TRP NEWS, April/May 1998, Edited for web site publication

June Election Key for Airport Decision

With the release of the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority (ETRPA) "Millennium Plan" for non-aviation reuse of El Toro (see page 4), the people of Orange County can finally see that there are superior options to an airport. Unfortunately, as pointed out in the April 5 edition of the Los Angeles Times, ". . . reality, of course, is that not much of this matters for now. The passage of Measure A in 1994 and the county's decision in late 1996 to begin planning for an airport locked in the future of the base, unless there is another ballot initiative or change in the votes on the Board of Supervisors."

The facts are simple: the current Board of Supervisors has assumed all legal authority for redevelopment of MCAS El Toro. The current board is split 3-2 in favor of a commercial airport use with Supervisors Silva, Smith and Steiner supporting and Supervisors Spitzer and Wilson opposing. There are three board seats on the June ballot, with Supervisors Silva and Wilson running for reelection and Supervisor Steiner retiring.

In the April 5th edition of the Times, UC Irvine Professor Mark Petracca is quoted as saying, "Get a third anti-airport vote on the Board of Supervisors. Then supervisors could revisit this issue at the ballot box, with a board majority opposed to a commercial airport at the base."

TRP believes that the election of supervisors who are willing to objectively evaluate the reuse options for El Toro is critical to stopping the current airport plans. TRP does not endorse candidates, but we can inform our members of the positions of the candidates:

Second District: This is the area in the north and west part of the county, including Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa. The incumbent in this district is Jim Silva, who has consistently voted in favor of the county's plans for an airport at El Toro. Silva is being opposed by former Costa Mesa mayor Sandra "Sandy" Genis; Huntington Beach city councilman, Dave Sullivan; and retired investigator, Ralph Silva. Genis, Ralph Silva and Sullivan have all announced opposition to the current county airport plans.

Fourth District: This district, which encompasses Anaheim and Orange, is an open race with no incumbent. There are five candidates, three of whom have expressed their opposition to the airport. These three candidates are La Palma city councilman Paul Walker, Orange County Board of Education Trustee Eric Woolery, and Anaheim resident Steven White.

Fifth District: Representing most of south Orange County, including all coastal cities, Leisure World and Irvine, incumbent Tom Wilson has consistently opposed the county's airport plans. His opponent is John Hedges, a Newport Beach city councilman and airline pilot, who favors the current El Toro airport plan.

In describing Hedges, L.A. Times columnist Dana Parsons wrote on April 5th that, "Hedges. . . strongly supports a new El Toro airport and hasn't shied away from saying so."

The pro-airport forces understand the importance of this election too well. On March 25th, the Orange County Register ran the story, "Newport Cash Pours into Politics – More campaign contributions go to the pro-airport candidates in the supervisors race."

The Register article analyzed the initial contributions for candidates, noting that, "Newport Beach has been a fountain of money for Board of Supervisor candidates in the June election." The majority of the contributions were for Jim Silva, even though he does not represent the city, and John Hedges.

TRP urges our members to counter the efforts of the wealthy Newport Beach residents to buy the June election. On page 7 of this newsletter are the addresses of those supervisor candidates who are opposing the current county airport plans. Please support their efforts, either with a contribution or with your volunteering efforts.

The June election will determine the ability of the Board of Supervisors to find the best use for El Toro. Please get involved.

May 11, 20, 27
County Airport Plan to Be Presented

On April 17th, the county released their four potential plans for an airport at El Toro. The plans range from a domestic only airport with 19 million annual passengers (MAP) to a mammoth international airport with 33.5 MAP.

The county will be presenting their plans throughout May in the south county area. TRP believes that the best opposition is based on facts, so we are urging all of our members to attend one of the presentations to express your feelings about these plans. Let the planner know what you think about an airport at El Toro.

The presentations are scheduled to begin at approximately 7 PM at the following locations:

May 11: Foothill High School 19251 Dodge Ave., Santa Ana
May 20: Aliso Niguel High School 28000 Terrace View, Aliso Viego
May 27: Irvine City Hall, Irvine

Every Thursday

TRP Executive Director Bill Kogerman is featured every Thursday evening from 6:30 to 7:00 PM on radio station KUCI (88.9 FM). Bill appears on the talk show, "Re-Greening Orange County," with host R.J.

May 15

At 11:00 AM on KDOC-TV (Channel 12 on Cox Cable, Channel 56 for antenna TVs), Bill Kogerman will discuss "The Millennium Plan" on the television talk show "Southland Today" with host Michelle Merker.

Saturday, June 6 at 6:00 PM - Time to Have Some Fun!

Please join us for a TRP sponsored membership get-together and dinner party at the MCAS Officer's Club. This event is not a fund raising event, but rather an opportunity to renew old acquaintances and meet new friends. It promises to be a fun and tasty evening featuring your choice of Prime Rib or Alaskan Halibut served with all the trimmings, for only $30 per person.

Reservations are limited to first come, first served. You must fill out the reservation form below and return it, along with your check, to TRP prior to June 2. For your admission, your name will be left at the Main Gate of the base and also at the desk of the Officer's Club. No ticket is necessary, your check is your reservation.

Legal
County Use of Outside Attorney Questioned

The Orange County politicians and bureaucrats continue to skirt the intent and even the letter of the law in their efforts to create a commercial airport at El Toro. Last month's TRP News detailed the illegal use of Supervisor Steiner's name in a pro-airport mailer. This month, thanks to Supervisor Todd Spitzer, an even more egregious violation has been discovered.

The case revolves around the hiring of San Diego attorney Michael Gatzke to represent the county in a number of El Toro lawsuits, including the TRP suit on the EIR. Under state law, the hiring of an outside counsel requires the vote of a super majority, 4 of the 5 members of the board.

Mr. Gatzke was initially hired for matters involving John Wayne Airport. In June, 1994 the board voted to add to his work matters pertaining to the County's Phase II Commercial Airline Access Plan and other related issues. The additional work did not mention El Toro in any way. Somehow, the board decided to employ Mr. Gatzke on the El Toro lawsuits, to the tune of almost $1 million in fees.

Predictably, the board has chosen to ignore calls to rectify this issue. The board has decided to continue the current process and to ignore calls for a more detailed and objective analysis.

TRP is studying this issue as another example of the public process being subverted by an arrogant county government intent on achieving their ends through any means. Legal action is being explored and a decision on a taxpayers' lawsuit will be made soon.

Airport Plans
County Ponders New Flight Patterns

A number of recent news stories have discussed the possible switching of flight patterns from an El Toro airport. The reason is that many residents of the Tustin, Cowan Heights, Orange, Villa Park areas have just discovered that the El Toro airport will have devastating impacts on them.

Under the newly released airport plans, 40% of all take-offs will use a north departure. What many people did not realize was that this pattern involves a turn to the west, directly over central Orange County.

Making matters worse, the departures are for the so-called "heavies", the large jets used for international flights and all cargo operation. These flights are the noisiest and would fly during the midnight to 5 AM hours.

Many observers believe that the pro-airport forces cannot afford to lose support from this part of the county. The continuing rise of support for non-aviation reuse could soon reach a critical mass with help from this region.

The reaction of the county has been predictable – they are now promising to change the patterns to avoid these areas. As usual, they have not fully researched this change. As the L.A. Times pointed out in a March 27 story, the revised plans are, "at odds with recommendations from the Federal Aviation Administration and the county's own consultants."

Any TRP member with family and friends living in central Orange County should be sure they understand the facts and the need to support non-aviation reuse.

Politics
Discussions Begin on Overturning Measure A

Measure A, passed by less than eight votes per precinct in 1994, changed Orange County law to mandate a commercial/cargo airport for MCAS El Toro. With the release of a viable non-aviation plan, a plan that proves an airport is not the best use for this site, discussions have commenced on when and how to repeal this measure.

Most responsible leaders know that the vote on Measure A was conducted in an informational vacuum. At the time of the election, there was no alternative use to compare against the proposed airport plan. The pro-airport backers spent well over $1.5 million to convince some of the voters that the airport would be a job bonanza. The facts now show how wrong those claims were.

Under state law, the only way to overturn Measure A is with a vote of the people. A ballot proposition to do this can be achieved in two ways. The hard way would be to qualify another initiative, at the cost of probably $100,000 to $200,000, and with six months of intensive volunteer activity to collect 150,000 signatures.

A seemingly simpler method of repealing Measure A is for the Board of Supervisors to decide to place a new measure on the ballot. This would require no signature collection, just a vote of the a majority of Board. Realistically, this requires electing a third member who opposes the current county plans.

On Monday, March 30, the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority (ETRPA) unveiled its long awaited non- aviation plan for MCAS El Toro. Dubbed "The Millennium Plan", the design envisions a central park surrounded by three urban villages. These project contains homes, a sports complex, a business and technology center and a university campus. Almost one-half of the El Toro site is covered with an extensive open space system.

Besides offering uses that are compatible with the surrounding neighborhoods, the Millennium Plan will offer superior economic benefit to all of Orange County than the proposed airport.

"The Millennium Plan offers 112,000 new jobs and $12.9 billion for the economy. The airport supporters claim their plan will bring in 143,100 new jobs and $9.9 billion, but their numbers are as phony as their other claims. They are basing their projections on an airport with 38.5 million annual passengers (MAP), yet the Board of Supervisors has been telling south county residents that the size of the airport will be limited to 25 MAP. If the airport capacity is reduced by 35%, then the benefits should be reduced by the same amount. This means that the non-aviation plan provides more jobs and more revenue than the airport. In fact, the non-aviation plan provides 19,000 more jobs and $6.5 billion more in revenue. The facts clearly show the superiority of a non-aviation plan using any objective criteria," said Bill Kogerman, TRP Executive Director.

The Millenium Plan has also been called "the people's plan" because of the extensive involvement of citizens from throughout Orange County. There were five subcommittees of interested citizens, including many TRP members, who developed the basic concepts. This is in direct contrast to the airport plans that were developed with minimal public involvement.

Reaction to the Millennium Plan has been strongly positive. The L.A. Times, in an editorial titled "Choice for El Toro, at Last" wrote that, "The non-aviation plan also deserves solid marks for inclusiveness and thoroughness. Many public meetings were held, results were shared and public brainstorming sessions took place. The citizen and professional planners came up with a range of complementary proposals that seem to avoid the pitfalls of having a large number of people put their ideas into one pot."

The Millennium Plan offers uses that are completely compatible with the surrounding communities. The most obvious benefit is the lack of noise and pollution from jet aircraft, but the plan also offers a superior solution to traffic problems. Whereas an airport will attract more cars and trucks while not providing any significant new roads, the Millennium Plan offers new thoroughfares within the base. This means that there will be no added congestion from traffic.

The breakdown of uses and the acreage planned for each use is shown in the table in the next column. Note the extensive amount of open space in the forms of parks, outdoor recreation and nature reserve. The total open space is over 2,000 acres or approximately 3 square miles.

Officially, the Millennium Plan becomes part of the county's reuse planning process, but only as a back up to the approved aviation plan. A majority of the Board of Supervisors has voted that under Measure A, passed in 1994, they are obliged to build an airport at El Toro and will only consider non-aviation uses if the airport plans contain a "fatal flaw." In taking this action, the board chose to ignore the advice of county counsel on their legal obligations.

The federal government, owners of the base, does not have the same restrictions on evaluating the reuse options. TRP will continue to lobby in Washington, DC to have the decision-makers objectively evaluate the new Millennium Plan as a viable, and superior, alternative for El Toro reuse.

Dear friends and neighbors:

TRP is entering a period of significant opportunity. Even a cursory read of the local newspapers points at a county bureaucracy out of control and hell-bent to develop the largest commercial airport possible at El Toro. History has demonstrated that the pro-airport supporters will say and do anything to achieve their goals.

We need to legally challenge the county's legal contracting policies. We need to professionally analyze the county's airport plans. We need to continue to lobby in Washington, DC and we need to assist in the political process to get and maintain a third vote from the Board of Supervisors. I can't do it without you and your financial support. We can't let this moment slip away. Timing is everything and the time is now.

As soon as you can, use the enclosed envelope to send as large a contribution to TRP as you can afford. Your monetary support is vital to our success. Thank you,

Bill Kogerman,
Executive Director Taxpayers for Responsible Planning

May 30-31
Lake Forest Community & Business Faire '98

The Lake Forest Community and Business Faire for 1998 will be held on Saturday from 10 AM to 9 PM, and on Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM at Saddleback Valley Plaza (El Toro and Rockfield). The TRP booth will be present and volunteers will be on hand to provide literature, answer questions and recruit new members. Everyone is invited to this two-day event featuring business displays entertainment, food and family fun.

If you would like to help staff the TRP booth, please call Sergeo Prince at 472-5414.

Fundraising
Coto de Caza Rally "Informative and Fun"

On March 14th, TRP held a successful rally supporting non-aviation uses for El Toro at the Coto de Caza County Club. Guest speakers included Supervisors Tom Wilson and Todd Spitzer, and TRP Executive Director Bill Kogerman. The event was hosted by Dwight Stones, former record holder in the high jump.

"This was a very nice event. People learned a lot about the new non-aviation plans. The reaction was great. Our supporters now know how superior non-aviation uses are to the airport," said Kogerman.

Membership
"Recruit 3" Continues

The drive to double the TRP membership in the next three months is now in full force. The success of TRP in combating the airport plans depends, to a great extent, on the size of our membership. The politicians and the decision-makers pay more attention to groups with a large number of members.

Please join our efforts by finding three new members for TRP. Ask your friends and neighbors to join our efforts today. Tell them that TRP is the best way to derail the county's airport plans and that their membership will make a difference in our future. Basic memberships are $25 per year.

Your Ad Here

The TRP News is published monthly with a growing circulation now over 10,000. The TRP News in a critical element in our efforts to keep our members informed of the latest news in the El Toro fight. Your ad will help pay for the growing costs of printing and mailing. Your ad will be seen by a select group of like-minded citizens.

The TRP News advertising rates are:

• Full page ad - $700 per issue.
• Half page ad - $400 per issue.
• Quarter page ad - $250 per issue.
• Business card ad - $45 per issue.

Discounts are available for multi-month purchases.

Only commercial business ads will be accepted. TRP reserves the right to make minor formatting changes to any ad.

Bill Kogerman

On March 24 – 27 the TRP Executive Board traveled to the nation's capital to meet with congressional and White House staff as well as with various Defense and government agencies, the Airline Pilots Union (ALPA) and the Airline Transport Association (ATA).

The thrust of our recent visit was to ensure that the public and private sectors in Washington, DC were being kept apprised of the real MCAS El Toro story. TRP's Directors are not afforded the luxury to visit DC as frequently as are a select few Orange County representatives, so when we go we have to make the best of the opportunity with a high-paced schedule.

Our visit started with a well-focused meeting with the USMC personnel responsible for closures. While we have met these folks before, we came away from this meeting with a renewed sense that the USMC will endeavor to include the Millennium Plan in their federal Environmental Impact Study (EIS). We must ensure the EIS accurately depicts the marvelous Millennium Plan details and not just general concepts. We made this point emphatically!

We also met separately with the senior representatives of ALPA and ATA. ALPA reaffirmed their previously stated opposition to the 38.5 MAP county airport plan now in the hands of the Navy.

The ATA clearly wasn't impressed by the lack of specific airline interest in the county's plan. They also expressed concern for the lack of net improvement in air capacity and the potentially dangerous terrain surrounding the El Toro site.

In addition, we visited a number of notable government agencies involved with the enforcement of environmental law and were graciously received. Our delegation was also delighted with the response we received from the Smithsonian Institute. They couldn't have been more enthusiastic about the prospects of our community developing the cultural venue as delineated in the Millennium Plan.

June Election Support Candidates for Supervisor This June's election for supervisor can change the dynamics of El Toro reuse, particularly if the board majority currently favoring an airport reuse is overturned.

The candidates listed below all support an objective land planning process for El Toro. Please help them any way possible, either with a financial contribution or your help as a volunteer. Contributions to candidates for the Board of Supervisors are limited to a maximum of $1000 per person.

5th District –

Tom Wilson
P.O. Box 54082 Irvine, CA 92619-9802
Phone: (714) 362-9022

2nd District-

Sandy Genis
1586 Myrtlewood Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: (714) 754-0814

Ralph Silva
PO Box 6756
Huntington Beach, CA 92615
Phone: 964-2825

Dave Sullivan
PO Box 2705-353
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Phone: (714) 840-1804

4th District –

Paul Walker
5601 Rockledge
Buena Park, CA 90621
Phone: (714) 523-7700

Eric Woolery
P.O. Box 444
Orange, CA 92865-6444
Phone: (714) 289-2869

Steve White
918 W. Lincoln, Suite 1
Anaheim, CA 92805
Phone: (714) 774-9462

Write
Support the Millennium Plan

Everyone who supports an objective planning effort for El Toro should be in support of the ETRPA Millennium Plan. Please take a few minutes to write a letter to the editor expressing your support of non-aviation reuse as the best option for all of the citizens of Orange County. Make your feeling known.

L.A. Times:

1375 Sunflower
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Fax: (714) 966-7711
E-Mail: ocletters@latimes.com

O.C. Register:

P.O. Box 11626
Santa Ana, CA 92711
Fax: (714) 565-3657
E-Mail: letters@link.freedom.com