Your Nov. 20 editorial supported new proposals offered by developer George Argyros for a “friendly neighborly airport” of about 14 MAP with curfew restrictions similar to John Wayne Airport.
This belated recognition that a small airport will suffice is a bogus argument. The fact of the matter is that for the past six years the Board majority has consistently supported plans for either the 38 MAP or the 28.8 MAP international airport at El Toro. So did Mr. Argyros, who, as a member of the Citizens Advisory Council, consistently voted in favor of the county’s airport proposals.
Furthermore, let me remind airport proponents that during the Board of Supervisors’ deliberations in 1996, then-Supervisor Bill Steiner suggested 18 MAP as the preferred capacity, but the idea was rejected on the basis that such a small airport is economically not viable. In addition, Supervisor Chuck Smith about two years ago publicly opposed curfew restrictions for 28.8-MAP airport on the basis that it will restrict nightly cargo fights, and as a consequence jeopardized the airport’s economic viability.
In other words, a small airport with curfew restrictions cannot be justified economically unless the project guarantees its future expansion. Incremental progression is a classic political ploy. This eleventh-hour political maneuver to sway voters is too transparent to be swallowed by the people of Orange County.
Besides, why should a small airport even be considered since its economic benefit is so inferior to the Millenium Plan!
Paul Willems
Laguna Niguel
I flew into John Wayne Airport on the Saturday afternoon after Thanksgiving, the busiest travel weekend of the year. Leaving New York’s LaGuardia was a zoo, arriving at JW was a ghost town. Where is all this demand the El Toro Airport proponents are crying about?
M. Chieffo
Lake Forest
How about the ruling against Measure F!
Now we need to get the powers-that-be to work on an organized, positive, countywide campaign for an airport at El Toro if we are to have one there. The anti-airport folks will be out there again, with a new initiative and more money to spend on it.
Jim de Boom
Newport Beach
