Oxnard Airport ‘Incompatible’

* The battle lines of Oxnard were drawn when a request by the Boys & Girls Club to construct a much-needed center was unanimously denied by the Airport Advisory Council. By this action, this government agency proclaimed that Oxnard Airport is more important than the youth of our community.

In a diverse, quickly growing urban area such as Oxnard, our priorities require greater emphasis on growth and development. Is there a person who doubts that the education and development of our children are our No. 1 priority? The Airport Advisory Council has only its limited interests in mind by declaring that all citizens must accommodate their needs to the continual operation of this aviation dinosaur.

Like a spider with legs that stretch over the entire Oxnard urban area, the airport’s flight pattern limits construction of schools, housing, businesses and youth recreation programs. Our city cannot grow and properly plan for essential future needs if we are dominated by this incompatible airport.

The passage of the Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources initiatives was an expression of the desire of our citizens to take control of their future. Under SOAR, if any project is proposed outside our city boundaries there must be a fully informed discussion of all impacts on city services.

Witness the continual development surrounding Oxnard Airport and it quickly becomes apparent that little or no common sense went into the approval of housing, shopping centers and park areas by our elected officials. Perhaps SOAR was an overwhelming success due to the belief that Oxnard has had no farsighted leadership in the past 20 years. Only Councilman Tom Holden appears to understand the need for responsible planning.

When citizens of Oxnard can no longer bring necessary youth services to our neighborhoods, it is clear that the poor planning decisions of the past require immediate attention to improve our future.

If this aviation dinosaur conflicts with the ability of Oxnard to become the leading city of Ventura County, it is time to say goodbye and good riddance.

JOSEPH D. O’NEILL

Oxnard

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