NEWS- June 2003
Today's Headlines
- click on date for story
El Toro Info Site report, June 30, 2003
AWG and OCRAA sue to block annexation
El Toro Info Site report, June 30, 2003
Congressmen weigh in for Orange County
El Toro Info Site report, June 30, 2003
Investigating LA's El Toro airport plan
El Toro Info Site report, June 27, 2003
The Case for Intercity Rail
El Toro Info Site report, June 26, 2003
SNA Flight tracker online
El Toro Info Site report, June 26, 2003
Erecting one more obstacle to an El Toro airport
El Toro Info Site report, June
25, 2003
Agran sets the record straight for Hahn
LA Times, June 25, 2003
"Irvine Votes to Form Great Park Corp."
LA Times, June 24, 2003
"John Wayne Set to Expand Flights"
OC Register, June 24, 2003
"OCTA's SCAG bid on hold"
El Toro Info Site report, June 23,
2003
"Knee-jerk" attempt to put Smith back on SCAG
board is blocked
Orange County Business Journal, June 23,
2003
"Readying for Takeoff-
JWA
LA Times, June 22, 2003
"El Toro Airport's Chances Fading"
El Toro Info Site report, June 21, 2003
Meanwhile, at ALUC, more stalling
Orange County Register, June 20, 2003
"Smith, stripped of his appointment,
cries foul"
"O.C. supervisor calls colleagues' vote 'political
retribution.'"
Los Angeles Times, June 20, 2003
"Navy Says No to L.A.'s El Toro Plan"
"Affirming that the land sale will proceed, the acting
secretary vows to oppose the city's bid to lease the former Marine
base for an airport."
Laguna Niguel News, June 19, 2003
"ETRPA Chair Mimi Walters says Los
Angeles is 'out to lunch' on El Toro"
Orange County Weekly, June 19, 2003
"This Just In: El Toro Airport still
dead"
OC Metro Editorial, June 12 edition, June 19, 2003
"FORGET IT, MAYOR HAHN"
"A new attempt by Los Angeles to revive El Toro Airport
just won’t fly".
Orange County Register, June 18, 2003
"Smith may lose post on SCAG"
"Supervisors vote to remove him from association
board. But OCTA will consider a move to keep him in the position."
Los Angeles Times, June 18, 2003
"New El Toro Battle Costs Official
a Seat"
"Fellow supervisors yank airport advocate Chuck Smith
from a regional board. They say it restores a balance. He calls it
'retribution.' "
Orange County Register, June 17, 2003
"County supervisor removed from planning
board"
El Toro Info Site report, June 17, 2003
Tom O'Malley added to Airport Land
Use Commission
El Toro Info Site report, June 17, 2003
OCRAA strongly urges DOT Secretary
Mineta to consider Los Angeles’s request to operate El Toro
Orange County Register, June 17, 2003
"Peers try to save Smith's position"
"Despite effort, his El Toro stand may cost supervisor
a regional post"
El Toro Info Site report, June 16, 2003
Chuck Smith and Jim Silva solicit
Norman Mineta’s help
San Diego Union Tribune, June 16, 2003
San Diego weighs in once again on
the El Toro issue
Orange County Register, June 15, 2003
"L.A. wants to spread its disease"
Los Angeles Times, June 15, 2003
"It's Fourth and Long for Airport
at El Toro"
"Is this any way to convert a Marine base?"
El Toro Info Site report, June 14, 2003
Los Angeles State Senator Kevin Murray
introduces El Toro Airport Bill
El Toro Info Site report, June 13, 2003
Tom Wilson’s El Toro update is reassuring
Orange County Register, June 13, 2003
"L.A.'s bid for El Toro doesn't fly
"
"Navy rejects latest effort to revive plan for commercial
airport at base"
Los Angeles Times, June 13, 2003
"County Coalition Backs L.A. on El
Toro"
"City officials and two county supervisors ask U.S.
agencies to consider the needs of the region when weighing airport
bid"
Daily Breeze, June 12, 2003
"El Toro inquiry raises eyebrows"
El Toro Info Site report, June 12, 2003
SCAG leaders ask Wilson to flip-flop on Smith
El Toro Info Site report, June 12, 2003
Measure V upheld
El Toro Info Site Report, June 11, 2003
Editorial comments
El Toro Info Site Report, June 11, 2003
The other Heritage Fields website
LA Times, June 11, 2003
Divided O.C. Board Seeks Airport Halt
El Toro Info Site Report, June 10, 2003
Los Angeles proposal on El Toro made public
El Toro Info Site Report, June 10, 2003
Results are needed from LAWA passenger survey.
LA Times, June 10, 2003 - updated
"L.A. and O.C. Rev Up Fight Over El Toro"
"An airport plan could get help in Sacramento. But Orange County
will ask the feds to quash it."
El Toro Info Site report, June 9, 2003 - 11:45
AM
Tom Wilson dumping Chuck Smith from SCAG
OC Register, June 9, 2003
"El Toro airport debate is back on the radar"
LA Times, June 8, 2003
"Does L.A. Want Our Beaches as Well?"
El Toro Info Site report, June 7, 2003
More quotes about the LA plan -
a survey of today's press
OC Register, June 7, 2003
"Airport issue flies again"
El Toro Info Site report, June 6, 2003 - 5:20 PM
Congressman Cox says No Airport
El Toro Info Site report, June 6, 2003 -
4:30 PM
"Los Angeles is not the godfather to us all.
LA Times, June 6, 2003
"L.A. Asks for Airport at El Toro "
"A secret memo urges the U.S. to let the city run a commercial
operation at the former base. Strong Orange County opposition is
expected.
El Toro Info Site report, June 6. 2003
AWG financials disclosed
OC Register, June 4, 2003
"Proposal could add 2 airlines to John Wayne's
lineup"
El Toro Info Site report, June 3, 2003 -updated
Centerline defeated in Irvine
El Toro Info Site report, June 3, 2003
Park Conservancy event
Chicago Daily Herald, June 1 2003, posted June 2,
2003
"O'Hare opposition quashed"
OC Register Readers React, June 1, 2003
"Wilson campaign is raw deal for O.C.
voters"
Click here for previous
news stories
El Toro Info Site report, June 30, 2003
AWG and OCRAA sue to block annexation
Barbara Lichman of the Airport Working Group has notified the City of
Irvine that AWG and the Orange County Regional Airport Authority, OCRAA,
are filing litigation challenging the City Council's certification of the
Great Park Environmental Impact Report. Lichman's letter came on the last
possible day for taking such action.
The litigation
was expected and was discussed on this website as one likely scenario
regarding the annexation and sale of the base property. Fortunately, the
Board of Supervisors has removed Supervisor Smith from his position as OC
representative to SCAG, thereby lessening his ability to capitalize on any
delay caused by this lawsuit.
LAFCO, the agency evaluating the annexation request is continuing its
efforts with a target date of late October or early November to complete
the process.
El Toro Info Site
report, June 30, 2003
Congressmen weigh in for Orange County
Representatives Ken Calvert (R-44) and Gary Miller (R-42) co-signed a
June 19 letter to H.T. Johnson, Acting Secretary of the Navy, opposing the
Los Angeles bid to take over El Toro. They call the LA effort "an affront
to the voters and residents of Orange County." Calvert and Miller join congressional
colleague Chris Cox in supporting Navy "efforts to move forward with the
current plan to auction the land at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro."
Calvert's district includes San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente. His
local office phone number is 949-496-2343.
Miller's district includes Anaheim, Brea, La Habra, Mission Viejo, Placentia,
Rancho Santa Margarita, Yorba Linda, and Las Flores. The phone number in
Brea is 714-257-1142.
It might be helpful to call and register your thanks for their sticking
up for Orange County regarding the reuse of El Toro.
El Toro Info Site report,
June 30, 2003
Investigating LA's El Toro airport plan
A June 25th El Toro Reuse Planning Authority letter, signed by Paul Eckles,
asks Los Angeles officials for all records pertaining to the April 9, 2003
memorandum to Transportation Secretary Mineta. The April memo outlines
LA's proposal to take over El Toro. The ETRPA request is filed under the
California Public Records Act (CPRA).
Among other documents, ETRPA specifically seeks "the identity of all
of the persons who prepared the Memorandum, . . . who approved the Memorandum,
. . . [and] all decisions made by or actions taken . . . to approve or adopt
the proposition that LAWA would construct and/or operate a commercial airport
at El Toro."
The
37-page memorandum to Mineta originally was uncovered by a public records
act request from the Los Angeles Times. The act is a powerful tool
for exposing governmental actions to public scrutiny.
This website has a CPRA request pending with LAWA for information regarding
an
unpublished 2001 passenger survey at LAX and Ontario.
El Toro Info Site report,
June 27, 2003
The Case for Intercity Rail
R.E.G. Davies, Curator of Air Transport, Smithsonian National Air and
Space Museum makes the case for intercity high-speed rail. At the "Wright
Stuff" conference hosted by UC Berkeley to mark the 100th anniversary
of the Wright brothers' flight, Davies offered the keynote address, "Directions
of Air Transport in the 21st Century."
He concludes: "In Europe and Japan, [high speed rail] is taking
over much of the short-haul work from the airlines, which are thereby relieved
of the pressure to provide high-frequency service on short, busy, and often
loss sustaining routes. The United States should follow suit."
Click
here for more, just posted, from Davies' talk that helps to explain
the push for more airports in Southern California and why regional forecasts
of future aviation demand may be overstated..
El Toro Info Site report,
June 26, 2003
SNA Flight tracker online
John Wayne airport unveiled its version of a real time flight-tracking
system today. The program shows arriving and departing aircraft patterns
projected onto an area map, as they occur and for previous flights. The
John Wayne tracker is provided by the same firm that produced the LAX flight-tracker
previously publicized here.
Connections to both systems are on our website's Links page.
El Toro Info Site
report, June 26, 2003
Erecting one more obstacle to an El Toro airport
The Board of Supervisors has agendized two related items, #67 and
#80, for their next July 1 meeting to remove all avigation easements
around the former El Toro Marine base. The Board is expected to
officially rescind the easements. The action includes a resolution to the
recalcitrant Airport Land Use Commission. ALUC has dragged its feet on recognizing
the ultimate non-aviation use of El Toro.
The now-obsolete easements protect airport operators from being sued
for damages to property values caused by noise from low-flying aircraft.
Activist Ron Steinbach proposed to Committee for Safe and Healthy
Communities, CSHC, grass roots leaders that the easements be repealed.
His suggestion was submitted to Supervisor Tom Wilson as part of
a package of obstacles to be erected against an airport. Wilson and his
staff made it happen, expediting the measure through several necessary
administrative steps including a General Plan amendment and a Planning Commission
hearing yesterday.
Thousands of residents in Aliso Viejo, Irvine and other South County
cities have
these easements in their home purchase documents. With the finalization
of this action, any future airport operator at El Toro would face major costs
to soundproof homes or to purchase the right to fly over at less
than 1,500 feet without being sued.
El Toro Info Site report,
June 25, 2003
Agran sets the record straight for Hahn
Irvine Mayor Larry Agran, in a June 25, 2003 letter, takes Los
Angeles Mayor James Hahn to task for a secret attempt to take over El
Toro. He expresses "outrage" at Hahn's "arrogant disregard of Orange
County voters."
"In many ways, this protracted countywide debate [over El Toro
reuse] exemplifies what is best about living in a country and in a state
with strong and vibrant democratic institutions. Contrast this with your
proposal, which was drafted in secret and sent off to . . . Transportation
Secretary Norman Mineta, without even a hint of your intentions to the
City of Irvine."
"We are not a land-use-colony to be exploited by Los Angeles. With
a population of three million residents, Orange County is the second
most populous county in California, and the sixth most populous county
in the entire nation. We have an identity and a collective will of our
own." Agran wrote.
LA Times, June 25,
2003
"Irvine Votes to Form Great Park Corp."
"The Irvine City Council voted Tuesday to form a nonprofit corporation
to develop and manage a large park it envisions at the closed El Toro
Marine base."
"As prospects appeared to dim for Los Angeles city officials'
latest efforts to revive an El Toro airport, Irvine moved ahead with
plans to turn much of the 4,700-acre base into parkland."
"The nonprofit would be governed by a seven-member board of directors
appointed initially by Irvine council members. Directors would serve
four- or five-year terms. On subsequent boards, the council would continue
to appoint two members. The corporation would collect $200 million in
fees from developers who are expected to build homes and businesses on
16% of the base. The money, combined with $153 million in other assessments
and bonds, would then be used to build the park, city officials said."
"Great Park visitors, residents and businesses also would pay
fees for the upkeep of facilities."
Also "Tuesday night, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
voted to support the move by the city [of LA] to operate an airport at
El Toro. The vote to send a letter of support to federal officials was
4 to 1, with Supervisor Mike Antonovich [a Palmdale airport
advocate] opposing."
"Angry Irvine council members also agreed to take out informational
ads in area newspapers condemning Los Angeles' proposal."
LA Times, June 24, 2003
"John Wayne Set to Expand Flights"
"Frontier Airlines is gearing up to begin [Denver] service at
John Wayne Airport, and 11 existing carriers are set to add flights in
the first major expansion at the regional airport since 1990."
"Supervisors last month boosted the number of passengers who
can use the terminal each year — from 8.4 million to a maximum of 10.3
million through 2011, rising to 10.8 million through 2015."
"The expansion will secure John Wayne's place as the second busiest
commercial airport in Southern California."
"Newport Beach has fought for years to limit service from the
airport because departing planes fly over homes along Upper Newport Bay."
"The expansion means the average number of flights from Orange
County's only commercial airport could jump from about 115 a day to
as many as 140 a day immediately. Pinpointing the actual number of flights
is difficult because of the settlement's complicated noise-based formula."
"The growth in flights at John Wayne Airport eventually will
mean adding another terminal with six gates. Architectural and design
work is expected to begin next year."
Click
here for the entire report.
OC Register, June 24, 2003
"OCTA's SCAG bid on hold"
"A bid to have the Orange County Transportation Authority join
a regional planning board and appoint Supervisor Chuck Smith its representative
was grounded temporarily Monday."
"The OCTA board pushed aside a request by its chairman, Tim
Keenan of Cypress, for immediate action, voting unanimously to first
study the value of joining the Southern California Association of Governments."
"The catalyst for Smith's removal was his vocal support for
a recently revealed – and largely discounted – effort by Los Angeles
to take over the former El Toro Marine base property so it could build
a commercial airport."
"'The Orange County Transportation Authority has never taken
a position on El Toro. Why suddenly choose to become embroiled in this
controversy?' asked Paul Willems of Laguna Niguel," one of many speakers
all opposed to the move.
"The OCTA vote means that agency staff and two committees will
study the matter, a process Keenan said might take three weeks."
Website Editor: Click
here for the full Register article and the Times report headlined
"Supervisor Smith Still Off SCAG". The website's first-hand
report from yesterday's meeting is posted below.
El Toro Info Site report,
June 23, 2003
"Knee-jerk" attempt to put Smith back on SCAG board
is blocked
Orange County Transportation Authority Chairman Tim Keenan
and SCAG President Bev Perry were blocked,
today, in an ill-conceived effort to have OCTA join SCAG and reinstall Supervisor
Chuck Smith as the authority's representative. Keenan said the Board of
Supervisors "made a flawed decision" in removing Smith from SCAG. Keenan's
motion ran into a buzz saw of opposition from South County associates
on the OCTA board and from all nine public speakers. The matter was tabled
unanimously and returned to OCTA staff for study.
The motion to table was made by Supervisor Chris Norby and
seconded by Laguna Niguel Councilmember Cassie de Young who cut short
a family vacation and flew in for what was expected to be a close vote.
Keenan twice referred apologetically to his motion to join SCAG and name
Smith as OCTA's rep as a "knee-jerk reaction" on his part.
Supervisor Bill Campbell offered to represent OCTA , in lieu
of Smith, if the Board decided that is wanted to join SCAG.
The public speakers, including ETRPA President Mimi Walters,
Laguna Wood Councilman Bert Hack and seven concerned citizens, repeatedly
hammered on the theme that OCTA should not insert itself into the
contentious El Toro debate. They stressed that Los Angeles is trying
to take control of El Toro and that Smith actively supports the LA
plan.
Hack and others pointed out that OCTA needs public support
for controversial projects such as the CenterLine light rail and joining
SCAG could alienate a large portion of the public.
It appears that Smith is now out of the running to become SCAG
President unless that organization changes or ignores its own bylaws
regarding officers.
Orange County Business Journal,
June 23, 2003
"Readying for Takeoff-
John Wayne Airport Passenger Volume Edges Ahead of 2000 Highs,
Though Growth Is Modest"
"It’s been a slow couple of years at John Wayne Airport,
though passenger traffic through the first five months of the year
has returned to the former highs of 2000."
"Barely."
"Passenger travel via John Wayne Airport through May is up
1.6% to 3.2 million versus the same period in 2000. It’s up 4.6% compared
to the first five months of last year".
"The number of general airline flights fell 6.2% to 6,928
in May, versus a year earlier. The flight count is off 2.2% to 33,950
for the first five months of the year."
"The airport allows two cargo flights per weekday—one each
by Atlanta-based United Parcel Service Inc. and Memphis-based FedEx
Corp. The cargo carriers recently had an option to take another flight
each day but passed."
Website Editor: We've updated our summary of
the number of passengers served at John Wayne airport since 1996.
In terms of passenger traffic, John Wayne is the second busiest
airport in Southern California. We
expect survey data from Los Angeles World Airports to demonstrate
that the airport serves most of this county's domestic passenger
needs.
LA Times, June 22, 2003
"El Toro Airport's Chances Fading"
"Using the former Marine base for aviation would require
reversal of a long-standing federal policy of respect for local voters."
"The Navy's opposition to a proposal by Los Angeles to lease
part of the former El Toro Marine base for an airport further tilts
an already uphill climb for airport supporters. The Navy's rejection means the proposal
now teeters on a single, tenuous possibility: that federal transportation
officials . . . would reverse a long-standing policy of letting local
areas determine whether airports are built or expanded."
"Changing decades of federal policy on airport expansion
would take a commitment of cosmic proportions, said Don Segner, a former
associate administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration who
lives in Laguna Beach."
"It is 'vitally important that the federal government consider
the regional implications of the disposition of the El Toro base,'
states a resolution [offered by Supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky and Don
Knabe] to be considered Tuesday by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors."
"'If enacted, this proposal would ensure that regional air
traffic demand is accommodated regionally,' says the resolution,
"There are two scenarios in which Los Angeles' proposal
might stay alive, and both would require federal intervention. The
first is that the Department of Transportation decides to request the
land despite the Navy's objection. So far, Mineta has said he will
refer the Los Angeles proposal to the Navy for review."
"The second is that key congressional leaders pressure transportation
officials to ask for base property for an airport. Doing so would
cross Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach) . . . who has fought for
base property to be sold to the highest bidder. He has pledged to fight
Los Angeles' idea in Washington."
A delaying "lawsuit by pro-airport forces is expected against
Irvine's environmental analysis of its development plans for the
base." Its
purpose would be to allow pro-El Toro efforts to continue.
"Anti-airport lobbyists, meanwhile, have rushed back to
work, arguing that federal intervention in El Toro is unnecessary
and improper. Next week, the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority will
authorize a new contract with its Washington law firm to fight Los Angeles'
efforts."
Click
here for the full story.
El Toro Info Site report,
June 21, 2003
Meanwhile, at ALUC, more stalling
The latest inaction from the Airport Land Use Commission
went largely unnoticed during controversy over Los Angeles' attempt
to take over El Toro and Supervisor Chuck Smith's try to keep his
place in line for President of SCAG. Thursday, ALUC voted 5-2 to
not lift airport-related land use restrictions around El Toro.
Seal Beach City Council member Patricia Campbell moved
that the commission not lift any restrictions at El Toro until after
the land is sold to private developers. Referencing the recent Los
Angeles memo to the Department of Transportation she claimed that prospects
for El Toro airport are not over yet.
New ALUC member Tom O'Malley
and long-time commissioner Denny Harris argued that the commission
was out-of-line in persistently refusing to implement a February resolution
of the Board of Supervisors that terminated plans for an airport at
El Toro.
Orange County Register,
June 20, 2003
"Smith, stripped of his appointment,
cries foul"
"O.C. supervisor calls colleagues' vote 'political
retribution.'"
"Orange County Supervisor Chuck Smith's chances of becoming president of
a regional planning body next year appear grounded – again."
"Tuesday, Smith was stripped by fellow supervisors of his appointment as
Orange County government's representative to the Southern California Association
of Governments, though he is the group's first vice president."
"Smith called his ouster 'the worst kind of political retribution' because
he supports an effort by Los Angeles to build a commercial airport
at the former El Toro Marine base."
Click
here to read Dennis Foley's complete story in the Early Bird News
Los Angeles Times, June 20,
2003
"Navy Says No to L.A.'s El Toro Plan"
"Affirming that the land sale will proceed, the acting
secretary vows to oppose the city's bid to lease the former Marine
base for an airport."
"The Navy's acting secretary pledged Thursday to fight a proposal by Los
Angeles to lease the former El Toro Marine base for a commercial
airport, creating a hefty roadblock to the city's lobbying effort
in Washington."
"Hansford T. Johnson said the Navy is committed to disposing of most of
the base at public auction for a mix of homes, commercial development
and parkland, and has no interest in changing its decision."
"'The Navy fully intends to proceed with [the] public sale,' said Johnson
in his first public statement on the Los Angeles proposal."
"'Public sale is the quickest means by which the department can divest
itself of the property and local governments begin generating tax
revenue.'"
"'I guess Los Angeles can continue spinning their wheels if they want to,'
said Meg Waters, spokeswoman for a 10-city anti-airport coalition, 'but El
Toro's not going to be an airport.'"
Click
here to read the entire Jean Pasco story in the Early Bird News
Laguna Niguel News, June 19, 2003
"ETRPA Chair Mimi Walters says Los
Angeles is 'out to lunch' on El Toro"
"Los Angeles's proposal to take over the former El Toro Marine base and
create a commercial airport, which would handle 29 million annual
passengers each year, has outraged anti-airport activists and elected
officials across south county."
"'We definitely don't stand for Los Angeles coming down here trying to
exert their power,' said Mimi Walters, chair of El Toro Reuse Planning
Authority and a Laguna Niguel City Council member. She added that
Los Angeles has 'no business' telling Orange County what to do with
its land. 'I think they are out to lunch,' she said."
"'Orange County's decision is firm and final,' said Board of Supervisors
Chairman Tom Wilson of Laguna Niguel. 'Supervisors will not tolerate
any attempt by the city of Los Angeles to overturn a local land use
decision made by the voters of Orange County and endorsed by its political
leadership.'"
"'This won't happen without the leadership from Orange County,' said Los
Angeles Deputy Mayor Mike Middlebrook."
"Walters emphasized that the proposal 'is not going to happen.' She said
ETRPA had been in contact with both the Navy and the Department
of Transportation."
Click
here to read Marie Ekberg Padilla's complete story
Orange County Weekly, June 19,
2003
"This Just In: El Toro Airport still
dead"
"Contrary to the Los Angeles Times, ecstatic Newport Beach residents and
a bunch of South County politicians weary of defending the massive-developer
giveaway known as the Great Park, the City of Los Angeles has no
secret plan to seize control of the old El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.
No end-run operation, no Hail Mary pass, no last-ditch effort to resurrect
the county’s very, very dead international airport proposal."
"The June 6 Times article that put everyone’s knickers in a twist was based
on an April 9 memorandum written by two Los Angeles city officials—Deputy
Mayor Troy Edwards and LA Board of Airport Commissioners president
Ted Stein."
"A spokesperson for LA mayor Jim Hahn said the city did get a response
from Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, but refused to provide
it"
"Despite its length, the memo is a laughable, rambling, simplistic whine
begging the DOT to start an interdepartmental war in the federal
government over the El Toro base, now entering its fifth year as a
fallow field."
Click
here to read Anthony Pignataro's entire article
OC Metro Editorial, June 12 edition,
June 19, 2003
"FORGET IT, MAYOR HAHN"
"A new attempt by Los Angeles to revive El Toro Airport
just won’t fly".
"It is summer, the season for sequels. But few Orange County residents
have the stomach or the interest for 'El Toro V,' or is it 'VI or
VII?' This county has had enough of the El Toro debate—a decade’s
worth of votes, forums, fliers and verbal free-for-alls on the topic.
As my 15-year old would say, we are over it. Drive north on
Jeffrey from the 405 to Portola Parkway and check out the bulldozers
that are grading housing pads and prepping new shopping centers all within
the former 'no-fly zone.' It’s over. El Toro is finished,
it’s future sealed by a vote of the people a year ago, the end of debate
among the county’s political elite and the Navy’s endorsement of Irvine’s
plan for a Great Park at the former Marine base."
Click
here to read Steve Churm's entire editorial
Orange County Register, June 18,
2003
"Smith may lose post on SCAG"
"Supervisors vote to remove him from association
board. But OCTA will consider a move to keep him in the position."
"Supervisor Chuck Smith's supporters on the county's transportation
authority will try Monday to restore him to the regional planning
post he was stripped of Tuesday by his fellow county supervisors."
"Tim Keenan, a Cypress councilman and chairman of the Orange County Transportation
Authority, wants to keep Smith on the Southern California Association
of Governments governing board."
"The 74-member council steers policy affecting billions of dollars in federal
transportation money for the six-county region. Smith has been a member for
10 years and is in line to be its next president."
"Late Tuesday, Wilson's office sent out a news release with the headline:
'Smith elimination from SCAG complete.'"
"But a maneuver by Keenan may mean the press release was premature."
"OCTA does not currently pay $25,000 of membership dues to get a seat on
the regional council. But Keenan is suggesting that OCTA sign up, and appoint
Smith to the transportation agency's new seat on the regional council. The
11-member OCTA board will consider Keenan's request Monday."
Click
here to read Dennis Foley’s complete story in the Early Bird News
Los Angeles Times, June 18, 2003
"New El Toro Battle Costs Official
a Seat"
"Fellow supervisors yank airport advocate Chuck Smith
from a regional board. They say it restores a balance. He calls it
'retribution.'"
"Renewed debate over building a commercial airport at El Toro claimed its
first political casualty Tuesday when Orange County Supervisor Chuck Smith
was removed as the county's representative on a regional planning agency."
"Smith, who served for 10 years on the regional panel and was in line to
be its president next year, unsuccessfully urged his colleagues to resist
the 'politics of retribution.' He was replaced by Supervisor Chris
Norby, who opposes an El Toro airport."
"But Smith's ouster may be only temporary."
"On Monday, the Orange County Transportation Authority will consider appointing
Smith as its first voting representative to SCAG. The move would
mean paying annual dues of $25,000 but would keep Smith's place in
line to replace Brea Mayor Bev Perry as the panel's president in April
2004."
"Norby, backed by anti-airport forces in his 2002 election, pledged to
consider the transportation needs of the region as the new Orange
County representative. He said Los Angeles operates other airports,
in Ontario and Palmdale, that welcome growth and where growth should
be encouraged." Read
a June 14, 2003 Antelope Valley Press editorial
Click
here to read Jean Pasco’s complete story in the Early Bird News
Orange County Register, June
17, 2003
"County supervisor removed from planning
board"
"Ousted Chuck Smith contends the move by his fellow supervisors to replace
him on the Southern California Association of Governments is retaliation
for his approval of L.A.'s plan to revive talk of an airport at El
Toro. Tom Wilson denies the allegation."
"The county board of supervisors, once again divided over a proposed commercial
airport at the closed El Toro Marine base, today ousted a pro-airport
supervisor from a regional planning board."
"Supervisor Chuck Smith of Westminster was replaced on the Southern California
Association of Governments board by Supervisor Chris Norby of Fullerton,
an El Toro airport opponent "
Click
here to read Dennis Foley's complete"Breaking News" story
El Toro Info Site report, June
17, 2003
Tom O'Malley added to Airport Land
Use Commission
Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Wilson selected Tom O'Malley to fill
a vacancy on the Airport Land Use Commission that was created last
month after Wilson removed Tom Naughton.
O'Malley is Deputy Director of ETRPA. He is a retired United States Marine
Corps Colonel with over 26 years of active service. More than half
of his career as a Marine Aviator was spent at El Toro. He currently
is a key player in the efforts to dismantle plans for a commercial airport
at El Toro.
Naughton is President of the Newport Beach-based Airport Working Group.
He was installed on the ALUC by pro-El Toro Supervisor Chuck Smith.
O'Malley joins Denny Harris of the Committee for Safe and Healthy Communities
as ALUC's second South County member. The other five members, and
ALUC staff, have resisted the Board of Supervisors' February 25th resolution
seeking removal of airport-related development restrictions around El
Toro. Hopefully O'Malley and Harris can enlist two moderate members of
the panel to form a new majority and make the necessary changes.
El Toro Info Site report, June
17, 2003
OCRAA strongly urges DOT Secretary
Mineta to consider Los Angeles’s request to operate El Toro
In a letter to Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, the Orange County
Regional Airport Authority (OCRAA) strongly urges Secretary Mineta
to consider Los Angeles’s request to operate El Toro.
A press release from OCRAA reads:
"June 12, 2003"
"At its June 11th meeting, The Orange County Regional Airport Authority,
a Joint Powers Authority comprised of 14 cities in North Orange County,
adopted a resolution calling upon the Department of Transportation
and the Department of Navy to seriously consider the request by the City
of Los Angeles to operate the former military airport at El Toro as a
commercial airport."
"The passage of Measure W has left Orange County with the same problem
it faced in 1974, when OCRAA was formed and began its search for
a responsible solution to Orange County’s growing air passenger demand.
OCRAA's goal was to assure Orange County’s continued quality of life,
with business growth and job creation to sustain our local economy,
while at the same time, protect our environment through reduced traffic
congestion and air pollution."
"This is not a local issue. The Orange County election results in
2002 are an example of how a group of highly energized NIMBYs can
hold the southern California region hostage to suit its own interests.
The southern California economy demands mobility solutions that protect
our ability to compete in an international economy, and that economy
is based on trade, tourism, technology based industries that have access
to a modern air passenger and air cargo airports."
"'Imagine if the September 11, 2001 attack had been on LAX. The devastation
to our economy would have horrific. We need the additional airport
capacity to protect ourselves from ensure the regions ability to move passengers
and air cargo in the event of a temporary, or extended, shut down of LAX.'"
(Editor’s Note: the above paragraph is as it appeared in the press release)
"The City of Los Angeles has demonstrated its leadership and ability to
operate a regional airport system, and should be given a fair
hearing on its request. Its (sic) time to rise above very local
selfish interests and 'do the right thing' for 'the greater good'
of the Southern California region."
Orange County Register, June 17,
2003
"Peers try to save Smith's position"
"Despite effort, his El Toro stand may cost supervisor
a regional post"
"Supervisor Chuck Smith could lose his seat on a regional planning board
today despite a last-ditch effort by colleagues who say he should
not be removed over his personal support for a commercial El Toro airport."
"Eight city council members from Orange County who sit on the Southern
California Association of Governments regional council signed a letter
to Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Wilson urging him not to oust
Smith. Wilson called for Smith's removal after his recent comments indicating
continued support for the airport. Wilson scheduled a vote to replace
Smith with Supervisor Chris Norby, an airport opponent. A third vote
could come from Supervisor Bill Campbell, who also is against the airport.
Smith probably can rely only on the vote of Supervisor Jim Silva, an airport
supporter."
"Smith, in a letter Monday to his four supervisor colleagues, wrote that
he has never abused his 'position and attempted to facilitate my
personal beliefs concerning the reuse of El Toro' in 10 years on
the regional board. 'What appears clear here are the politics of paranoia
and the policy of scorched earth.'"
Click
here for Dennis Foley's entire story.
El Toro Info Site report,
June 16, 2003
Chuck Smith and Jim Silva solicit
Norman Mineta’s help
In a letter written to the Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta on
June 12, 2003, Orange County Supervisors Chuck Smith and Jim Silva
both expressed profound support for Los Angeles mayor James Hahn’s
proposal to lease El Toro to Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA).
The letter categorized Hahn’s proposal as “…the responsible alternative
for all of the citizens of our region.”
Click
here for the complete text of that letter.
San Diego Union Tribune, June
16, 2003
San Diego weighs in once again on
the El Toro issue
"Los Angeles is on the march again. California's imperial city, which already
controls San Bernardino, Mono, Inyo, Kern and Ventura counties, has its eye
on Orange County, which it used to own."
"Los Angeles wants the Bush administration to give it Orange County's former
El Toro Marine Base to use as a civilian airport for the region."
"Having spent $90 million on four referendums to finally defeat a civilian
airport at El Toro, the Orangers are irate. They have a nice thing
going – sending half their air passengers and 90 percent of their air
cargo to other airports (mostly LAX) – and hate the idea that L.A. could
queer the deal."
"Airports are so messy, so polluting and congesting like a bad cold. Let
others have the colds, Orange County wants sunshine and healthy
air, parks and gated communities where people live the California
dream. Orange groves and swimming pools, palm trees and homeowners'
covenants. That's what they want for El Toro."
"The federal government holds the solution to our airport problems. El
Toro is a better solution than Miramar because it is more central,
would reduce more congestion and pollution, and its Marines already
are gone."
"Mineta knows one or the other must become a civilian airport. Let him
say so. He is a Californian."
Click
here for the entire editorial.
Click
here for April 27, 2002 San Diego story.
Orange County Register, June 15,
2003
"L.A. wants to spread its disease"
"Before we get to the business at hand, let's take a quick tour of the
City of Los Angeles."
"First, we'll take a thrilling, kidney-jolting ride through the potholes
on Pico and Sunset boulevards. Then, we'll cruise along Los Angeles
Street, counting the bindlestiffs and homeless people living in cardboard
condos on the trash-filled sidewalks.
We'll meander through the overpopulated Pico-Union district,
marveling that people in America have to live in such near Third
World-style conditions, and then we'll fume at backed-up major intersections,
where city traffic engineers have not yet grasped the left-turn-bay
concept."
"Later, we'll dodge gangbangers' bullets in south-central L.A., and then
we'll visit Parker Center to ride the death-
defying, heart-in-your-mouth plunge in morale at the undermanned
and underfunded Los Angeles Police Department."
"And finally, we'll stop by L.A. City Hall, a towering edifice presided
over by a wraithlike mayor and an addled-headed City Council - so
addled-headed that even as their city crumbles around them, even as
jobs and investment are already fleeing to friendlier climes, they're
currently spending their valuable time drafting an ordinance requiring
every company doing business with the city to report whether it profited
from slavery a century and a half or more ago. (And, no, I'm not making
that up.)"
"Given what we've seen on our brief tour, it's apparent that L.A. already
has more than its share of problems. In fact, while any number of
good people may live there, as a functioning governmental entity, L.A.
isn't a city; it's a disease."
"And now these L.A. guys want to come down here to Orange County and build
us an airport?"
Click
here to read Gordon Dillow's complete column.
Los Angeles Times, June 15, 2003
"It's Fourth and Long for Airport
at El Toro"
"Is this any way to convert a Marine base?"
"No, but when it comes to El Toro, this is what Orange County is stuck
with."
"Conflicting information. Lack of consensus. Multiple countywide votes
over a decade. Elected supervisors then working against the outcome
of those votes. Los Angeles officials now trying an end run or a Hail
Mary (select your favorite football metaphor) to get its way. Enough intellectual
dishonesty all around to fill several radio talk shows."
"If this is democracy in action, where can we rent a benevolent dictatorship
for El Toro? Why didn't the Marines just tell us what they wanted
done with the base and make it an order?"
"At the moment, we're in the throes of a belated effort from L.A. officials,
aided and abetted by a bloc in Orange County, to persuade the federal
government to resurrect plans for an international airport at El Toro.
Last week, I talked to the two Orange County congressmen who I thought
would know the most about the issue, but even they differed on what
the sequence of events needed to be."
Click
here to read Dana Parson's complete column in the Early Bird News.
El Toro Info Site report, June
14, 2003
Los Angeles State Senator Kevin Murray
introduces El Toro Airport Bill
Los Angeles senator Kevin Murray on Thursday, June 12, 2003, introduced
Bill SR 23 calling for the US Department of Transportation to “preserve
a national aviation asset by approving the City of Los Angeles's offer
to lease the El Toro marine base and operate the facility as a civilian
passenger and cargo airport…” Click
here to read the text of the senate bill.
The Orange County Register reported in a
story published June 13, “The Navy Thursday discounted
last-minute efforts by Los Angeles to resurrect a commercial-airport
plan for El Toro. 'The Navy is working to auction land at the old air
base as part of the Great Park plan', said Lt. Cmdr. Pauline Storum,
a spokeswoman for the Navy in Washington."
"'The Navy has no plans to change its course of action,' Storum said. She
added that the Department of Transportation 'has no jurisdiction over the
property.' "
El Toro Info Site report,
June 13, 2003
Tom Wilson’s El Toro update is reassuring
BOS Chairman Tom Wilson’s El Toro update letter received by many today
reassures Orange County residents that the
secret memo from
LAWA to Bush Administration Secretary of Transportation, Norm Mineta,
fell on deaf ears. In addition, Wilson will ask the OCBOS to
remove Orange County supervisor Chuck Smith as representative to SCAG
and ask that Chris Norby be appointed to the post.
Click
here to read Wilson’s update in its entirety.
Orange County Register,
June 13, 2003
"L.A.'s bid for El Toro doesn't fly
"
"Navy rejects latest effort to revive plan for commercial
airport at base".
"The Navy Thursday discounted last-minute efforts by Los Angeles to resurrect
a commercial-airport plan for El Toro. The Navy is working to auction
land at the old air base as part of the Great Park plan, said Lt.
Cmdr. Pauline Storum, a spokeswoman for the Navy in Washington."
"'The Navy has no plans to change its course of action,' Storum said. She
added that the Department of Transportation 'has no jurisdiction over the
property.' "
"None of this is dissuading pro-airport forces from pushing to convert
El Toro into a commercial airport."
"In a resolution Thursday, the Orange County Regional Airport Authority
said 'it's time to rise above local selfish interest and do the right
thing for the greater good of the Southern California region.' Post
9-11 security procedures have exacerbated airport crowding and made
finding new airports imperative, said Jack Wagner, retired Marine Corps
colonel and executive director of the authority. Fourteen north-county
cities are members of the group."
Clich
here to read Jeff Rowe's complete story in the Early Bird News.
Los Angeles Times, June
13, 2003
"County Coalition Backs L.A. on El
Toro"
"City officials and two county supervisors ask U.S.
agencies to consider the needs of the region when weighing airport
bid."
"A bid by Los Angeles to lease the former El Toro Marine base for a commercial
airport prompted another flurry of letters Thursday to federal transportation
officials, including expressions of support from a coalition of
14 north Orange County cities and two county supervisors."
"The resolution by the Orange County Regional Airport Authority calls on
the Department of Transportation and the Department of the Navy to give Los
Angeles a fair hearing 'by taking into consideration the transportation needs
of the region, the economic benefits of an airport at El Toro to the local,
state and national economy, and the benefits to homeland security.' "
"The letter by supervisors Chuck Smith and Jim Silva, who have long supported
an airport at the base but now make up a pro-airport minority on
the county board, refuted the Navy's argument that its disposal plans
were mandated by the public vote. On the contrary, the Navy disregarded
voters, they said, by making its auction contingent on annexation of
the property to Irvine. The city's takeover removes the land from the
restrictive county zoning passed by voters and boosts the potential
selling price by allowing more intense development."
"'Some of our colleagues will continue to actively argue
that Los Angeles should mind its own business and stop attempting
to dictate an Orange County local land-use decision,' the supervisors'
letter said. 'We would argue that by allowing this existing aviation
facility to be destroyed, they are passively placing an undue burden
on the citizens of Los Angeles and the region as a whole.' "
"' The election results in 2002 are an example of how a group of highly
energized NIMBYs can hold the Southern California region hostage
to suit its own interests,' said an airport authority statement announcing
the 7-to-1 vote to support Los Angeles' effort. Six of the 14 city representatives
were absent, including pro-El Toro airport cities Newport Beach and
Anaheim. The no vote was cast by Yorba Linda's representative, who
wanted the resolution to go before his City Council first."
Click
here for Jean Pasco's complete story in the Early Bird News.
Daily Breeze, June 12, 2003
"El Toro inquiry raises eyebrows"
"Los Angeles City Councilwomen Janice Hahn and Cindy Miscikowski called
Wednesday on Los Angeles World Airports to explain Mayor James Hahn’s
recent inquiry about creating an airport in Orange County."
"Miscikowski, whose district includes LAX, said the Mayor’s Office failed
to inform her about the Orange County proposal until after the document
was leaked to members of the news media."
Click
here for David Zahnizer's complete story.
El
Toro Info Site report, June 12, 2003
SCAG leaders ask Wilson to flip-flop on Smith
Southern California Association of Governments President Bev Perry asked
SCAG leaders to petition Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Wilson on behalf
of Chuck Smith. Wilson is asked to undo his decision to remove Smith as Orange
County's SCAG representative.
Wilson did not act hastily in making his decision. Smith undermined Wilson
by his betrayal of assurances given when he was appointed to the post. It
is inconceivable that he would do a flip-flop on this issue.
Wilson e-mailed to supporters
this week:
"With the original understanding last January that Smith would
provide sorely
needed leadership in regional planning from the Orange County Perspective
at
SCAG, I did recommend that the Board appoint Smith to this position.
However, when Supervisor Smith chose to revisit the dead El Toro Airport
issue and politicize his role, I was left with no choice but to recommend
his immediate removal from SCAG. I expect Board approval of my request."
Supervisor Bill Campbell
has made clear to constituents that he supports the removal of Smith.
Supervisor Chris Norby
has agreed to replace Smith as the county representative to SCAG. He is unlikely
to reverse course given his commitment to local control and the strong anti-El
Toro support for his election to the Board. Norby is a good choice for SCAG
because he comes from the more populous northern part of the county and
has an airport in his city.
El Toro Info Site report, June
12, 2003
Measure V upheld
Wednesday, the California Supreme Court filed its order denying a petition
for review in the Measure V case.
That ends the litigation, and leaves both Measure V and Supervisor Campbell
in place. Orange County will elect replacements in the event of any future
supervisorial vacancies.
El Toro Info Site
Report, June 11, 2003
Editorial comments
Today's Inland Empire Press-Enterprise editorializes "Keep El
Toro grounded. . . [Los Angeles] World Airports should look east
to Ontario to meet expected demand, and take its finger out of the eye
of Orange County voters."
The
OC Register writes it's "El Toro: déjà vu all
over again"
"We opposed Measure W, but were pleased - as was most everyone else
in this county - to see this contentious debate taken off the table. It
was time to move on."
"L.A. officials' latest efforts to rekindle the airport in South County
are outrageous. They have asked the Navy to transfer the base property
to the transportation department, which would then lease the land to Los
Angeles to run a major airport, larger than even local proponents favored.
Clearly, the base-closing process gives the decision to local communities."
"Supervisor Charles Smith, the north county official who supported the
airport, was wrong to show any kind of support for the L.A. plan. It's one
thing to support an airport, quite another to support an attempted end
run around the process by an out-of-towner."
El Toro Info Site
Report, June 11, 2003
The other Heritage Fields website
The official website for El Toro land disposal is www.heritagefields.com.
Now folks in Newport Beach have established the similarly named www.heritagefields.info.
The registered owner is Cathy Grammer-Margolin.
The only information posted on the site so far is a copy of the infamous
37-page LA report, which is also posted on
this site and one in Long Beach. Perhaps we are in for an eventual
replay of the www.ocgreatpark.org website created by the Airport Working
Group and No on W campaign to spread the Great Lie about the Great Tax for
the Great Park.
LA Times, June 11, 2003
Divided O.C. Board Seeks Airport Halt
"Supervisors voted 3 to 2 to write a
letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta opposing
an airport proposal from the office of Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn.
The final sentence asks Mineta, a former congressman from Santa Clara County,
to declare that the federal government isn't interested in using El Toro
for an airport."
"On the losing end of the vote were pro-airport Supervisors Jim Silva
and Chuck Smith, who next week could lose his post as the county's representative
to [SCAG] a regional planning body because of his stand on El Toro."
"Smith vowed Tuesday not to bow to pressure to change his long-standing
support for a commercial airport at the air base . . . Besides, he said,
the regional panel upon which he serves as first vice president doesn't have
the authority to decide where airports are built. He said he has been a
member of the 74-member board for eight years — and it hasn't built an airport
yet."
"In Washington, anti-airport politics thwarted Rep. Jane Harman (D-Palos
Verdes) from offering an amendment to an aviation funding bill that would
have called on regions to 'share the burdens and benefits of air transportation.'
Harman said in a prepared statement that she declined to offer the amendment
after it 'collided with renewed anxiety about El Toro' from a delegation
from Orange County."
On the local front, "The airport battle is already being fought again
in two Republican Assembly races in south Orange County."
"[Tom] Wilson, who is running in the 73rd District, sent a news release
Tuesday labeling opponent Mimi Walters an ally of 'pro-airport activist'
Christi
Cristich, whom she has endorsed in the neighboring 70th District.
On Friday, it was Walters who criticized Wilson — for appointing Smith
to the regional transportation board despite Smith's pro-airport stance."
El Toro Info Site Report,
June 10, 2003
Los Angeles proposal on El Toro made public
We are publishing the entire 37-page memo from Los Angeles to the
Department of Transportation re. Conversion of the Marine Corps Air Station
El Toro to a Commercial Airport. Click here for
the 2.5 MB document in Acrobat format.
The report was sent as a memo from Troy Edwards, Deputy Mayor of
the City of Los Angeles and Theodore Stein, President of the Los Angeles
Board of Airport Commissioners. At the time that the report was prepared,
Stein was also Vice-Chairman of the SCAG Aviation Task Force.
El Toro Info Site Report,
June 10, 2003
Results are needed from LAWA passenger survey.
Last week, a secret plan for Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)
to take control of El Toro was exposed. A proponent of the scheme, Rep.
Jane Harman (D-Venice) is quoted in the LA Times, June 7, as offering
this unsubstantiated attempt at justification. "Orange County is responsible
for the largest increase in air traffic, and they have most of the new
passengers."
A
1993 study for LAWA showed OC residents, and visitors to OC,
amounting to only 8.7% of total passengers using LAX. Updated facts are
needed in view of the many inflated claims being made by partisan participants..
In 2001, LAWA hired MSI International to do a follow-up survey
consisting of over seventeen thousand passenger interviews at LAX and
Ontario. All of the required interviews were completed in the spring and
summer prior to the September 11, 2001 attacks. However, no report of
the findings was ever made public.
On May 20, 2002, the Public Relations Director at LAWA answered
our e-mail query with "We feel strongly that all communities in the
Southern California region accommodate its 'fair share' of the future
passenger and air cargo demand. The 2001 passenger survey is still in
preparation."
According to documents subsequently obtained by this website through
two California Public Records Act requests, MSI International was paid
over $500,000 for the work but the reports required under the contract
allegedly were not prepared. The contractor experienced unspecified
"problems" and was terminated.
We made repeated inquiries about the status of the project over
the past year. To complete the analysis, we were told that "observations
in the database must be properly weighted". Proposals to complete
this task were "due from new contractors on September 23, 2002." After
several additional delays we heard this month that LAWA "expects to
have a final report prepared and released to the public for both airports
by the end of August."
We look forward to receiving the report, which we anticipate will
show that Orange County travelers continue to be a smaller fraction
of those using LAX than claimed by Representative Harman and other El
Toro proponents.
LA Times, June 10,
2003 - update
"L.A. and O.C. Rev Up Fight Over El Toro"
"An airport plan could get help in Sacramento. But Orange County
will ask the feds to quash it."
"Political pressure intensified Monday around an effort by the
city of Los Angeles to take over the former El Toro Marine base as the
city's fifth airport, with a resolution of support readied for introduction
in Sacramento to add state backing."
"Washington officials who could make it happen, however, have
yet to even acknowledge the proposal. And the Orange County Board of Supervisors is expected
today to officially ask federal officials to reject the idea."
Website Editor: This morning, the Board approved the Wilson
letter by a 3-2 vote with Supervisors Smith and Silva opposed. They
asked Transportation Secretary Mineta to publicly reject the LAWA proposal.
Smith said he will not change his mind about supporting an El Toro
airport. Silva said his constituents [Newport Beach] support the airport
project.
"The resolution by state Sen. Kevin Murray (D-Culver City) calls
on the Navy and the Department of Transportation to preserve a 'national
aviation asset' at El Toro - a military air base for 56 years - by approving
the offer by Los Angeles to lease the base from the federal government."
"The resolution will be introduced soon with several sponsors,
he said; a similar resolution is expected to be heard in the Assembly."
"Los Angeles officials acknowledged last week that they want the
Navy to transfer at least 2,300 acres of the 4,700- acre former base to
the Transportation Department, which would lease the property back to
the city of Los Angeles for an airport. [Leasing is sought because so
long as] the property were to stay in federal hands . . . it wouldn't be
subject to local zoning control."
Click
here for the full story.
El Toro Info Site report,
June 9, 2003 - 11:45 AM
Tom Wilson dumping Chuck Smith from SCAG
Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Wilson, who reappointed Supervisor
Chuck Smith to be the county's representative to the Southern California
Association of Governments in January, has decided to withdraw the
appointment. Today, Wilson submitted an agenda item to the Board to
be acted upon at the Tuesday June 17 meeting.
Chris Norby will be Smith's replacement at SCAG..
In recent days, Smith publicly embraced LA Mayor James Hahn's
previously secret bid to take over El Toro for the benefit of Los Angeles
World Airports. Smith earlier had given his assurances to Wilson that
he would not support regional control over El Toro. It is inconceivable
that an Orange County supervisor could sell out his own county to a large
neighbor in his relentless quest to turn El Toro into LAX-South.
Smith's actions produced a firestorm of reaction from elected
officials and grass-roots activists.
Wilson wrote, "Local Control was the motivation for county-hood
more than 100 years ago – and that motivation continues to be the lynch
pin of our philosophy in 2003."
OC Register, June 9, 2003
"El Toro airport debate is back on the radar"
"Word that Los Angeles officials are trying to revive a commercial
airport at the closed El Toro Marine base unleashed a frenzy of, well,
buzz."
"But airport foes already had been fuming that Orange County
Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Wilson, an El Toro airport foe, appointed
airport backer Chuck Smith to a regional planning board that deals with
aviation."
"They fear that Smith might
try to put an El Toro airport back on the map."
"Smith chortled. 'They've given me credit for a lot of things
I have no power to do,' he said. 'They are so off base it is pathetic.'"
"Personally, he said, he thinks
the L.A. proposal is 'great.'"
LA Times, June 8, 2003
"Does L.A. Want Our Beaches as Well?"
Times columnist Dana Parsons poses the facetious question
today in a humourous poke at a very serious matter. We hope, but know,
this won't be the final word on Los Angeles' arrogant attempt to urbanize
Orange County for their benefit as though LA is some big colonial power
and OC just a third-world backwater.
"News item: Los Angeles has secretly asked the federal government
to allow it to run a commercial airport in Orange County."
"Wait until Orange County residents find out that was only
the tip of the iceberg."
"In a confidential memo identified only as 'Operation Help
Ourselves,' Los Angeles officials are making it clear that their intentions
to manage Orange County from afar don't end with an international airport."
"'The airport issue is important, but not nearly as critical
as assuming control of Orange County's beaches,' the memo states."
"The memo goes on to explain, often in dense legalese, that
the act permits a larger county contiguous to a smaller one to 'reassert
any previously held authority or claim of certain key operations' if it
deems the smaller county incapable of handling its own affairs. Enacted
during the depths of the Depression, the act was designed to provide needed
revenues and 'mastery of domain' to large counties."
"Los Angeles could 'reassert' its control, the memo states,
because much of Orange County was part of Los Angeles County until it
seceded in 1889." Read
the entire piece in the Early Bird thread.
El Toro Info Site report,
June 7, 2003
More quotes about the LA plan - a
survey of today's press
"I'm quite pleased with the leadership Mayor Hahn has shown
on this regional issue," said Tom Naughton, president of the Airport
Working Group. "I think it's long overdue. AWG supports it 100%."
Website Editor: How does AWG feel about Los Angeles World Airports
taking over John Wayne airport in the same package?
"The idea . . . emanated from pro-El Toro airport forces in
Orange County and an El Segundo-led coalition that advocates a regional
airport plan for Southern California". - Daily Breeze article
Palmdale Mayor James Ledford said he would have liked Palmdale
Regional Airport -- which now sits idle, despite authorization for up
to 400 flights per day -- mentioned "in the same breath" as El Toro.
"You'd think LAWA would be touting Palmdale in secret memos," he said.
Orange County Supervisor Bill Campbell said he was
disappointed that Los Angeles officials did not discuss the proposal
with county officials before sending the memo to the feds. He called
the White House to object. "To act as secretly as they've done, shame
on them," Campbell said.
OC Register, June
7, 2003
"Airport issue flies again"
"Word that an El Toro commercial airport might not be dead
after all swept government and community activist circles Friday,
leading to numerous phone calls, faxes, e-mails and statements."
Website Editor: Much of the newspaper article's content
was reported here yesterday. Full text of the Register's coverage
is available on the Message
Board Early Bird Thread. However, some of the latest quotes
are notable:
"'Orange County voters strongly rejected the construction
of an airport at El Toro and have set the county on a course that will
convert the El Toro base to other uses more compatible with the surrounding
neighborhoods and communities. Their will must not be thwarted.' Rep.
Edward R. Royce, R-Fullerton, in a letter to Los Angeles Mayor James
K. Hahn."
"'I think it is a great idea. I think for Mayor Hahn to
step forward is tremendous. I applaud him. If the federal government
leaves it up to local communities, they'll never build another runway
in the nation.' Orange County Supervisor Chuck Smith."
Supervisor Smith is Orange County's officially appointed
representative to the Southern California Association of Governments,
SCAG. SCAG is the federally mandated regional transportation planning
organization and has great influence on the outcome of the airport
debate.
Supervisor Tom Wilson named Smith to this important post.
Now, Wilson should withdraw Smith's appointment to SCAG since Smith
actively opposes the position of the majority of Orange County voters
and the Board of Supervisors regarding El Toro. To e-mail Supervisor Wilson click
here.
El Toro Info Site report,
June 6, 2003 - 5:20 PM
Congressman Cox says No Airport
In the latest move in an unsettling day (two stories below),
Congressman Christoper Cox released the following statement:
Cox Confirms Federal Plans for El Toro Base Unchanged
"According to the Office of Government Affairs at the Department
of Transportation, the April 9th proposal is not under consideration
by the Department. The DOT returned the memo to its authors
'some time ago' and did not retain a copy.
"According to the Department of the Navy, it has not considered
use of the base property for an airport since its March 2002 announcement
following the passage of Measure W that the Navy will not convey El
Toro for aviation purposes. The Navy is continuing to work closely
with the City of Irvine to auction the El Toro property.
"After speaking with officials at the Department of Transportation
and the Navy, it is clear that the federal government is committed
to creation of the second largest municipal park in the nation.
Today the Department of Transportation and the Department of the Navy
stated definitively that the federal government is not considering
using the El Toro property as a commercial airport."
Website Editor: LA leaders and their allies in Orange
County secretly tried to takeover El Toro. If they failed this time,
that doesn't stop them from trying again.
El Toro Info Site
report, June 6, 2003 - 4:30 PM
"Los Angeles is not the godfather to us all.
The above is quoted from today's angry release by ETRPA
Chairwoman Mimi Walters to the media. It expresses the general outrage
felt by many at the secretive back room dealing that led to a City
of Los Angeles bid to take over El Toro. LA officials, who oppose an
expansion of LAX, have been looking for a place to dump future air
traffic.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Wilson, who is out of town, prepared a
strong letter to Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta saying
the Board is "outraged at this suggestion which blatantly ignores the
decision of the citizens of Orange County." Wilson signaled that the anti-airport
majority would fight the Los Angeles move. "The Orange County
Board of Supervisors will not stand for any attempt by an outside jurisdiction
to dictate local land use decisions in our communities." Wilson's office
agendized the matter for Tuesday's Board meeting.
Not surprising was the fact that Los Angeles City Councilman
Ted Stein played a key role in the takeover effort. Stein is a vocal
proponent of El Toro airport in his role on the SCAG
Aviation Task Force. Orange County Supervisor Chuck Smith
is the county's official representative to that task force and may have
provided Stein with political encouragement to mess in Orange County
business.
LA Times, June 6, 2003
"L.A. Asks for Airport at El Toro "
"A secret memo urges the U.S. to let the city run a commercial
operation at the former base. Strong Orange County opposition is
expected."
"The city of Los Angeles has secretly asked the federal
government to allow it to run a commercial airport at Orange County's
former El Toro Marine air base — a move almost certain to spark intense
opposition."
"A year ago, many Orange County voters believed that they
had ended the debate by approving a ballot measure calling for the
El Toro property to be rezoned as parkland. . . But the Southland's
urgent need for more airport space should override the wishes of
Orange County residents to devote the property to parkland and other
uses, according to the Los Angeles Airport Commission president, Ted
Stein, and Deputy Mayor Troy Edwards."
"'It would simply be a modern tragedy if El Toro — an
invaluable aviation asset in Southern California — is converted
to parkland, rather than to a commercial airport that could eventually
carry nearly 30 million passengers annually,' the two said in a memo
to federal officials. 'This exceptional federal property should be
dedicated to benefit the citizens of the entire nation.'"
"In the 37-page [April 9] memo to the U.S. Department
of Transportation, the Los Angeles officials argued forcefully that
federal intervention is necessary to help solve Southern California's
air capacity crunch. Their proposal is that the Transportation Department
take over the property, which closed as a military base in July 1999,
and lease it to Los Angeles, which would operate the airport."
"The proposal still faces formidable obstacles. It would
need approval from the Transportation Department and possibly Congress."
"A spokesman for Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn said
city officials had presented the plan to officials in Washington
and hope to discuss the proposal with federal lawmakers in coming
weeks."
"Such a deal, which the mayor acknowledges is a 'long
shot,' would require finessing of Orange County officials. Many
of them support an airport plan, but others are heatedly opposed.
Hahn has yet to sit down and discuss the proposal in detail with Orange
County lawmakers."
"'We don't want to tell Orange County what they can and
can't do,' Hahn said in an interview Thursday. 'This only works with
support in Orange County, and there has been significant support
there over the years for an airport.'"
"Ignoring the billions invested over the years in El Toro's
airfield in favor of homes, offices and parkland would be tragic,
given the region's need for additional airport capacity, said Rep.
Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach), a longtime airport supporter."
"He said he supports Los Angeles' proposal, though he
believes that any final airport plan should be presented to Orange
County voters."
"'The last vote was not the last word on El Toro,' he
said. 'It's becoming evident that the Great Park was really a great
fraud and what voters thought they were getting won't get built.
We owe it to the future of Orange County, the future of the region
and the taxpayers of the United States not to throw away this asset.'"
"If the Transportation Department agreed to take over
El Toro and lease it to the city's airport agency, Los Angeles officials
said, they could have a commercial airport up and running within six
years."
"The airport could serve 28.8 million passengers and handle
2 million tons of cargo a year within 15 years, the memo suggests,
making it second in size in Southern California only to LAX. That
would put it on par with San Francisco International Airport, which
served 31 million passengers last year."
"Without additional airport capacity, Southern California
will face an air transportation crisis in the next 20 years, [SCAG]
regional planners say. Air traffic in the region is expected to
double to 167 million passengers by 2025, putting pressure on LAX,
which already operates at 40% more than capacity."
"In addition, Hahn promised to cap LAX traffic at 78 million
passengers a year to build political capital for a $9.6-billion modernization
proposal."
"Without El Toro, there's nowhere for the expected additional
millions of passengers to go, Los Angeles officials said."
"Los Angeles officials have argued that Orange County
must take its 'fair share' of air travelers, either through developing
an airport at El Toro or expanding John Wayne."
"Opponents of an El Toro airport have warned for a year
of possible attempts by state lawmakers to bypass local control and
build an airport there".
"An anti-airport Web site last week alleged
that Orange County Supervisor Chuck Smith, who favors an El Toro airport
and who is in line to head the Southern California Assn. of Governments
next year, would use the group to create a regional airport authority
similar to a state-created agency in San Diego."
"In their memo, Stein and Edwards acknowledge that Orange
County residents would probably sue the city of Los Angeles if the
city acquired control of the former Marine base."
"If the U.S. Transportation Department agreed to the city's
proposal, it would be a departure from the federal government's
practice, which has been to allow local entities to decide whether
to build or expand airports. Likewise, base closure law defers decisions
about mothballed facilities to local reuse authorities."
"Supporters of Los Angeles' proposal hope to persuade
Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta to make a formal request
for the base. Mineta has pushed in recent years for additional airport
space, saying the nation's air transportation system is approaching
its limits."
"The memo also argues that several members of Congress
— including Rep. John Mica (R-Florida), who heads the House aviation
subcommittee — are on the record in support of converting El Toro into
a commercial airport."
"The Los Angeles memo doesn't state a price for the property,
but Edwards said Thursday that the city's offer is better for taxpayers,
who would otherwise have to foot the bill for cleanup costs, a figure
placed at $300 million in the city's memo and $70 million by the Navy."
El Toro Info Site report,
June 6. 2003
AWG financials disclosed
The Airport Working Group was late in filing its 2001
IRS Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income
Tax which was due May 31, 2002.
The group's income and expenses for 2001 are finally available online
for public inspection. The 2002 report was due last month but has yet
to appear. Click
here for the 9 MB Acrobat file.
The report serves as a fresh reminder of the willingness
of some pro-El Toro airport elected officials to spend millions
of dollars of the public's money on efforts to mislead
the public. The AWG was the conduit for $3.7 million of Newport
Beach taxpayers funds, most spent on a failed campaign to promote
a Great Lie about a Great Tax for the Great Park.
Three key players, political consultant David Ellis,
lobbyist Bruce Nestande, and attorney Barbara Lichman collectively
received
over $1 million of that money in fees and commissions during
2001 and 2002.
Lesser players came onboard with the AWG for less cost.
Irvine Taxpayers got $25,000 of Newport Beach taxpayer
funds. Eunice Cluck, President of the group signed the No on Measure
W ballot statement claiming that there would have to be "a 10% countywide
property tax increase to pay for Irvine's pie-in-the-sky park."
Mike Stevens of Inglewood and his "LAX No, El Toro Yes"
group (LAXEN) received $4,000 according to the report.
On December 7, 2001 a Superior court judged issued a
preliminary injunction against the spending of public money by
the county to influence the Measure W election. The City of Newport
Beach was a named defendant in a related lawsuit.
Nevertheless, on December 20, one day before the judge
finalized his ruling, the Airport Working Group deposited a final
payment of $1 million from the City of Newport Beach.
AWG had $1.2 million of cash left in its war chest on
December 31, 2001. City leaders had the option of demanding their
residents' money back. They didn't.
Click here for the reaction
of one resident expressed at the latest Newport Beach City
Council meeting.
OC Register, June 4, 2003
"Proposal could add 2 airlines to John Wayne's
lineup"
"New nonstop flights to Denver and Chicago could be
added by two new airlines at John Wayne Airport, under a proposal
given initial approval Tuesday by the county Board of Supervisors."
Final approval is scheduled for June 24th.
"Frontier Airlines, based in Denver, and ATA Airlines,
whose major hub is Midway Airport in Chicago, would join the 10
existing airlines offering commercial passenger service, airport director
Alan Murphy said Tuesday."
"The county last year renegotiated a 1985 lawsuit settlement
with several groups and Newport Beach to increase the allowed number
of the noisiest flights and limits on annual passenger numbers."
"The flights subjected to noise monitoring can increase
to 85 a day from 73, and passengers to 10.8 million from 8.4 million
annually."
El Toro Info Site report,
June 3, 2003 -updated
Centerline defeated in Irvine
Irvine voters have rejected the Centerline Rail project
through their city. The vote to support light rail failed with
52.4% voting "No" and 47.6% voting "Yes".
In a display of voter ambivalence, the vote to prohibit
Centerline all together failed by nearly the same margin.
The voter turnout was only 22.6% for the special election.
El Toro Info Site report,
June 3, 2003
Park Conservancy event
The Great Park Conservancy will be hosting a
"visual tour" of the park plan on Saturday, June 7 at 10AM. The viewing
location will be the bridge at the Irvine Transportation Center, 15215 Barranca
Parkway just off the 5 Freeway at Alton.
Refreshments will be served.
For more information call the Conservancy office at
714-544-5410. Tell them you heard about it on the El Toro
website.
Chicago Daily Herald, June
1 2003, posted June 2, 2003
"O'Hare opposition quashed"
"Springfield, Illinois -- Three decades of successful
suburban opposition to the expansion of O'Hare International Airport
evaporated in less than three hours Saturday as Chicago's plan for
new runways sailed through the General Assembly in a vote one lawmaker
said left the suburbs 'totally raped.'"
Website Editor: The political maneuvers should
leave residents of Orange County wary of what the California legislature
could do for force an airport at El Toro for the benefit of those
who are seeking to prevent expansion of LAX or John Wayne.
"The expansion, which Gov. Rod Blagojevich said he'll
sign into law, gives Mayor Richard M. Daley power to quickly take
land in Bensenville and Elk Grove Village to build new runways that
will add hundreds of thousands of flights to O'Hare each year. It
will also allow Daley to dole out $6.6 billion in construction contracts."
"Daley gets the authority to quickly negotiate the
purchase of more than 530 homes in Bensenville and 100 businesses
in Elk Grove Village's business park, which will then be demolished.
Two cemeteries also will be moved."
"'It is a total, to-the-victors-go-the-spoils bill,'
said [state representative Rosemary] Mulligan, who alluded to
the Democrats taking power of the General Assembly and governor's
mansion last November as the reason O'Hare will expand."
Click
here to read the entire story. Then pause to reflect
on what could happen in the California legislature under pressure
from the political majority that supported the Nakano bill last
year, Newport Beach lobbying, and a pro-El Toro SCAG leadership.
(More about SCAG in story below.)
OC Register Readers React,
June 1, 2003
"Wilson campaign is raw deal for O.C.
voters"
Reader Steve Haythorne objects, in his
Register op-ed submital, to Tom Wilson vacating his seat
on the Board of Supervisors to run for the state assembly next year.
Based on our experience, the attention-grabbing headline for the article
was written by and possibly reflects the opinion of the newspaper.
Of Haythorne's several complaints, the one most
likely to resonate with anti-airport readers is his observation
that "Measure W was passed last March, but the work of making sure
the land is developed in a manner consistent with the wishes of
south county voters is far from done."
One crucial piece of unfinished business concerns
Supervisor Chuck Smith. Wilson reappointed Smith to be Orange
County's official representative to the Southern California Association
of Governments. If nothing is done, Smith will
become President of SCAG and in charge of its pro-El Toro efforts next
year.
SCAG's Legislative Agenda calls for the state-mandated
regional planning organization to:
"Provide regional leadership in seeking federal and state funding
for plans and programs to implement SCAG's Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)
as adopted in April 2001."
The April 2001 RTP calls for a 30 MAP airport at
El Toro. That's what Smith will promote if he becomes SCAG's President.
This website opposed Wilson's appointment of Smith
even
before it was made.
Click here for previous
news stories