Coad’s Race May Shape El Toro--and More

When voters go to the polls Tuesday, they’ll be electing an Orange County Board of Supervisors member who will have more on his or her plate than decisions about the reuse of the vacated El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. Our 4th District supervisor will have to work effectively with four others on nitty-gritty, day-to-day county business matters, as well as issues with long-term consequences.

I may not agree with Cynthia P. Coad on every position she has taken in her first four-year term on the board. But although we have had opposite views on the airport issue, I have admired her combination of business acumen and the way she has brought to bear on county social issues the insights gained during her careers in rehabilitation and education, her service as a college district trustee and her work with numerous community groups.

After years of observing local officials, I have concluded that no matter how independent and how committed to principle an individual seems, nothing much appears to happen unless he or she is skilled at winning others to a viewpoint and in working out mutually acceptable solutions. Several years ago, voters in the 2nd District resisted the attempts of anti-airport activists to influence the election of a supervisor through large infusions of campaign money. I hope 4th District voters will keep their eyes on the bigger picture Tuesday and not be blinded by out-of-town money or focused only on the single issue of the proposed airport.

Carol Mullen Goold

Fullerton

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We need two more people like Chris Norby to replace the trio of Chuck Smith, Jim Silva and Coad. Coad is up for reelection. After eight years and $50 million poorer, we are finally getting to the finish line at El Toro.

The irresponsibility of squandering so much money for their pet project is unheard of. The memory of the Orange County bankruptcy is still on our minds. The state-of-the-art airport, with the costly security equipment, personnel, the necessity to widen the congested freeways near El Toro, will make the price tag exorbitant.

Then there will be many days when the airport must shut down because of wind conditions. It all points to one question: Who needs it? This expenditure may put all of us at financial risk. Airline tickets and parking will be more expensive than at other established airports. Will the public pay the difference?

The toll roads are a good example of how people react. Behind Measure W are responsible people. The pay-as-you-go (build) plan to develop the park puts no one at financial risk.

Margot Roseman

Mission Viejo