News
- March 2000News
- March 2000WHAT'S HOT - Click on date. Complete story is below.
Website Direct, March 31, 2000
County will hold public hearing to spend $4.9 million
Citizens for Safe and Healthy Communities Direct, March
31, 2000
This Morning in Court With Measure F
Website Direct, March 30, 2000
Justify night flights, court orders
Daily Pilot, March 30, 2000
“Irvine council seeking power over El Toro”
“Citing passage of Measure F, Irvine mayor tries to further derail
county's airport project.”
Website Direct, March 29, 2000
Questions to Ask the Navy About El Toro
Website Direct, March 27, 2000
Bits and Pieces of News
OC Register, March 26, 2000
click for enlarged cartoon.
Daily Pilot, March 25, 2000
“Supporters of airport unbending, they say”
“Council leaders and others say nothing has changed since Measure
F was approved by voters March 7.”
Website Direct, March 25, 2000
El Toro Reuse - A Public Health Issue
Website Direct, March 23, 2000
Navy Goes Through the Motions on DEIS
Daily Pilot, Thursday, March 23, 2000
“Time for Plan B?”
“Tom Edwards, local attorney and longtime proponent of El Toro
airport, says it may be time for a new plan.”
OC Register, March 22, 2000
“Supervisors to test Measure F limits“
“ Airport opponents say the law clearly bans El Toro spending,
but the county wants a court to decide.”
LA Times, March 21, 2000
"Tustin Exits Pro-Airport
Group"
"Council takes action in wake of Measure F. Officials also decide
not to join the battle against any expansion of John Wayne"
LA Times, March 21, 2000
“County Order to Cover $450,000 in Legal Fees for
two Anti-Airport Groups"
OC Register, March 18, 2000
“Board told of El Toro losses”
“ Consultant CABACO says it wants to know the county's intentions
regarding facilities.”
Website Direct, March 17, 2000
Navy Hearing at MCAS El Toro on March 23 ******************
LA Times, Friday, March 17, 2000
“Confusion Over Measure F Still Clouding Hall of
Administration”
Newport-Costa Mesa Daily Pilot, and Times Huntington
Beach/Fountain Valley, March 16, 2000
“Sometimes, even politicians change”
“County Supervisor Jim Silva is experiencing deja vu as his constituents
appear to stand on opposing
sides of Measure F debate.”
LA Times, March 16, 2000
“Irvine tries to woo Newport Beach on airport issue”
“Now that Measure F has passed, Irvine officials said there is
common ground to be plowed with El Toro airport opponent.”
Website Direct, March 15, 2000
ETRPA Moves Forward Forcefully
Newport-Costa Mesa Daily Pilot, March 15, 2000
“Argyros pumped $1.2 million into 'No on F'”
Website Direct, March 13, 2000
Citizens for Safe and Healthy Communities prepares
for next battles
LA Times, March 12, 2000
“Measure F: This Man Made It Fly”
“Victory on ballot measure is sweet for Bill Kogerman, behind-the-scenes
operator of campaign and
veteran of two previous anti-airport drives.”
LA Times, Op-ed Comments, March 12, 2000
Comments on Measure F
OC Register, March 11, 2000
“El Toro airport backers file suit”
“ The county, opposed to Measure F, may have to defend it.”
LA Times, March 11, 2000
“One Measure F Group Challenges Another's Fund-Raising”
OC Register, March 10, 2000
“Cities' anti-Measure F stand unheeded”
“Vote tally shows some councils at odds with their constituents.”
Website Direct, March 9, 2000
Reviews on Measure F Victory
Website Direct, March 8, 2000
2:1 Landslide for Measure F - What Now?
Website Direct, March 6, 2000
Vote tomorrow, the sups won’t
Long Beach Press-Telegram, March 1, website posted
March 6
"VOTE YES ON MEASURE F"
OC Register, March 5, 2000
“Measure F holds a solid lead”
“ Anti-airport initiative is also seen as a vote on planning
and growth.”
LA Times, Orange County Perspective, March 5,
2000
“Beyond the Initiative”
LA Times, March 3, 2000
“Absentee Ballots Just That in South County: Absent”
OC Register, March 3, 2000
“Democrats see Cox as vulnerable on airport”
LA Times, March 2, 2000
“Suit Accuses Irvine of Trying to Sway Voters”
“City officials say the action is an attempt by pro-airport forces
to damage their reputation as election nears.”
Newport-Costa Mesa Daily Pilot, March 1, 2000
“El Toro opponents offer to fight John Wayne expansion”
“ Local airport activists say they are suspicious of South County
motives”
Website Direct, March 1, 2000
Cal State Fullerton Poll Results Look Good for
Measure F
(For full articles see L.A. Times at http://www.latimes.com and O.C.
Register at http://www.ocregister.com/news/)
Jan Mittermeier has agendized for the Board of Supervisors' next meeting a public hearing and request to spend an additional $4.9 million on El Toro. The Board is acting pursuant to Section 4 of Measure F which requires a public hearing before any money can be spent on completing the airport environmental impact report or preparing to take the project to a vote of the people. Funds may not be spent on lobbying or promotion of the airport.
It should be an interesting meeting. 9:30 AM Tuesday, April 4 at the Hall of Administration in Santa Ana. Be there. $4.9 million more on the EIR!!!!
The County of Orange, supposedly the defendant in a lawsuit brought against Measure F by Newport Beach and the Argyros-funded Citizens for Jobs and the Economy, didn’t do much defending this morning. Instead, the County brought a countersuit challenging the spending limits built into the Measure.
Tristan Krogius, an attorney and Executive Committee member of Citizens for Safe and Healthy Communities, was in court this morning along with lawyers for CSHC and ETRPA.. The pro-Measure F side promptly challenged and removed Judge Dzintra Janavs. She ruled in favor of the initiative in a pre-election challenge but has created some doubts as to her ultimate position on the issues. The case then was transferred to Judge Jaffen who was challenged by the County.
The third judge, S. James Otero, set a hearing date for Monday morning to hear motions by the County to delay temporarily, implemention of the spending limit of Measure F. The judge will schedule a later hearing to consider requests from Citizens for Safe and Healthy Communities, Bill Kogerman, and ETRPA to intervene as defendants in the case. They will argue that the County is not a suitable defendant.
On balance it was an acceptable but expensive morning. Contributions
to the CSHC legal defense fund are needed. The only place to send
checks for this purpose is to:
CSHC, PO Box 249, El Toro, CA 92630.
In a legal case regarding London’s Heathrow Airport, the Guardian newspaper reports that the European Court of Human Rights said, “night flights might infringe the right to enjoyment of your home.”
The County of Orange, in its draft environmental impact report for El Toro, cited a study at Heathrow airport purporting to minimize sleep disturbances due to airport noise.
The Guardian quotes one of the complaining attorneys as saying, “The area close to Heathrow has become a ghetto of poor housing. Anyone with enough money or a decent job moves out leaving those in low paid jobs behind. Only people who cannot afford to go anywhere else live under the night time flight path.”
“Irvine City Council members unanimously agreed Tuesday to try and wrench authority over El Toro from the Orange County Board of Supervisors. The first step will be a letter to the Department of Defense demanding that the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority again be recognized as the local redevelopment agency [LRA] for the abandoned El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.” A similar letter will go to the Board of Supervisors.
“In 1993, Irvine, Lake Forest and Orange County formed the El Toro Reuse Power Authority to represent communities that would be most affected by the 1999 closing of the base. The Defense Department recognized the group as the [LRA] agency in charge of El Toro's redevelopment and awarded it a $1-million grant to proceed with planning future uses of the base. The group developed [plans for] a commercial airport and some that did not include aviation. But in 1995, a majority of the county's Board of Supervisors voted to withdraw from the Reuse Planning Authority and won recognition as the local planning agency [from the Department of Defense]…. ‘The power over El Toro should revert back to the original planning authority and that authority should revert to its original membership’, Shea said.”
“Bruce Nestande, chairman of the pro-airport group, Citizens for Better Jobs and the Economy [said]. ‘We aren't giving up on El Toro.’”
ETRPA consultants have summarized some questions raised by the Navy's Draft Enviornmental Impact Study for El Toro. They are published here to faciltate citizen comment on the Navy's report. Also see the news brief below.
The final count for the March 7 election shows Measure F winning with 67.3% of the vote. Click for preliminary city-by-city tallies.
The OC Register reports that Deputy Wayne Quint Jr., head of the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs, says that the Musick jail expansion agreement reached in February between the Sheriff and the Cities of Irvine and Lake Forest, and presently stalled at the Board of Supervisors, "is an excellent opportunity to solve the jail overcrowding in Orange County, not only for the foreseeable future but perhaps forever." During the Measure F campaign, Quint was a major spokeperson for the No on F side, stating in one mailer that "If it [Measure F] passes, thousands of convicted criminals could be released from jail to prey on unsuspecting, law-abiding citizens."
The Irvine City Council will meet to consider "a letter to the County and the Department of Defense requesting that the two entities redesignate" the composition of the El Toro Local Redevelopment Authority and put Irvine and Lake Forest back on the LRA. Prior to the passage of Measure A in 1994, this body, which has reuse planning authority, consisted of the 5 supervisors and 4 representatives from the adjacent cities.
“NEWPORT BEACH -- Pro-airport leaders don't appear swayed -- at least not yet -- from their push for an international airport at the closed El Toro Marine Corps Air Station despite a suggestion this week that a compromise plan could be prepared. Former Mayor Tom Edwards, in a letter to the Daily Pilot, outlined steps that could be taken to unite the county against both an El Toro airport and any expansion of John Wayne Airport. … Edwards' steps involve extending John Wayne's court-imposed curfew and flight restrictions -- which expire in less than five years -- and forming a pact with South County cities to spend public money defending any attempt to expand the airport in the future, or build an airport at El Toro.”
“Newport Beach's motivation has always been John Wayne Airport, which sends planes flying over the city's neighborhoods… As the only airport in Orange County, they believe it is vulnerable to expansion once the settlement caps expire in 2005. Mayor John Noyes said city officials have always talked about extending the settlement agreement, with or without Measure F.”
“[Councilman Dennis] O'Neil said the council may have to meet in the coming weeks to reach a consensus on what to do next, and to get input from the public.”
William R. Schell, Ph.D.shares his technical analysis of the air pollution problems which may occur from an airport at El Toro; new in the Issues Section.
The Navy went through the legally required motions of a public hearing on their Draft Environmental Impact Statement this evening. The Navy DEIS is required for the base closure process. The DEIS is a document separate from the County’s Draft Environmental Impact Report, DEIR, which is required by California law.
Roughly 400 residents, overwhelmingly anti-El Toro airport, turned out for the meeting at the MCAS theater. Marine Corp Lt. Col. Ed Gilhooley and Mr. Robert Montana read brief opening statements about the DEIS process. The two Navy presenters said nothing about any of the environmental impacts of the project.
Then, speaker after speaker trooped to the microphone to make statements or ask questions about the study. The Navy presenters did not answer any of these questions at the meeting. Stenographers recorded what was said.
Additional comments and questions will be accepted in writing up until April 24. Within a few days, this website will provide information to facilitate the submission of comments. Unfortunately, the Navy refused our request to provide the DEIS in electronic form so that we could publish it on-line. Furthermore, e-mail comments are not being accepted.
Bert Hack, Mayor of Laguna Woods referenced a 1993 study of noise impacts near LAX that found that those who are 75 years or older can lose 2 years of life expectancy due to airport impacts. He put the Navy “on notice” that it faced “an unbelievable public relations disaster” if an airport is approved.
Other speakers addressed noise issues, pollution cleanup at the base, and the failed County process that lead to the passage of Measure F. The Navy was asked repeatedly, how it intends to justify turning the property over to the County - as Local Redevelopment Authority - when over two-thirds of voters have registered opposition to the County making the reuse decision.
While County planners and consultants have been working regularly with the Navy; this meeting was the first opportunity for public input to the Navy process since November 1996. The Navy process is now almost three years behind schedule due to the County's chaotic planning. It is anticipated that the Navy EIS will end up in court unless major changes are made.
“NEWPORT BEACH -- One of the city's original airport warriors has come up with his own blueprint for a deal between Newport Beach and South County that would both kill plans for an airport at El Toro and prevent an expansion at John Wayne Airport. Former Mayor Tom Edwards, who helped author the 1985 John Wayne Airport settlement agreement, said it is time to "call either the bluff or the commitment" of South County anti-airport leaders…Edwards' proposal comes in the jet wash of Measure F, approved in a landslide victory in the March 7 primary election.”
“The move is the first time anyone high in the pro-airport ranks has expressed interest in South County's frequently offered "olive branch" in the war over a proposed international airport at the closed El Toro Marine Corps base. ‘As the El Toro scenario becomes more and more difficult, there comes a point where you say, 'Let's go to Plan B,’ Edwards said.”
“Bruce Nestande, president of Citizens for Jobs & the Economy, which was founded by Newport Beach businessman George Argyros, was quick to dismiss the idea…. a settlement agreement in court [proposed by Edwards] is not a guarantee. ‘It's just sitting there waiting to be challenged,’ he said. ‘The only guarantee for citizens of Newport Beach to not assume a heavy air transport demand is El Toro.’"
“Leonard Kranser, chairman of a coalition of anti-airport groups, liked Edwards' suggestions. ‘It's very encouraging to see a proposal from someone with Tom Edwards' experience that incorporates no John Wayne expansion and no El Toro airport in one proposal,’ he said.”
“Recently much has been said in the political rhetoric of Orange County, as well as in the pages of the paper, that the city of Newport Beach has to cut a deal regarding John Wayne Airport; and that Supervisor [Tom] Wilson, and others are allegedly prepared to negotiate an extension of the settlement agreement, which expires on Dec. 31, 2005.”
Click here to read the entire Pilot article. To comment, send e-mail to dailypilot@latimes.com with your hometown and phone number (for verification purposes only).
"Pro-airport supervisors will fight to keep the El Toro project on track despite voters' overwhelming approval of anti-airport Measure F on March 7. The Orange County supervisors voted 3-2 in a closed session Tuesday to seek a court order to invalidate or clarify the spending restrictions in Measure F and to suspend them until a court ruling is made."
"Supervisor Cynthia Coad, an airport advocate, said that if the issue is not resolved by April 7, when the new law takes effect, she believes the entire El Toro program … should be halted… 'Measure F passed,' she said. 'I'm in an elected position where I have sworn to uphold the law. Now we have a law that I can't directly interpret. This has to be explained to us.'"
"'In the entire County of Orange, only Supervisors Smith, Silva and Coad don't understand what the words 'cannot spend money' mean,' said Bill Kogerman, chairman of the committee that ran the initiative campaign. 'I believe the rest of us are very clear on what Measure F says: They can't spend money.'"
"Both Wilson and Spitzer said they believe the measure is perfectly clear. 'Everybody had an opportunity to look at every section's validity before it went on the ballot,' Wilson said. 'It was there for review by county supervisors and county counsel, and nobody asked any questions.'"
Bowing to the will of the voters, the Tustin City Council unanimously voted Monday to withdraw from a pro-El Toro airport council and discussed joining the fight against any expansion of John Wayne Airport. About 68% of Tustin residents voted March 7 in favor of Measure F, the anti-El Toro airport initiative, making it the North County city with the highest concentration of "yes" votes.
Mayor Tracy Wills Worley said she did not want the city to join ETRPA
because she feared such a relationship could jeopardize Tustin's efforts
to recycle the Tustin Marine Corps Air Station for city use.
Worley explained that she expects the planning authority will be involved
in lawsuits against the federal government, and Tustin is involved in negotiations
with the Pentagon.
Instead, the council expressed interest in working to halt expansion of John Wayne, which many believe will be enlarged if an El Toro airport is not built.
"I think work that has to be done is blocking the expansion of John
Wayne," said Councilman Jeffery M. Thomas, who opposes an airport at El
Toro. "Let's look at alternatives. I think we have wonderful opportunity
to do something with Ontario [International Airport]."
"A state appellate court has ordered Orange County to cover attorney fees totaling about $450,000 for two anti-airport groups that successfully challenged portions of a 1996 environmental review of plans to build an airfield at the now-closed El Toro base."
"Bill Kogerman, chairman of the second group, said Monday that the reimbursement is more good news on top of the election day passage of Measure F, which will restrict the county's ability to build an airport at the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station."
"County officials had argued that the two groups shouldn't be repaid attorney fees because they had prevailed only on minor technical points."
"Those legal successes stemmed from rulings by San Diego County Superior Court Judge Judith D. McConnell. Last month, she rejected the county's new air-quality findings and ordered a second revision. She had also ordered county officials in 1998 to revise their analysis of how the airport would affect traffic and air quality."
"In other legal matters relating to the airport, an Orange County judge has agreed that a lawsuit challenging the validity of Measure F should be heard by an out-of-county judge."
"San Francisco attorney Richard Jacobs, representing the anti-airport cities, and pro-airport attorney Brad Hertz said Monday that both sides probably will agree to let Jacobs help defend the measure, along with Joe Remcho, representing Citizens for Safe and Healthy Communities."
"Contrary to earlier information provided by the Orange County Registrar of Voters office, Measure F will become law April 7, or 10 days after the election results are expected to be approved March 28 by county supervisors."
Editor: Click here to view the
final decision of the court in Adobe Acrobat format.
“The county is unnecessarily losing money at El Toro, according to consultants hired to manage and maintain the base, including its golf course, stables and RV storage. In a letter to county supervisors this week, CABACO President Hector Armenta said it is unclear to him whether the county even plans to keep the base open to the public.”
“Supervisor Todd Spitzer said he believes Armenta's letter shows ‘county staff is scheming to shut down non-aviation uses’ to make an airport look better by comparison.”
“The four supervisors other than Spitzer could not be reached for comment
Friday. El Toro project manager Michael Lapin did not return telephone
calls Thursday or Friday. Through a spokesman, he issued a statement that
he had not been aware of the firm's concerns, and he now plans to talk
to Armenta and respond to his letter.”
“Ten days after passage … Orange County has no blueprint for dealing with Measure F, which restricts spending on the proposed El Toro Airport. Instead, confusion reigned at the Orange County Hall of Administration on Thursday, even as to when Measure F officially takes effect. …Officials at the Orange County registrar of voters' office said Measure F becomes law on April 27--a full 30 days after supervisors' certification.”
“ There should have been a contingency plan prepared to respond to the inevitable questions arising out of Measure F's passage, supervisors said Thursday. Three supervisors were critical that neither County Executive Officer Jan Mittermeier nor County Counsel Laurence M. Watson had detailed how the county should deal with the new law… ‘The contingency plan should have been presented to us prior to the election,’ said Chairman Charles V. Smith, a member of the board's three-member pro-airport majority. He said the lapse points to a persistent problem. ‘This is what I've been screaming about for two years, the problem with this whole process.’”
“Supervisor Todd Spitzer, an airport foe, said that county management
is ‘in denial’ over the measure's success. Officials with the El Toro Reuse
Planning Authority, composed of eight South County cities that drafted
Measure F, sent supervisors a warning
letter this week insisting that no spending of any kind on El Toro
is allowed without first holding a public hearing.”
The Department of the Navy will hold an obligatory single public hearing on their Draft Environmental Impact Study for El Toro. It will be conducted at the MCAS El Toro Theater on Thursday, March 23 at 7:00 PM. Enter the base from Trabuco Road, a right turn off the Sand Canyon Avenue exit from the 5 Freeway.
The Navy will make a presentation and record all questions and comments
received. The Navy currently supports
the County's plan for an airport at El Toro. A very large turnout
of residents will demonstrate that the people of Orange County reject
the airport proposal. Bring your family, friends and neighbors.
“ Orange County Supervisor Jim Silva is finding himself in a familiar, though perhaps uncomfortable, situation: He is at odds with public opinion… Now that Measure F has passed in a landslide victory -- and in his own district by as much as 59% -- will Silva waver and become the swing vote to doom any change for an El Toro airport? The quick answer is no, he won't. At least not now.”
“Nearly nine years ago, as a city councilman in Huntington Beach, he was on the verge of a critical vote on the controversial Pierside Village project -- a proposal to build a $20-million restaurant complex on the beach ... The project was so hated by the city's residents that it sparked an initiative drive… which passed in November 1990 with nearly 75% of the vote…After a lengthy public hearing came the deciding moment. And Silva, expected to vote "yes" along with his pro-growth colleagues, surprisingly switched his stance and cast a "no" vote.”
“After the vote, Silva
explained
that … the populous had spoken. At the time, he quoted his favorite president,
Abraham Lincoln. ‘Elected officials are to do for the citizens what they
cannot do for themselves in their own individual capacity,’ he said.”
“Renewing its promise to push for permanent flight limits at John Wayne Airport, Irvine City Council members Tuesday invited Newport Beach to join them in battling the proposed El Toro international airport. ‘For six years this issue has divided neighbor against neighbor, community against community,’ said Mayor Christina L. Shea. ‘It's time for a new direction.’”
“Irvine wants neither the El Toro airport nor an expanded John Wayne
because both facilities sit on Irvine's borders. Newport Beach City Manager
Homer Bludau indicated that there could be room for an accord. ‘The City
Council is interested in protecting John Wayne long-term,’ he said. ‘I
think anything that moves us in that direction would be welcome.’ But Newport
Beach Mayor John Noyes, who was unaware Wednesday of Irvine's gesture,
was more circumspect, refraining from comment until he hears from city
officials personally.”
The El Toro Reuse Planning Authority (ETRPA) put the Board of Supervisors on notice that certain airport related expenditures are now illegal following the passage of Measure F. Read Executive Director Paul Eckles March 15 letter to Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Charles Smith.
ETRPA also moved to reassure residents of Newport Beach that the leaders
of South County oppose proposals for expanding John Wayne Airport contained
in the County's Environmental Impact Report. Expansion of JWA was
included in the EIR, presumably to scare residents near John Wayne into
supporting an El Toro Airport. ETRPA
Resolution 2000-07, passed at the last ETRPA Board meeting, addresses
this issue.
“Multimillionaire businessman George Argyros poured $620,000 into the pro-airport campaign in the final week before voters decided the fate of a highly charged ballot measure, according to financial statements. Argyros, who lives in Newport Beach, contributed more than $1.2 million to prevent the passage of Measure F… Argyros has been the main financier for the campaign to bring an airport to the closed U.S. Marine Corps air base at El Toro. Along with the Newport Beach-based organization, the Airport Working Group, Argyros has been at the forefront of the airport debate.”
“The stream of money to support Citizens for Jobs & the Economy -- a group founded by Argyros -- didn't stem the tide of the pro-F sentiment exhibited by voters. The measure passed convincingly by more than a 2-to-1 margin.”
Two groups sought funds for the pro-Measure F side. The lead organization,
Citizens for Safe and Healthy Communities, PO Box 249, El Toro, CA 92630,
raised $70,500 in the final week of the campaign. “A large chunk
of that money -- $56,500 -- was given by a committee to reelect Supervisor
Todd Spitzer.”
The Citizens for Safe and Healthy Communities (CSHC), campaign committee wasted no time, moving ahead to consolidate its 67% to 33% Measure F victory. The Executive Committee of the organization met today and engaged legal counsel for a defense of the initiative in court.
Bill Kogerman, who ran the winning campaign,
was elected Chairman of CSHC to succeed Jeffrey Metzger. The
campaign office is open – on a reduced schedule for now - and plans
are laid to retain the army of “Yes on F” volunteers. Political consultant
Tom Shepard of Campaign Strategies, who played a key role in the success
of Measure F, continues to advise the group. CSHC fundraising will
continue for the legal defense and “whatever battles remain to be won”,
Kogerman said.
“The retired Marine lieutenant colonel finally found himself a winner Tuesday. Kogerman was chief operations officer for Measure F, which passed with 67% of the vote… It was a stunning sweep the likes of which polls failed to predict and proponents could only hope for. ‘Bill Kogerman was absolutely essential to this victory,’ Yes on F spokesman Len Kranser said after the vote.”
“Kogerman's job this time around was running the busy Yes on F campaign headquarters in Laguna Hills, marshaling 5,000 volunteers, signing checks and reviewing direct mail appeals… Kogerman became the behind-the-scenes operator. It was a job that chafed a bit on the often gruff, always outspoken spokesman, whose natural conservatism sometimes led him into collision with the anti-airport coalition's more liberal wing.”
“He made it clear, for example, that he wasn't happy about a second group that formed to raise money for Measure F, a group [the Safe and Healthy Communities Fund] run by activist Ed Dornan, an ally of [Larry] Agran's. On Friday, Kogerman signed a letter with five other Yes on F organizers urging residents not to donate money to the [Irvine-based Fund] group and to send the original [Citizens for Safe and Healthy Communities] Yes on F committee any funds to fight a lawsuit filed against the measure.
“Even Measure F opponents begrudgingly acknowledged Kogerman for coordinating
a commanding army of volunteers. ‘You have to give him credit with doing
a good job,’ said Arturo Montez, who worked in Santa Ana neighborhoods
in the weeks before the election urging residents there to vote no on the
measure.” and blamed the No side’s loss on lack of money... “But money
didn't swing the election, Kogerman said. Not with the kind of support
that the measure received. ‘We were able to tap the core and heart of the
community and we tapped it across the county,’ he said. ‘Obviously, I was
thrilled. I've led lots of men in the military but this was definitely
one of the finest hours.’"
Hugh Hewitt. “I was an early and vocal proponent of an airport at El Toro… wrongly. [It turned into] a community-destroying, round-the-clock La Guardia at Lake Forest. The electorate has spoken with finality on an airport at El Toro; it’s time for the politicians to move on.”
Mark P. Petracca “In the truly epic and ongoing saga of ‘George Argyros vs. the People of Orange County’ the third time was the charm for the people – big time.”
Supervisor James W.
Silva “The three supervisors in the majority have no personal
agendas with regard to this airport, merely a concern for the future needs
of our county.”
“El Toro airport supporters filed a lawsuit Friday to upend anti-airport Measure F, which county voters overwhelmingly approved this week. The Orange County Superior Court suit states that the initiative is unconstitutional. Measure F backers say great care was taken to ensure that it is legal. The suit names the county as the defendant — which sets up a bizarre scenario that could make the board majority defend a measure it opposes.”
"’Our county counsel cannot stand up and say his office is impartial." said Supervisor Todd Spitzer, a Measure F backer, adding that he doesn't want the county to defend the initiative.” Editor: The El Toro Reuse Planning Authority (ETRPA), the eight city coalition whose attorneys drafted Measure F, and the Citizens for Safe and Healthy Communities, the campaign committee that collected petitions and ran the successful election effort, both said that they will defend the measure and expect to win.
"’It's standard practice for losers in initiative campaigns to file lawsuits, to try to do through the courts what they have not been able to do at the ballot box,’ said Len Kranser, a Measure F spokesman.”
“Plaintiffs include Newport Beach; the Airport Working Group, made up
of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa residents; and its consultant, David Ellis,”
and the George Argyros-backed Citizens for Jobs and the Economy.
“Organizers of a successful anti-airport ballot measure that passed overwhelmingly Tuesday”, the Citizens for Safe and Healthy Communities, sent an e-mail cautioning contributors that a second committee with a similar name, the Safe and Healthy Communities Fund, had “’diverted money from the main campaign’ …The letter was signed by a half-dozen heavyweights in the anti-airport fight, including Bill Kogerman, chief operations officer of Citizens for Safe and Healthy Communities; Jim Davy, who led the petition drive to qualify Measure F for the ballot; and Len Kranser, the committee's communications director.”
“Kogerman said the creation of the second group fractured fund-raising
efforts and confused donors because the names of the groups are so similar.
‘It's unfortunate and, I can assure you, it's sad that any splinter group
would try to take credit for Measure F over [the committee's] 5,000 volunteers,’
Kogerman said.” Spokesmen for both groups agreed that the rift would not
interfere with the legal defense of the initiative.
“A majority of voters in 31 of 33 Orange County cities punched their ballots for Measure F on Tuesday, sending the measure to a broad-based victory. The measure lost only in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa.”
“In south-county cities, where residents long have fought El Toro airport plans, support for Measure F was as high as 93 percent. But in central- and north-county cities, the level of support for Measure F was less expected. There, the outcome suggests that many residents are at odds with their leaders: 15 city councils opposed Measure F, but voters in 13 of those cities rejected that advice.”
“Now, political leaders who back an El Toro airport — and who opposed Measure F — are left to figure out what the outcome means and where to go from here… [Orange City Councilman Dan] Slater said ‘it's wrong to thumb our noses at what the voters said.’ He said he disagrees with suggestions from some of his colleagues on the pro-airport Orange County Regional Airport Authority that they should try to repeal Measure F with a ballot measure in November.”
“Seal Beach's numbers surprised Councilwoman Patty Campbell — 56.5 percent approved of Measure F. ‘It was like, 'huh?' ,said the councilwoman, who also serves on the OCRAA. ‘Obviously, we are not getting through to them.’"
Editor: Or the voters have yet to get through to their electeds.
“Laguna Woods Mayor Bert Hack, whose city led the way for Measure F with
93 percent. ‘You are seeing people saying, 'Our leaders are out of touch.'"
The Times and Register both editorialized on "Time for a New Look at El Toro" by the Supervisors, but the most important editorial message came from the Newport-Costa Mesa Daily Pilot. "Newport Beach leaders need to strike a deal with their South County enemies: If you help us freeze John Wayne in its current state, we'll stop our push for an airport at El Toro. There's got to be enough political muscle on both sides to get Reps. Chris Cox, Ron Packard and Dana Rohrabacher to pass federal legislation that would forever limit the flights and hours of operation at John Wayne. We need to face up to the truth. The current and expensive pro-El Toro airport strategy has been a failure."
We encourage our website viewers to repond positively to this editorial by e-mail to the Pilot.
The Times reports that Measure F swept very city in the County, except Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, and all 5 supervisorial districts. Click for details that will be updated as they are analyzed.
The Register reported on how "Grass-roots fed Measure F backing" with
an inside look at how the campaign shaped up and why no attempt to overturn
Measure F at the polls is likely to succeed. Click
for the entire story.
Orange County voters sent a resounding message to their County Board of Supervisors in yesterday's election. The 67 percent vote for the passage of Measure F was more than just a rejection of the El Toro airport, which is now opposed by a majority of county residents. It is a rejection of a planning process and approach by the three member majority of the Board that ignores legitimate community concerns and seeks to impose projects on an unwilling electorate. It is a watershed event like the passage of the tax- limiting Proposition 13 in 1978, reaffirming the principle of government by the “consent of the governed”, that is central to our democracy.
Supervisor Todd Spitzer told a cheering crowd of Measure F supporters that, “This is the greatest event since the Boston Tea Party. You changed the law and changed forever how the government will work for the citizens of Orange County.”
Attorney Richard Jacobs, the principal drafter of the initiative, pointed out that Measure F “imposes severe limits on County expenditures relating to El Toro.” He said that, “After tonight, the County can not spend a single penny” without voter approval on activities such as lobbying for the airport in Washington or Sacramento, on public relations, funneling money to pro-airport groups, or legislative lobbying. Anti-airport forces are expected to take legal action against any such County spending.
Supervisor Charles Smith arrogantly indicated that the County may continue with its El Toro project in defiance of the will of the people and the new law of the land.
Airport proponents in Newport Beach also renewed their promise to attack Measure F in court. Measure F attorneys expect it to withstand any additional legal challenges. Meanwhile, South County communities are reaching out to John Wayne airport neighbors, since the measure restricts expansion of JWA, as well as construction of El Toro.
The status of an agreement negotiated between the Sheriff and two South County cities for the expansion of Musick jail is now thrown into question. Measure F requires two thirds approval of large jails in residential neighborhoods, as well as for airports and toxic landfills. Supervisors Smith, Silva and Coad stalled accepting the agreement because of airport related politics, and now they may have lost an opportunity to resolve the jail issue.
MEASURE F RESULTS
| Time of posting: | 5:25 AM FINAL |
| YES on Measure F: | 383,783 (67%) |
| NO on Measure F: | 189,140 (33%) |
| Precincts reported: | 1929 of 1929 |
The Board of Supervisors will meet tomorrow but with Supervisor Coad on vacation, Chairman Chuck Smith is expected to duck two hot items until after the election. The Board agenda included an item for lobbying in Sacramento, to change state laws that relate to El Toro and Musick jail. It has been pushed back to March 21. One change sought would bar Irvine from annexing El Toro and Musick. Another change would liberalize the rules for approval of contracts in connection with the airport. Without Coad, the item will not get the 3-2 vote required for passage.
Not formally agendized, but certainly overdue for discussion, is the agreement between the Sheriff and the Cities of Lake Forest and Irvine for a compromise expansion of Musick jail. The Board majority has been stalling action on this so that the anti-Measure F forces can continue their law-and-order scare campaign against the initiative. Had the agreement been accepted by the Board, opposition to Measure F from the Sheriff, DA and deputies’ union would have dried up.
Please be sure to vote so that the outcome is a clear decisive message.
If you did not receive your absentee ballot in time, you can still vote
at your polling place. If you were previously registered in O.C.
but have moved to a new address, there is a procedure for reregistering
at the polls.
"Voters in Orange County will make an unusual choice Tuesday about whether
to let a minority of the
electorate decide big land-use projects at the ballot box. That's what
Measure F would do, and in this
case, minority rule is not such a bad thing. The real issue, of course,
is the proposed regional airport at the former El Toro Marine Air Station.
Opponents put Measure F on the ballot because traditional attempts to block
the airport weren't working."
“Voters are throwing their support behind Measure F, according to a new Orange County Register poll that finds the anti-airport initiative backed by 45 percent of those surveyed. Twenty-nine percent said they oppose it; 26 percent are undecided. Among those likely to vote Tuesday, support grows: 48 percent in favor, 30 percent opposed, 22 percent undecided.” The initiative is leading in both north and south county.
“Only 4 percent said their position has changed since they first heard of Measure F. While 44 percent of those polled said they view Measure F mostly as a vote on the county's plan for an El Toro airport, a large block — 24 percent — said it is more about planning and growth. Eleven percent said it is about both.”
Also in today’s Register, Commentary Section, UCI Professor Dennis Aigner
deflates an Orange County Business Council report which attempts to show
that airports have limited negative impact on property values. In
“The untold story of El Toro and property values”, Professor Aigner writes
that “The preponderance of evidence form the academic literature supports
a degradation of property values within noisy areas under the flight path”.
The Times editorializes that,
“at El Toro, it is the base reuse process that has fallen flat.”
“First among county priorities with or without Measure F ought to be
the restoration of sanity to the process…the derailed base reuse process
has disenfranchised those who will have to live with what comes next at
El Toro.”
“We have said that resolving the impasse at El Toro turns in large part on the need to ensure that communities surrounding the base are represented adequately on the LRA. The righting of the federal base reuse procedure is therefore paramount… The federal base reuse guidelines instruct the LRA, which is limited currently to county supervisors, to develop the complete support of affected communities. Whether the initiative passes or fails, a reconfigured and more inclusive authority will be needed to bridge the credibility chasm and produce something for the base site that can win community acceptance.”
Editor: We agree with the Times that the federal government, which
designated the County as the Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA), must
rectify its error. We support a return to the pre-1994 LRA - which
consisted of the 5 supervisors, 3 city council member from Irvine – the
city in which the base is located - and 1 council member from the adjacent
City of Lake Forest. A large pro-Measure F vote will send that message
to Washington.
“Nearly 2,800 absentee ballots weren’t mailed in time for South County residents to return them in time before Tuesday’s election… Most of the ballots were requested from Aliso Viejo, Laguna Beach and other South County cities.”
“Voters who mailed ballot applications and didn’t receive them can still
vote, but they must do so in person Tuesday, or by obtaining an emergency
absentee ballot,” from the registrar of Voters in Santa Ana.
Four contenders for the democratic nomination in Christopher Cox’ 47th congressional district are anti-airport. Republican Christopher Cox’s stance opposed to a county airport but receptive to a private one, “struck some as fence straddling” and “four anti-airport foes are clamoring for the chance to take on Cox.”
Editor: It may add interest to the November campaign and push Cox
to take a position more acceptable to the bulk of the residents in his
district which includes Irvine and Laguna Woods.
A lawsuit was filed, “accusing the city of Irvine and four council members of improperly using nearly $300,000 in city funds to urge greater voter turnout in Tuesday's election. Michael Schroeder, an attorney who lives in Irvine, alleges in the suit… that the city violated the state law that bars governments from spending public money to advocate positions in elections.”
“In November, Irvine became the first city in the state to authorize a program to register voters and urge citizens to go to the polls. The program included mailing registration forms and appeals, sending absentee-ballot applications and contacting voters on election day. Three other cities--Dana Point, Laguna Hills and Mission Viejo--later joined the Vote 2000 program.” The program does not advocate any position on any ballot issue.
“Council members… painted the lawsuit as an attempt by pro-airport forces
to damage Irvine's reputation as the election nears. ‘It's a desperate
act by the pro-airport people because they know they're going to lose,’
[a Councilman] said. "Talk about wasting taxpayer money, having to defend
the city and the City Council against something like this."
ETRPA, “A coalition of South County cities extended an olive branch -- possibly for the last time -- to residents near John Wayne Airport by officially opposing the expansion of the county's only airfield. Members of the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority recommended Monday that the Orange County Board of Supervisors eliminate two alternative plans to expand John Wayne Airport from its proposed airport at the closed El Toro Marine Corps base. The two alternatives that call for John Wayne's expansion were part of an environmental impact report on the El Toro project.”
“However, local airport activists have said they do not want to eliminate the John Wayne expansion alternatives -- the same scenarios they use to campaign for an El Toro airport. Eliminating the alternatives could make the environmental report incomplete, and perhaps invalid under state law.”
“El Toro opponents have on several occasions offered to join forces
with Costa Mesa and Newport Beach residents in fighting future expansion
of John Wayne Airport, and have been turned down each time. Meg Waters,
a spokeswoman for the coalition, said South County officials are still
willing to meet with Newport-Mesa residents about forging a union to stop
any build-out at the airfield.”
Cal State Fullerton Center for Public Policy released results today from a follow up poll on Measure F. The February poll found Measure F leading by “almost a 2:1 margin countywide” amongst decided voters. The breakdown is 51% YES, 28% NO and 21% undecided. There was no significant movement in this overall data from a similar November poll.
A geographic breakdown of decided voters found the initiative ahead in both North and South County. However, CSUF reports, “North county likely voters showed less support for Measure F in February than they had shown in November.”
North County is being scared with mailers from the “No” side, claiming
that Measure F will either cause criminals to be released early or will
force North County cities to build jails in their communities. The
truth is that Measure F forces the County to build new jails where they
belong, away from homes, schools and parks. The County can’t build
a large jail within a half-mile of residences, without getting approval
from two thirds of the voters. Last
chance to write a letter to the newspapers on this.
Click here for previous news stories
