Tustin Should Be a Good Neighbor

* In the long run, there are two things vital to our Orange County future: that we provide equal educational opportunity for children and that we live in harmony as good neighbors. Both are endangered by the shortsightedness of some city of Tustin and South County decision-makers.

Nine years ago, the Rancho Santiago Community College District proposed a public benefit transfer of property at the soon-to-be decommissioned Tustin Marine Corps Air Facility. Of that property, 120 acres are within the district.

Seven years ago, with an eye to neighborly cooperation through joint administration of facilities and programs there, the district took the lead in making a favorably received land-use proposal. It did so as part of a working group that included the South County community colleges, Santa Ana schools and the Orange County Department of Education.

Six and a half years ago, the city of Tustin Base Closure Task Force approved the coalition’s proposal for use of 116 acres. It had already cleared the U.S. Department of Education. Fifteen months later, Tustin affirmed its position that only the coalition members have the right to sign the participation agreement for proposed redevelopment of the base.

Since then, South County community colleges and Tustin have acted to undermine the neighborly initiative and exclude cooperative use that would involve Santa Ana schools and the district. Such political developments are deeply divisive and cruelly unfair to Santa Ana children and youth.

The greater good of the next generation is being slighted, and so is the spirit of neighborliness we want to teach.

AMIN DAVID

Anaheim