June 20, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS RELEASE #2002–59

CONTACT: Mayor Larry Agran

IRVINE, CA – Irvine’s leadership, planning process and determination to control its destiny are under attack by forces outside our city limits who, we believe, want to keep open the option of a commercial airport at El Toro.

A paid force of signature gatherers has descended upon the city and are circulating petitions to rescind the City Council’s unanimous vote to annex 8000 acres around El Toro, which followed two years of study and 55 public meetings. They have not disclosed who is financing their campaign.

We have been informed that the effort is being organized by Bob Caustin, who lives in Newport Beach and opposed the annexation. He previously filed a lawsuit to stop the City Council-approved expansion of Irvine Spectrum adjacent to El Toro.

In both cases, Caustin expressed concern about the negative consequences of development around the base in Irvine, but his organization, Defend the Bay – largely financed by Newport Beach residents – never opposed a commercial airport at El Toro or spoke out about the negative consequences of an airport there. Caustin’s airport agenda becomes even clearer when the fact is revealed that the only Irvine projects he has opposed are those immediately adjacent to El Toro – he has not opposed any other projects in the city, even though he purports to be so concerned about development.

And now he says he cares about growth in Irvine?

Before any residents sign a petition, we believe they should demand to know more about who is behind this drive, who is financing it, and their real motives.

Make no mistake: There are still many pro-airport people in Newport beach who will do anything to prevent Irvine from annexing this land and getting control of the area around El Toro, while they look for legal loopholes to overturn Measure W.

Our unanimous votes for the Northern Sphere annexation were about Irvine taking control of its own destiny; about fighting to insure that the airplanes will be stopped forever; about creating compatible uses next to our Great Park; and about not letting the Irvine Company exercise its option to gain development approval through the County of Orange – the same entity that wanted a commercial airport at El Toro.

The petitioners say they want to preserve strawberry fields. We don’t believe it. The plain truth is that the Irvine City Council ¾ voting unanimously ¾ is working to protect Irvine’s quality of life from a commercial airport and preserve our thoughtful land-use planning. The Northern Sphere was an historic action that will assure the long-term economic health of the city; will provide housing to match our healthy job growth; will permanently protect almost 5,000 acres of permanent open space as a buffer at our northern border; and will be a linkage to the massive open space systems and the Great Park.

Mayor Larry Agran and Councilman Mike Ward are both available for comments or to provide more information.