TRP NEWS, April 1997 Edited for web site publication

Legal Opposition to Airport Growing

The legal efforts to stop the proposed airport at El Toro have intensified with growing support from Orange County citizens. Although the airport supporters continue to claim that the future of El Toro has been decided, the facts are that the battle has just begun.

"I've been telling everyone that the events of the past few months are very encouraging to those of us fighting the airport. Six months ago we had six cities actively on our side, now there are ten cities voicing opposition to the County's decision. The momentum is clearly on our side, the opposition is growing," said Bert Hack, a member of the TRP Board of Directors.

The direct opposition of the cities is demonstrated in two of the three current lawsuits being pursued by Orange County on airport related issues. The initial lawsuit was filed in December 1994 challenging the validity of Measure A, the initiative that mandated an airport for El Toro. This suit is currently on appeal with a decision expected within the next month. The other two lawsuits involve the County's approval of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on El Toro reuse. Two separate, but complementary, suits have been filed. The first, and broadest, suit was filed by TRP. The second suit was filed on behalf of eight cities: Dana Point, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo and San Juan Capistrano. Since that filing, the cities of San Clemente and Tustin have voted to add support to that suit. Negotiations with the County are continuing in an effort to consolidate the TRP and cities lawsuits.

"We feel that more cities should be voting to oppose the EIR. The citizens of Orange and Villa Park, in particular, should be demanding that their City Councils get involved. There is ample evidence that an airport at El Toro could well have flight paths directly over those two cities. We are urging our member in those cities to contact their Council members with these concerns," added Hack.

Currently, the suits on the EIR are scheduled to begin arguments in June or July, with a decision expected by the end of the year.

May General Meeting Visits Mission Viejo

The next meeting for all TRP members is scheduled for Monday, May 12 at 6:30 PM. The meeting will be held at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center located in Mission Viejo. Plan on attending this meeting and learn the latest information about the TRP lawsuit, about the latest TRP lobbying efforts in Washington, DC and about potential reuse options. Bring your ideas on how we can all best continue the battle to stop the airport.

Last month, the newsletter had an article reminding all recipients to verify that you are current with your membership to TRP. The response to this was excellent, many of you have sent in dues and we thank you. Some of you are still not sure if your membership is current. The way to find out is to check the mailing label on this newsletter. If there is an asterisk or series of asterisks after your name, then you are up-to-date as a member. If your membership is not current, you need to become a member to continue to be part of the most effective organization fighting the airport. TRP memberships start at $25 per year. Please consider joining or renewing at a higher level, as a Supporter at $50, as a Sponsor at $100 or as a Patron at $500. If you are already a member, please recruit three new members.

Get Your HOA Involved

Many of the communities that will be the most impacted by an airport at El Toro contain numerous homeowners associations (HOAs). In the past, these HOAs, in general, have avoided direct involvement in the political process. The claim has been that association rules forbid direct participation in this type of issue. TRP has been researching this issue for many months and has developed a method of allowing HOAs to provide direct assistance to the fight against the airport. TRP is working with Clear the Air, a coalition of HOAs to seek the cooperation of all of the HOAs in this program.

If you are a resident in a HOA, please contact the TRP office at 770-4014 and ask for details of this program. There are over 2,000 HOAs in the communities around El Toro. We need them all involved in this fight.

Hypocrisy, Thy Name is Newport Beach

The communication below is a portion of a memo sent by the City Manager of Newport Beach.. Of particular interest to TRP members is the discussion of the airport and the Newport Beach perspective. In the second line of this memo, Mr. Murphy states that limiting aircraft operations at John Wayne Airport have "helped keep our residential tax base strong."

The implication is clear – fully operational airports lower property values. Now, the City of Newport Beach wants to maintain its high property values and its status as "a desirable place to live" by supporting the development of a mega-airport at El Toro. The theory of the City of Newport Beach seems to be that since airports are a problem, let's put one in someone else's neighborhood.

Their past assertions that the effects from an airport can be mitigated are obviously just a ploy to solve their problems of noise, pollution and traffic congestion that come from an airport use. TRP believes that the City of Newport Beach is motivated by a single goal – the closure of John Wayne Airport. TRP is determined to fight their attempts to move their problems to our neighborhoods.

Office of the City Manager

March 6, 1997

TO: ALL EMPLOYEES

FROM: Kevin J. Murphy, City Manager

SUBJECT: UPDATE ON CITY GOALS

AIRPORT The City's Settlement Agreement with the County on restrictions (hours and number of flights, e.g.) at John Wayne Airport expires in 2005 and due to Congressional action can't be extended. Limiting the amount of noise from the airport over the homes in our City has helped keep our residential tax base strong and keep it a desirable place to live along the coast. For these reasons, the City will continue to be strong advocates for the conversion of M.C.A.S. El Toro to a commercial airport. This will take a very strong time and dollar commitment by the City Attorney's office and City Manager' office.


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Answers to Some Frequently Asked Questions About the Reuse of El Toro

Isn't the fight to stop the airport over?

A. NO. The battle for the future of MCAS El Toro is just beginning. The backers of the airport want us to believe the fight is over so we will go away. The facts are that at least two to three years of additional studies are required and the status of multiple lawsuits must be resolved. In addition, new lawsuits will be filed.

What are the differences in the TRP lawsuit and the one filed by the cities?

A. Since TRP represents citizens from all over Orange County, our lawsuit is broader and covers more topics than the lawsuit by the cities. It is important to remember that the attorneys for TRP and the cities are in constant contact to ensure the two suits are in concert in their attack on the County's action.

MAKE SURE YOUR MEMBERSHIP IS CURRENT

WRITE TO TRP

P.O. Box 943, El Toro, CA 92630 (714) 770-4014