Argyros Says Post Will End Airport Role

Orange County businessman George Argyros, the most influential backer of plans to build a new international airport at El Toro, said Saturday that he will end his involvement with the airport campaign if he is confirmed as U.S. ambassador to Spain.

Speaking publicly for the first time since President Bush nominated him last week, Argyros said he is disheartened at how “politicized” the debate over the future of the closed Marine base has become, but he added that others will shoulder the work he has done to support the proposal.

“It’s bigger than any one person,” he said in a brief interview. “There are a lot of other people in the county, here and elsewhere, that are interested in making sure we have the infrastructure that we need.”

The surprise announcement was greeted with skepticism by airport advocates, but it was welcomed by airport opponents. Argyros has been the chief private backer of the county’s plans to build a new commercial airport at El Toro. He has contributed about $3.5 million toward the plan since voters narrowly approved it in 1994.

Argyros did not say whether he would stop donating to pro-airport measures. He did say, however, that he felt disheartened about how the controversy “has been hugely politicized by the communities around [El Toro]. . . . It’s terribly important for our county. It’s terribly important for our region.”

Argyros made his comments before a dinner honoring science teachers hosted by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, which he chairs.

He also spoke briefly about his excitement over the ambassadorial nomination. His appointment is still subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate. But he said he welcomes the chance to help cement ties between the United States and Spain.

“Our Spanish heritage is everywhere you look in Southern California,” he said, adding with a laugh, “They were here first.”

But the remarks about his role in the battle over an El Toro airport drew most attention.

Argyros has become a lightning rod for opposition to the project, especially from South County residents, where he has been referred to as “King George” on anti-airport Web sites because of his financial support for pro-airport ballot measures.

“He’s been a formidable adversary in this struggle, and if he does not deploy any further resources, that is obviously good news,” said Irvine Mayor Larry Agran, a vocal opponent of the county’s plans for El Toro.

Agran, however, said airport foes must still contend with the majority of the county’s Board of Supervisors, who continue to push for plans to build an airport.

Airport proponents, on the other hand, expressed skepticism Saturday that the man who has prodded and pushed for years to keep the campaign from stalling would suddenly give up all interest.

“My own perception is that I don’t think he will lose interest,” said Tom Naughton, president of the Airport Working Group, a Newport Beach-based group that advocates an El Toro airport. “I know George. I know that he’s been pressing this thing for quite some time.”

Naughton said Argyros’ comments appear to contradict assurances he has given others that he will continue to fight for an airport despite his new appointment.

In a March 30 letter to Newport Beach Mayor Gary B. Adams, Argyros assured him that he would remain interested in the issue if he was given an ambassadorial post, Naughton said.

“El Toro is and will continue to be an issue of great importance to our community, and my interest will not diminish,” Argyros wrote, according to Naughton.