Well-liked supervisor nearing end of tenure

BARBARA DIAMOND

Orange County faced myriad challenges in the past 10 years, and

Supervisor Tom Wilson thinks the responses were dramatic and positive

-- chief among them the bounce-back from bankruptcy.

“Orange County now has the highest bond rating on Wall Street of

any county in the state,” Wilson told an admiring audience Monday

night at the monthly Laguna Canyon Conservancy dinner meeting. “I am

in my ninth year as a supervisor, and I always say I’m on the

recovery team. What a difference a decade has made.”

Of special interest to Laguna: grounding the plan for an

international airport at the former U.S. Marine in Base in El Toro.

Wilson led airport opposition on the board, starting from a

minority position, but he credited South County cities and residents

for the persistence that finally killed it.

“It was something unneeded, unwanted and now undone,” Wilson said.

“The runways are gonna be busted up soon.”

When he passes the site, Wilson said, he visualizes a big “sold”

sign.

However, a solution to the problem of John Wayne Airport’s low

flight patterns over South County remains up in the air -- a source

of irritation to Laguna Beach residents, among the most vocal of his

constituents in what Wilson calls the Fabulous 5th District.

Wilson earned a place in Laguna environmentalists’ pantheon of

heroes when he rejected the notion of development in Aliso and Wood

Canyons Regional Park.

“I was extremely pleased that he told Montage [Resort & Spa] to

come back and talk to us [the city] about Aliso Creek Golf Course,”

Councilwoman Jane Egly said. “I am here to thank him.”

While Arnold Hano and Rik Lawrence thought Wilson took too long to

reject intrusion into the open space, Louise Fleenor said his method

of handling the situation impressed her.

“He weighed it carefully,” Fleenor said. “I liked the conclusion

he came to, but even if he had come to a different conclusion, I

would have liked the process.”

Wilson said he didn’t mince words in his press release, but broke

the news to the Athens Group representatives face to face that it

didn’t work for him.

“They have hired everybody I have known or is a friend of mine as

consultants,” Wilson said.

He said all of them have asked what it would take and he has made

it clear that they must deal with the city, not the county.

“I don’t know what they will do, but it won’t be on my shift,”

Wilson said.

Greenbelt board member Pam Strayer said she was sorry this will be

Wilson’s last term as supervisor -- at least his last consecutive

term.

Wilson, too, is sorry he will be termed out.

Many of his pet projects have been in the works as long, or

longer, than he has been in office. Patience is unpopular advice, but

Wilson said that’s what it takes.

The cleanup of Aliso Creek and Aliso Beach is a prime example.

Wilson, who chairs the Orange County Coastal Coalition, said cities

are working on the pollution problem, but like so many projects it

will take a lot of money and more time -- one reason Wilson hates

term limits.

Wilson said realignment of and safety improvements to Laguna

Canyon Road are proof that humankind can triumph over bureaucracy,

given time, funding and persistence.

“It was at the top of my list when I became supervisor,” Wilson

said. “It is scheduled to be completed by May of 2006.”

Another triumph is the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.

“It is a special gift to all who visit here or live here,” Wilson

said. “It took extra special folks ... all of you and we are proud of

you.”

He gave special mention to Carolyn Wood, conservancy president;

Elisabeth Brown, Laguna Greenbelt Inc. president; Mary Fegraus,

Laguna Canyon Foundation executive director and Michael Pinto,

foundation president.

“He really understands his district,” said Fegraus. “He doesn’t

stay in Santa Ana; he gets out there.”

Not only does he get out, he pays attention whenever he goes.

League of Women Voters veteran Jean Raun said Wilson was the only

supervisor she felt ever really listened to matters that concerned

her.

“Tom Wilson has an unending supply of energy and has managed to

reach out to every element in South County,” Councilwoman Toni Iseman

said.

Wilson enjoys the admiration of environmentalists for his position

on open-space issues, but his two runs for supervisor also were

supported by the Laguna Beach Taxpayers Assn. and the Laguna Beach

Friends of the Library.

“In 1999-2000, the county’s book/material budget was $98,000,”

said Martha Lydick, president of both groups. “In 2000-2001, it

dropped to $78,000, but Tom found some money and gave it to the

libraries.”

Wilson blamed the state for some fiscal fiascos.

“We just sent them another $28 million,” Wilson said.

He could not commit on Monday to renovate coastal access points in

South Laguna, but said he would look into a suggestion by South

Laguna Civic Assn. member Bill Rihn to solicit funds for the project

from the California Coastal Conservancy.

“We could have invested more money,” Wilson said. “It’s very

expensive.”

Rihn also asked if Wilson could suggest some way to get local

control of the access points, which the City Council recently turned

down because of the huge liability issues.

Another question mark for Wilson is Assemblyman Chuck DeVore’s

proposal to extend the leases at El Morro Mobile Home Park.

“From what I hear, the idea he has put forth is not going

anywhere,” Wilson said.

Wilson said he is looking forward to a productive future.

“It has been my pleasure to represent you, and I plan to make my

final two years count,” Wilson said.