History is written by the victors, as the saying goes.
So who better to write the accompanying story of the El Toro airport battle than Len Kranser, the retired Monarch Beach businessman whose Web site played a pivotal role in the airport’s demise?
It might seem odd that this paper and this editor,among the biggest backers of the airport,would turn to Kranser.
But as the Great Park succeeds El Toro in fits and starts, and as a new transportation controversy emerges over a proposed tunnel through the Santa Ana Mountains, it seems a good time to review the ground we’ve already covered. And Kranser’s an ideal guide.
Even during the height of the airport battle I admired Kranser’s energy, moxie and organization,the hired guns on “our side” were no match for this South County volunteer.
With the airport dead, the hatchet’s been buried. Kranser and I have exchanged notes on the airport fight from time to time. Kranser has authored and published a book on the battle, “Internet for Activists,” and he’s lectured to the executive MBA students in my media class at Chapman University.
He’s worth hearing. To borrow another saying (from George Santayana), those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. Proponents of the tunnel (me included) would be wise to learn from the airport’s mistakes.
Laguna Niguel Councilwoman Cassie DeYoung, and the anti-El Toro airport veterans advising her, have made opposition to the tunnel the centerpiece of her populist campaign for county supervisor.
Her recent anti-tunnel mailer and her El Toro-style rhetoric have caused some would-be supporters of the tunnel to quiver.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean El Tunnel will become El Toro II.
Cars aren’t jets, a road’s not an airport. El Toro was seen in South County as bringing something bad. It could be argued that by easing traffic congestion, a tunnel will be taking away something bad.
Maybe it’s of no concern to Orange County residents that a tunnel would help workers who commute in from the Inland Empire. But the project still ought to appeal to OCers, especially those in South County, who would like a quicker route to desert resorts, outlet malls, other points east,maybe even to a future airport that would satisfy the air-travel demand left by ill-fated El Toro.
A tunnel would also address two infrastructure needs of South County: a new water line (it would be part of the project), and another evacuation route in case of a major emergency.
The tunnel has formidable opponents, but it hasn’t yet stirred grassroots emotions as El Toro did, and maybe it won’t. Many South County politicians and city councils have taken a wait-and-see approach.
Kranser says he’s undecided about the tunnel.
As we move ahead, let’s pause with Len for a look back.
,Rick Reiff
