize government at its very worst.

Instead of fulfilling their obligation as caretakers of all the citizens of Orange County, they have chosen to victimize almost 1 million residents, by attempting to destroy our lives as we now know it.

All because Silva and the others are tired of being the “little brother to Los Angeles,” as he said at the Hall of Administration on Tuesday.

The trade-off is increased health problems due to the tremendous increase in noise and air pollution. It means sleep deprivation for many residents. It means the inability of our children to learn in school and to study at home in a peaceful environment. Disruption of family life in myriad ways will be inevitable.

Our “leaders” are leaving us the legacy of the destruction of our homes, families and communities in their goal to be “global players.”

County government and its staff have done everything they can to drive a wedge between South County and North and Central County on the El Toro issue. We in the south need the help and support of our good neighbors throughout the county to fight the county reuse plan.

Please remember that government that would act so callously and irresponsibly may do so any time, anywhere in the county. [Others] could be next. Please help support the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority’s “Millennium Plan” for reuse of El Toro. It is truly a fine legacy for future generations of all county residents.

RICHARD W. LUBLINE

Aliso Viejo

* Congratulations to the Board of Supervisors. They clearly made the right decision in choosing Plan C for El Toro. This gives each airport a clear mission along with a ground transportation system to connect them. Let me be the first to suggest that the airports be called John Wayne 1 and John Wayne 2. And, if the FAA approves, they can be given the call letters JW1 and JW2.

LARRY BLANK

Costa Mesa

* What happened to the curfew? The only survival mechanism now in place for Leisure World’s 18,000 residents is the night, when no FA-18s disturb our sleep.

Even the Plan A proposed by the county provides 138 flights from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.--just enough to keep us awake all night.

Why can’t the county give us the same deal it gave Newport Beach? John Wayne has no night flights. Why should we?

DAVE BLODGETT

Laguna Niguel

* About the selfish Newport Beach and other North County citizens, I loathe their way of trying to force South County into accepting the El Toro airport plan.

Ironically, Newport citizens do not know that airplanes from El Toro will also be over their heads and will alter the life of many dramatically.

I sympathize with the anti-airport cities for all their efforts to stop this dreadful plan. I wish my own city, Orange, would also join this group and realize clearly the danger El Toro represents.

It is true that the airport will bring profit to Orange County. But our beloved county would never be the same. If El Toro was built, our living standard would be lowered. Twenty years from now, we will yearn for the beautiful strawberry fields of Irvine along the I-5; we will remember the lush green San Joaquin Hills near Turtle Rock.

DANIEL WU

Orange

* If anyone still doubted that this entire El Toro thing was a political farce meant only to keep the big developers wealthy and Newport Beach more tranquil, this should certainly put an end to that.

MATTHEW RUIZ

Lemon Heights