El Toro: Last
Exchange Before
Measure F Vote
The El Toro Airport is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We get the base free, and after that, all expenditures apply only to its development. El Toro is 10 times the size of JWA, and already has four runways, all bigger than JWA’s. It is protected by an 18,450-acre, no-home buffer zone.
All cities generate the need for jails, dumps and airports. All have to shoulder the responsibility, Irvine and South County included.
Frank and Julia Araiza
Tustin
Should the people of South County not share in the need for expanded air transportation,a need brought on by the growth of South County,the cities of Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Tustin, Orange, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley and, yes, Irvine, will be subjected to EIR No. 573, Plan F or G, dated December 1999. Plan F, the least invasive, will subject those within a 5-mile radius of JWA to triple the noise and pollution. There are 180 or more schools or other facilities for children within a 5-mile radius of JWA. The closest home to El Toro is six miles, and El Toro has a 14,000-acre buffer zone; JWA has none.
John Di Bello
Newport Beach
The clerical group announcing their opposition to a commercial airport at the El Toro Marine Base, saying “it would not be a loving thing to do,” is the highest form of hypocrisy and should put their congregations to shame.
The group states, “it will devastate lives,” “it is not loving our neighbors.” How about the “devastation” John Wayne has inflicted upon its neighbors for the past 20-plus years? Find any hint of “love thy neighbor” in any of the South County letters to the editors?
Leonard Hall
Colonel, USAF Ret.
One concern about the proposed El Toro Airport is that “taxpayers can’t afford it.” In reality, El Toro will cost taxpayers little or nothing.
Taxpayers don’t pay for airports. John Wayne is self-funding, creating no cost or risk to Orange County taxpayers. Even infrastructure improvements near John Wayne, such as the recent widening of MacArthur Boulevard, are made at no additional cost to taxpayers generally. They are funded by bonds secured by the tax increment generated by the Santa Ana Heights Redevelopment Agency, which includes the airport and many airport-related properties.
If taxpayers don’t pay for airports, who does? Passengers do. Your ticket price includes a 10% user fee, of which 8% goes to the FAA’s Aviation Trust Fund. Grants from the FAA will pay for the planning and construction of El Toro. Projects which are ineligible for grants will be funded through tax-exempt revenue bonds, which will be secured by money from airport operations. Investors, not taxpayers, buy revenue and assume all risk.
Taxpayers are even immune from current El Toro planning costs. John Wayne and the FAA aviation account, not taxpayers, are paying for the planning of the two-airport system. Costs will be capitalized into the El Toro financing structure.
OCTax can find no other proposed re-use of MCAS-El Toro, including the competing Millennium Plan, which will not require huge subsidies of taxpayers’ dollars.
Reed L. Royalty
President
Orange County Taxpayers Association
San Juan Capistrano
Of the six El Toro letters you printed last week, four opposed Measure F. They are perfect examples of hysteria and misinformation being nurtured by the pro-airport machine.
First of all, passage of Measure F will provide the same protection to all residents of Orange County, including those near John Wayne airport.
Second, the record should be set straight on the claims of an 18,000-acre “buffer zone” around El Toro. One has only to look at a Thomas Guide to determine this is misrepresentation. While the “crash zone” around El Toro at one time may have been nearer to 14,000 acres, the Marines abandoned the base due to the urban encroachment.
As one writer requested, I would be happy to “stand up and vigorously oppose any expansion of John Wayne with the same energy level”, if they will help by supporting Measure F now.
Gail Reavis
Mission Viejo
Let’s make a fair comparison!
As a veteran of the Vietnam War era, I heartily supported our men and women serving at El Toro. The several flights of F-18s each day, while noisy, were acceptable because they represented our national security.
It is upsetting to continually hear editorials from pro-airport supporters and some of our neighbors in other parts of the county who have not recognized this important difference in the past and proposed use of this property.
Also, please remember that this issue for many of us would be the same if it were in Fullerton, Anaheim, Garden Grove or elsewhere in the county. No existing communities should be expected to have such an immense environmental and financial burden imposed upon them.
Mike Ameel
Coto de Caza
As I read through the experts’ opinions (including the Airline Pilots Association and Allied Pilots Association [American Airlines] responses to EIR 573) on the El Toro Air Base conversion, it is becoming increasingly clear that the three OC supervisors are not presenting the real facts.
The pilots have the final say over the takeoff and approach, not the supervisors. And it appears these flight patterns will not begin toward the hills, with the wind from behind, during takeoff. Most approaches will be over Anaheim Hills, Orange, Tustin and Santa Ana with a gradual turn over Irvine prior to landing.
Takeoffs would be over Lake Forest, Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza and Ladera Ranch with a gradual turn to the east or over San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente to the west.
Where is the EIR for these communities?
Ron Hascall
Dana Point
McCain’s the Man
If people could vote their choice, John McCain would be the next president of the United States. As a moderate Republican, I was a McCain supporter from Day Uno. Unfortunately, he may not get the nomination because of the process.
John McCain is my choice because I trust him. He is courageous, the real compassionate conservative and the real reformer, if there is such a thing! I really believe he would look after our foreign and military concerns better than any other person who wants the job.
Bottom line, I will still vote for Bush over Al Gore. However, that’s an election I don’t want to have to call.
Barry M. Gold
Irvine
Nice Work
The Best of Argus tickles my belly button and really lightens my day.
Joseph DeFranco
Separation and Recovery Systems Inc.
Timely information remains the most important resource for business executives and the Orange County Business Journal delivers this resource in an understandable format.
Timothy L. Strader Sr.
Starpointe Ventures
Newport Beach
