Proposed El Toro Airport Is Championed at Program

Orange County rolled out its public relations campaign on the proposed El Toro airport at an informational forum Thursday night, heavily emphasizing the need for an international airport at the former Marine base and downplaying noise, traffic and other concerns.

Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Cynthia P. Coad, an airport supporter who welcomed the more than 150 residents at the Anaheim Community Center, said the county’s $3-million informational program was to counter the “misinformation” that residents have been bombarded with by anti-airport “zealots.”

“We feel certain that we will be able to dispel the propaganda that El Toro would be unsafe, unwanted and unneeded,” Coad said.

Immediately into the question-and-answer period, an outraged Robert Mead of Mission Viejo asked Coad why the Board of Supervisors hasn’t paid attention to what he called the will of the people, a majority of whom voted for an anti-airport initiative in March 2000.

When the moderator told Mead his question was inappropriate and would not be answered, he persisted: “I’m a resident of this county. I won’t leave here without an answer.”

As the moderator moved to another speaker, Mead was forced to give up.

His questions apparently violated the ground rules that moderator Gary Simon, executive director of the El Toro Local Redevelopment Authority, had laid out only moments before: that the county would not tolerate outbursts that interrupted the meeting. “You will be asked to leave. . . . We’re here to answer ordinary questions for ordinary people,” Simon said.

Organizers also had beefed up security with three police officers at the meeting.

Despite the North County location, anti-airport people were out in force, peppering Simon and a panel of airport consultants with either tough questions or their opinions.

At one point, Simon threatened that “if this continues,” he would cancel the remaining nine forums. That brought applause.

The Board of Supervisors will begin hearing public testimony Sept. 4 on the latest environmental impact report on the airport plan. The board will vote on the EIR on Sept. 17.

At Thursday’s forum, tables had been set up loaded with maps, brochures and posters on the proposed airport.

The format was to have brief opening remarks and then a 45-minute presentation. Airport supporter and former El Toro Marine pilot Tom Wall led the discussion.

Joan Burke, an Anaheim real estate broker, left the meeting further convinced that the county needs the airport.

“This Great Park that they want to put there, why do I need to go to Irvine for a park? And, they’ll probably charge me because they charge for parks now. We have plenty of parks in Anaheim,” Burke said, referring to the latest proposed ballot initiative that calls for an urban park at the 4,700-acre former base.

But to Ron Bengochea, a lifelong Anaheim resident, an airport at El Toro is “too much. Go put it somewhere else,” he told the forum panel, drawing applause from the majority of the audience.