READERS RESPOND

Regarding the article “Time for Plan B” (March 23), I am pleased to

see reality beginning to come to light on the (in)famous airport issue.

Tom Edwards’ thoughts, and those of Leonard Kranser and Clarence

Turner, are steps in the right direction. It was interesting to note that

although, not surprisingly, the strongest vote against Measure F came

from Newport Beach, only about half of the city’s electorate bothered to

vote at all on this measure.

The message seems pretty clear: the El Toro option is not favored by

the residents of Orange County, and is questionable in its support even

by those in our city. Plan B, or a joint effort to maintain the present

limits on John Wayne airport, is the logical reaction.

Bruce Nestande’s quick dismissal of this approach seems self-serving

and not responsive to reality. I am in favor of Tom Edwards’ thoughts on

this, except for the portion that hands the problem to county supervisors

to “find a solution.” Realistically, finding the “solution” must involve

a broad spectrum of people: citizens/electorate, City Councils, county

supervisors, as well as appropriate state and federal agencies. Alan

Silcock

NEWPORT BEACH

Should Newport Beach negotiate with South County to extend John Wayne

Airport’s flight restrictions and curfew, even if it means giving up the

fight for an airport at El Toro?

Yes, getting the curfew for another 20-plus years should be the main

concern of the city. If it means no airport at El Toro, oh well. Ontario

has a brand new terminal and LAX always has tons of flights to every

destination.

DOUG BURFORD

Newport Beach

Do I feel that Newport Beach should negotiate with South County to

extend JWA’s flight restrictions even if it means giving up the fight for

an airport at El Toro? The answer is “no.”

First of all, I think the tide is changing in the fight about Measure

F. Although it passed with flying colors, most citizens voted not to stop

the airport, but to change the process of approving large projects in

communities. I feel that many people in this county see an obvious need

for an airport to meet the growing demand of air travel in the future and

know that El Toro is the obvious option. I feel that many citizens will

be against the Millenium Plan, which will cause much more traffic and air

pollution than the airport.

I also feel that they are angered at South County’s presumption that

they would vote against an airport at El Toro. South County has one

agenda -- no airport in their backyards. And when the demand for more air

transportation is here and El Toro is gone, John Wayne will be the only

option I can see it now: Measure E -- Expand John Wayne. Newport Beach

must not stop fighting for their resident’s quality of life just like

South County will not stop fighting for theirs.

SUSAN MCELHANEY

Santa Ana Heights

I am in agreement with Tom Edwards that Newport Beach and South County

should enter into an agreement to settle the El Toro/John Wayne issue

with each other. Building an airport at El Toro will permanently divide

the residents of Newport Beach and South County.

Working out an agreement that benefits all of us will help to rebuild

this relationship. The tactic of destroying one area to benefit another

is creating nothing but incredible dissension between Newport Beach and

South County.

South County needs to work with Newport Beach on John Wayne

restrictions as well as preventing El Toro from destroying our

communities. It is time for all of us to work together and resolve this

issue and not let special interests dictate how we resolve future

aviation requirements in Orange County.

MIKE BARON

Aliso Viejo

It appears that the cities surrounding John Wayne Airport gain little

if anything by joining the opposition to an airport at El Toro. We should

be able to get the county to extend the John Wayne settlement agreement

without having to get agreement from South County cities. The only

benefit we get by joining with the South County cities is to foreclose

the possibility that at some time in the future they would challenge the

settlement agreement extension. Forever foreclosing transportation

capacity in Orange County seems like a steep price to pay for that

possible future benefit.

Supervisor Tom Wilson should immediately submit the resolution to

extend the John Wayne Airport settlement agreement. DAVID J. ARTHUR

Costa Mesa

I completely support Tom Edwards’ plan B. It is high time that we

stopped attempts to put an airport in someone else’s backyard and they

stopped trying to expand John Wayne. If South County or Disney or George

Argyros wants more air traffic, it should be placed somewhere where it

does not affect residents, or at least people’s right to a night’s sleep.

MIKE STRONG Corona del Mar

I was encouraged by Tom Edward’s willingness to meet with South County

cities and attempt to put a pack together to protect both Newport Beach

and South County -- it makes a lot of sense.

Nobody really wants to expand John Wayne. Sure, during the heat of

battle both sides made a lot of comments about John Wayne today and after

2005, but an agreement that all of us can live with will save everyone

allot of money, even the county.

I was not surprised by Bruce Nestande’s comments. I would expect him

to get nervous over any idea of a plan that didn’t include an airport at

El Toro -- his employer [George Argyros] has been the single biggest deep

pocket for an international airport at El Toro. Let’s get Plan B on the

table as fast as we can, in doing so we can save the county (and other

groups) millions and millions of dollars fighting the issue. Once this

issue is put to bed we can all go back to the quality of life we all

enjoy in Orange County.

DAVE KIRKEY

Coto de Caza

I feel that there should be an agreement with South County to keep

John Wayne Airport the size it is now. We need to work together to keep

the airport the size it is regardless of whether there is ever an El

Toro.

MARILYN SLAUGHTER

Newport Beach

I somewhat belatedly became passionately active and very committed

financially to fight what I deeply believe are the twin evils of a

political process fundamentally corrupted by arrogance, secrecy and

special interests and the development of a commercial airport at El Toro.

As a lawyer who has represented clients throughout Orange County for

many years and has as many friends in North County as in South County, I

have been saddened by the strains placed on these relationships by a

‘process gone wrong.’ I, and an ever-increasing number of people, shall

continue to fight this process until it is based on openness and truly is

representative of all our citizens. Having said that, I am willing to

fight as hard for drawing the line on any expansion of John Wayne Airport

beyond the guidelines set forth in the 1985 settlement agreement as I am

dedicated to defeating an El Toro commercial airport. Likewise, I shall

most willingly assist in any way I can to deal with the Southern

California Region’s future transportation needs. This must focus on

existing airports outside Orange County where expansion is sought with

relatively small impact on established neighborhoods together with an

efficient transportation infrastructure to facilitate traveling to and

from these airports. With all of Orange County pulling together, we can

preserve and embellish for our growing and diverse population what is

arguably one of the most beautiful regions in the world in which to live

and work.

DAVID M. HOLMES

Monarch Beach