NEWS - February 2003
Park, "Great Park", Measure W updates.)
Today's Headlines
- click on date for full story
El Toro Info Site report, February 27, 2003
LAWA on regional planning
OC Register, February 25, 2003, posted February
26
"Still no agreement on El Toro's annexation"
El Toro Info Site report, February 25, 2003
Irvine annexation takes a small stumble
El Toro Info Site report, February 25, 2003
Today's the big day
Board of Supervisors officially kills El Toro Airport
El Toro Info Site report, February 24, 2003 - updated
Measure V court hearing this morning
OC Register, February 22, 2003
"JWA trip gets longer"
El Toro Info Site report, February
21, 2003
Board to act on Irvine annexation
El Toro Info Site report, February 21, 2003
Is the AWG hiding something?
LA Times, February 21, 2003
"The airport's added precautions, including closure of
two entrances, take effect today."
El Toro Info Site report, February 20, 2003
SCAG tiptoes through the minefields
Tom Wilson represents Orange County interests today
El Toro Info Site report, February 20, 2003
Board of Supervisors to vote on killing El Toro Airport
Master Plan
El Toro Info Site report, February 19, 2003
JWA Director to brief SCAG; Wilson rebuts demand claims
OC Register, February 19, 2003
"Park cleared for takeoff"
"The Great Park environmental-impact report says traffic will
increase, but no major obstacles emerge."
LA Times, February 19, 2003
"Irvine Plan to Annex Musick Jail Opposed"
"The idea is revealed in the city's environmental report on its
Great Park. Sheriff gives a firm 'no.'"
El Toro Info Site report, February 15, 2003
Limiting LAX capacity
Press-Enterprise, February 15, 2003 posted February
15
"Traffic and pollution top residents' list"
"The Southern California Association of Governments will help
craft a map for growth."
El Toro Info Site report, February 14, 2003
Supervisor Wilson responds
From Congressman Ken Calvert's website, February
12, 2003
Marines depart from March Airbase
El Toro Info Site report, February 12, 2003
Retraction
OC Register, February 12, 2003
"O.C. leaders meet to assess infrastructure"
"Most agree sweeping improvements are needed, but money
is the big question."
El Toro Info Site report, February 11, 2003
John Wayne traffic approaches 8 MAP
OC Register, February 10, 2003
"Ruling to affect several politicos"
El Toro Info Site report, February 10, 2003
H. T. Johnson promoted
LA Times, February 9, 2003
"Pro-Park Mailer Got $90,000 From Builders
with Irvine Ties"
El Toro Info Site report, February 7, 2003
Airport opponents have the majority.
When do they use it?
OC Register, February 6, 2003
"Sanchez to propose El Toro as a Marine housing
option"
"But the lawmaker knows the idea will be hard to
sell to the Pentagon and Camp Pendleton."
Victorville Daily Press, February 4, 2003, posted
February 5
"Airport's future under analysis"
"Expert opinions sought at private meeting on
SCLA to validate current plans"
Long Beach Press Telegram, February 4, 2003
"L.B. Airport: Deal with Alaska,
American subject to noise limits, might increase flights."
OC Register, February 3, 2003
"New path goes from capital to O.C."
LA Times, February 2, 2003
"Park Will Be a Great Legacy"
Daily Breeze, February 1, 2003
"World’s longest airliner flies
in"
"LAX handles the challenge of 247-foot Airbus,
but heftier ones are expected."
El Toro Info Site report, February 1, 2003
Regional aviation finishes a
down year
Click here for earlier news.
El Toro Info Site report, February
27, 2003
LAWA on regional planning
SCAG aviation planners have been proceeding as though each county has its
own aviation demand and should be responsible for providing its own airports.
A recent letter from Los Angeles World Airports seemingly takes issue with
that concept.
In response to an October, 2002 SCAG
letter requesting each county's data on aviation forecasts and plans,
Jim Ritchie, Deputy Executive Director of LAWA wrote on February 3: "All of
our airports draw from market areas that span multiple counties and extend,
in some cases, well beyond the SCAG region. The size of the market area is
dependent on the type of aviation services available and the availability
of similar services at other airports. Some aviation services are regional
in nature and to be practical, must take advantage of the economies of scale
offered by centralization. We therefore do not believe that aviation demand
can be reasonably planned on a county by county basis."
Ritchie does say 'We continue to support other airports in the region accepting
their 'fair share.'" The term "fair share" has yet to be adequately
defined.
With the exception of Orange County, no agency in any of the SCAG counties
provided aviation demand data in response to the SCAG request. The John Wayne
Airport Director submitted studies prepared as justification for the El Toro
airport project. Supervisor Tom Wilson
then challenged the validity of the studies at a SCAG meeting.
All letters were obtained by this website using the California Public Records
Act.
OC Register, February
25, 2003, posted February 26
"Still no agreement on El Toro's annexation"
"County supervisors and Irvine will work during the next week to resolve
some sticking points"
"Orange County supervisors on Tuesday delayed
for a week a decision that would move forward Irvine's plan to annex
the former El Toro Marine base . . . Two stumbling blocks remain."
"Supervisor Chris Norby questioned what would happen to the county's share
of property-tax proceeds from development of the property should Irvine
decide to place the land in a redevelopment district. Normally, any additional
tax revenue in a redevelopment area must be spent in that area."
"Irvine City Manager Allison Hart said that if a redevelopment area were
formed by the city, it would guarantee the continuation of a split in tax
funds: 82 percent to the county and 18 percent to the city."
"However, she said she believed that the additional tax revenue generated
could be spent only on the 190 acres of base land the Navy has agreed to
deed to the county after Irvine annexes the entire property."
"The second sticking point concerns how intensely the county's property
could be developed, based on estimates of traffic. The county's estimate would
support denser development than would be allowed by Irvine's plans."
"The supervisors voted 3-1, with Smith dissenting and Jim Silva absent,
to approve the agreement 'in concept.' The discussion reflected residual bitterness
over the long fight over whether a commercial airport would be built at El
Toro."
El Toro Info Site report,
February 25, 2003
Irvine annexation takes a small stumble
The Board of Supervisors voted, 3-1, to approve in principle, but delay
for one week, adoption of an essential tax allocation agreement with the
City of Irvine. The property tax split was proposed to give 82 percent of
property taxes from El Toro to the County. The agreement is an essential
condition for annexation of the property.
Mimi Walters, Chair of ETRPA spoke "representing the vast majority of
OC voters who oppose aviation use of El Toro." She called Irvine's plan
"in the spirit of Measure W."
Former ETRPA Chairman Alan Songstad urged action today and chided County
staff for introducing last minute traffic-related objections to the agreement.
Irvine Councilmember Mike Ward and City Manager Alison Hart were obliged
to argued traffic numbers from the speakers' stand. LAFCO member Peter Herzog,
Mayor Pro-Tem of Lake Forest, also spoke in support of Irvine and asked the
Board to act today and overlook the staff comments.
Supervisor Wilson noted that county staff had been barred from holding
discussions with the City of Irvine regarding annexation by a vote of the
Coad board. He moved for acceptance in principle of the agreement and asked
staff to pick up this task immediately and report back in a week.
Supervisor Smith raised several issues, argued against the agreement,
suggested that more time would be needed, and voted against the Wilson motion
El Toro Info Site report,
February 25, 2003
Today's the big day
Board of Supervisors officially kills El Toro Airport
The new Board of Supervisors voted, 3-1 today to rescind the El Toro Airport
System Master Plan, officially killing the County's October
2001 approval of a second airport. The Board acted as the El Toro
Local Redevelopment Authority, the federally designated reuse planning authority
for the property under base closure laws.
Supervisor Wilson agendized the item on the consent calendar. However,
V-plan promoter Charles Griffin asked that the matter be pulled for discussion
and spoke for an airport at El Toro with a new EIR. He called the proposed
action "stupid." The only other speaker, Ann Watt of Santa Ana Heights, urged
delay until all court appeals of Measure W were exhausted.
The action passed 3-1. Supervisor Jim Silva was out of town today. Airport
supporter Supervisor Chuck Smith did not speak but registered a "no" vote.
El Toro airport plans died quietly without great debate or fanfare.
Today's action marks a major milestone in the El Toro battle waged since
1993 when the base was put on the closure list. Click here for an up-to-date chronology.
El Toro Info Site report, February
24, 2003 - updated
Measure V court hearing this morning
The Court of Appeals heard arguments on the fate of Measure V, and Bill
Campbell's continued tenure as supervisor, this morning.
The California Attorney General's office joined the case on the side
of plaintiff Joe Kerr. Filing "friend of the court" briefs on behalf of
defendant County of Orange (defending Measure V) were ETRPA, the Foothill
Community Association, the California State Association of Governments,
and the League of California Cities.
The Court indicated that it would decide the appeal expeditiously, but
that a ruling would not be immediate.
The LA Times reported on February 25, "Though none of the justices indicated
Monday how they would rule within the next 90 days, Presiding Justice David
Sills' comments appeared sympathetic to the charter and voters' approval
of it."
OC Register, February
22, 2003
"JWA trip gets longer"
"Travelers at John Wayne Airport were hit with delays of up to 40 minutes
Friday, as barricades were installed closing two entrances and sheriff's
deputies began random vehicle searches. All traffic – including shuttles,
taxis and buses – was funneled through two security
checkpoints on the airport's perimeter."
El Toro Info Site
report, February 21, 2003
Board to act on Irvine annexation
The agenda for next Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting includes
an item for approval of a tax allocation agreement with the City of Irvine.
It sets the rules for sharing future tax revenue between the County and
the City from development at the former El Toro base. The agreement is a
necessary element in the annexation process.
The item reads:
Chairman Wilson – Adopt resolution approving property tax transfer
and pre-annexation agreement with the City of Irvine and the Irvine Redevelopment
Agency regarding the annexation and reuse of the former MCAS El Toro –
District 3
The Board also will vote on rescinding the El
Toro Airport Master Plan.
A third piece of important airport-related business, setting legislative
policy guidelines, originally was agendized but has been continued for
additional work. Under previous Boards, the guidelines set a pro-airport
policy for County lobbyists in Sacramento.
El Toro Info Site report,
February 21, 2003
Is the AWG hiding something?
The Airport Working Group seems to be withholding financial information.
All non-profit organizations are required to file a federal Form 990,
which is the non-taxpayer's substitute for an income tax return. It shows
the funds collected and from whom, the amount spent and for what, and
the remainder on hand. The AWG has yet to file a 990 for the year ending
December 31, 2001 though it was due last May 31. Two three-month extensions
are permitted.
AWG President Tom Naughton confirmed yesterday that they are late
in getting it done.
AWG's
Form 990 for 2000 was filed on time and is available for public
inspection. We wonder if the delay in filing 2001 data has something to
do with the disposition of the $3.7 million
grant that the group received from the City of Newport Beach and
used in the fight against the Great Park initiative.
LA Times, February 21,
2003
"The airport's added precautions, including closure of
two entrances, take effect today."
"All but two entrances to John Wayne Airport will be closed starting
today, and automobiles, taxis and shuttles will face random searches as
part of nationwide anti-terrorism security measures."
"Starting today, the only ways to enter the airport will be from Campus
Drive, via MacArthur Boulevard, and the offramp from the southbound Costa
Mesa Freeway."
"Throughout the country, airports have been tightening security since
the Bush administration warned Feb. 7 that the U.S. was at high risk of
a terrorist attack."
"At Los Angeles International Airport, police have been randomly searching
autos since last week. San Francisco International began its searches Wednesday,
and San Jose International was expected to begin Thursday."
El Toro Info Site report,
February 20, 2003
SCAG tiptoes through the minefields
Tom Wilson represents Orange County interests today
The Southern California Association of Governments Aviation Task
Force met today with a pair of potentially contentious issues on the
agenda but the expected fireworks were muted.
For the first time, Supervisor Tom Wilson attended to represent the
county. Curiously, and almost as if by pre-arrangement, all of the pro-El
Toro committee members from Orange County stayed away. Among the missing
members were Supervisor Charles Smith who is the County's official representative,
Newport Beach City Councilman Tod Ridgeway, Los Alamitos Mayor Ron Bates,
and Bruce Nestande.
Alan Murphy, John Wayne Airport Director, made a presentation on
future plans for JWA. Construction of additional gates to accommodate
the new passenger limits will occur in approximately two years. Committee
members lobbed several soft questions at Murphy. To the surprise of this
reporter, no arguments were raised about how Orange County would meet its
aviation demand or about El Toro.
Supervisor Wilson then distributed the
letter posted here yesterday. After questioning the validity
of prior demand figures, Wilson challenged the SCAG concept of expecting
each county to provide its "fair share" of airports. "I have become skeptical
of the legitimacy of allocating capacity based on county boundary lines,"
he said.
That prompted Los Angeles Airport Commissioner Ted Stein, who is
vice-chair of the Aviation Task Force and a strong El Toro proponent
to remark "The fat lady hasn't sung yet," implying that El Toro was not
dead.
Ventura County Supervisor Judy Mikels, chair of the committee cut
things short. "We will not get into a debate now or in the future about
El Toro. It's over Mr. Vice-Chair!"
The task force moved to other items including the recent staff recommendation
for creation of a Regional Aviation Authority.
A February 4, 2003 memo from Alan Thompson, SCAG's Senior Regional
Aviation Planner asked for a vote on formation of a "Regional Aviation
Authority, responsible for the comprehensive and integrated planning and
management of all aviation and airport ground access plans throughout the
region." The Authority would be empowered to implement the SCAG
Regional Transportation Plan.
The memo went on to say, "Recent efforts to resurrect the Southern
California Regional Airport Authority (SCRAA) were unsuccessful, at least
in part . . . [because it] was not expressive of the vision of regional
aviation planning embodied by the [SCAG Aviation Task Force] ATF." SCAG
would attempt to take over SCRAA's funding to use for the new regional
authority.
Lake Forest Councilman Richard Dixon quickly seized the initiative
and argued that SCAG can plan but local governments must hold onto implementation
authority. Dixon also challenged SCAG's right to appropriate funds from
SCRAA.
Mike Gordon of El Segundo spoke for the implementation strategy.
Tom Wilson, concerned that this was an effort to put El Toro into regional
control, spoke against creating the new authority.
Eventually, Ted Stein advised that the plan was the work of SCAG
President Hal Bernson, (another strong proponent of El Toro airport)
and requested that the item be continued to the next task force meeting
when Bernson could be there in person to promote his idea. The matter was
held for the March meeting.
El Toro Info Site report,
February 20, 2003
Board of Supervisors to vote on killing El Toro Airport
Master Plan
An item agendized for next Tuesday by Supervisor
Tom Wilson calls for rescinding
the John Wayne - El Toro Airport System Master Plan. The item also calls
for sending a resolution to the Airport Land Use Commission to lift obsolete
airport environs land use restrictions around El Toro.
It reads, "Item 52 - Acting as the Board of Supervisors and MCAS
Local Redevelopment Authority - Adopt resolution repealing Resolution
Nos. 01-361 and 01-362 and direct County staff to make appropriate amendments
to the JWA Master Plan and submit resolution to the Airport Land Use Commission
for preparation of the Airport Environs Land Use Plan to reflect this action"
Action on this item officially removes El Toro from the FAA's inventory
of projects. It should be a historical meeting to attend.
El Toro Info Site
report, February 19, 2003
JWA Director to brief SCAG; Wilson rebuts demand claims
On Thursday, February 20, John Wayne Airport Director Alan Murphy
will give an update to the Southern California Association of Governments
Aviation Task Force regarding plans for Orange County Airports. The Task
force is heavily weighted with El Toro proponents from Orange County (Supervisor
Charles Smith, Newport Beach Councilman Tod Ridgeway, lobbyist Bruce Nestande)
and Los Angeles political leaders who support plans
for El Toro as one way to block growth of LAX.
A January 15, 2003 letter from Murphy to the Manager of Aviation
and Environmental Planning at SCAG has raised controversy in advance
of the meeting. El Toro opponents are circling the wagons in anticipation
of a challenging session.
Commenting on the need for future airport capacity, Murphy's letter
cited several pre-September 11 studies of aviation demand that were part
of the El Toro project justification. He wrote "In conclusion, based
on the demand forecast analysis and comparisons the County has undertaken,
we believe the regional demand forecasts developed in SCAG for the 2002
RTP are generally a reasonable reflection of the demand for air services
in the SCAG region."
The SCAG 2002 Regional Transportation Plan included demand for
a 30 million annual passenger airport at El Toro.
Today, Supervisor Tom
Wilson sent SCAG a strong rebuttal to Murphy's letter. Wilson
writes, "Mr. Murphy refers SCAG to documents exclusively prepared for the
then proposed El Toro International Airport. The four documents referred
to by Mr. Murphy were released by the MCAS El Toro Master Development
Program Office whose charge was to plan and implement a 28.8 MAP airport
at El Toro. From my perspective, those documents were prepared by
consultants hired by the El Toro Master Development Office with the fundamental
purpose of justifying an airport at El Toro."
Murphy's letter also told SCAG, "We are not aware of any countywide
policies that deal with aviation planning. Individual airport master plans
and local jurisdiction general plans include aviation policies applicable
to the specific airport and for the surrounding area."
That prompted this website's editor
write to SCAG. The voters amended the County General Plan through
the passage of Measure W. The amendment created a clear "countywide policy
on aviation planning." Future growth will be elsewhere and not at El
Toro.
Stay tuned for a website report after the meeting. Other important
issues are on the SCAG agenda.
OC Register, February
19, 2003
"Park cleared for takeoff"
"The Great Park environmental-impact report says traffic will
increase, but no major obstacles emerge."
"Increased traffic from the Great Park will require new roads
to be built and several major road expansions near the old El Toro Marine
base, according to an environmental-impact report released Tuesday."
"'Traffic, which is always a concern, would be roughly half of
what it would be if it were an international airport,' said Larry Agran,
Irvine's mayor."
"Overall, the 1,200-page report raises no major obstacles to the
Great Park project, created by the city of Irvine as an alternative to
the conversion of the base to a commercial airport, which south-county
cities roundly opposed."
"The EIR has been eagerly awaited by proponents of the Great Park,
which voters approved last year in rejecting conversion of the base to
a commercial airport."
"The report envisions the roadway system for the Great Park will
be completed by 2007; full build-out of the park will be achieved by 2025.
Irvine is counting on developer fees and property taxes to help pay for
the roads, sports facilities and other public parts of the Great Park."
Click
here for complete article.
LA Times, February 19,
2003
"Irvine Plan to Annex Musick Jail Opposed"
"The idea is revealed in the city's environmental report on its
Great Park. Sheriff gives a firm 'no.'"
"In Irvine's thick environmental report detailing plans for a
Great Park on the former El Toro Marine base, city officials have proposed
annexing a controversial county jail near Lake Forest."
"The plan drew swift opposition from Sheriff Michael S. Carona
and Tom Wilson, chairman of the Board of Supervisors."
"They said Irvine officials never mentioned the proposal to expand
the city limits to include the jail during long negotiations with the
county over transferring control of the 4,700-acre Marine base to the city."
"'I don't see any possible way I'd support it,' Wilson said of
the jail annexation plan. 'I don't know how they can propose to do something
that hasn't even been negotiated with county.'"
"The wrinkle over Musick potentially slows the city's annexation
process, Wilson said."
"Irvine City Manager Allison Hart acknowledged that city officials
could have communicated better with the county. 'Our position has always
been that it's a policy call whether the county wanted us to annex [it]
or not.... We'll submit the [annexation] application based on what the
county wants to do.'"
"Otherwise, there was little of surprise in Irvine's environmental
review."
Website Editor: This website first posted word of Irvine's
interest in annexing Musick in 1997, quoting from the OC Register of
November 19, 1997. The prospect was much discussed during the Measure
F campaign since jail expansion was an element in that initiative.
El Toro Info Site report,
February 15, 2003
Limiting LAX capacity
LAX capacity was discussed at the January 16, 2003 meeting of
the SCAG Aviation Task Force. Quotes below are from the minutes of
the meeting.
Los Angeles World Airports made a presentation on the new Master
Plan for LAX. LAX is being constrained to serve 78 million annual passengers
at the direction of Mayor Hahn. No runways will be added and the number
of gates will be reduced to restrict passenger service. SCAG planners
are projecting the 78 MAP cap on LAX through 2025 and seeking to replace
the capacity at other region airports.
Richard Riordan, former mayor of Los Angeles, had plans for
a major LAX expansion, adding a runway and gates and raising capacity
to as much as 110 million passengers per year by 2015.
"Hon. Ruth Galanter, [Councilmember] City of Los Angeles, asked
if the runway system is essentially the same . . . in terms of runway
capacity. It was confirmed the runway capacity for the new [Hahn] alternative
would be about 89 million passengers. However, one must look beyond
the runways to the gates, terminals and ground access capacities, and
the airport is reducing the number of gates."
"Ms. Galanter asked what prevents the addition of gates at some
later date under a new mayoral administration, given the available
runway capacity. It was explained that the current alternative discussed
today would be placed in the master plan and environmental impact report
. . .any expanding beyond that would require a new EIR."
"LAWA plans to increase cargo capabilites at LAX to three
million tons, about one million tons less than previous alternatives."
Orange County airport plans will be presented by John Wayne Airport
Director Alan Murphy at the next Aviation Task Force meeting on February
20th.
Press-Enterprise, February
15, 2003 posted February 15
"Traffic and pollution top residents' list"
"The Southern California Association of Governments will help
craft a map for growth."
"Southern Californians identified traffic clog as the No. 1
problem for regional planners to fix, according to a December telephone
survey of 1,000 residents in six counties. They also want planners to
solve problems of crime, crowded schools, polluted air and water, and
housing costs."
"Consultants hired by the Southern California Association of
Governments hope to address those and other issues as they help residents
from Ventura to El Centro craft a vision of how the region should
grow during the next two decades."
"'What we've been doing isn't working,' Brea Mayor Bev Perry
told about 40 business and civic leaders gathered in Fontana for the
first meeting of the Citizens' Advisory Committee that will help guide
the two-year process."
Website Editor: No mention is made of airports. See
a related infrastructure story below.
El Toro Info Site report,
February 14, 2003
Supervisor Wilson responds
Tom Wilson answers his e-mail. Unlike some supervisors, he
responds to each one with a personalized message. This includes a lot
of recent e-mail on the topic of using the 3-2 anti-airport majority on
the Board of Supervisors to unravel El Toro plans.
Wilson, his staff, and ETRPA have been reviewing a shopping
list of items that need doing and have selected the highest priority
items on which to start. Based on reading Wilson responses published
by the recipients, we can look forward to the following near term action.
"We will be repealing the ASMP," says one message. He plans
to agendize this for the next BOS meeting. Repealing the Airport System
Master Plan is a top priority because it officially removes El Toro from
the FAA's list of projects.
"We also will be working on the tax transfer agreement with
Irvine." A tax sharing agreement between the city and the county is
an essential element in the annexation process.
"OCRAA will not be on the next Board Meeting agenda, but we
are working on this." The Orange County Regional Airport Authority
is the group of cities that hired Art Bloomer to push for an airport
at El Toro. It benefited from large grants of county money authorized
by the previous Board of Supervisors. The county's withdrawal from OCRAA
will not kill the organization outright but it’s a step in the right
direction.
Wilson also writes "now that I am the representative for SCRAA,
I am trying to get a quorum (which as you know has been difficult
lately) to vote to disband SCRAA." The Southern California Regional
Airport Authority was created to promote a regional airport solution
with the potential to overturn local control of the fate of El Toro.
Other action steps are under discussion and will follow in
order of priority.
Wilson notes that all four supervisors, (Wilson, Smith, Silva,
and Norby) approved his appointment of Chuck Smith to represent the
county at the Southern California Association of Governments. It would
have been unprecedented for Silva and Norby to not accept the Chairman's
recommendation.
From Congressman Ken Calvert's
website, February 12, 2003
Marines depart from March Airbase
"Marines walk across the flight line at March Air Reserve
Base, Calif., to the chartered commercial jetliner they'll board
enroute to Kuwait as part of a massive military buildup to support
the war on terrorism"
Photo by: Sgt. Joseph R. Chenelly
Congressman Calvert represents Riverside and Orange Counties
in Washington.
Good luck troops! Our thoughts are with you.
El Toro Info Site report,
February 12, 2003
Retraction
On February 4, Shirley A. Conger of Corona del Mar had a
letter printed in the OC Register proposing military use of El Toro
for the Iraq war.
In a published newspaper rebuttal the next day, a Lake Forest
resident wrote, "As a retired U.S. Marine and logistician, I can
say that there would be no benefit to reopening El Toro. The cost to
restore the facilities and runways for a few months of operation would
be absurd."
Also on February 4, someone posted a letter on our message
board regarding the shuttle disaster, presumably as a parody of a
Conger letter. The letter appeared to be genuine and from the Reader
Mailbag at the Daily Pilot. Unfortunately, your Editor fell for the hoax.
The person who posted the fake letter came clean soon afterwards,
but not before I had written some unkind words about Ms. Conger's
letters on our news page. I missed the post that identified the parody
for what it was.
I heard from Shirley Conger by e-mail today. I then dug
into the matter. Needless to say, I'm embarrassed to have fallen
for the hoax and to have elaborated on it.
The individual who used the space shuttle tragedy in a joke
showed bad taste. I apologize to Ms. Conger and have removed the
original news item and the offending counterfeit letter from the
message board.
OC Register, February
12, 2003
"O.C. leaders meet to assess infrastructure"
"Most agree sweeping improvements are needed, but money
is the big question."
"About 250 Orange County business and government leaders
gathered . . . Tuesday to figure out how to raise the county's subpar
performance in a recent evaluation of its clogged roads, crowded schools
and dirty beaches."
"Convinced they lack funds to expand highways, build classrooms
and clean runoff at a time of severe state budget cuts, participants
at the first annual Orange County Infrastructure Summit said they favor
raising sales taxes and earmarking state tax revenue for infrastructure."
"Though leaders share residents' priorities – most said
they favor new schools and roads over building airports."
A graph accompanying the article shows percentage responses
from "County leaders" and "Residents" to the question: "Which infrastructure
project is Orange County's top priority?"
Project
|
Leaders %
|
Residents %
|
Schools
|
46
|
45
|
Roads, freeways, public transit
|
33
|
27
|
Water
|
7
|
13
|
Sewers
|
9
|
7
|
Airports
|
2
|
5
|
Other
|
2
|
3
|
El Toro Info Site report,
February 11, 2003
John Wayne traffic approaches 8 MAP
Total passengers using John Wayne airport in January topped
the same month last year by 11.7 percent. For the latest 12 months
ending January 2003 the airport served 7,967,889 passengers. Traffic
is likely to reach 8 MAP for the 12 months ending February.
Airport
officials have been predicting for years that John Wayne
was about to hit the 8 million-passenger mark. During the campaign
for an El Toro airport, El Toro proponents regularly depicted John Wayne
as booming. El Toro opponents countered that airport use had changed
little since 1997. Since the passage of Measure W, the gap in spin between
the two sides has narrowed. For example, John Wayne Airport officials said
relatively little about 2002 as a record
year for passenger demand.
Total flight operations decreased in January as a result
of lower general aviation traffic.
For the coming year, airport management allocated seats
to airlines sufficient to serve approximately 8 million annual passengers.
The increased limit of 10.3 MAP approved by the county and Newport
Beach will not be implemented for several months. Judicial and administrative
steps are required to put the new caps into effect.
OC Register, February
10, 2003
"Ruling to affect several politicos"
"Newly elected county Supervisor Bill Campbell isn't
the only one keeping a close eye on the Measure V lawsuit. The legal
decision might help Supervisor Tom Wilson decide whether to run against
Laguna Niguel Councilwoman [and ETRPA Chairwoman] Mimi Walters for
the Assembly seat being vacated next year by Pat Bates, who's stepping
down because of term limits."
"Wilson's term doesn't end until 2006. If elected to
the Assembly next year, he would create an unscheduled vacancy –
subject to either special election or gubernatorial appointment,
depending on the final court ruling. Wilson said he would be more likely
to run if Measure V is upheld."
"If Measure V is upheld and Wilson leaves for the Assembly,
Bates said she might run for the seat. However, she is focused on
a possible bid for the seat state Sen. Bill Morrow, R-Oceanside, will
vacate in 2006."
El Toro Info Site report,
February 10, 2003
H. T. Johnson promoted
The President on Friday, designated Hansford T. "HT"
Johnson of Virginia, to be Acting Secretary of the Navy. Mr.
Johnson currently serves as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for
Installations and Environment.
Secretary Johnson as the Navy Assistant Secretary for
Installations and Environment has been an advocate of the Department
of Defense receiving the appropriate funding as the result of selling
MCAS El Toro and Tustin, and has officially pledged
to work with the locals of Orange County under Measure W.
LA Times, February
9, 2003
"Pro-Park Mailer Got $90,000 From Builders
with Irvine Ties"
"That was more than half of what was spent on the brochure
in its last two weeks. It also backed Agran and two allies."
"A slate mailer urging the reelection of Irvine Mayor
Larry Agran, two of his City Council allies, and passage of a ballot
measure allocating $110 million in state funds for the Great Park
at El Toro, received $90,000 from a group that raised the money from
companies with development interests in Irvine."
"The money from Orange County Voters for Good Government-Yes
on 51 covered more than half of what the slate mailer, Hometown
Voter Guide, spent in the election's final two weeks, according
to year-end campaign reports filed last week."
"The Hometown Voter Guide mailers, produced by longtime
Agran ally Ed Dornan, backed Agran and Councilwoman Beth Krom, as
well as unsuccessful council candidate Mitch Goldstone. The candidates
paid $20,000 each for promotional matter included in the mailers. A yes
vote on Proposition 51 was urged in five lines on the brochure's back
page."
"Proposition 51 was a statewide measure that would
have redirected $1 billion a year in state vehicle taxes to special
projects, including $110 million for the Great Park at El Toro.
The defeated measure was backed by Agran, who sits on the board of
the group that wrote it."
Donations to the Orange County Proposition 51 group
included $45,000 from the Irvine Co.; $50,000 each from Crow Winthrop
Development and Colton Properties, both of Irvine; and $25,000 each
from William Lyon Homes of Newport Beach, and from a limited partnership
hoping to build homes in the Irvine Business Center. A $25,000 contribution
from R.J. Brandes of San Juan Capistrano, who owns an equestrian management
and promotion company, was received on election day." Click
here for more.
Website Editor: This website and some anti-airport
leaders chose not to back Proposition 51 because it would have diverted
scarce state resources from the General Fund to a few dozen special
projects. The Times headlines Prop 51 as "Pro-Park" but most of
the proposition's money would have gone to a group of totally park-unrelated
projects like school busses.
Irvine planners have made clear that the park can be
built without the infusion of state money though the funds would
have accelerated the project.
For anyone who thinks that the pro-airport anti-park
campaign is over, today's
Times includes four letters to the editors on the subject
of El Toro, all anti-park.
El Toro Info Site report,
February 7, 2003
Airport opponents have the majority. When
do they use it?
For the first time since the El Toro debate began,
airport opponents hold a 3-2 majority on the Board of Supervisors.
However, a look at the agenda for next Tuesday's Board meeting
leaves one wondering when they will use it. There are no El Toro-related
action items on the list.
While airport proponents took every opportunity to
press their cause, opponents under the leadership of Chairman
Tom Wilson are moving slowly. We hope that there will be action
before a court is able to remove elected Supervisor Bill Campbell
from his position because of alleged flaws in Measure V.
The next scheduled date for Measure V arguments at
the Court of Appeals is February 24. After Tuesday, the Board
will not meet again until February 25.
We are watching for Board action to further unravel
the previously approved airport plans and make the project's resurrection
more difficult. Environmental Impact Report 573 selected an airport
as the County's preferred base reuse alternative. It still stands
and should be decertified. The Community Reuse Plan for airport use
and the Airport System Master Plan should be withdrawn from Washington.
There are steps that might be taken to advance the
cause of Irvine annexation. The County should withdraw from membership
in the Orange County Regional Airport Authority, OCRAA, which sued
to overturn Measure W. And of course, there is the matter of die-hard
airport supporter Chuck Smith representing Orange County on the Southern
California Association of Governments, SCAG, where regional transportation
policy is made.
OC Register, February
6, 2003
"Sanchez to propose El Toro as
a Marine housing option"
"But the lawmaker knows the idea will be hard to
sell to the Pentagon and Camp Pendleton."
"Rep. Loretta Sanchez plans to ask the federal government
today to study whether thousands of Camp Pendleton Marines should
be allowed to move to vacant houses at the closed El Toro base."
"Sanchez will send a letter to the General Accounting
Office today to ask the agency to take another look at the issue."
The congresswoman acknowledged that persuading the
military to use El Toro would be tough . . . In November, Pendleton's
new commanding officer said he opposes using El Toro as a housing
option. Maj. Gen. William
G. Bowdon echoed the Pentagon's cost concerns. He said
El Toro is too far for Marines to commute to the San Diego County
base."
"Rep.
Darrell Issa, R- Vista, whose district includes Pendleton, also
proposed using El Toro to help with the housing crunch."
Victorville Daily
Press, February 4, 2003, posted February 5
"Airport's future under analysis"
"Expert opinions sought at private meeting on
SCLA to validate current plans"
"The politicians and staff members, businessmen
and consultants gathered and discussed the future of Southern California Logistics Airport
in a private meeting [in Orange County] Monday."
"'We're getting expert opinions to see if we can
validate what we have started to pursue at (former) George Air
Force Base,' said [Victorville] Mayor Terry Caldwell, referring
to the city's efforts to rehabilitate the closed Air Force Base into
the economic driver of the High Desert."
"'We're talking about trying to figure out how
to deal with projects that individually will cost tens of millions
of dollars,' Caldwell said. 'Not only is the development of (the
former) George Air Force Base long-term, the analysis of how much
it will cost and how to fund it are a work in progress that will take
quite some time,' he said."
Long Beach Press Telegram,
February 4, 2003
"L.B. Airport: Deal with Alaska, American
subject to noise limits, might increase flights."
"An agreement to end a dispute over space at
Long Beach Airport calls for JetBlue Airways to give up five
of its 27 daily flight slots so they can be redistributed to
competing airlines."
"But while the proposed agreement already approved
by American Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Alaska Airlines could
result in increased flights, officials stressed it will not mean
more noise than prescribed by the city's strict noise ordinance."
"The agreement also sets up yearly noise studies
that could result in more than the current maximum of 41 daily
commercial takeoffs and landings. Supplemental flights can be added
. . . only after the once-a-year noise study is done to determine
if additional supplemental flights can be allocated without violating
noise limits."
Website Editor: Long Beach uses noise limits
to control the airport's impact on the community. This procedure
allows for greater airport utilization as aircraft are modernized
and become quieter. It also allows for more passengers to be served
on newer, larger, but quieter planes.
At John Wayne airport, the number of passengers
is limited, along with the number of flights. The County and Newport
Beach have agreed to lift these limits effective January 1. However,
the old numbers are currently still in effect and it will be several
more weeks before the new caps are incorporated into the seat allocations
assigned to each airline by airport management and the Board of Supervisors.
OC Register, February 3,
2003
"New path goes from capital to O.C."
"Former Assemblyman Bill Campbell's election
Tuesday to the Board of Supervisors – taking the seat of Todd
Spitzer, who left the board midterm for the Assembly – looks to
be the start of a trend, thanks to the advent of term limits and
politicians looking for employment."
"Assemblyman Lou Correa, D-Anaheim, is termed
out next year and is planning to run for the board seat being
vacated by Chuck Smith, who is termed out and retiring from politics."
Website Editor: Correa, who had been pro-El
Toro airport has seemingly bowed to the will of the electorate
and played an inportant role in obtaining Governor Davis' veto
of the pro-airport Nakano bill. Smith, an apparently unrepentant
airport supporter, is in line for President of the Southern California
Association of Governments, SCAG in two years.
Assemblyman Tom Harman, R-Huntington Beach,
is planning a 2006 bid for the seat of Supervisor Jim Silva,
who in turn is considering an Assembly bid. Website Editor:
Harmon opposes El Toro.
LA Times, February 2, 2003
"Park Will Be a Great Legacy"
The Orange County Perspective opinions, "The
Great Park Group is back, this time with a plan that doesn't
involve reaching into taxpayers' pockets, except for the standard
fees for those who buy at El Toro."
The column concludes, "Irvine and the Navy
deserve credit for a bold plan to create lasting public benefit."
Website Editor: It’s good news to see one
of our major newspapers say something that nice about the city
and the park plan.
Daily Breeze, February 1,
2003
"World’s longest airliner flies
in"
"LAX handles the challenge of 247-foot Airbus,
but heftier ones are expected."
"A Cathay Pacific Airbus A340-600, which
is longer than the biggest Boeing 747, arrived Thursday evening
following a nonstop flight from Hong Kong, LAX officials said.
It docked at one of only two Tom Bradley International Terminal
gates that can handle the four-engine plane, said Michael Di Girolamo,
the airport’s deputy executive director of operations."
The A340-600’s exceptionally long 108-foot
wheel base also prevents it from using five taxiways — three
on the north runway complex and two on the southern complex."
"The airport will face even greater challenges
when carriers later this decade begin operating the enormous
Airbus A380, which has a maximum 1.3 million pound takeoff weight
and a wingspan that’s 50 feet greater than the 747-400’s."
Website Editor: LAX plans call for creating
four gates for the future giants,
through the elimination of a greater number of gates for more
conventional aircraft.
El Toro Info Site report,
February 1, 2003
Regional aviation finishes a down
year
The six commercial airports in the Southern
California Association of Governments (SCAG) region completed
another down year. Collectively, LAX, John Wayne, Long Beach,
Ontario, Palm Springs, and Burbank served 77.8 million passengers
in 2002.
The airports served 88.5 million passengers
in 2000. They handled 81.9
MAP in 2001 with 13.6 of this from Orange County. The
decline comes as a result of a slow economy, security concerns,
and a general reassessment by the public of its options regarding
travel.
The SCAG 2002 Regional Transportation Plan
forecasted demand to be around 93-94 MAP by this time. The
RTP is being revised for 2004.
Data for this report was gathered by Nicolas
Dzepina.
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