Gambling on the Future of El Toro

Proponents of an international air terminal at El Toro continue to accuse the opponents of distributing misinformation about the proposed airport. An old Biblical maxim says, “Let he who is without sin throw the first stone.” Proponents say thousands of new jobs will be generated with a new airport. They fail to mention the thousands of job losses with the downsizing or closing of John Wayne Airport.

There is a grand idea, suggested in a recent letter in The Times, that a casino be opened on the property. Let’s carry this a few steps further. Why not build Las Vegas-style entertainment centers, like at Branson, Mo., bringing in many millions of dollars to the county and state?

There will be thousands of new jobs, with no loss of jobs at John Wayne. And a new railway terminal siding by Amtrak for “El Toro Special” trains, bringing in visitors. There would not be a much greater increase in auto traffic to an El Toro entertainment center than there would be to a new international airport.

The possibilities are stupendous, prosperity abounding, and no aircraft noise or exhaust pollution to upset the citizens of South County.

There may be a licensing problem for gambling casinos, but that has been overcome at other places in California. A gambling commission could oversee their licensing, honesty and legality. Tax incentives to big organizations would be more than offset by the increased income to our county.

H. MINICK

Laguna Hills

After all the pious whinnies from the vocal minority who oppose El Toro International Airport, the article in the business section Aug. 7 was a breath of fresh factual air.

The article made reference to a study conducted by Experian Inc., which is unaffiliated with either group on the airport debate. The findings establish that the market within the El Toro radius is not out of line with the rest of the county and indeed, some property values within a 6.5-mile radius of the new airport have enjoyed an increase above the county median increase.

One would think this type of information would be devastating to the South County minority, which has been prophesying a real estate apocalypse in the property areas around the proposed airport. This minority opposition has contended that their property values have already been affected to their detriment since the very inception of the county airport planning process. This finding from Experian belies that very position.

It would appear that these groups that are so opposed to the airport will do everything and anything to stop the airport, including diminishing the value of their own property. Such would be a logical inference when groups opposed to the airport continue to churn out propaganda claiming that property in South County has little or no value due to the proposed airport.

Enough said on this issue, and now may we please move on and plan this airport together.

RICHARD F. TAYLOR Jr.

Newport Beach

My family and I attended a wonderful concert of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra the other night at Irvine Meadows Amphitheater. The music was beautiful and serene, and so were the surroundings as the full moon rose up behind the stage. What an experience! South Orange County is a great place to live!

I thought about what it would be like if the El Toro airport was open, and my heart sank. Instead of romantically watching the moon rise, we would be distracted by the parade of jets coming in to land. The continuous roar of the planes would drown out the soft music.

I suppose the heavy metal rock concerts could go unaffected. What a tragedy.

MARILYN GREEN

Aliso Viejo