El Toro Debate: Questions of Growth and Democratic Process

* Re “Endangered Shrimp Could Pose Hurdle to Airport, Tollway” (Sept. 22):

The EPA may classify thousands of Orange County acres as “protected,” to preserve a tiny, obscure shrimp. EPA and county bureaucrats are worried that this shrimp, which lives only a few weeks a year, is endangered by too many roads, houses, cars and airports. But these same bureaucrats don’t even consider the danger that these “growth” factors (especially a polluting airport) will pose for humans. Why are shrimp of more concern than people?

MICHAEL SMITH

Mission Viejo

* Vivian McLean (Letters, Sept. 28) claims that Orange County needs a two-airport system to meet its needs. Must county customers go to airports in Orange County? Why can’t people drive a few miles (or take a train) to Ontario International Airport, which has plenty of space and capacity to take in customers? Orange County is a relatively small county in area compared to other Southern California counties; we need to look beyond county boundaries to meet our needs.

JAY NEUHAUS

Aliso Viejo

* When the debate began, what seems like a lifetime ago, I was initially in favor of an airport. Now, some $40 million later and no closer to anything at the base, I have changed my position. Please consider me “pro shut up!” The rhetoric spewing from both sides of this heated argument is so nonsensical and childish that it borders on the ridiculous.

The democratic process, as I understood it in elementary school, put a matter to vote and the population would then decide on its outcome. In California, we do not subscribe to democracy any longer. The theory here is “the squeakiest wheel gets the most grease.” When the voice of the people is heard, the party on the short end of the vote again brings their matter to another vote and another. The case with the airport is just that; a majority of the voters in the county elected to proceed with an airport on two occasions. The third attempt (Measure F) was successful.

That shows a definite lack of respect for the voters. Now we all have to foot the bill to the tune of $40 million, and that is democracy.

VINCENT S. LO BUE

Rancho Santa Margarita