Campaign ‘94: Issues and Answers

Two candidates are running in the Nov. 8 election for the Second District seat on the Orange County Board of Supervisors. They are Huntington Beach Mayor Linda Moulton Patterson and Huntington Beach Councilman Jim Silva. Here’s how they stand on four issues.

Do you favor or oppose development of a commercial airport at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station?

Moulton Patterson: “I support the highest and best use of the El Toro MCAS area. Assuming that the environmental and land-use reports, as well as the economic development studies, show that a commercial airport at El Toro is viable, then I will support it. Orange County has rapidly become a large community that needs its own airport to allow us to resume our economic growth and provide jobs for our county.”

Silva: “A commercial airport appears to be the best use for El Toro. It would bring new jobs and new tax revenues into the county, and it would facilitate our efforts to make Orange County a business gateway to the rapidly expanding Pacific markets.”

How can the county solve jail overcrowding?

Moulton Patterson: “The Board of Supervisors needs to build jails to house criminals. Sites have been identified at both the James A. Musick facility in South County and also in Santa Ana. However, for too long the board has played politics with this issue. Consequently, taxpayers will pay millions of dollars more to construct the jail facilities we need and, even more important, families have been victimized by criminals who were released too soon because there was not a jail cell available due to overcrowding.

Silva: “Additional jail space needs to be constructed to house those who commit crimes in Orange County. I favor new jail construction, either at the current site in downtown Santa Ana or at a rural site away from homes and schools. I strongly oppose the early release of criminals to relieve overcrowding.”

How should the Bolsa Chica wetlands be developed?

Moulton Patterson: “My first choice would be for a land trade between the Department of the Interior and the Koll Co. of the entire Bolsa Chica. If this failed, I would accept only development that would do the least environmental damage and cause the least traffic congestion, with maximum effort to restore and preserve the wetlands.”

Silva: “I support preservation of the wetlands and responsible development by the landowners in the area. I support the compromise development plan put together by Amigos de Bolsa Chica.”

What is your position on Proposition 187?

Moulton Patterson: “I support Proposition 187 as a means of sending a message to the federal government that it must provide funding and help in strengthening our border and in providing funding for services provided to illegal immigrants locally. I don’t believe, however, that our public school teachers should be turned into border guards. I am also concerned about what will happen to school-age children who are left out on our streets. Proposition 187 is not the answer, it is more of a warning signal.”

Silva: “I strongly support Proposition 187 and have worked as a city councilman to stop taxpayers’ funds from going to pay for benefits for illegal aliens. People who break our laws should not be rewarded with free government services.”

Source: Individual candidates; Researched by MATT LAIT / Los Angeles Times