Website Report, February 27, 2002 - updated
County planners look ahead

OC Register editorial, February 27, 2002
Park of Dreams

Website Report, February 26, 2002 - updated
Board certifies EIR and selects option for modest JWA growth

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, February 26, 2002
"Base's fate impacts ONT"
"Inland Valley could gain if O.C. voters nix airport"

Website Report, February 25, 2002
Kids to turn in lemonade money to fight airport

LA Times, February 25, 2002, Jerry Hicks
"Norby Makes a Challenge in 4th District"
"The Fullerton City Councilman says his campaign is based on personal contact. He wants to stop El Toro airport and move on."

LA Times, February 24, 2002
"Most Voters Oppose El Toro Airport but Divide Over Park"
"Sixty percent of Times poll respondents don't want planes flying from former Marine base. Some doubt a park would be tax-free."

OC Register, February 24, 2002
"Success for initiative is defined as prevention"
"Measure W's fate determines zoning -- a win for it is a loss for an airport."

Daily Pilot, February 23, 2002 updated
"Silva will support Newport's JWA wishes"
"County supervisor says he will push for smallest expansion of the airport at Tuesday's board meeting."

LA Times, February 23, 2002
"Park Campaign Dollar Edge Over Airport Tallied"

OC Register, February 22, 2002
"Airport foes well ahead in fund raising"

Website Report, February 21, 2002 - updated February 22
Boycott OC Register on-line poll corrupted by pro-airport groups

Website Report, February 21, 2002 - updated
On-line polls update

Website Report, February 21, 2002 - updated
OCRAA head involved in pro-airport effort to distort poll

OC Register, February 21, 2002
"Farm Leases Hiked"

OC Register, February 21, 2002
"Norby gets Daly's backing"
"The Anaheim mayor also indicates he's re-evaluating his El Toro position."

OC Register, February 21, 2002
"Rivals debate the future of El Toro"

Norby for Supervisor Press Release, February 20, 2002
Anaheim Mayor Tom Daly Endorses Norby for Supervisor
Withdrawal of Coad Endorsement Seen as Major Blow to Incumbent

Website Report, February 20, 2002
El Toro agricultural leases bring in six times the County's estimate
There's money to be made in good management of the non-aviation assets

LA Times, February 19, 2002
"Politically Connected Horseman Wins Contract for El Toro Stables"

LA Times, February 19, 2002
"O.C. Charter: Plan for Voters or Politicians? "

OC Register, February 18, 2002
"DA dips a toe into El Toro battles."

OC Register, February 17, 2002
"Base change came with a fight"
"It took a federal ultimatum and compromises on both sides before Hamilton Field could be neighborly."

LA Times,  February 17, 2002
"Campaign Money's on Park for El Toro"

Website report, February 16, 2002
Yes on W volunteers sign the County

Website report, February 16, 2002
County intends to begin soon on multi-billion dollar airport
Pro-airport "optimism and arrogance"

Channel 4 KNBC online poll on the future use of El Toro.
Park is favored 61:31

LA Times Editorial, February 16 2002
"Retain the El Toro Option"

Website report, February 15, 2002
Air Line Pilots Association says County plans still won't work

Website report, February 15, 2002
Why I am voting Yes on Measure V

Long Beach Press-Telegram, February 14, website posted February 15, 2002
"Rail funds restored"

Website report, February 14, 2002
District Attorney says he will vote for Measure W

Daily Pilot, February 14, 2002
"County planners OK extension of JWA caps"

Website Report, February 13, 2002
Plan on Presidents Day dinner with your elected officials

OC Register, February 13, 2002
"Measure W's traffic limits may prohibit a park"

LA Times, February 12, 2002
"Bigger Role Urged for Palmdale Airport"
[Los Angeles] "Mayor says more must be done to attract airlines and businesses. Master plan is being developed."

OC Register, February 12, 2002
"El Toro report release delayed"

Daily Pilot, February 11, 2002
"Closer Look -- Campaign shifts from park to overdrive "

Website Report, February 10, 2002
Latest CSUF poll given wrong spin by press.
Measure W margin of support holds steady despite County/Newport Beach blitz

OC Register February 10, 2002
"Zoning in on the future of El Toro"
"Ballot measure would rezone former Marine base from airport to park. But neither option is as simple as that."

LA Times, February 10, 2002
"El Toro Turns Election Into a Litmus Test"
"Voting: O.C. candidates are being judged by their position on the airport question, even when they'd have no authority over use of the former Marine base."

LA Times, February 10, 2002
"Chris Norby for Supervisor "

OC Register, February 9, 2002
"CSUF releases new El Toro poll"

LB Press Telegram, February 8, 2002
"JetBlue adds East Coast runs"

OC Register, February 8, 2002
"San Clemente council backs W"

Reuters, February 7, 2002
"Full airport recovery could take 3-4 years--S&P"

OC Register, February 6, 2002
"Tangling over El Toro"
"Cities in north, south county take opposite sides on park initiative. 12 more are undecided."

Website Report, February 6, 2002
"Kids Can Help"

Website Report, February 6, 2002
A Busy Campaign Calendar

Daily Pilot, February 5 2002
"Campbell endorses Great Park initiative"

OC Register, February 4, 2002
"Election bid banks on airport opponents"

Website Report, February 3, 2002
Words fly about El Toro

Daily Pilot, February 2, 2002
"Supervisor Smith does not plan to vote on flight restriction agreement before Great Park vote, his chief of staff says."

Website Report, February 1, 2002
Yes on W Volunteer effort heats up

Click for earlier news briefs

"County officials are planning for life after Measure W, including the possibility - if it passes Tuesday - of drafting yet another ballot measure for El Toro, this time for a non-airport plan with less park land and more economic potential."

"The county's El Toro director, Gary Simon, met with supervisors Tom Wilson and Charles V. Smith on Wednesday to give and get ideas on the county's next moves after Measure W is decided Tuesday."  See story below for more details.

"Simon argued that the measure … is not the best or most feasible use for the base. 'Do we proceed with a nonaviation plan, which is highly flawed, or develop a new nonaviation plan?' Simon said. 'My recommendation would be it would be developed by consensus between the county and the local communities.'"

"Wilson, an airport foe and Measure W backer, said he did not mind Simon's suggesting that the board consider a different non-airport plan."

"'In my travels on Measure W, I have heard a lot of folks say: 'I'm against the airport, but I'm not sure about this Great Park thing. Is there any other non-aviation plan we can consider?' " Wilson said… 'I don't think it's wrong to consider the subject, and I don't mind anybody saying, 'This looks good, but let's look at improving it.' "

"The day after the election, Wilson, Smith and Simon will travel to Northern California to visit several former military bases."

"'Now that we do have the election coming up and it does look like Measure W is going to pass, I think while we're there we'll be searching for other non-aviation opportunities that could easily be implemented at El Toro,' Wilson said of the previously-planned trip to former bases such as Hamilton Air Force Base in Novato."

"If the initiative fails, the airport plan would remain on track, but Simon listed in his briefing the possibility that the county might nonetheless want to revise the airport plan."

"Smith… said the county might have to change the airport plan anyway - if the Federal Aviation Administration told it to, for example… The possibility of changing the airport plan, however, prompted criticism from airport foes who long have believed the county wants to get the airport approved and then change its operations."

"'That should put a chill in the hearts of people who are not underneath flight paths now,' said Len Kranser, a spokesman for the Measure W campaign." 

Yesterday, Gary Simon, Director of the El Toro Local Redevelopment Authority began to prepare the Board of Supervisors for possible scenarios regarding El Toro that might take place after the March 5 Measure W election.

His presentation is from Simon's particular pro-airport viewpoint and is not necessarily correct or all inclusive as to the events which will follow the election.  He does, however, list several alternatives for Board discussion. It is presented here as part of the website's public information program.

Simon says, "It is our intent if Measure W passes to bring to the Board at that time recommended Board actions for proceeding forward with the reuse of El Toro."

Assuming that Measure W passes, slide 11 of the presentation asks "Do we proceed with developing a non-aviation plan consistent with Measure W?" or, "Do we proceed with developing a 'better' non-aviation plan?"  Simon acknowledges that any change from the uses authorized in the initiative "Will require subsequent ballot measure".  After the initiative passes, the General Plan for El Toro will limit its use to park, education, cultural and recreation compatible uses and the designation only can be modified by a vote of the people.

Simon also writes, "If Measure W fails, we will be bringing to the Board on March 12th and/or March 19th a number of items for Board consideration that we have been holding in abeyance for the last few months dependent on the outcome of Measure W."

Slide 14 lists under possible scenarios "Measure W Fails - revise aviation plan"  Airport opponents have warned that if Measure W did not pass, the County might revise either the airport design or flight paths - after the election - and potentially send aircraft over communities that do not expect to be impacted. This tactic has been referred to as a "bait and switch" and would prove that the County's "Just the Facts" program was a politically driven sham.

At times it has been unclear whether the Register editorial writers were producing quotes for the Airport Working Group or visa versa. Today, after months of personal attacks on Irvine Mayor Larry Agran and Irvine's Great Park brochures, the writers finally said it, "No on W".  And their conclusion was most surprising in its moderation.

"If the polling number hold up, Measure W – Orange County’s Central Park and Nature Preserve Initiative – will pass on March 5, thus locking up 4700 acres of land at the closed El Toro Marine base mainly for park and park-related purposes."

"Essentially, Measure W changes the zoning on the property from one designating airport uses to one that designates uses consistent with parks, open space and the like. The language isn’t particularly precise; so, there has been much interpretation about what use Measure W ultimately would allow. But it is clear that most of the land would be off-limits to building the houses and other projects this growing county needs."

Website Editor: On the last point, we note that the initiative frees up thousands of acres for housing in the current privately owned  aviation "no home buffer zone" if this is needed.

"Whether W wins or loses, it’s unclear what will happen next in this long and litigious airport debate. Still, we think it’s unwise to vote for a major land-use initiative that is so open-ended in the financial liabilities it would impose on the county taxpayers."

"The Register does not endorse the county’s airport plan. We have been strongly critical of the way the board majority has proceeded. Our chosen approach, to rezone the base and take the proper legal steps so that it can be sold to the highest bidder, has been criticized by both sides as unrealistic."

To read and comment on the entire editorial, click here.

The Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved EIR 582, which analyzed the impact of a range of scenarios for future use of John Wayne airport.

In a second motion, the Board unanimously approved Scenario 1 to increase the maximum allowed number of JWA passengers to 9.8 million annual passengers. Supervisor Smith added an amendment to increase the number of allowed cargo flights from 2 to 4 per day. The staff was instructed to negotiate implementing documents and return to the Board in 90 days for approval.

Smith, through his chief of staff, had recently said that he would not vote on the caps extension.

Supervisor Wilson voted for the scenario but expressed preference for a variant with more "wiggle room", which he dubbed "scenario 1a", to be studied before the County locked itself in.  Supervisor Spitzer, by phone from Washington, argued that the county should come together to protect the JWA corridor cities and he hoped that they would do the same for El Toro area residents after March 5.

Allan Songstad, Chairman of ETRPA, stated that the anti-airport group supports caps and restrictions on JWA.  The proposals are "consistent with our view of the future aviation demand in Orange County and Southern California."

Click for Message board thread for comments. 

"The most important election for the Inland Valley's economic future might not be in the Inland Valley this year.  Orange County voters will decide … whether the former Marine air base at El Toro is to become a park or an airport. Inland Valley officials say Ontario International Airport and the surrounding areas stand to benefit from passage of Measure W."

"Opponents of plans to turn El Toro into a commercial airport point to ONT as the savior when it comes to Southern California's aviation needs. Ontario is expected to eventually handle 30 million passengers a year - an increase of more than 400 percent over last year's total - and some officials say Orange County would be better served by ONT than by a new airport at El Toro."

'''If you look at a map, the people in the northeast part of our county are closer to Ontario than to an El Toro,' said Richard Dixon, mayor of … Lake Forest and a leading El Toro airport opponent. 'In the northwest part of the county, they are halfway between LAX and El Toro, and even closer to Long Beach.'''

"Airport supporters and opponents agree the Inland Empire holds the most promise for Southern California, with large facilities available for passengers or cargo in Ontario, San Bernardino and Victorville."

'''Once the dust settles, then we start looking at how to redistribute that demand (that otherwise would be met by El Toro),' said San Bernardino County Supervisor Jon Mikels, who is chairman of the Southern California Association of Governments Regional Council and Southern California Regional Airport Authority. 'We have three airports in the Inland Empire that can help the situation.'''

"While Measure W is the fourth ballot issue to address El Toro's future, people on both sides of the fence say they think next week's vote will finally decide the matter once and for all."

Tuesday, at 6:30 PM, a group of kids will be at the CSHC campaign office to contribute over $1,000 that they raised by selling lemonade. George Somogyi, the adult coordinator for the youth project, will be handing out Disneyland tickets and other prizes to the youngsters for their efforts.

Somogyi got the idea when his own neighborhood children sold lemonade for the Measure F campaign two years ago. "Children will be affected more by the negative impacts of a commercial airport at El Toro than the adults," he said.  "They wanted to be involved."

"[Chris Norby's] message: A plan for an airport at the former El Toro Marine base is a quagmire that has kept the Board of Supervisors from focusing on other vital issues. It will stay that way until the airport issue is dead."

"'This airport issue has split this county between north and south,' Norby said… Moreover, he says, it makes no sense to put a major airport just seven miles from John Wayne Airport. No two airports in the country are anywhere near that close, he tells voters."

"While Norby can't outspend Coad--she's financing most of her race with her personal wealth, and may quadruple him in campaign funds--he said he's raised enough money and has enough volunteers to get his message out."

"Opposition to a new airport at El Toro continues to grow in Orange County, boosting the chances for approval of an anti-airport measure by voters next month, according to a Los Angeles Times-commissioned poll."

"The park measure is favored by 55% of likely voters, the poll conducted for the Times by Baldassare Associates shows. Support jumped to 58% among likely voters when they were told the measure could kill the airport."

"Overall, 60% of Orange County voters--the highest percentage since 1994--are opposed to the county's plan to turn the base into Southern California's second-largest airfield …the poll found that opposition is growing countywide and in every demographic group."

"Most of the respondents said they don't believe a new airport is needed."

"'If [local foes] say they should be able to kill the airport, then the people in Los Angeles and Riverside should be able to not allow Orange County residents to fly out of their airports,' or should be able to impose a surcharge on Orange County passengers and cargo for using their airports, [Newport Beach No on W advocate Bruce] Nestande said."

"If Measure W passes next month, the 3-2 [pro-airport Board of Supervisors] bloc could collapse: Two of the pro-airport supervisors have pledged to follow the 'will of the voters.' One of them, board Chairwoman Cynthia P. Coad, is also locked in a reelection battle against an El Toro airport opponent, Fullerton City Councilman Chris Norby."

"Anti-airport sentiment in Orange County has grown in recent years, according to the Times polls. Majority support for an airport alternative--no matter which one--also hasn't wavered. In 1998, 56% of voters backed a plan for homes and businesses at the former Marine base--but that plan didn't make it to the ballot. In February 2000, a year after it surfaced, the park plan also was backed by 56% of voters."

"The latest Times poll found that among the arguments against Measure W, the most potent with voters is the potential cost of the so-called Great Park, the plan upon which Measure W is based. More than half do not believe the park can be built without tax dollars."

"However, concerns raised in recent months that the base is too contaminated to develop as a park held little sway on either side, with the majority of voters saying they don't believe this argument."

"The telephone poll of 800 registered voters, including 582 likely voters, was taken from Feb. 14 to 18. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points."

Website Editor: While 55% are reported to favor Measure W, only 36% opposed it and 9% were undecided.  That gives Measure W a 19 percentage point lead.  Removing undecided respondents, the park is ahead 60:40.  This is similar to the findings of this month's Cal State Fullerton poll.

Two years ago, a similar Times poll found 56% of respondents favoring anti-airport Measure F (which won at the polls with 67% of the vote) and 52% opposed to an El Toro airport.

"Passage of Measure W might or might not eventually create a vast park at El Toro. But what it almost certainly would do is halt current plans for an airport at the former Marine base."

"Measure W - the fourth vote by Orange County residents on El Toro - seeks to kill the airport by rezoning most of the base for a huge park. It is the death of the airport more than the birth of a park that Measure W would most quickly bring about. 'We find that when people understand that Measure W stops El Toro airport, they like it,' said Len Kranser, a campaign spokesman."

"'We have something like the 30th biggest economy in the world, and we didn't get that way with an airport at El Toro; we got that way because of our quality of life,' Allan Songstad [Chairman of the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority] said.

"If voters reject Measure W on March 5, opponents of an El Toro airport say they fear the worst - and soon. The federal government is close to wrapping up its work to transfer the base to the county, and county officials say flights could begin within six months to a year."

"According to county studies, toxic air pollutants such as diesel and benzene would worsen with an airport. As many as 1,200 people a night would have sleep problems because of flights. Traffic congestion would be unavoidable at certain intersections."

"'For those really severely impacted, it's going to be the beginning of their worst nightmare," said Carl Schulthess, an airport opponent from Mission Viejo… 'We're also going to see a drop in our property value - you won't be able to sell your damn house - and if you value a night's sleep, forget about it,' he said."

"Aaron Elder, an El Toro backer from Costa Mesa, said,  "I think I'm going to get a lot more traffic over my house if John Wayne expands… And I think it's going to degrade our way of life.'"

"Opponents of an El Toro airport point east, however, for an answer. 'Clearly, the greatest growth in passengers is in the Inland Empire, and they have made it clear that they have facilities that can be used for that,' Songstad said."

"NEWPORT BEACH -- The city's county supervisor has backed its plan for a modest expansion of flight restrictions at John Wayne Airport over the next 10 to 15 years. Jim Silva, who also represents Costa Mesa, said he would support the city's preferred extension of flight caps, known as 'Scenario 1,' when the board considers it on Tuesday."

"Under Scenario 1, the airport would be allowed to grow by four additional gates, 12 more of the noisiest flights per day and 1.4 million more passengers per year."

Website Editor: El Toro opponents have said that Orange County's growth, which is leveling off, does not necessitate more airport capacity than this.  The Southern California region is expected to experience most of its expansion in inland areas that are better served by other airports.

John Wayne airport utilization data shows the passenger count for the year 2001 at the same level as for 1996. January 2002 passenger count was the same as 6 years ago. While the September 11 attacks were a factor, airport utilization was lagging at the end of August, prior to the attacks. 

"Groups supporting a ballot measure to turn the former El Toro Marine base into a giant park have raised more than three times the money of those fighting to turn it into an international airport."

"The anti-W forces' financial situation was severely hurt when a San Diego County judge ruled that Orange County supervisors could not spend the $6 million they had pledged for mailers and forums detailing the pro-airport plans.  Similarly, Newport Beach's plans to spend $3.7 million on a campaign for an alternative to nearby John Wayne Airport also were halted."

"However… rumors are that a wealthy pro-airport supporter has offered to match whatever the No on Measure W forces can raise. Asked about the rumor, Dave Ellis, a consultant for the 'No on W' Airport Working Group, said, 'I don't know that to be a fact,' although he would not deny it outright. If the rumor were true, it would mean a last-minute infusion of cash for the campaign."

Website Editor: The "rumor" is contained in a February 11 letter from the AWG Political Action Committee to Airport Working Group members stating that, "A single generous individual will match your contributions so that the value of your dollars will double."  The letter is signed by Chairwoman Barbara Lichman. Lichman reportedly would not confirm nor deny tht the individual was George Argyros.

"The latest campaign statements show [pro-airport Supervisor Cynthia] Coad receiving about nine times more money than her opponent [Chris Norby]. Most of the funding for Coad's race has come from loans, [almost all] from her own pocket." 

"The groups aiming to topple the planned El Toro airport continue to outdistance opponents in fund raising as the Measure W campaign enters its final days, according to campaign disclosures made public Thursday."

"The two groups backing the March 5 anti-airport initiative have raised $970,000 this year and spent more than $1.4 million on mailers, advertisements and signs."

"'We're like a long-distance runner who sets his own pace,' said Leonard Kranser, spokesman for the anti-airport Committee for Safe and Healthy Communities. "We are not looking over our shoulder.'''  CSHC still needs contributions to meet its planned campaign budget.

"Meanwhile, the two organizations fighting the measure … have collectively raised $288,000 this year, spending $195,000. Tom Naughton, president of the Airport Working Group, said getting heavily outspent makes it tough."

"Meanwhile, north-county Supervisor Cynthia Coad loaned her campaign $250,000 during the latest reporting period and raised $20,604. She has $203,430 on hand."

"Her ready cash surpasses that of her challenger, Fullerton Councilman Chris Norby. Norby raised $76,211 during the period and, after expenses, had $23,000 on hand, according to his report… Norby opposes the airport and favors Measure W."  He is soliciting contributions on-line for a final push in this close election.

According to a stream of message board posts, the Register poll tally was up as high as 83 percent No on W as a result of pro-airport mischief.  The survey reportedly was restarted, but still climbed back to 65 percent opposition to Measure W.  If anyone believes that to be the case, I have a 38 MAP airport I'd like to sell him or her.

After reading the message board comments we agreed with suggestions that the survey should be boycotted as worse than meaningless. The poll was taken off-line sometime overnight but published in this morning's print edition as though nothing had gone wrong. It is unfortunate that the pro-airport side has seen fit to wreck the newspapers' on-line polls. Sorry Times and Register but our side did not put out the e-mail to "fool the computer".

The AWG and OCRAA can't hijack the vote on March 5. So let them have this one.

The LA Times poll was taken off-line today after we broke the story that OCRAA was urging airport supporters "to vote early and often".

Upon close examination of the e-mail header, it appears to have been in response to an earlier e-mail from General Art Bloomer urging that people vote in the on-line poll.  The suggestion as to how to "fool the computer" was actually sent to Bloomer, not from him,  by an associate.

Other recipients of Bloomer's original e-mail and the response included AWG's Tom Naughton, Richard Taylor, Gary Proctor, Dana Reed, Supervisor Chuck Smith, his assistant James Campbell, Cynthia Coad's husband Tom, Gary Simon, Norm Ewers, Rex Ricks, executives of Amies Communications, Dave Ellis, Stan Oftelie of the OCBC, Tom Wall, Shirley Conger, Newport Beach City Manger Homer Bludau and numerous other notables in the pro-airport camp. There is no evidence that any of them took up the improper suggestion, other than the unusually high number of votes cast against Measure W in the poll..

Now the Airport Working Group is encouraging viewers to vote in the OC Register's on-line poll, which asks, "Do you plan to vote in favor of Measure W, the El Toro Park initiative?"

We do not encouraged multiple votes but do recommend that you cast one. 

February 20 e-mail to Art Bloomer, Executive Director of the Orange County Airport Authority, OCRAA, provides instructions on how to distort a LA Times on-line poll regarding El Toro reuse. "If you want to vote multiple times…you can fool the computer," it reads.

Bloomer's e-mail to a large group of pro-airport associates, urging them to vote in the poll, was answered with technical instructions on how to delete files that "tell the LA Times computer that you have already voted."

"Vote early and often", the e-mail urges.

As of this writing, the Times survey shows a distorted pro-airport tally, completely in variance to every other poll and the KNBC on-line poll.  The Times survey is at http://latimes.com/news/local/orange/airport/

"The county will collect more lease money from 500 acres of farmland on the former El Toro Marine base after agricultural bids came in higher than in the past."

"Farmers on Wednesday agreed to pay $3400 to $3700 per acre per year."

"Opponents of an airport at the site, who want to use El Toro revenue to fund a sprawling park, said the leases show how base assets could provide sufficient funds for such a project."

"Mayor Tom Daly pulled his endorsement of incumbent Supervisor Cynthia Coad on Wednesday and threw his support to challenger Chris Norby, a longtime Fullerton councilman. Daly said he made his decision because he believes Coad 'has not been effective on behalf of the city of Anaheim, and I think Chris Norby will be a stronger leader.'"

"Norby is opposed to an El Toro airport. Daly - like Coad - has backed the airport, though he said he is re-evaluating his position in light of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and drop in air travel."

Website Editor: Anaheim Hills residents remain concerned about planned flights from El Toro over their part of the city.

"Two longtime foes in the county's divisive battle over whether to build an El Toro commercial airport squared off Wednesday in Newport Beach… Irvine Mayor Larry Agran, one of the architects of the Orange County Central Park and Nature Preserve Initiative, told the crowd of 60 that voters should approve Measure W on March 5. Former county Supervisor Bruce Nestande, president of a pro-airport group, argued that the ballot initiative is flawed."

"Should El Toro be an airport?  Agran [said] No. Orange County's population is only expected to grow by 14 percent in the next 20 years… Aviation demand in Southern California will be elsewhere…. Further, in Irvine a special depot will be constructed where residents will be able to hop aboard express buses to Los Angeles County airports."

Nestande [said] Yes. Aviation demand is going to increase dramatically, and Orange County should do its part."

Website Editor: On another stage, Tom Wall debated Len Kranser before 50 members of the Santa Ana Kiwanis. Wall, a long time paid presenter for pro-airport groups, claimed that he was now appearing "on his own".  The audience questions were mostly anti-airport.

Click here for other forums, debates and meetings.

Anaheim Mayor Tom Daly today announced his endorsement of Chris Norby for Fourth District County Supervisor.

In making the endorsement, Daly noted that like many other elected officials, he had originally endorsed the incumbent long before Fullerton Councilman Chris Norby declared his candidacy.

Daly confirmed, "Today I officially withdraw my endorsement of Cynthia Coad for reelection and endorse Chris Norby for County Supervisor.  Clearly, Chris Norby is the best candidate."

The endorsement of Norby by Daly is seen as a big boost to Norby's ability to win the City of Anaheim, previously believed to be Cynthia Coad's largest base of support.

The County took bids today on two parcels of farmland at the El Toro base. Lively bidding by over 20 firms drove up the price to $3,400 an acre on one parcel and $3,700 per acre on the other.  The bids will bring in $1.7 million in the first year and $5.3 million over three years, because of an escalator clause.

Public Financial Management Inc.- the consultants who prepared a study of Measure W economics for Auditor Controller David Sundstrom predicted an income of only $290,000 for one year and $890,000 for three years. This is only one-sixth of today's actual bids.

PFM estimated that 290 acres would be leased. The eager bidders gobbled up 495 acres today and are ready to take more land.  The County consultants also predicted potential revenue of only $1,200 per acre.

Proponents of Measure W were much closer, though still on the conservative side.   They forecasted that the leases would bring in $900,000 per year.

Today's bidding demonstrates how good management could turn El Toro assets into a cash cow that will fund the Central Park development.

"When Orange County supervisors approved a politically connected horseman's bid [from Western Heritage Association's Jerry Harris] to run El Toro Stables, they overruled their staff's choice of another bidder [the OC Fair] --and chose a winner who has been criticized for his management of a similar facility in the Los Angeles area.

"Supervisor Chuck Smith said he was swayed by economics. 'Very simply, the difference in bids was money,' Smith said. "[Heritage] was going to pay us nearly $50,000 a year'… Last year, the stables lost $105,000."

"Across the county, horse owners are feeling similar pressures from other landlords eager to turn their boarding stables into more lucrative enterprises… The number of Orange County boarding stables has dwindled to 18. Those stables house about 3,600 horses, but most facilities have long waiting lists."

"Harris' plan is to build more stables, provide clean stalls and have improved riding arenas, where major horse shows and events could be held. With more clients to serve and greater visibility among equestrians in the county, Western Heritage could then generate enough income to operate in the black. In addition, Harris said he plans to reinvest a portion of that income back in the operation."

Passage of Measure W next month could be a plus for non-aviation use of the base.  "The stables' future hangs in the balance, as does any contract for agricultural leases and recreational programs at the former base. Harris, who said he wants to stay clear of airport politics, said it would be easier to negotiate a longer lease, such as 10 or 15 years, so he could add community programs to introduce disadvantaged youth to the county's equestrian heritage. 'We could even add overnight trail rides and bring in the non-equestrian community,' he said." 

"Under Measure V… the only element that would change from Orange County's current setup is how vacant supervisorial seats are filled. Now the governor fills them. If Measure V passes, special elections would be held."

"13 counties, including Los Angeles County, operate under voter-approved charters that give them more freedom on such issues as how to select supervisors--including the number of supervisorial seats--and how to deal with administrative issues, from the hiring of department heads to pay scales."

"[Supervisor Todd] Spitzer, 3rd District supervisor and an opponent of creating an airport at El Toro, said he pushed the measure onto the ballot because he didn't like the idea that Gov. Gray Davis would appoint his successor if he wins the 71st Assembly seat being vacated by Bill Campbell (R-Villa Park), who cannot run for reelection because of term limits."

"[The Airport Working Group's Richard] Taylor--a longtime supporter of converting El Toro into a commercial airport--disagrees."

"Taylor expects that if Measure V passes, Campbell will run for the seat in a special election. Like Spitzer, Campbell opposes an airport at El Toro."

"'It's a sham and it's wrong,' said Taylor, president of the Airport Working Group of Orange County, formed about 20 years ago to lobby against expansion of John Wayne Airport. 'They want to get this backroom deal and work this out.... It's totally about the airport.'".

"Spitzer disputed Taylor's analysis as a self-serving attempt to reduce the voice of anti-airport advocates on the board."  Website Editor: That is why I am voting Yes on V.

"District Attorney Tony Rackauckas has taken grief for signing the 2000 ballot argument in opposition to Measure F, approved by two-thirds of voters and widely seen as a measure to block an El Toro airport. He insisted he was only concerned about the provision making it harder to get new jails approved."

"Now Rackauckas is giving anti-airport activists reason to lighten up on him: He favors Measure W… However, Rackauckas stops short of endorsing the measure, saying only that he 'is going to vote in favor of Measure W.'"

"Nonetheless, Wally Wade, the challenger in Rackauckas' re-election bid, complained that the incumbent is compromising the job by taking a public position. 'Part of the DA's job is to analyze complaints from either side of an issue like that,' Wade said. 'To become partisan casts doubt on the DA's objectivity.'"

"Although Wade has remained neutral on both Measure F and Measure W, the San Juan Capistrano resident has openly courted donations from anti-airport supporters, citing Rackauckas' position on Measure F."

"NOVATO -- The old aircraft hangers now hold stylish modern offices with soaring ceilings and sweeping views of San Pablo Bay in the distance… Outside, along Hanger Avenue, dogs on leashes and babies in strollers parade where soldiers, sailors and airmen once marched across a bustling military base."

"In new neighborhoods that replaced old military offices and warehouses, the streets are quiet most of the day, until evening when many residents return from jobs in San Francisco and garage doors slide open and porch lights flicker on."

"Ten years ago, few would have imagined this emerging community at Hamilton. Years of fighting over its reuse made it the poster child for dysfunctional base closures. In Orange County, as the debate over the El Toro Marine base got under way, Hamilton became a regular point of reference - as in 'don't let this happen here.'"

"The Hamilton closure was troubled almost from the day in 1975 that the Air Force flew out of the base for the last time, leaving behind 1,691 acres desired by many competing groups."

"The Hamilton that exists today was forged out of compromise after nearly 20 years of fighting - first over its proposed conversion to a civilian airport, later over a development project that the surrounding community felt would overwhelm it."

"At Hamilton, once the federal government issued an ultimatum - pick a plan or we will - a deal was reached that gave a little bit to everyone at the table, City Manager Rod Wood said.  A broad-based committee soon reached a compromise for a moderate development of 2,150 homes, 750,000 square feet of commercial space and restoration of the runways into wetlands."

"Whether Measure W pushes El Toro into a Hamilton-like morass depends largely on who is talking. 'It will be padlocked, and I imagine there'll be a couple of years of litigation,' said Barbara Lichman, executive director the Airport Working Group. 'One thing is certain: It will never be a park. I'll bet my grandmother on that.'"

"But Dan Jung, Irvine's director of strategic planning, said the city would honor its commitment to an Orange County Central Park at El Toro. Because of developments already planned near El Toro, the city is very limited in what could be added on the base itself, he said."

Website Editor: The only hope for a non-aviation future depends upon the passage of Measure W since the County is poised to begin airport development.

The complete Register article is in the Early Bird section of the website.

"Less than three weeks before election day, the only aggressive campaign being waged over the fate of the closed El Toro Marine base is by opponents of Orange County's plans to build an airport there. So far, they've sent several mailers countywide urging a vote for Measure W."

"Pro-airport forces were banking on getting their message out through the seven-figure public relations campaigns that were approved by county government and Newport Beach but then blocked….Orange County supervisors had pledged to spend $6 million this fiscal year on mailers and public forums detailing the county's airport plans. That spending was halted in December when a San Diego County judge ruled that the mailings violated state law barring government campaign advocacy."

"Newport Beach had earmarked $3.7 million more to argue for an alternative to John Wayne Airport, but that spending also was stopped to settle a similar lawsuit."

"Then there's the absence of the airport campaign's chief--and essentially only--private sector donor, billionaire businessman George Argyros, who since 1994 has spent nearly $3.5 million on initiatives.  Argyros couldn't be reached for comment on whether he will contribute in the remaining weeks."

"Airport advocates have been tight-lipped about their fund-raising efforts. David Ellis, the Airport Working Group's longtime consultant, also declined to comment. Recent polls have shown Measure W leading by up to 10 percentage points--but it could be vulnerable to an infusion of funds spreading an opposing message."

"Airport foes are enjoying what so far has been a lopsided fight. 'Having relied on government money and Argyros for so long, [the pro-airport side] never generated the grass-roots fund-raising base that we have… We're hoping that George is a practical enough individual to feel that he won't pour any more money toward a losing cause,' anti-airport spokesman [Len] Kranser said."

"Still, if past elections are a guide, most of the fund-raising for Measure W will occur in the days leading up to March 5. In the 1994 election, Argyros gave $634,000 in the last two weeks before the vote. Two years ago, he donated $1 million to the fight against Measure F between the end of January and the March election." 

Volunteers were busy this weekend putting up "Yes on W" signs, some in "trophy" locations.  Click here for photos of the team at work.

To volunteer for this and less adventurous duty during the final weeks of the Get Out the Vote campaign, call the office at 949-768-4583.

A January 28 letter from Gary Simon, Executive Director of the County's El Toro program, says, "We will soon be embarking on a multi-billion dollar airport project in the development of the new Orange County International (OCX) airport."

Simon, writing to the President of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, says 'There is much that we can learn about 'two-airport systems' from your organization". He continues that "In the months to come we would appreciate the opportunity to spend some time with your staff… gaining knowledge related to organization, finance and program".

Supervisor Tom Wilson branded the Simon statements as "optimism and arrogance".  The letter demonstrates the intention of the County to proceed rapidly with construction at El Toro - unless Measure W passes.  Simon is already preparing implementing documents for Board of Supervisor approval shortly after the election.

All citizens are urged to send in their absentee ballots to insure that there is an overwhelming "Yes on W" vote.  This is the final chance to stop the airport.

As of Saturday morning at 8:24 AM the poll, with 2288 responses, favors the park to an airport by 61 percent to 31 with the balance undecided or chosing other options.  The result is very similar to the findings of the latest Cal State Fullerton public opinion survey.

To add your vote, click here:
Decision 2002 poll : El Toro Marine Air Station

The Times editorial board, which opposed Measure F in 2000, has taken a position of opposition to Measure W.  Full text in the Early Bird thread.

"Southern California can't afford to foreclose its limited options at other airports in the region. One of them should remain El Toro… Without preserving some kind of airfield potential for El Toro, Orange County would be left to meet its own and its regional obligations under the narrow growth capacity of John Wayne Airport."

"It is astonishing that county planners never decided to rip up and replace an antiquated runway design, and that they did not draw up flight paths better suited to prevailing winds and the concerns of longtime residents. Pilots say the proposed flight patterns make them nervous about clearing the nearby mountains. And the proposed airport is still too big."

"If the airport choice survives next month's initiative, opponents absolutely should explore every legal alternative to block the current plan in the hopes of a better design."

"We wish this initiative were offering a choice between a good airport plan and the one that now exists. But we must oppose Measure W because it would zone away a more modest and better designed aviation option for El Toro, at some point in the future, just because politicians bungled the original plan. Orange County does not need Measure W. it does need better leadership."

Website Editor: We are pleased that the Times did not fall for nor echo the "Great tax" lie - which is the bulk of the No on W campaign. Unfortunately, the paper sometimes favors unattainable alternatives and here is another example. If Measure W does not pass next month, the County will begin work almost immediately to demolish non-aviation facilities and commence to build the bad airport plan that the Times does not want.

A February 11, 2002 letter from the Air Line Pilots Association to the Western-Pacific Regional Administrator of the FAA notes that "Positions differ substantially between the Orange County Board of Supervisors and many of the potential users" of an El Toro airport.

"ALPA has previously been on record stating that OCX operations should not be considered under the configuration suggested by Orange County EIR 573."

ALPA's letter notes that easterly takeoffs on runway 8 will experience tailwinds that "fail to meet the calm wind conditions required for a Preferential Runway Use Program."  Supporting arguments previously made by Villa Park Councilman Bob McGowan, ALPA states that "tail wind components could be much higher if calibrated at the generally accepted elevation of 45 feet above the ground." The County has used measurements taken much closer to the ground.

This means that winds could force El Toro to shut down or require pilots to takeoff over highly populated sections of Irvine and Central County.

The ALPA letter also notes that the runway slope at the former Marine base is a factor and "impacts aircraft performance."

Hopefully, everyone has requested an absentee ballot to be certain of casting a vote in the March 5 election.  Also, Monday, February 18 is the deadline for registering new family voters, new neighbors and your own new address if you have moved.  Forms to do this are available on-line.

We offer our two cents on why it is important to vote for the Charter amendment, Measure V.  It protects the voters' right to choose their own supervisor.  Otherwise, we could see the Governor appoint a pro-airport supervisor to represent the anti-airport 3rd district.

To be fully informed, please check our Meetings calendar for live and TV events leading up to March 5.

"The project to link California's major urban areas with trains traveling at more than 200 mph may be headed back on track, despite a worsening state budget.... After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks disrupted the state's airline system, [Governor] Davis has sought the full $8.46 million requested by the board."

"The 700-mile, $25 billion system would link California's major urban areas with trains traveling at top speeds of more than 200 mph. Supporters see it as a much-needed alternative to highways and airlines as the state's population grows an estimated 65 percent by 2040."

In a taped interview that can be heard on this website, District attorney Anthony Rackauckas tells Website Editor Len Kranser that he personally "is going to vote in favor of  Measure W", the OC Central Park and Nature Preserve initiative.

Rackauckas, who is fighting to retain his office, has been criticized in anti-airport quarters for his opposition to the 2000 Measure F.  In the interview, he says that his decision "had nothing what so ever, to do with the airport" and was entirely because of the jail aspect of the measure.

He states that he understands the problems of "fighting against the awesome power of those who are in control of the government." Rackauckas says it is "important that the voters decide a quality of life issue like having an airport", as opposed to it being decided by "a few people who have an economic interest".

The interview also discusses the inactivity of the Grand Jury relative to questionable County actions in the El Toro reuse process.

"The Orange County Planning Commission put its approval stamp on the environmental analysis for extending the flight restrictions at John Wayne Airport…  The commission didn't recommend any of the three potential scenarios for extending the restrictions past Dec. 31, 2005."

"Newport Beach favors an extension of the restrictions that would permit the airport to add four new gates, 1.4 million additional passengers above the current cap of 8.4 million per year and an additional 12 of the noisiest flights per day."

"Supervisor Chuck Smith has indicated he would not approve an extension until after the March 5 election, where voters will go to the polls to decide the fate of the closed El Toro Marine Corps Air Station." Website Editor: Smith's position appears to be one of trying to maintain fear of a big JWA expansion in Newport Beach - in order to fuel opposition to Measure W.

Several of the area's most popular elected officials will be at Peppinos restaurants on Monday evening, February 18 to meet with constituents during the dinner hour.  Click here for details.  Print the webpage and bring it to the restaurant and Peppinos will contribute 10 percent of your dinner tab to the Yes on W campaign.

"Measure W has limits on traffic that could make it hard for the county to build a park -- or anything else -- at El Toro, [Gary Simon] the county's lead official for the former Marine base said Tuesday."

"The initiative would cap the average number of daily vehicle trips generated on the 4,700-acre parcel at 96,000."  It also sets limits on building heights and land use density.

An "official with the city of Irvine - which has come up with a rough park blueprint - said Simon's concern is baseless and that the traffic caps are big enough to accommodate the park plan. 'It's ridiculous,' said Daniel Jung, [Irvine's] director of strategic programs." He called Simon's concern "baseless" … and said the park "will come under 96,000.''

"The county's airport plan would generate 176,000 vehicle trips a day."

Website Editor: Simon's comments have to be the silliest argument spun so far against Measure W.  Most park traffic is off peak and on the weekends while an airport puts multi-passenger vehicles, travelers and airport workers on the freeways during rush hours. An airport also generates heavy traffic from cargo and fuel transport trucks.

"Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn called on the city Airport Commission on Monday to intensify efforts to develop Palmdale Airport into an important part of Southern California's air transportation system.  Hahn delivered his message on the eve of a commission vote to seek competitive proposals from consultants to help develop a master plan to guide development of the Antelope Valley airport for the next 25 years."

"The mayor supported the creation of a master plan to attract commercial aviation to the 17,000-acre Palmdale facility, where there is none now… Hahn noted that it has been three decades since the city purchased the acreage in Palmdale, but the promise of it becoming a major airport has not materialized."

"Development of air service at Palmdale is seen as a way to reduce the necessity for Los Angeles International Airport to expand beyond levels acceptable to neighbors." It therefore reduces the need for another airport in Orange County to serve LAX overflow.

"The public release of a federal report detailing how an El Toro airport would affect the local environment has been postponed until after the March 5 election."

"Lee Saunders, a U.S. Navy spokesman, said the two-week delay was because of 'the sheer volume of the material.' The Navy, along with the Federal Aviation Administration, must include answers to 1,600 questions from the public in the 2,500-page study, he said. Supervisor Chuck Smith, who supports construction of a $3 billion airport, said the study wouldn't sway voters either way."

Website Editor: Pro-airport planners were pressing the Navy to release its Environmental Impact Statement this month, prior to the March 5 election.

Apparently there was some expectation that the EIS could be given a pro-airport spin and be used to influence the Measure W vote.  That was the case with the FAA's airspace analysis released last October. In mailings and ads, the County claimed that, "El Toro is safe", even though the FAA made no such unqualified statement.

"Three weeks from now, county voters will decide whether they prefer a central park or an airport at the closed base by approving or denying Measure W."

"'It's not the end of an airport [if Measure W passes],' said Barbara Lichman, the executive director of the Airport Working Group. 'This is the fourth time -- two we won at the ballot box, the third we won in court. If we do not succeed [in March], we'll be back in court to challenge it and win.'"

"However, if the measure passes, Supervisor Jim Silva -- an airport supporter -- has said he will support the public's choice to build a park at the base. That can hamper efforts to push through an airport since airport supporters will no longer have their 3-2 board majority. Instead, the pro-park crew would."

"As of Jan. 19, the primary group backing the measure, Citizens for Safe and Healthy Communities, counted a $510,455 war chest."

"Opponents of Measure W, led by the Airport Working Group's No on W political action committee… counted only $9,366 in operating cash as of that time, county records show."

"The group has run some cable ads attacking the Great Park, but not mailers so far, spokesman Dave Ellis said… Rectangular, blue signs have started cropping up around town urging voters to reject the initiative and 'Stop the Great Tax.'"

"Ellis and others say they're waiting for the right opportunity to strike against Measure W. 'I'm not going to talk about [campaign plans],' said Bruce Nestande, the former supervisor heading up the effort. 'The element of surprise is part of the strategy.'"

"The tenor of the campaign, in the weeks leading up to Election Day, is expected to be fairly negative, those on both sides say. 'It's been pretty nasty so far, when you have the Airport Working Group repeatedly lying that this initiative will cause a tax increase,' [Yes on W spokesman Len] Kranser said. 'There will be no taxes as a result of this initiative.'"

Website Editor: We won't be surprised if Nestande's "surprise" turns out to be something like a mailing of official looking, but phony, tax increase bills to county residents.

Several major public meetings and debates are coming up, including a televised debate on KOCE Real Orange tonight and a large South County public forum in Aliso Viejo on the 13th. See the website's Meetings page.

A brief news article on Friday stated, "Support for the next referendum against an El Toro airport -- Measure W -- is slipping, according to a new poll by California State University, Fullerton."  This reflects a pro-airport spin by the Orange County Business Council, co-sponsors of the survey.  We beg to differ and invite viewers to judge for themselves.

The full CSUF survey report is now on our website.  It shows that in February, support for Measure W was 61 percent in favor of W and 39 percent opposed. The results are almost statistically identical to those of last June, when the initiative was winning by 62 percent to 38 percent.

In the intervening 8 months, the County and the City of Newport Beach poured an estimated $6 million into their pro-airport and anti-park campaign. They apparently failed to change public opinion. Proponents of Measure W spent virtually nothing during the period.

Support for the park initiative increased temporarily between CSUF's June and November 2001 polls and then backed off of that higher November figure in February.  This led the CSUF reviewers to state that "We may note the obvious, however, and observe that the November numbers were obtained during the disruptive period of U.S. air travel that followed the September 11 terrorist attacks… To see the numbers in February that move a little back toward June levels … would be natural…November looks like the unusual measurement… We also note that in this period the county's pro-airport information was underway, with no comparable anti-airport or pro-park campaign in the field." 

"Measure W backers dangle the promise of a vast oasis in the middle of Orange County - manicured meadows dotted with groves of tall trees, sports fields and golf courses, a museum or two, maybe a lake and an amphitheater as well."

"Opponents of the initiative on the March 5 ballot see a bleaker future for El Toro if Measure W is approved - a ghost town at the former Marine airfield with few attractions for the public until - and unless - truckloads of public money are provided to build a park where runways and old military buildings now stand."

"If the initiative passes, in simple terms it changes the zoning of El Toro from mostly an airport to mostly a park."

"The absence of specifics beyond zoning and general- plan changes leaves the future of El Toro open to competing interpretations."

" 'Within five years, we're talking about wildlife areas, hiking, biking and riding trails,' Irvine Mayor Larry Agran said. 'We're talking about agriculture, sports fields and golf.' "

"But opponents such as Airport Working Group consultant David Ellis predict a different outcome."

" 'You will see a land plan that looks very much like the city of Irvine come out after three or four years, because a park simply can't be financed there. You cannot deliver the things that have been promised - the world-class zoo, the world-class art museums and all that stuff - unless there is another infusion of capital there,' he said."

Click here to read Peter Larsen's entire front page story in the "Early Bird" section. Positions on proposed 'Great Park' published in the print edition but not on-line. See the  "Questions and Answers on park economics.".

"Orange County voters will go to the polls next month to decide whether to forgo an airport at the former El Toro Marine base that has been nearly eight years in the planning."

"The airport question comes before voters March 5 as Measure W, which would rezone El Toro to become an urban park and prevent an airport from being built there. On the same ballot, the airport question looms large in the race for one county supervisor's seat, as well as three other countywide offices that arguably have no authority over the base's future. Yet in each case, candidates' statements or their actions regarding El Toro are being attacked by challengers seeking support from anti-airport South County residents."

" 'The airport has clearly become a litmus test among south Orange County voters, affecting even races that have nothing to do with it,' said Cheryl Katz, who conducts polling for The Times."

"Some frustrated airport opponents in South County regard the airport as a litmus test even for candidates for state office."

" 'At this time, I, for one, will simply not vote for any candidate for any office in the state of California if they have not expressed opposition to this airport,' one voter wrote on an anti-airport Web site."

"The race in which the airport arguably plays the greatest role is Norby's challenge to Coad. From early on, Norby sold his campaign to South County residents as the only way to unseat one of the airport's strongest allies and tip the board majority against the project. Whatever happens with the airport, the Board of Supervisors will continue to play a pivotal role in plans for the former Marine base."

"El Toro permeates all other campaigns and issues in some way because it's the biggest issue to hit this county politically," said Scott Hart, a campaign consultant from Newport Beach.

" 'Every morning, there are at least 100,000 people who wake up in South County and say, 'There will be an airport over my dead body at El Toro,'" he said. 'At the same time, there are probably 10 people who wake up in North County and say, 'There must be an airport built at El Toro.' There's no comparison."

" 'Most voters don't see the Measure W vote as "an ultimate El Toro death match,' council Executive Director Stan Oftelie said. 'They see the March 5 election as just another step in a long, difficult process that's full of small setbacks and even smaller victories.' "

Click here to read Jean Pasco's entire LA Times' story in the "Early Bird" section.

"The political pundit who first counseled against changing horses in midstream obviously never tried to get the political horses on the Board of Supervisors more in step with the electorate."

"To be sure, such a change is a difficult maneuver, but we think voters in the 4th District ought to make it. There is only one supervisorial seat being contested March 5, and it provides an opportunity for needed change. And so we recommend Fullerton Councilman Chris Norby as the new 4th District representative."

"...with his broad experience, questioning mind and sense of the big picture, Norby really is much better suited for the regional leadership position of the board. "

"Regardless of where district residents stand on El Toro, they should look at the broader need for strong, independent and more visionary leadership. This is a board governed largely by a majority of three--Coad, Chuck Smith and Jim Silva--that has walked too much in lock-step and needs shaking up."

"The county board needs questioning, thoughtful, energetic and independent leadership. It needs representatives with a keen understanding of government and its countywide and regional, as well as district, needs. It needs someone like Chris Norby, and we urge his election."

Click here to read the enire LA Times' endorsement of Chris Norby for District 4 Orange County Supervisor in the "Early Bird" section. Chris Norby's web site can be reached by clicking here.

"Support for the next referendum against an El Toro airport -- Measure W -- is slipping, according to a new poll by California State University, Fullerton.

"Measure W on March 5 would rezone the former El Toro Marine base as a park, blocking the county's plan for an international airport there. The tracking survey showed 60.9 percent of voters are somewhat or very likely to vote yes, compared with 66.4 percent in November."

"The survey of 555 people from Jan. 21 to Feb. 5 was co-sponsored by the Orange County Business Council, which supports an airport. The margin of error was 4.24 percentage points."

"The poll also found that 54 percent of respondents think the vote is 'very unlikely' to end the debate over El Toro."

Click here to view the November 2001 poll results.

"The Thursday announcement that JetBlue Airways is expanding service to the East Coast, including two flights to Washington, D.C., solidifies Long Beach Airport's growing stature as an alternative to the area's bigger hubs, analysts said."

"And with plans by JetBlue to increase its Long Beach-based flights to 27 by June 2003…[Long Beach] is also poised to begin drawing even more travelers away from Los Angeles International Airport and John Wayne Airport in Orange County, airline industry analysts said."

"'This is very, very positive news. It's very positive for everybody in southeast L.A. County and even Orange County,' said Jack Kyser, chief economist with the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation."

"JetBlue's announcement comes just several weeks after it hammered out an agreement with the City of Long Beach on details for an estimated $7.2 million expansion plan for the airport… The airport now serves about 700,000 passengers a year in commercial airline and commuter jet traffic. More than 3.8 million passengers could go through the facility as the airport expands to the 41 flight slots it is allowed under noise ordinances." 

"The San Clemente City Council on Wednesday voted 3-1 to join south-county neighbors and support Measure W."

"The measure would rezone the former El Toro Marine base as a park instead of an airport, and the council decided to reflect the anti-airport sentiment of residents."

"Airport finances will not fully recover from the Sept. 11 air attacks for another three to four years, Standard & Poor's credit ratings analysts said on Thursday, but could stabilize within 12 to 20 months."

"Many of the approximately $54 billion of municipal bonds sold to build terminals, parking garages, and runways have been trading poorly in the bond market as investors await signs of recovery. On Thursday, S&P said of the 31 ratings actions taken on North American airport debt, two bonds were downgraded, three more had their outlooks switched to negative from stable and five lost positive outlooks and were revised to stable."

"Denver International Airport can't find a bank to guarantee its short-term debt. Without a bank guarantee -- which boosts the debt's rating and is essential before any investor will consider buying the securities -- Denver executives may need to tap the much more expensive long-term market."

"Cities are lining up for or against Measure W -- the fourth round in the ongoing El Toro debate -- and so far the score is tied."

"City councils in 11 south-county cities unanimously favor the March 5 initiative… Eleven north-county cities have adopted resolutions opposing Measure W, although four were on split votes."

"Twelve cities have not yet taken a position -- but San Clemente is set to vote tonight [Civic Center, 100 Avenida Presidio at 7:00 PM] and Anaheim next week."

"In the middle in Tustin, about 30 people passionately pleaded their cases Monday night before a torn [3-2] council sided against Measure W… The swing vote was Councilman Tony Kawashima, who had never before taken a stance on Measure W. He opposes an El Toro airport, but he voted to oppose Measure W, saying a park might not be the best use for the shuttered base.

"'If you don't support Measure W, you are for an airport. [but] I'm not,'' Kawashima said. 'I would like to see more options.'''  Website Editor: Kawashima seemed not to understand that March 5 is a yes-no vote on an airport and that there will be no other options.

"Seal Beach Councilwoman Patty Campbell was frustrated that her council could muster only a 3-2 vote against the park proposal instead of a unanimous decision."

"Villa Park Councilman Robert McGowan said his constituents will likely vote for Measure W. But the council unanimously opposed it. McGowan wants an El Toro airport with different flight paths than the county plans. But he said Villa Park residents overall are fed up with the county's fumbling of the airport project and will approve the park to block it."

"The Costa Mesa City Council opposed Measure W by a 3-2 vote. Councilwoman Karen Robinson said she voted against a resolution opposing Measure W on Jan. 22 because staff members gave her information too late for her to make an informed decision."

"But she has yet to determine how to vote March 5. She said she isn't convinced of the conventional wisdom in her town that an El Toro airport would stop an expansion of neighboring John Wayne Airport."

Click here for how these cities voted on Measure F. Residents in every North County City except Costa Mesa and Newport Beach voted for the anti-airport measure, disregarding the opposite positions taken by most of their city councils.

George Somogyi figures that if the County gives you a lemon, make lemonade.  During the Measure F campaign, kids in George's Laguna Niguel neighborhood raised $800 in one day for the anti-airport fight, by selling lemonade.

Now he is organizing a countywide "Kids Can Help" campaign to stop the airport and create a park at El Toro. After all, he notes, "Kids have the most to lose if an airport flies over their homes, schools and playgrounds".

George has contributed 10 Disneyland tickets for the group of youngsters that raises the most for "Yes on W" between now and February 25th.  Other prizes will be available in various categories. Prizes from additional donors are welcome.

A mailing is going out to Scouts, Indian Princesses, Indian Guides and other youth groups.  For more information, click here or call George Somogyi at 949-388-5221.

Check the Meetings pagefor several Measure W debates and events. Next up, a February 7 Irvine Community Forum on El Toro - 7:00 PM at Northwood High School.

"Assemblyman John Campbell has endorsed Measure W, which would pave the way for a central park at the closed El Toro Marine Corps Air Station."

"Campbell, whose district includes Newport Beach, as well as Irvine and a handful of other South County cities, has previously said he doesn't favor an airport at the base."

"Campbell, who took over the vice chairmanship of the Budget Committee in his first year in office, has quickly ascended to a leadership position in the state Legislature. The assemblyman said he isn't convinced a Great Park will be built at the closed base but said an airport should not be built. Campbell also said he favors extending flight restrictions at John Wayne Airport." 

Chris Norby, "A candidate for county supervisor in North County is tapping into south-county fervor against an El Toro airport to raise most of his campaign funds."

"'All of us down here are trying to get him elected," said [Lake Forest resident Max] Miller, a retired real-estate investor. 'He's against the airport. That's why I back him. He's great. ... The only thing we can do for him, because he's up there in Fullerton, is to give him money.'"

"Residents, businesses and groups in South County … have contributed $112,215 so far to Norby's campaign. That's 75 percent of his coffers so far."

"Kathryn Nikkel, 55, of Dana Point isn't taking chances. Shortly after receiving a campaign letter from Norby, she sent $100. 'It's the first check I've written for a political candidate,' said Nikkel, a horse breeder who also co-owns a small aerospace company. 'I support him because he's, you know, anti-airport.'"

Said Norby, "'... We are elected from districts, but I would like to think that we represent the whole county.'"

"Coad also has taken contributions from outside her district. From July 1 through Jan. 19, records show, she received $22,180 in contributions. About $4,000 of that was from Newport Beach and Costa Mesa - places outside her district where airport support is strong. But most of her campaign has been funded by loans from her personal accounts - $140,000 since July."

Website Editor:  So long as supervisors make decisions impacting the entire county, the entire county is entitled to help choose who becomes a supervisor. Click here to reach Norby's campaign website.

Fliers from the Yes on W campaign began to arrive in residents' mailboxes this week. At the same time, the volume of published opinion in the press is increasing.

Today's Times has a guest column by Alan Songstad, Chairman of the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority. He writes, "The politically driven plan to put an unwanted, unneeded and unsafe airport at El Toro is not what the county should be spending its energy on. Let Riverside County have it."

"To accommodate the community, the Marines operated El Toro at nearly banker's hours, with nighttime and weekend curfews except in times of national emergency. Due to the proximity to homes along the flight paths, El Toro was closed because the Marines could no longer operate a fighter jet training base."

"Airports should be put where they are wanted and needed. In 20 years, the Inland Empire will grow by more than 2 million people… the communities surrounding the former Air Force bases at March, Norton and George all want and need their airports to expand. This is why the proponents of March in Riverside and George in Victorville have joined ETRPA and the anti-El Toro movement."

The Orange County Business Council's Stan Oftelie and the Orange County Taxpayers Association's Reed Royalty sign a rebuttal. "To keep our quality of life high and our economy strong, the county must handle its fair share of air traffic. We need an airport."

In the Register, Website Editor Len Kranser writes that, "Park [is the] Cleanest Option for El Toro Use."

"The worst health risk at El Toro will come from airport poisoned air. Airports sicken people who don't even use them. Each day, airplanes will deposit tons of cancer producing chemicals, carbon monoxide and lung damaging particles over Orange County."

"Supervisor Chuck Smith, who has long pushed for an El Toro airport shoulder-to-shoulder with [Newport Beach] city leaders, does not plan to agree to an extension plan before the March 5 Great Park election, said James Campbell, the supervisor's chief of staff."

Smith himself did not make any such statement at the Airport Working Group's annual meeting Wednesday night in Newport Beach. "At that meeting, Smith urged voters to help defeat Measure W. He didn't discuss the settlement extension, working group President Tom Naughton said."

"'It would be premature to [agree to an extension] prior to the election,' Campbell said Friday. 'If you lock John Wayne in at 9.8 [million annual passengers] between now and 2015 and the airport for El Toro has been delayed, what are you going to do with the additional 20 million passengers?'"

"'We really want to sit down with Supervisor Smith and hear what he has to say,' [City Manager Homer] Bludau said. 'If those comments are true, it just lends force behind what this council is trying to tell this community, that it isn't easy and it isn't a done deal to secure an extension.'"

Website Editor: What 20 million additional passengers, James? Pro-airport forces have consistently tried to scare Newport Beach and nearby residents into supporting an El Toro Airport by posturing that John Wayne would see a massive expansion without El Toro.  Campbell's statement is consistent with this political tactic.

The anti-airport campaign organization is in full gear. Yes on W Yard signs are expected to be available this weekend. Volunteer coordinator Jim Davy has sent out the word on sign distribution to his network of area captains.

The Committee for Safe and Healthy Communities campaign office has been crowded with volunteers stuffing fundraising letters.

Plans are being firmed for grass-roots activities in the last weeks leading up to the March 5 vote. To participate, call 949-768-4583.

Tens of thousands of e-mails have gone out, reminding residents of the February 18 deadline for registering new neighbors and first time young voters, or if you have moved since the last election… and encouraging absentee voting.

The CSHC team that won the Measure F campaign in 2000 with "People Power" is in full gear to win this election.  The pro-airporters have nothing like it. 

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