The following press release was published on July 29, 1997
Newsletter
Orange County Council Chairmans Column
Peter Craig Executive Vice President Rainbow Technologies
The Great Debate: El Toro MCAS reuse
Over the past two months, in the wake of the Prop 211
defeat, we have been invited to participate in the raging debate regarding
the proposed El Toro MCAS reuse as a 38 Million Annual Passenger international
airport. As I am sure you are aware, this is a topic of extreme passion
and controversy which is causing south county municipalities to seriously
consider secession from the county.
In October, the Executive Committee voted not to take
an AEA position on the topic in the belief that the issue did not have
consensus among the membership.
In late November, the Orange County Business Council
requested that AEA be included in a list of business associations supporting
the airport reuse proposal. This request led to the poll of AEA member
companies in the county . In a statistically significant response, 2/3
of the respondents opposed the airport, slightly less than 1/4 supported
it and the remainder favored a delay in the process to address flaws in
the planning process. As Chairman, I approved the release of the survey
data to the media, noting that the issue was clearly divided and that while
we would report the data, the AEA would not take an institutional position.
My company, Rainbow Technologies, was one of the companies
opposing the airport. We took this position following an employee survey
which showed overwhelming (slightly less than 80%) opposition to the airport.
Our interpretation of this sentiment was that the presence of the airport
as proposed would create a significant obstacle to recruiting and retaining
key professional software and asic electronics design staff. These professionals
are the core of our competitive product advantage and are in high demand
throughout our industry. We are encouraging other companies to survey their
employees so as to determine a more extensive view of the employment impact
of this issue.
I have also found that much of the business community
has not really engaged on this topic and has yet to become familiar with
the issues. There is a wide spread belief that this is a turn key or near
turn key conversion with little or no investment. Unfortunately, this does
not appear to be the case and it now appears that an extensive development
would be required. I think that the business community, including our membership,
needs to become involved in this process and to do so in an informed manner.
The OC Business Council has material supporting the proposal. Opposing
information can be obtained from the web site, http://www.eltoroairport.org
. I urge you all to examine the material, poll your employees and take
an informed position. On one thing both sides agree, although in differing
ways: the economic future of Orange County will be profoundly impacted
by this proposal.
The AEA is going to continue to conduct surveys on the
matter and report the pro and con views of our members. We are considering
a bilateral debate forum for interested parties. I would certainly appreciate
hearing from you on your concerns. I can be reached via email at pcraig@rnbo.com.
