News - SECOND QUARTER 1998

JUNE

LA Times, June 29, 1998
"Amphitheatre Noise Rules to Get Hearing"

An Orange County Superior Court Judge will hear arguements regarding noise regulations for the Pacific Amphitheatre at the Orange County Fairgrounds. "Residents who live in the area want to keep the regulations intact or make them more restrictive to protect the peace and quiet of the nearby Mesa del Mar [Costa Mesa] neighborhood. 'They are being pigs, groveling in the trough of noise', Richard Spix, attorney for the residents, said of the fairgrounds."

Former Supervisor Don Salterelli, who receives $180,000 a year as a paid consultant for Newport Beach in its efforts to promote an El Toro Airport, is on the fairgrounds side in this issue.

Concert noise levels reported by the Times are lower than decible readings produced by a jet, and obviously are not a 24 hour a day occurrence. However, the website is trying to obtain actual noise data to be sure that any comparison uses the same measuring statistic. 

LA Times Travel Section, June 28, 1998
"Now Boarding: New Hong Kong Airport"
"On July 6, Hong Kong will open the $20.1 billion Chek Lap Kok airport." While each project is different, readers may wonder about the Orange County's out-of-date projection of only $1.6 billion for El Toro Airport.

The new Hong Kong airport will have 12,500 foot runways, each 200 feet wide "to accomodate future new large aircraft." 

LA Times, June 27, 1998
"El Toro Plan Defies Trend in Runway Spacing"

"Plans for an airport at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station call for runways that are much closer together than those being built or proposed at other U.S. airports, raising concerns by some about safety and efficiency."

El Toro runways will be moved out to a maximum spacing of 800 feet. This was the way airports were built in the 1960's. "Denvers new airport has a 5,280-foot separation. New runways under construction or planned in Dallas, San Francisco, Seattle and Louisville call for separations from 1,800 to 5,300 feet."

Increasing El Toro runway separation to modern standards "would increase the cost and extend the jet noise farther into the community." County planners are studying the possiblity of wider spaced runways in preparation for an environmental impact report and Board of Supervisors vote on the airport plan next year. 

LA Times, June 26, 1998
"Environmental Study Warns County on Golf Course Plans"

"A study released by an envirnmental consulting firm Thursday found that unless the Marines take extra measures to protect to landfills at the El Toro base, the county's plans to build a golf course on the site may be jeopardized." 

OC Register Business Section, June 24, 1998
"Nice Gift, but can we return El Toro base?"

Business columnist Jonathan Lansner takes a humorous look at the supposed gift of El Toro to the county and asks, "Can you exchange the gift for something else?". 

LA Times, June 24, 1998
OC Register, June 23, 1998
"Mittermeier pay package is lucrative"
"Executive's salary would top N.Y. governors"

"Proposed pay raises would make top officials here among the best-compensated municipal leaders in the country." The Board of Supervisors handed out raises to themselves and some county officials. County CEO Jan Mittermeir received a $20,000 jump in pay, in two steps, to $160,024.

Mittermeier sought18 months of severance pay (approximately a quarter-million dollars) if she is fired. but that didn't pass. The Board also rejected her request to have her contract extended to 2002. Mittemeir has been criticized for her "arrogance" towards the supervisors, and for her efforts to build El Toro Airport, seemingly at any cost. A Board sub-committee of Tom Wilson and William Steiner will review details of Mittermeirer's contract and whether her authority should be restricted. 

LA Times, June 21, 1998
"Flight Tests"

The Times editorial weighs in in favor of El Toro flight demonstrations provided that fair tests can be conducted. Tests must "simulate the number of flights with the kinds of aircraft likely to be used throughout the day and night; uses proposed takeoff and landing directions and those that might be necessary in different wind conditions; and duplicates actual night conditions with passengers and cargo." The Times also calls for "independent verification."

Website Editor: The fact that the county wants to spend a whopping $2 million on these demonstrations, scheduled just before the November supervisorial elections, leaves many airport opponents skeptical about the purpose. See what two airline captains have to say about the unreliability of such tests. 

LA Times, June 15, 1998
“‘Black Star’ for S.F. Airport Offers Silver Lining”
“Rating by pilots group may help the facility win backing for a plan to fill 350 acres of San Francisco Bay for additional runways”

“A report that pilots worldwide believe the runways of this city’s busy airport are too close together poses a dilemma for airport officials:” The airport received a “black star” from the International Federation of Airline Pilots Assns. For “critical deficiencies”. SFO has been on the pilots list “because its two landing runways are parallel and separated by just 750 feet from centerline to centerline. That’s far closer than at most international airports although U.S. Federal Aviation Administration officials say the airport is safe.”

“The FAA requires new airports to be built with parallel runways at least 4,300 feet apart. But it allows older airstrips to operate more closely spaced runways with certain safety precautions.” Close spacing precludes simultaneous landings under instrument conditions and can cause flight delays. “Once planes capable of handling 650 passengers are introduced in the next few years, it will be impossible to land two such planes simultaneously... even in good weather. Their wing spans will be so vast, they will not fit.”

Existing El Toro runways are spaced only 500 feet apart. County plans call for moving the runways to provide 800 feet separation on the north-south runways and 700 feet on the east-west runways. The county has looked at wider spacing but this would use up more of the base property and put aircraft noise over additional homes. 

OC Register, June 12, 1998
"Jetliner noise exhibition set for El Toro"

"The testing would replicate the sound, but not the frequency, expected for takeoffs and landings.""The county has set aside $2 million to pay for the demonstration", which will include "three different types of aircraft and at least three arrivals and departures for each aircraft." Research shows that it is the frequency of flights (omitted from the demonstration) that produces much of the negative impact.

Airport opponents see the county demonstration as an expensive publicity stunt which will not show a true picture. "Irvine Mayor Christina Shea said communities would welcome fair demonstrations, that a handful of flights over a couple of days won't provide. 'We want exactly what we would experience and that would be one flight every minute.'" Click for two commercial pilots' assessments of why such a demonstration is misleading.

To date, the county and FAA have not finalized the flight paths for the proposed airport, let alone for the flight test.. It is anticipated that the county tests will confine planes to a narrow path of travel, whereas real airport operations have planes arriving and departing over a wide area. It is unlikely that the county intends to fly fully loaded 747 cargo planes over north county communities, at night, as part of their demonstration. 

LA Times, June 11, 1998
"Churches Debate Taking Up the Anti-Airport Crusade"

"Concerned that jets from a proposed international airport would disrupt church activities, some South County religious leaders are considering a more secular mission: mobilizing neighborhood congregations against the El Toro plan. 'Having jets fly over us every few minutes is going to be very disruptive to the concentration and prayer..'", said the pastor of a Laguna Hills congregation.

"According to the county, most of church row would experience average outdoor noise levels of 60 decibels... which is roughly the level of normal conversation." Editors note: The county uses an averaging technique, diluting jet noise with the periods of quiet in between. The effect will be more like having someone start yelling every minute or two during periods of silent meditation. 

Website Direct, June 9, 1998
LA Times, June 9, 1998
Supervisors vote more money for El Toro

The Board of Supervisors are meeting three days this week to consider the budget recommended by county staff. They split on whether to approve an additional $9.5 million for El Toro Airport planning - on top of last year’s budgeted $20 million.

“Like most airport decisions by the board, this one passed on a 3-2 vote with pro-airport Supervisors Charles V. Smith, William G. Steiner and Jim Silva in the majority and opponents Todd Spitzer and Tom Wilson dissenting.”

Airport planners asked for more than $2 million for additional legal work, $2.3 million for flight tests - which some see as potentially misleading, - and $829,000 for public information. Last year, a major uproar occurred when the supervisors voted to spend half this amount for airport public relations.

A preliminary breakdown of the public information budget request included $80,000 for the county’s El Toro website. By contrast, the El Toro Airport Info Site that you are viewing is produced and funded entirely by its volunteer staff at no cost to the taxpayers. 

Los Angeles Times, June 6, 1998
“Supervisor race elevates El Toro land swap idea”

Dave Sullivan, a candidate for the 2nd District Supervisor, suggested that “the government swap a developer’s Bolsa Chica property for a portion of the Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro.” This would join the groups opposing development of Bolsa Chica and a commercial airport at El Toro, and would boost Sullivan’s campaign against Supervisor Jim Silva who supports both. Several steps are involved in such a swap - the developer agreeing to sell the Bolsa Chica land, a government agency agreeing to purchase the land and to transfer it to the Interior Department, who would then swap a parcel at El Toro with the one at Bolsa Chica. Both parcels would have to be appraised to ensure that the trade involves equal valued land. “Sullivan is the first to admit that this is only an idea,” and others say that “proponents of the swap will have to move quickly to accomplish their goal.” 

LA Times, June 5, 1994
"Investor group offers to finance El Toro stadium"

A letter submitted by an investment group indicted that "it would raise $500 million if Irvine agrees to give it exclusive rights to develop an NFL stadium on the city’s property." The stadium is part of the Millennium Plan, and is considered to be incompatible with a commercial airport. The city will have to raise almost "an identical amount to lure a team, recruit players and coaches and to cover other expenses." The league is expected to award its next expansion franchise over the next year, and Irvine would have to compete with Los Angeles and Houston. 

Los Angeles Times June 4, 1998
“Anti-airport forces focus on 2nd District”

“South County activists are readying for a mammoth battle against pro-airport incumbent Jim Silva in the wake of his surprising runoff challenge by Huntington Beach Councilman Dave Sullivan.” Several anti-airport leaders are quoted that they are ready to put money and efforts behind Sullivan, “who represents their best shot to date of derailing the county government’s plan” for an airport at El Toro. Silva indicated that, while disappointed with the elections results, he “was confident he would win in November.” He added that “South County need not worry about the impacts of traffic, pollution and noise because the airport’s environmental impact report will cover all those concerns.” Sullivan suggested that his support came from citizens opposing the development of both the Bolsa Chica wetlands and an airport at El Toro - two projects supported by Silva. 

Website Direct, June 3, 1998
Election Results! "Airport Opponents Win Elections"

With 100% of the precincts counted, the following results were posted by the Registrar of Voters.

In the 2nd Supervisory District, no one received more than 50% of the votes. Supervisor Jim Silva failed to secure his seat and with only 45.3% of the votes he will have to face anti-airport challenger Dave Sullivan, who received 25.8%, in a November runoff.

In the 5th Supervisory District, airport opponent Tom Wilson won his seat with 65.9% of the votes.

In the 4th Supervisory District, the two top votes-getters: Lou Lopez, and Cynthia Coad, who won 28.2% and 27.8% of the votes, respectively, will face each other in November. Both support an airport at El Toro.

In the 73rd Assembly District, Pat Bates won the Republican nomination with 36.8% of the votes. She will face Democrat Robert Wilberg in November. 

Los Angeles Times June 1, 1998
“O.C. growth reawakens - and so do foes”

The rate of development in South County, slowed during the recession, is picking-up. Many expect the slow-growth movement of the ‘80s to reemerge, “as residents protest greater traffic congestion and an erosion of their quality of life.” “The fight over a possible El Toro airport, which has galvanized disparate interests around South county, could help shape” future fights. Experts believe that, after fighting a common enemy “some El Toro opponents will one day consider shifting their sights to South County development,” working together in establishing a “South County identity.” 

MAY

OC Register, May 30, 1998
"Biggest El Toro plan likely to be dropped"

The Supervisors agreed "to kill Plan D which would have made El Toro a major international airport serving up to 33.5 million annual passengers, about half the size of LAX." Supervisor Wilson added a new language that "appeared to be acceptable to all sides." 

County officials have claimed that, the proposed airport at El Toro would generate less noise than the military base, since commercial jets are quieter than military ones. Yet, "El Toro would accommodate about 500 daily arrivals and departures by 2020" a ten-fold increase from the military operations. Further, "while the Marines generally avoided night and weekend flights," preliminary plans calls for "30% of the passenger service and nearly half of cargo service to occur between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m." Some, however are skeptical about the information that can be generated from such tests. It would have to be carried over two days to account for changes in wind direction, that traffic congestion on the ground should to be added, and that payloads would have to be adjusted, as heavier jets generate more noise. 

The proposed expansion of LAX will invariably affect other regional airports and the future of the Marine Base at El Toro. "It is a discussion, a heated one, about jobs and the environment, traffic congestion, and regional planing, growth and limits." If LAX, indeed will expand from 60 million passengers a year to 98 million, and if cargo capacity is similarly expanded, Southern California could net an additional 375,000 jobs. But it comes at a high price." The expansion is estimated to cost $8 to $12 billion, and many question whether this is a way to plan the region's future. Representative Packard is quoted as complaining that "each county has its own airport authority, each wanting a new airport, without consulting each other." Instead there should be "a master plan containing one good international airport instead of two or three that fail." "That one good international airport is LAX, and there are plenty of reasons why that makes sense."

LAX is one of the nation's busiest and most important airports, and already is operating above its anticipated capacity. Traffic congestion "is spilling into nearby neighborhoods, where residents complain that jet fuel occasionally ends up in their cars and lawns." Many suggest to expand regional airports instead of LAX, and Ontario, owned by the city of Los Angeles, is expected to handle more than 15 million passengers a year. Los Angeles also owns 17,000 acres in Palmdale, however there are no commercial flights there. Still Palmdale's civic leaders are trying to entice expansion, claiming that it can serve the "hundreds of thousands of people who live the northern San Fernando and Antelope Valleys." Many support this move, citing that "it is rare to find a community wanting an international airport " in its midst. Further, that "the proposed $8 to $12 billion for LAX expansion would go much further in Palmdale," and that building a high-speed rail and widening the 14 Freeway would make Palmdale more accessible. While there is a general agreement that demand for air transportation in Southern California is going to increase, opinions vary as to whether this necessarily leads to building an airport at El Toro, in the middle of one of the most densely populated counties in the nation.

Website Direct, May 28, 1998
"Supervisor Smith's Open House"

Supervisor Smith hosted a "community forum" where the county airport plan was presented. In contrast to similar open houses hosted by Supervisors Spitzer and Wilson, the non-aviation Millennium Plan was not presented next to the aviation one. Supervisor Smith reiterated his objection to any night curfew that might interfere with a viable airport. He further ignored a question citing the recent LA Times article predicting that, based on wind direction, most of the planes would take off over Irvine. When asked, he refused to consider expanding John Wayne and expressed his objection to a ballot initiative that would present the voters with a choice of an or the Millennium Plan. County's representatives acknowledged that while they are promoting a reduced capacity airport compared to the 1996 Community Reuse Plan, they were still using economic data based on the higher number. Last, Supervisor Smith chose to ignore discussion of SNEL - a single event noise level, compared to CNEL, a measure of average noise level. Most experts believe that it is the spikes of noise in the middle of the night that are harmful. 

Many look at Dallas-Ft. Worth and the nearby Love Field as a model of dual airport system for the proposed John Wayne and El Toro. "It would likely bring an explosion in employment and population." But some "airport neighbors may be driven from their homes by noise. Airport passenger totals might quickly outgrow projections and aircraft may be required to take off and land over communities where local politicians swore they wouldn't." In its first year of operations, DFW handled 14.7 million passengers a year. "Through the years, however, the daily aircraft operations have nearly tripled and the number of passengers more than quadrupled to 60.1 million." One entire subdivision of 564 homes "had to be bought out" "Scores of single family homes and apartments have been bulldozed, leaving only paved streets" covered with weeds. Homeowners of another city "were offered only a voluntary buyout, the value the airport puts on their property." In addition to concerns about noise, there is the "issue of falling debris." There are also concerns about crashes, when the risk is higher "on takeoff and landing." As both pilots' organizations pointed, "aircraft are normally required to take off and land into the wind." "Analysis of 50 years' worth of wind data from El Toro," shows that from March to October the wind blows from the west. "This suggests that most of the planes departing a commercial airport at El Toro would take off directly toward Irvine's Woodbrige development, despite assurances to the contrary by the county Board of Supervisors." The DFW spokesman, however, confirmed that the FAA is the final authority on flight paths. A "Dallas economist who specializes in airports" expressed his objection to a the dual airport system with different flight ranges because it stifles competition, resulting in higher costs for passengers. His recommendation is to "let John Wayne's current restrictions on passengers and nighttime operations expire in 2005 and allowing it to operate at full capacity." A major difference between the Dallas and Orange County is: "You've got LAX just down the road." 

"There are a number of scenarios in which the county government's plans for an airport at El Toro could unravel." Under Measure A, passed in 1994 at a thin margin of 51% to 49%, a majority on the Board of Supervisors "could change the base's future use, but only if a 13-member citizens advisory panel determines that an airport is unworkable, or if a federal or state agency ruled that an airport wouldn't work there." "However, the supervisors could deny further funding, effectively stopping it cold." Candidates in the 2nd district who oppose an airport are Sandra Genis, Ralph Silva and Dave Sullivan. Candidates in the 3rd district who oppose the airport are Paul Walker and Steve White. Eric Woolery is undecided. Tom Wilson, the incumbent 5th district supervisor is against the airport.

Many favor a ballot initiative that would ask voters to choose between the county's airport plan and the non-aviation Millennium Plan. A recent Times poll found "that 65% of county voters favor holding a new election on the airport, and a plurality prefer the Millennium Plan over all the airport options. The poll also found a cool response to the county's preferred airport plan, with 53% opposing it and 38% favoring it." Another approach is annexing the base by the City of Irvine. "This approach, is rife with pitfalls, because of a convoluted state-mandated annexation process." Last, "a federal agency, the FAA or the Navy, can find the airport fatally flawed, either because of safety problems, prohibitive costs or environmental concerns."

Los Angeles Times May 26, 1998
"Where will Orange County land in 2020?"

The Times prepared two lengthy scenarios for the county with and without a commercial airport at El Toro. Following are some of the points highlighted:

"South County leaders" propose the non-aviation Millennium Plan with central park, museums and colleges that "would bring Orange County a cultural identity." "An airport would be a major factor in Orange County's dreams for economic growth," "but thousands of residents who live near the airport would contend with jet noise - day and night" "Experts generally agree that El Toro would be a magnet for corporations, manufacturers, and other businesses." Many, however, "believe that Orange County's economy is diversified, enough to stay strong regardless of what happens at El Toro, but some believe the area will lose out on international trade." "The plan approved by the Board of Supervisors" would be "three times the size of John Wayne," it calls for 500 takeoffs and landings a day, a ten-fold increase over the military operations. It will also operate around the clock, while "the marines generally avoided flights at night and on weekends." A Cornell university study found that airport noise affect children ability to learn. "A preliminary county report said that El Toro would send 80,000 pounds of pollutants into the air each day, most of that would come from plane and auto emissions." "In 1997, a research suggested that homes closes to LAX and Ontario airports sold for at least 23% less than similar homes in other neighborhoods. While some claim that "key elements in the Millennium Plan are unrealistic," "a Times Orange county Poll found that the plan was significantly more popular than any of the four airport alternatives."

A Defense Department study of military bases closed between 1988 and 1996 found that "only 26% were converted into airports." The rest were used for industrial parks, and educational facilities. Building a high-speed rail that would connect Orange County with other regional airports was estimated to cost $6 billion. The county estimates the airport at El Toro to cost $1.6 billion.

Editorial comment: Many doubt the county's estimate, pointing that Denver Airport cost $5 billion, and that LAX expansion is estimated to cost $12 billion.

To many residents of South County, "North is Santa Ana, the seat of power, where a county government is aggressively planning to turn a cast-off military base in South county into an international airport serving about 25 million passengers annually by 2020 and with 492 jet" translated into one takeoff or landing every three minutes. "The airport issue has revealed fundamentally different" views in the "fifth most populous county in the nation: the drive to a wealthy and dynamic suburban metropolis versus dreams of a quietly ordered, almost idyllic relationship between work and place." Many warn that "the wrenching conflict would surely leave scars - years of political tumult, litigation and revenge against county government." Meanwhile, south cities came with their own proposal for the reuse of the base, the non-aviation Millennium plan with central park, campuses, high-tech industry and homes. Many, however view the split not as the 2 million northern citizens vs. the 700,000 who reside south of Irvine, but as between the South and "interests in Newport Beach. They believe airport support is soft in central cities and talk of seeking yet another ballot measure in hopes of smashing the airport plan." 

"In a remarkable signal that the county"s airport fight may be far form over, nearly two-thirds of Orange county voters want another chance to cast ballots on whether to build a commercial airport at El Toro, according to a new Times Orange County Poll." "Moreover, most voters prefer a proposal to put a park, technology center and university on the site over any of the county's airport plans, the poll said." Even North County voters (defined as all living north of Irvine, including Newport Beach) "turned thumbs down on each of the county's airport plans" preferring, instead, the non-aviation Millennium Plan.

The poll, conducted by Baldassare Associates, also found that "in a stinging indictment of county government, neither North nor South County residents approved of the way the Board of Supervisors and its staff have handled the issue." Supervisor Smith, "an airport advocate," reacted to the results by claiming that "Millennium Plan proponents have spent and budgeted $1 million to promote the plan, whereas the county has spent very little money on promotion of the airport.'" Editorial note: The Board of Supervisors voted last August to award Nelson Communications $325,000 to promote the airport, a move which was sharply criticized by both major newspapers.

The pollsters noted that, while the county continues with planning the airport, voters are only now being presented with a choice, and they "ëare finding the alternatives attractive.'" "Asked whether they favored or opposed the concept of an airport," only "43% favored" it, 44% were against. Further, "47% of voters" preferred the Millennium Plan. "In December 1996, the supervisors approved a preliminary airport plan," after Measure A, calling for a commercial airport at El Toro, narrowly passed in 1994, and Measure S, aimed to repeal Measure A, failed in 1996.

"The poll results were a vindication of sorts for South County officials who have maintained that the airport plan is not a done deal." The Millennium Plan is the non-aviation alternative in case a ëfatal flaw' if found. Yet, "there is no consensus on what would constitute a ëfatal flaw.'" The major concern of the airport opponents, and supported by north county residents, was jet noise "an issue county planners have never been able to answer easily." "None of the four airport plans," released last April "were well received." Plan C, which was selected by the county, was approved by "only 38%" of the respondents, with 53% opposed. "Voters were about evenly split" on the people mover train that would connect El Toro to John Wayne at a cost of $300 million, and which is part of the selected plan. While most voters agreed that "an airport would create jobs and benefit the economy," most did not find it crucial to economic success; "only 45% agree that a new airport is the most fiscally sound use of the base, 41% disagree. Click for a large file with poll findings.

Two years ago, a majority believed that an airport made the most financial sense for the base." Besides voters opinions about the reuse of the base, "only 27% of county residents approve of the way the board and county staff are handling the El Toro project." Indeed, the airport "is a hot-button issue this year with both pro and anti-airport candidates competing for three open seats on the Board of Supervisors," in the June 2 primaries. "With such a large margin of voters in favor of a new referendum," both sides are ready to head to the polls again. 

"A court in Okinawa," Japan, ordered the Japanese government "to pay more than $10 million to people living near a U.S. air base in compensation for noise from military jets." The island's High Court "awarded the money to 867 residents, who live near the Kadena Air Base." Editorail note: While commercial jets are quieter than military ones, they do affect the surrounding communities. In addition, the proposed airport at El Toro is scheduled to have a ten-fold increase in the number of operations, compared to the military's. 

Website Direct, May 19, 1998
"Pro Airport group fails to recruit more cities."

Two recent attempts to recruit more "northern" cities to OCRAA (Orange County Regional Airport Authority) - a coalition of cities promoting an airport at El Toro - failed, when the councils of both Yorba Linda and Fullerton voted to postpone a decision. The Yorba Linda City Council voted against joining OCRAA, but will consider, at a later date, joining both OCRAA and ETRPA - the South County coalition promoting the non-aviation Millennium Plan. The Fullerton City Council, on a 3-2 vote, rejected joining OCRAA, voting, instead, to table the proposal indefinitely until further study compels any council member to put the topic on the agenda.. 

The Los Angeles Times, May 19, 1998
"Noise studies do some dueling on El Toro and kids"

Gary Evans, who led the Cornell studies about effects of noise on school children, spoke Monday night before the Capistrano Unified School District and before the Acoustical Society of America. "Cornell University researchers found that noise from a new airport in Munich, Germany, heightened blood pressure and stress hormone levels in children who live under the flight path." The Cornell studies, further, shows that "from Chicago to far flung places like Germany and England, communities are fighting efforts to build and expand airport." "A county analysis of the Cornell report found that the school closest to the Munich airport experienced twice the level of jet noise that students at the school closest to El Toro would experience if the airport is built." The county's noise experts further "maintain that jet noise from the proposed airport would not be loud enough to cause health problems for children or anyone else." While military jets do produce more noise than commercial ones, "the airport plan endorsed by the Board of Supervisors last month calls for nearly 500 takeoffs and departures a day from El Toro by 2020 - almost 10 times the air traffic that the military generated in 1994." Evans' reply was that "researchers would have to study how children are affected by the lower jet noise levels," that there are not enough data, yet, "to rule out health problems." "Evansë work is the first effort to monitor children both before an airport is built and after it begins operating," and is among reports linking "high level of environmental noise, such as the roar of jets, to increased cardiovascular activity and sleep deprivation and student learning problems." "Evans' work has generated great interest in South County," leading several School boards to proclaim their objections to the proposed airport. 

"Bureaucrats beware: Public meeting junkies who love to air charges of malfeasance and sound off on issues such as El Toro are plugging in to a whole new audience."

"Internet activism" is impacting local politics, "in cities from Pasadena to Stamford, Connecticut." 'It used to be ..that politicians could keep things to themselves,' said Len Kranser, the editor of the El Toro Airport Info Site. "'Information is power, and by sitting on things they achieved their objectives more easily.'" "The El Toro Web site displays newspaper articles, government reports and studies on airports." Studies like "the effects of airport noise on school children" are summarized and posted on the site "where it is picked up by dozens of activists from Kentucky to Australia who are fighting local airport development." "Benjamin Barber, a professor of politics at Rutgers University who studies online political discourse," warned that Internet activism can "ëenhance the vices of local politics,'" but also its virtues "'instant communication, ongoing interaction, quick response time and strength of community.'"

Website direct, May 16, 1998
Campaign Literature Blitz
Is Newport Beach Buying the Supervisorial Election and El Toro Airport?

With 2 weeks to go before the June 2 supervisorial elections, Newport Beach money is playing a key role in the campaigns for three supervisors seats. A costly mail blitz will hit homes throughout the contested districts, most of it boosting pro-El Toro airport candidates.

In the 5th District, incumbent Tom Wilson - a proven friend of the district's anti-airport residents - is being challenged by pro-airport Newport Beach Mayor John Hedges. Reportedly, Hedges has a mailer suggesting that he has the support of former President Ronald Reagan. Of course, the ailing Reagan is no longer involved in Orange County politics. Tom Wilson has the personal backing of virtually every anti-airport leader in the county, including Bill Kogerman of Taxpayers for Responsible Planning and Larry Agran of Project 99.

In the 2nd District, staunchly pro-airport incumbent Jim Silva is running for his political life against three anti-airport challengers. The incumbent ducked facing questioners at a candidates' forum this week. Challenger Dave Sullivan reports that 80% of Silva's extensive campaign war chest comes from outside of his district and primarily from the Newport Beach area.

In the 4th District, two pro-airport candidates, Lou Lopez and Cynthia Coade, are getting Newport Beach financial support in their race to edge out Eric Woolery. Woolery, an accountant and businessman, has promised careful economic scrutiny of the county's plans for El Toro... a major change in how the supervisors have been handling the project. See Elections 98 Section for more. 

"South county leaders implied, "county staff ... wants to preserve the major airport option." "[County attorney Michael] Gatzke contended it [the largest plan] was needed so the environmental impact study would include a ëworst care scenario.'"

Editor:- Most leaders of the airport opposition object to any airport option. Once the runways are open for business, and planes begin flying, there is little hope of limiting their number or hours of operation.

Los Angeles Times, May 13, 1998
"State Agency Seeks Fast Track for $20.7-Billion Project"
The California High Speed Rail Authority is "promoting a 676-mile high-speed train designed to streak between Northern and Southern California...between Los Angeles and San Francisco in about 2 hours, 50 minutes" with "an average one-way fare of $40." "ëHigh speed rail, however probably will be opposed by the powerful airline industry'", said the chairman of the state authority. The proposed route will take travelers from San Diego to Riverside County, near March Air force Base, and to Ontario Airport, Los Angeles and Burbank, on the way north. 

Los Angeles Times, May 12, 1998
"Town Hall Meeting on El Toro Draws 600"
"Many express opposition to an airport at the base during the forum hosted by Supervisor Todd Spitzer"
"A crowd of about 600 gathered at Foothill High School in Santa Ana on Monday night to ask questions about the county's plans for the El Toro Marine air base and, in some cases to express their staunch opposition to building an airport there."

Supervisor Todd Spitzer, who has hosted three of these forums said, "ëThese meetings corroborate my position that the airport would be devastating to the communities most proximate to it.'"

Editor:- Supervisor Tom Wilson, who is also strongly anti-airport, will be hosting similar meetings in his district. Supervisor Charles Smith, an airport proponent, has canceled the meetings originally scheduled for his district. Supervisor Jim Silva, an airport proponent who is running for reelection, has scheduled only one forum. Unlike Spitzer and Wilson, who provided side-by-side comparisons of the airport and non-airport plans, Silva will present only the airport side, and he has scheduled his forum for after the June 2 election. 

The international newsletter highlights world-wide actions against airport expansion, noise and pollution. 

Los Angeles Times, May 10, 1998
"The Leader of the Pack in El Toro Dogfight"
"George Argyros marshals his forces to build an airport -and a legacy."
The Times profiles the man who spent $1.8 million on Measure A, the initiative that mandates a commercial airport at El Toro, and against Measure S which sought to overturn it. Furthermore, "he supports county supervisors, particularly Jim Silva, who shares his vision and vote for an airport." 

Coastline News, May 8, 1998
"Coalition of 48 Homeowner Associations Names President of 'Clear The Air/No Jets'"
"CTA/NJ is a coalition of 48 Orange County homeowner associations representing over 120,000 people." The members are mounting a grass roots effort to oppose building of a commercial airport at El Toro. Click here for information on bringing your association into the fight.

OC Register, May 7, 1998
"Supervisor Wilson says no to an international airport"
"He wants to kill an alternative proposal that allows for a large facility"
Tom Wilson asked the Board of Supervisors to revisit the El Toro issue at next Tuesday's meeting and to remove Option D, the largest airport plan, from consideration. Option D would close John Wayne to commercial flights and move all operations to El Toro.

"Supervisor William Steiner... opposed the large airport and said ëwe ought to put a bullet in it's head right now.'" If Steiner votes with Wilson, and anti-airport Supervisor Todd Spitzer, the most environmentally damaging of the county's four plans could be removed from consideration.

The LA Times reports that Supervisor William Steiner will back Wilson's move and provide the crucial swing vote.

Pro-airport forces are scrambling to save Option D. "Michael Gatzke, the county's El Toro attorney, said it must be included to comply with state environmental law, which requires a range of alternatives be studied. But Richard Jacobs, an attorney for seven anti-airport cities [ETRPA] and an environmental law expert, said the county is required to study a reasonable range of alternatives, not the biggest one."

"There is only one reason for leaving the big airport in, said Paul Eckles, executive director of the south cities group. ëIt leaves the door open so they can come back and do it,' he said." 

OC Register, May 6, 1998
"Critics question wisdom and safety of east and north takeoffs at El Toro"
"The biggest concerns - the hills - can easily be cleared, the county expert says."
"Orange county officials had hoped to put the issue of El Toro airport safety to rest.. but their analysis of takeoffs over nearby mountains failed to do so."

"To the east, there is a 630-foot hill one mile from the end of the runway, and a 745 foot hill a half mile farther." The Air Line Pilots Association "has said easterly takeoffs are unsafe" and has yet to respond to the county's latest statements.

"The northerly takeoff plan has jets flying over 1,320-foot Loma Ridge."  The county's flight procedures expert "said jets can clear the peak, which in 1965 was the site of the county's worst aircraft crash, with an accelerated climb rate." Officials from the Marine Corps, which is neutral on county plans for an El Toro airport, say they don't fly straight north for safety and air traffic reasons. ëThe main reason is there's a big hill straight out there,' said Maj. Bill Nix, the Marine's head traffic controller for the western region.'" No mention is made of what happens if a pilot experiences an engine failure on takeoff.

"The Air Transport Association, which represents the major airlines, has expressed concern about weight limits that might force them to fly with planes that are not full so they can get over the mountains." 

OC Register, May 5, 1998
"Curfew feasibility newest fuel in El Toro airport fight"
"Supervisor Smith says none was ever promised. Spitzer wants the possibility explored"
"Pro- and anti-El Toro airport forces traded charges over whether [night time flight] restrictions realistically can be imposed."

Pro-airport Supervisor Charles Smith made it clear that, "the county isn't considering an El Toro curfew." "ëI'm sure there are going to be some flights at night,' Smith said. ëThe whole thing of a curfew is a nonissue because we don't think there will be any curfew.'"

Ever since the Board approved an airport for El Toro, county officials have claimed that they would protect south-county residents with night curfews. The county website currently says that, "the Board has directed that nighttime operations receive particular attention in the planning process." Courtney Wiercioch told a television audience yesterday that the county is continuing to work towards establishing curfews. Smith is the first insider to admit what airport opponents have believed all along, that there will be no curfews.

See more on curfew story in May 4 news brief below.

At the top of their list of findings is that the county is "using the idea of a nighttime curfew at El Toro to "mislead" the public. Spitzer stated, "The curfew idea is a dangerous and capricious concept"... it is "a fallacy". The delegation reported that there is no realistic hope of a curfew at El Toro in light of air line industry opposition. Since enactment of the 1990 Airport Capacity and Noise Act, twenty airports have requested curfews and none have been approved.

The "two airport" plan recently adopted by the Board of Supervisors (with Wilson and Spitzer voting "no") is also unlikely. "Perimeter rules", necessary for assigning short haul flights to John Wayne and long haul flights to El Toro, are under attack by the General Accounting Office and the airline industry. Legislation is being introduced in Congress to bar such arrangements, which can lead to higher airfares.

The county's "chameleon-like" planning process - with many alternatives and constantly changing options - has already cost the Marines $680,000 in change orders to their environmental impact study and more changes are necessary. Introduction of the "people mover" idea will further complicate the Marine's efforts to evaluate the constantly changing county proposals Spitzer and Wilson will now challenge the pro-airport majority on the Board to dispel the misinformation that has been presented by county staff. They want a pro-airport supervisors to join one or both of them in making the same rounds in Washington to talk to the same officials. Hopefully this will force an end to county staff "bamboozling" the supervisors and public about unrealizable curfews and the two-airport concept. 

LA Times, May 2, 1998
"LA Council Agrees to Buy Land Near Airport"
"The Los Angeles City Council agreed Friday to spend $12.6 million to acquire properties near Los Angeles International Airport that eventually could be used for the airport expansion.  The properties.... are among the noisiest near the airport." 

The OC Register, May 1, 1998
"Feinstein enters El Toro airport flap"
"Senator Diane Feinstein jumped for the first time into the El Toro airport fray by asking Secretary of the Navy" "to give 'full and equal' consideration to south county's non-aviation plan while preparing critical environmental reports." This is the first such a call since the Millennium Plan has been introduced, and it follows a similar letter, by Senator Barbara Boxer and Congressman Christopher Cox, submitted to the Navy on June 1997. "Feinstein's letter asks for Dalton's assurances that the navy would honor its previous commitment to make the Millennium Plan part of the environmental studies required by federal law." 

LA Times, May 1, 1998
"Spitzer Tries to Avoid Hard Landing Over Airport Issue"
Supervisor Todd Spitzer is in Washington, [where] "he was in the nation's capital to seek federal support for the ... Millennium Plan, which calls for residential, business and commercial development, instead of an airport at the 4,700-acre El Toro site."  In a telephone interview with the Times, he repeated that he is "opposed to an airport at El Toro."

Nevertheless, the Times article focuses on Spitzer's interest in eventually running for higher office in the future and draws inferences that he might soften his position on the airport for political reasons.

When interviewed for the piece by the Times reporter, Leonard Kranser, Editor of the El Toro Airport Info Site objected to the conclusions that were being drawn. "Spitzer is attacking the airport by attacking the county planning process... But, stories in your paper are creating doubts about Spitzer (and Wilson). Because of the stories, people are worrying about what is going on....People are registering their concerns." The Times used only the last part of the statement.

"I am not concerned about Todd Spitzer,' [TRP's Bill] Kogerman said, because he has a brilliant mind, he is a fair man and he understands clearly that the nonaviation plan produces the best jobs.'" 

APRIL

LA Times, April 29, 1998
"Flight Limit, Key to El Toro Plan, is Under Attack"
"The plan to convert the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station to an international airport hinges on flight restrictions that some lawmakers [in Washington] are trying to abolish." Under" two-airport systems" plans endorsed by the 3 member majority on the Board of Supervisors, "El Toro would handle all medium and long-haul flights. John Wayne would serve only short flights."

"But critics say such arrangements stifle competition and in some cases inflate ticket prices." The General Accounting Office has recommended to Congress that they pass legislation baring such arrangements, which are called "perimeter rules'. Senator Richard Selby, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, "agreed the perimeter rules ... should be abandoned."

Opponents of El Toro Airport have stated, all along, that a "two airport system" is a political charade being acted out at great cost, and that the construction of El Toro will result in the closing of John Wayne and the transfer of all commercial traffic to the new airport. ""Some airline executives have said that they prefer having a single large airport in Orange County." 

LA Times, April 29, 1998
"Hedges Labels Anti-Airport Group a Front for Leftists"
In a letter illustrating the rhetorical depths to which pro-airport forces have sunk, supervisorial candidate John Hedges of Newport Beach accused Project 99 of being "a front for a liberal organization in the Bay area" and claimed that his opponent Tom Wilson "has joined forces with ëleftists'". Project 99 leader Larry Agran refuted Hedges statement with facts and responded that, "ëWhat he is saying is an outright lie and of course, I'll expect a full apology.'" 

OC Register, April 28, 1998
"Pro-airport mailer draws flak"
"Opponents call the poll's questions and its accompanying cover letter misleading."
A George Argyros-backed group has sent another mass mailing to residents, promoting an airport at El Toro. The mailer contains a poll, with leading questions, whose answers, "will be tallied and released to federal and county policy-makers and the media." Example: "Do you support the re-use of El Toro as the second commercial airport Orange County needs or would you rather see El Toro Airport torn up and sold off to developers by the federal government?"

"Bruce Nestande, president of the Citizens for Jobs and the Economy, which mailed the poll, said it was sent because the pro-airport side is misrepresented." 

OC Register, April 28, 1998
"El Toro groups land in D.C,"
"County Chief Executive Officer Jan Mittermeier led a team on a three-day blitz of Washington last week," including pro-airport Supervisor Charles Smith, his deputy, attorney Michael Gatzke and Courtney Wiercioch.

A South County delegation will be "making many of the same rounds" this week. It includes county Supervisors Tom Wilson and Todd Spitzer, ETRPA Chairman Richard Dixon, Irvine Mayor Christina Shea, Councilman Dave Christensen and representatives of the anti-airport business community. 

In the words of attorney Barbara Lichman of the group, "ëIf it has got to be South County vs. Newport Beach, so be it.'" Irvine Mayor Christina L. Shea replies that, "They want one city [to] direct where an airport should go.'... What we ought to be doing is expand John Wayne because it would have the least impact on the fewest residents at the lowest cost.'"

"The Airport Working Group joined with business leaders - principally [George] Argyros - to devise a county-wide initiative that would cement two things: rezoning for an airport at El Toro and designating the Board of Supervisors as the official authority representing the community on the airport issue." Prior to the passage of Measure A, the cities surrounding El Toro had a voice in its reuse. Now south-county groups intend to reverse Measure A by giving voters a choice, for the first time, between an airport or the non-aviation Millennium Plan. 

OC Register, Business Section, April 24, 1998
"International El Toro routes might not fly"
"When county supervisors voted this week for a true international flavor to the proposed El Toro airport, they obviously overlooked global political realities." The article reviews the international treaty process that has kept San Jose International and Denver International from obtaining more than a handful of overseas flights per week.

"Says Paul Dempsey, an airline executive and author of a new book on Denver's airport building boondoggle, ëOrange County would have a difficult time competing with LAX.'" 

LA Times, April 24, 1998
"Spitzer, Wilson Reaffirm El Toro Airport Stance"
"Two supervisors say vote for reuse option that would least affect South county was strategic move."
Spitzer and Wilson "actually voted in favor of one of the plans" - the least intrusive - in a strategic move that had the backing of airport opponents. Had they succeeded in diverting the board away from the larger international and cargo airport options, they still would have still been free to fight for a non-aviation reuse of the base. Wilson said, "I am against all airports, but I didn't want to sit by and let [just] anything get pushed through the system."

"What Spitzer and Wilson were trying to do was force the hand of the other supervisors to see if they are as concerned as they claim to be about South County fears of pollution, traffic and noise, said Richard Dixon , head of the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority." "They had hoped to pick up William G. Steiner who had expressed support for the smallest airport in the days before the meeting." However, Steiner switched his position and voted for a larger international airport option with heavy night time air cargo traffic. 

OC Register, April 23, 1998
"Air-cargo plan: 50% at night"
"Up to half of the air-cargo jets using the proposed El Toro airport would fly overnight, under the plan favored by the Orange County Board of Supervisors."

Supervisor Todd Spitzer said "ëNearly 50 percent of cargo [under Option C] either arrived or departed between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.... I want to know what that means in terms of the number of operations.'"

"Specifics about cargo flights were not disclosed when the plan was released [and voted on] last week, but an Orange County Register analysis of technical reports shows that the largest number of hourly cargo arrivals ó as many as eight ó would land from 3 to 4 a.m." 

LA Times, April 23, 1998
"Will O.C. 'People Mover' Fly?"
"Proposed rail system linking El Toro, John Wayne airports faces price, usage hurdles."
"The ëpeople mover' that is the central feature of the El Toro airport plan endorsed by county supervisors this week appears to face a host of serious obstacles, and several experts are questioning its feasibility."

"Without a rail link, [officials] say, airlines might abandon John Wayne and choose instead to only fly out of El Toro." "ëWe are really not that thrilled about having upgrades at two airports,' said Neil Bennett, western regional director of the Air Transport Assn."

"Even if the first-in-the-nation rail system linking John Wayne Airport with a new international airport at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station can be built, another huge hurdle would be the plan to put it in Irvine, the heart of anti-El Toro airport sentiment."

"The most immediate questions were the $300-million price tag and the level of support that could be expected from the airlines and from the millions of passengers who would be asked not only to change planes but to change airports via the people mover... Chicago, Washington, Dallas and Milwaukee, have considered rail links between short-haul and international airports, but most have been rejected as too expensive or unworkable." "ëI could see you connecting the Orange County airports to LAX, but I'm not sure what just linking these two [John Wayne and El Toro] accomplishes,'" said one airport designer.

Click here for the entire article. 

Local farmers and left-wing groups have violently opposed the airport since construction was first announced 30 years ago. The farmers resent confiscation of their ancestral lands, while leftists say the airport could be used as a base for the U.S. military. The airport was forced to open with only one runway in 1978. Officials are still negotiating with farmers to get land for the second runway.

Editor: Violence is deplorable. However, the story does show the anger that citizens have towards officials who impose airports onto their way of life.

OC Register, April 22, 1998
"County narrows El Toro options"
Orange County supervisors "voted to study a "scaled-down airport that would be about one-third the size of Los Angeles International but with full passenger and cargo service." "John Wayne would remain open to commercial flights under 500 miles and to private planes. The two airports would operate as one system, linked by a 15-minute ride on a $300 million people mover." The vote came after Supervisor William Steiner took a lot of heat for his initial opposition to Option C and switched his position.

An OC Register Editorial blasted the county planning process as "Flying Blind at El Toro"... "a process propelled mainly by the personal druthers of individual supervisors."

Website viewers can keep up to date with a new page covering the constantly shifting Airport Plans.

The supervisors meeting was filled with two busloads of Newport Beach "boosters" who want air traffic moved to El Toro. "ëI hope there will be another airport to share the wealth of the contamination we have been experiencing,' said Eleanor Tucker, a 27-year Newport Beach resident who lives under John Wayne's takeoff pattern."

Richard Dixon, Chairman of the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority, ETRPA, expressed the unyielding position of south county residents. "I cannot for the life of me think of anything that would cause me to sit down and start negotiating an airport at El Toro... It is our intention to oppose an airport, period." 

Website Direct, April 21, 1998
Board of Supervisors in Disarray
The board tackled two contentious aspects of the El Toro debate today. First, the pro-airport board majority couldn't figure out quite what to do about its possibly illegal hiring of an attorney to do $1 million of airport work. Then the majority approved one of the four airport options presented just days ago.

Attorney Michael Gatzke has been representing the county in airport litigation, without a two-thirds approval of the board, as allegedly required by state law. When Supervisor Tom Wilson put a motion on the table to see if his colleagues had the courage to vote on a Gatzke contract, the result was 0 in favor of the hiring, Wilson and Spitzer opposed to the contract, Silva, Smith and Steiner abstaining. The three pro-airport supervisors and county staff danced around an implicit confession that Gatzke had been hired in closed session - a potentilal violation of the California Open Meeting law (Brown Act).

The choice of an airport plan also came with difficulty. Over the weekend, Supervisor Steiner indicated a preference for Option A, the smallest of the four plans, and according to the Times, "questioned the viability of Option C, because of the $300 million cost of the people mover system" that would connect El Toro with John Wayne Airport. Steiner came immediately under intense heat from airport boosters as reported in the Register. The George Argyros lead Citizens Advisory Commission chose Option C, with the Air Transport Association industry representative to CAC voting "No".

. Website Direct, April 20, 1998
Airport Opponents Rally
Over 300 concerned residents filled an auditorium in Aliso Viejo tonight to hear a panel of speakers outline the negative impacts of an airport at El Toro and the non-aviation alternatives for the base. An environmental scientist, an educator and a real estate expert detailed a damaged future for those "living under the flight path". The meeting was organized by Taxpayers for Responsible Planning.

Supervisor Tom Wilson told the audience that an airport "is not a done deal." Wilson, Supervisor Spitzer, city officials from ETRPA, and business leaders are going to Washington this month to present the anti-airport story that county officials have tried to keep hidden from federal officials.

The meeting was televised and can be watched on Cox Cable Channel 39 on April 24 through 27 at 10:00 am and 7:00 PM each day. Another major informational meeting, chaired by Todd Spitzer, is scheduled this Wednesday in Lake Forest. Check the website Meeting Calendar for dates and locations of upcoming events. 

LA Times, April 18, 1998
"O.C. Shows 4 Directions for Future of El Toroî
"Moments after the four long-awaited proposals for converting El Toro Marine base into a commercial airport were outlined Friday, a key county supervisor [Bill Steiner] declared he will support only one of them - the smallest." In supporting Option A, Steiner ësaid he considered those [other] proposals either too large or unworkable."

Option A still provides for 128 arrivals and departures each night between 10 pm and 7 am, an average of one flight every four minutes. Many of these will be for the airport's planned cargo operations.

How the Four Plans Compare (in year 2020)
Click on the Option to see each land layout.
 

Option	A	B	C	D
% aviation acreage	43	47	48	49
% nonaviation acreage	57	53	52	51
Average daily vehicle trips *	220	283	276	257
Daily jet operations **	513	669	492	787
Annual passengers -millions	19	28.8	24	33.5
Cargo - millions of tons/year	1.25	2.01	2.02	2.07

* Thousands of vehicle trips to or from airport
** Includes domestic and international passenger and cargo
*** Millions
Source: County of Orange 

Website Direct, April 17, 1998
County Presents a Plethora of Plans
County planners unveiled four major airport plans with an estimated eleven variations of what they hope to do with an airport at El Toro. One person familiar with the process dubbed the proposed airport, Chameleon International because, "It changes size, shape and service every other day."

The following could be gleaned from an initial look at the four major alternatives:

· The planners were not held to the Board of Supervisor's "concession" to limit the airport to 25 million annual passengers... a "concession" offered to residents when the airport environmental impact report was approved in December 1996..

· Furthermore, three of the four alternatives involve the carrying of massive amounts of air cargo in addition to the passenger load. There will be approximately 70 cargo flights per day, or per night, since that is the preferred schedule for cargo carriers. It is estimated that roughly 1,000 daily truck trips will be required to move the cargo in and out.

· John Wayne may or may not be kept open to commercial aviation. Three of the four alternatives call for JWA to operate at a lower volume of commercial traffic than at present, fulfilling the desires of Newport Beach forces.

· The El Toro Airport will continue to rely on easterly takeoffs - that have been opposed by airline pilots' organizations. · Under each of the four alternatives, two of El Toro's four closely spaced runways will be abandoned and replaced with new runways set further apart. However, the spacing proposed is insufficient to allow simultaneous instrument operations. An initial reaction from one airline safety committeeman was that there isn't a commercial airport in the country built with such close runway spacing. The spacing selected appears to be politically motivated rather than being based on good airport design 

LA Times April 16, 1998
"March Passenger Traffic Dips 6.7% at John Wayne"
"Fewer travelers used John Wayne Airport in March than during the same month last year." Airport officials cited "bad weather and lack of air-fare competition as likely factors."

John Wayne Airport frequently has higher fares than other area airports because a 1985 agreement, between Newport Beach and the county, limits the number of passengers who can be served. This acts as a disincentive for airlines to offer bargains to fill their limited number of seats. 

OC Register, April 16, 1998
"Seven anti-airport cities work to remove lawyer"
"Anti-El Toro airport forces this week renewed on two fronts their effort to oust the outside county attorney who has fought their lawsuits so successfully." Attorney Michael Gatzke, an expert in airport litigation, has been paid almost $1 million by the county since the start of 1997. The attack on Gatzke's hiring is seen as an attack on the way county staff does business, allegedly violating rules, regulations and laws in pursuit of an airport agenda.

"The [ETRPA] cities contend the board violated the state Open Meeting law by discussing Gatzke's contract in closed session... The letter followed a request last Tuesday by Supervisor Tom Wilson, an El Toro airport opponent, asking the board to revisit the entire issue of hiring outside counsel, as well as Gatzke's contract."

The two pronged attack puts pro-airport supervisors Silva, Smith and Steiner, who "steadfastly support Gatzke", and the manner of his hiring, in a bind. Supervisor Todd Spitzer charged that Gatzke has not been hired legallysince state law requires approval by 4 of the 5 supervisors. Now, the 3 pro-airport supervisors can either agree with Wilson, that their closed session vote on April 7 did not constitute ratification of Gatzke's contract, - or they can disagree with Wilson and run afoul of ETRPA's contention that California's Brown Act, Open Meeting law, forbids approving contracts in secret session.

The issue is agendized for the April 21, 9:30 am meeting. 

Wall Street Journal, April 13, 1998
"Federal Express is to Unveil Today Plans to Build Hub in Greensboro, N.C."
"FedEx has estimated that the cargo hub will result in as many as 1,500 jobs, mostly part-time overnight positions, and an initial 20 cargo flights a day."

Sounds like what we don't need at El Toro. For more on Fedex, click here. 

The meeting was held to dispel concerns, because Wilson had sided with three pro-airport supervisors in backing County Counsel Laurence M. Watson in a decision regarding the hiring of outside counsel Michael Gatzke to litigate El Toro matters for the county. Wilson stress that his vote was solely on a personnel question of whether Watson had followed Board policy. "Wilson said... he would ask the board in the next two or three weeks to review its policy on hiring outside counsel with an eye towards changing it."

The flap began when Supervisor Todd Spitzer, who is an attorney, contended that Watson's hiring of Gatzke for the El Toro litigation, without Board approval, had violated California law. Gatzke has billed the county almost $1 million since the start of 1997.

County staff tried to shield Watson's hiring of Gatzke from public scrutiny and input - by labeling it a "personnel matter" which can be dealt with in a closed session of the Board. To prepare for the closed session, Watson wrote to the Attorney General's office requesting an opinion on his actions regarding Gatzke. Watson's letter, framing the question, was pointedly withheld from anti-airport supervisors Wilson and Spitzer. The reply, which came back from a deputy attorney general, was kept secret until presented to Wilson and Spitzer in a closed session of the Board of Supervisors.

Spitzer's contention - that Gatzke was hired illegally- is supported by substantial legal research. It is anticipated that Wilson and Spitzer, and anti-airport groups, will bring the matter to full public disclosure. 

A Wilson political contributor "withdrew a $500 donation to the supervisor's campaign and called a halt to a planned fund-raiser." "Other Wilson backers have placed their financial support on hold." Larry Agran, head of Project 99, noted that "[Gatzke] is a guy who played very, very hardball on the challenge to the environmental impact report....Here was an opportunity for Tom Wilson with his vote to see to it that [Gatzke] be dismissed, and he dropped the ball.'"

Wilson strongly defended his vote... as "a procedural matter". Mission Viejo Mayor Susan Withrow, said of Wilson, "ëHe is a diplomat, and he likes to reach a consensus, but let's face it, this is a war, and we need a Gen. Patton.'" Political scientist Mark Petraca said Wilson might have decided "to go along to get along."

However, "other South County leaders remained supportive of Wilson. "Bill Kogerman, executive director of Taxpayers for Responsible Planning, urged caution. ëAt this point, I'd like to consider this a family matter... This will be aired in private."

What exactly happened: Supervisor Todd Spitzer, armed with substantial legal research, held that the hiring of Gatzke was illegal because it did not receive a State-mandated vote by 4 of the 5 supervisors. When the Supervisors met in closed session to act on Spitzer's challenge, County Counsel Lon Watson provided a faxed informal opinion from a Deputy Attorney General approving of the hiring procedure. A motion was made and passed, over Spitzer's objection, saying, "the Board found that based on the opinion of the Attorney General, actions taken with respect to the hiring of Michael S. Gatzke... were taken ...in full compliance with state law, prior board action and applicable board policies."

LA Times April 10, 1998
"Mayor [Riordan] Pushes Plan to Nearly Double LAX"
"Under the proposed expansion, LAX's capacity would grow from nearly 60 million passengers a year to more than 100 million. Cargo facilities would be dramatically increased..."

Proponents of a new airport at El Toro are basing their arguments on LAX handling only 70 million annual passengers. With LAX at 100 million the need for El Toro is unclear. See following story. 

OC Register, April 9, 1998
"Airport demand in the region will double by 2020, report says"
"One [county] plan proposes making El Toro the area's second-largest airport after Los Angeles International"
"The county's El Toro reuse planning team released a new demand forecast..."showing that passenger demand in the area from San Diego to Ventura, and including Riverside and San Bernadino, is expected to nearly double by 2020.

"Lake Forest Councilman Richard Dixon, whose city opposes an airport, acknowledged that there will be an increased passenger demand... ëThe issue is not, is there going to be an increase in demand - common sense tells us that will be true,' Dixon said, ëBut we need to utilize the existing airport system.' His solution is to connect travelers to airports by super-speed trains."

The Los Angeles Times, in a similar article, noted that, "Southern California is home to more airports per capita than any other region in the world." Furthermore, a study by the Southern California Association of Governments, concluded that "If El Toro plans are scrapped, according to SCAG, the regional capacity [would be] 163 million passengers a year - a number that is still more than the 157.4 million passenger demand SCAG estimates for the year 2020." 

LA Times, April 8, 1998
"Angry El Toro Neighbors Give Supervisors an Earful"
Vince Mestre of Mestre Greve Associates, a county noise consulting firm based in Newport Beach, "gave the Board of Supervisors some details on what residents can expect if an airport is built after the base closes next year."

"Under the current plan, one of the noisiest areas would be in Mission Viejo adjacent to El Toro Road, which could experience 42 minutes a day of 65 decibels of sound from airplanes, Mestre said." Click here for explanation of decibel levels.

"In Aliso Viejo, Oak Grove Elementary School could experience 60 decibels through the day, with occasional bursts as high as 77 decibels - the equivalent of having a lawn mower operating in a living room... Saddleback, Irvine and Capistrano Unified school districts are opposed to a commercial airport at El Toro, said Crystal Kokendorfer, president of the Capistrano Unified board. ëIt's irresponsible of the county to dismiss the ever-increasing body of evidence that shows aircraft noise impairs children's learning and can adversely affect children's health,' she said." 

Supervisor Todd Spitzer contends that the hiring of Michael Gatzke "violated state law because it wasn't approved by [the necessary vote of] the Board of Supervisors." However, on April 7, the Board responded to an informal opinion written by a deputy state attorney general by ratifying Gatzke's contract. Supervisor Tom Wilson angered many of his backers by joining with the board majority rather than abstaining along with Spitzer.

The "biggest chunk" of the money was spent defending the county against three legal challenges: The county defended Measure A successfully. However, the county lost in a suit brought by Taxpayers for Responsible Planning and El Toro Reuse Planning Authority against the airport environmental impact report. A judge ruled that important parts of the environmental study must be redone. The county also lost in a suit it brought against the City of Irvine after Irvine rezoned 440 acres of the Marine base that are part of the city. 

LA Times, Metro Section Editorial, April 5, 1998
"Choice for El Toro at Last"
"It is remarkable that the county has been battling over reuse since 1993, but only within recent days can it be said that serious choices have been on the table.... The non-aviation planners...are to be commended for their ideas and for the thorough enlistment of citizen involvement."

"A detailed nonaviation plan should have been aired fully before the county went forward with its commitment on the airport." 

LA Times, April 5, 1998
"Public Challenges and a Private Showdown"
"Flap over the hiring of a private attorney to represent the county is El Toro airport cases is part of a larger pattern of 'guerrilla warfare' - as one foe calls it - by two supervisors."
"A showdown is expected to explode behind closed doors this week at the Hall of Administrationover the hiring of a private attorney to represent the county against three lawsuits challenging a commercial airport at El Toro Marine base." What appears to be an administrative matter "is part of a pattern of public challenges" over county process for the airport, being raised by anti-airport Supervisors Todd Spitzer and Tom Wilson.

"The pair have fought back" against the Board's 3-2 majority, "with laser-like public scrutiny on every decision made, every dollar spent, every study and statistic released." "Even airport supporters said the continual pounding is taking its toll on, if only on county staffers who find themselves hammered at public meetings." UCI political science professor Mark Petracca comments that ,"The best way to stop something when you don't have the votes is to challenge the process.'" 

LA Times, April 3, 1998
"Supervisors to Discuss Musik Expansion Bill"
"Proposal in Legislature would prohibit building or expanding county jails near closing military bases, such as El Toro, until their reuse plans are set."
The bill was introduced in the California Legislature "at the request of Lake Forest officials who want to kill the jail expansion completely."

Dick Ackerman (R-Fullerton) said, "he joined [Bill Campbell (R-Orange)] in support of the bill because of concern that the final plan for El Toro might not jibe with an expanded jail next door. ëThere is lots of concern that there might be a park right next to the jail.'"

The bill would halt any action on Musik until the federal government's environmental impact report is completed in around October 1999. 

Newport - Costa Mesa Daily Pilot, April 2, 1998
"Sullivan opposes El Toro airport "
"The candidate for county supervisor ends neutral stance on controversial issue by saying he supports non-aviation option for base."
Following introduction of the non-aviation plan for reuse of the Marine base, one more political figure has jumped on the anti-El Toro Airport bandwagon. Dave Sullivan, candidate in the 2nd District, joins "former Costa Mesa Mayor Sandy Genis and Huntington Beach activist Ralph S. Silva" in opposing an airport at El Toro. The three are running against pro-airport incumbent Jim Silva in the June 2 election. Jim Silva has heavy financial backing from Newport Beach residents, even though that city is not part of his district.

If the challengers collectively can keep the incumbent supervisor from getting a majority of the vote in June, the top two candidates will be in a runoff election in November. 

OC Register, April 1, 1998
RESULTS OF ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER DAILY POLL
Should officials approve the Millennium plan instead of an airport at El Toro?

Yes  82%
No   18%
4,060 responses were received.
How about sending these results by e-mail or fax to someone in Washington.