New Territory for Airport Debate

* It is with disappointment that I read about the Bonita Canyon annexation dispute between the cities of Irvine and Newport Beach affecting schools in both cities (“Irvine Postpones a Decision on Bonita Canyon,” Jan. 14).

It has recently arisen not due to any disagreement over issues surrounding the annexation, but over their opposing positions on the reuse of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. The irony is that neither Irvine nor Newport Beach has the authority to determine the ultimate reuse of the base.

The reuse of El Toro is highly controversial, and disputes surrounding reuse plans are inevitable. However, locally elected officials have the responsibility to represent the best interests of their citizens, and this responsibility should be exercised without fear of retribution from neighboring cities.

Whether a city is pro-airport, anti-airport or neutral should have no bearing on the construction of a new water processing plant or on salary negotiations for the Orange County Fire Authority.

It certainly should have no bearing on a previously agreed-upon annexation that means millions of dollars to our local school districts, who are being held hostage in the political cross-fire.

Officials were elected to enact good public policy. Yet I am told that elected officials who are airport foes will stand behind Irvine in their decision to keep Bonita Canyon, even though it is predicted that this action will be detrimental to schools in both Irvine and Newport Beach.

[Officials should] reconsider. Protest an airport use if they feel it will have a negative impact on their community. Work hard to develop a viable non-aviation plan and lobby the Board of Supervisors to adopt it instead of an airport. But [they should] use the good judgment they were elected to exercise when dealing with other jurisdictions with whom they disagree on this issue.

The debate over the ultimate reuse of El Toro will continue for at least another 18 months, during which time dozens of multi-jurisdictional public policy decisions will be made in Orange County communities.

For the sake of the citizens of Orange County, who deserve better, don’t allow this “If you’re not for me, you’re against me” mentality to color decision making. Instead, ensure that each decision is thoughtfully made on its own merits, weighing potential community impacts instead of considering where the proposer stands on El Toro reuse.

DOY HENLEY

Santa Ana

* Your Jan. 13 article, “Study Sees Safe Flights at an El Toro Airport,” is not about a suitable airport but rather the fact that the air space that may be used by John Wayne and the proposed El Toro is safe for dual operations. Of course it is! Wasn’t Sabre Technology paid to say so? Who would pay for a negative finding?

In its present configuration El Toro is not suitable for an international airport! If it is not, then John Wayne will probably be able to handle all national travel when the political limits are lifted and it is allowed to operate at its designed maximum.

We did build and pay for a terminal that could handle about 15 million passengers. I have not seen any commitments, or even interest, by any international airlines.

What particularly bothered me in your article was the last paragraph. It stated that airport opponents had filed a lawsuit against the county, seeking the public release of two studies looking at runway configurations and other safety issues.

If the county (you and I) paid for these studies and they are pertinent, why shouldn’t we see them?

SY WEINER

San Juan Capistrano

* As your article of Jan. 12, “El Toro Rift Threatens Other Deals,” plainly demonstrates, we are now beginning to see the legacy that Supervisors Charles V. Smith, Jim Silva and William G. Steiner will be leaving for us all.

In their relentless attempt to force their beloved airport project on unwilling communities, they have touched off a civil war that will eventually consume this county.

The county’s pursuit of their chosen reuse plan, in the face of complete opposition by the surrounding impacted communities, is seen by many as an act of aggression and an assault on South County citizens and their families.

Our county government has, by its action, created an atmosphere of anger and resentment unparalleled in my experience of observing local governments.

Now cities and citizens who should be good neighbors are turning on each other. Relations will be destroyed; cooperative efforts will fail. Perhaps ultimately the county will divide.

Those that we have entrusted with the mantle of leadership must show wisdom and courage now, or allow Orange County to destroy itself over this issue.

RICHARD W. LUBLINE

Aliso Viejo

* Pro-El Toro airport forces continue to spew misinformation, propaganda and outright deception. The pro-airport demigods continue to be relentless in their attempts to convince Orange County residents, especially South County residents, that a huge international passenger and cargo airport is essential to the county’s economy.

They claim that Orange County is capable of handling only 4% of its air-cargo demand and that John Wayne Airport has no room for expansion.

John Wayne has plenty of room to expand (as will be found once a non-aviation reuse plan is adopted for El Toro) by extending the runways over the top of either the San Diego or Corona del Mar freeways or both.

Also, once the current time restrictions on flights at John Wayne are ended (which will happen before any airport could be opened at El Toro), cargo companies will be able to meet all of the demand that Orange County could put on the airport for the next 25 years.

These same forces boldly claim that there will not be a sacrifice in the quality of life around a new international airport.

Just ask anyone living along the Back Bay in Newport Beach about the sacrifice in the quality of life and declining property values due to living under the air traffic patterns of John Wayne.

Ask long-timers who will be honest with you about how they were lied to and told that the airport would not affect their lives when it was expanded. I know several, including family members.

THOMAS PAWLENKO

Trabuco Canyon

* How can anyone seriously argue against wanting commercial cargo flights out of El Toro Marine Corps Air Station?

Our county is currently losing $4.9 billion because we haven’t an airport capable of handling the business.

If there is any possibility of persuading the Marines to allow cargo flights before they leave the base, it is the responsibility of all our supervisors to pursue that goal.

Just thinking of the many possible ways those funds could benefit the citizens of Orange County should be enough to stop any opposing argument from reasonable people.

ANN DOWNS

Newport Beach