LAKE FOREST

Mayor Richard Dixon took the city’s fight against the proposed El Toro airport to Washington, D.C., last week.

The trip has become routine for Dixon, who has traveled to the nation’s capital about two times a year for the past five years trying to sway local U.S. representatives such as Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach) and Ron Packard (R-San Clemente) against the county’s airport plan. Dixon said he also has lobbied Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer and federal airport and military officials.

“I’ve gone out there so many times to talk about this issue I’ve forgot how many times,” he said. “A very important component of defeating the airport is getting in Washington, D.C.’s face and reminding them we’re out here opposing [it].”