TRP NEWS, September/October, 1997 Edited for web site publication

County Threatens TRP, TRP Strikes Back

On July 28, TRP received a letter from Courtney Wiercioch, representing the Orange County Board of Supervisors, demanding that TRP submit all records regarding the raising of funds and expenditures in fighting the proposed airport plans at El Toro. The letter, framed in a quasi-subpoena format, specifically demanded details on expenses for legal activities, public information programs, newsletters, fundraising, public meeting and maintenance of the El Toro web page.

In response to this letter, Bill Kogerman, TRP Executive Director wrote back stating; "TRP finds the request to be a repugnant abuse of government authority. (It is) an egregious disregard for the taxpayer's rights of dissent, a witless demonstration of government interference in the political activities of our citizens, and most probably a violation of government code.

"As the Board of Supervisors already knows, TRP is a Political Action Committee (PAC). In concert with state law, TRP files the requisite reports, which are readily available through the Registrar of Voters."

TRP has decided that the request from the County does serve one useful purpose – it opens the question of just how the County is spending the publics' money in support of the airport project. TRP has grave concerns that the airport planning is being funded from accounts allocated for other uses. TRP believes that the taxpayers of Orange County must be told how much is being spent and from where the funds originate.

On August 18, TRP officially requested a complete independent audit of the financial activities of the Board of Supervisors acting in their capacity as the Local Planning Authority (LRA) for the El Toro reuse planning. TRP requested that the audit be conducted by David Sundstrom, Director, Internal Audit Department, County of Orange.

TRP requested specific data on travel expenses by County employees in support of the airport, the number of employees working on the reuse plan, and the source of funds from other County departments, particularly from Harbors, Beaches, and Parks, Flood District and Road/Traffic.

Although this request was formally submitted almost two months ago, there has been no reply from County officials. After waiting over a month, the TRP Board of Directors voted to seek legal council to perfect the case against the County. Apparently, the County of Orange violated State law by not responding to TRP's request within the legally allocated time of ten calendar days.

TRP refuses to let the County dodge their responsibility to the taxpayers on expenditures for the airport. Recent events, including the increase of the airport planning budget of over 50% from original estimates, reinforces the necessity for the public to know exactly what is happening with regard to funding the pro- airport efforts. TRP is now investigating bringing a lawsuit under the freedom of information laws to force the County to tell everyone just what they are doing on El Toro.

EIR Lawsuit Decision Due in October

A judgement on the TRP lawsuit against the Orange County approved Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for a proposed airport at El Toro is expected in early October. Judge Judith McConnell has scheduled a tentative decision for October 10 and has scheduled oral arguments for October 14. The case is being heard in San Diego County.

Judge McConnell is hearing two lawsuits filed against the County. Besides the TRP suit, there is another suit filed by an alliance of eight Orange County cities – Dana Point, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, and San Juan Capistrano. In addition, the cities of Tustin and San Clemente have joined in a supporting role.

This lawsuit represents the first of many possible litigation efforts. The EIR under attack is the broadest, and first, of the planning documents required for an airport. Still to come are the federal Environmental Impact Study (EIS), at least two detailed EIRs on specific details for an airport and another EIS, from the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA), on any proposed airport layout.

"We have presented an excellent case and our lawyers have done a great job. We know this is just the first step in our legal strategy to defeat the airport. We know that any decision will probably be appealed. We are preparing now for additional suits if necessary. We are in this fight until the end," said Bert Hack, TRP Director.

Comedy Night a Success, Encore Set for November 20

A sold-out audience critically acclaimed the premiere performance of anti-airport comedian Jeff Jena on September 17. Due to the over-whelming demand for tickets and the rave reviews for the show, an encore performance has been scheduled for Thursday night, November 20, at 7:00 PM.

The show will be held at the Improv, located in the Irvine Marketplace, next to UCI. The $50 per person ticket includes dinner and a free pass for two to a future show at the Inprov. Proceeds from the show go to TRP, Inc. Call Sergio Prince at 472-5414 for further information and to order tickets.

"No Jets Jam" Set for October 25

If you're a county-western music fan, or if you are just looking for a good time for a good cause, get your tickets for the No Jets Jam scheduled for Saturday, October 25, at the Coto de Caza Equestrian Center, from 5 to 11 PM.

The line-up scheduled so far includes the award-winning bands QuickSand, Wild Pony and Pony Express. The Equestrian Center is equipped with a 5,000 square foot dance floor, so come ready to strut your stuff.

Tickets for the No Jets Jam are $30 per person, with a portion of the proceeds going to TRP, Inc. For further information or to purchase tickets, check the enclosed flyer or call Sergio Prince at 472-5414.

ETRPA Forms Reuse Committees

After the passage of Measure A in November 1994, the County disbanded the body handling the reuse planning for the El Toro site – the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority (ETRPA). In response, seven south Orange County cities – Dana Point, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest and Mission Viejo - formed a joint powers authority and recreated ETRPA. The express purpose of ETRPA is to impartially study all reuse options for El Toro.

ETRPA recently offered to help Orange County in planning for non-aviation reuse options for El Toro. Despite the fact that the Board of Supervisors voted last December to fully study non-aviation uses, the Board has refused the ETRPA offer. ETRPA has decided to move ahead with their plan and develop non-aviation options for a separate submittal to the federal government.

In September, ETRPA announced the retention of consultants to aid in the development of the non- aviation plan. A key component of effort is the formation of citizen committees to study the reuse issues and offer recommendations.

TRP has been involved with ETRPA in the planning for this study. The various committees are scheduled to begin meeting in November. TRP is asking all members with an interest in being a part of this study to contact the office with a brief description of your area of expertise. Committees will be studying economic, air quality, traffic and circulation, and land use issues.

If you are interested, please mail or fax (770-2805) your information to TRP. This will assure that we have a hard copy of your information. The TRP address is: PO Box 943, Lake Forest, CA 92630

Renew Your TRP Membership - NOW

Many TRP members officially joined the organization last November when dues were first announced. Now is the time to renew your membership in TRP. Memberships are for one year. The basic membership fee is $25 per year, with $50, $100 and $500 levels available.

If you never joined TRP, this could be your last newsletter. If you are not sure about your membership, look for an asterisk (*) following your last name on the mailing label. If there is no asterisk, you are not officially a member of TRP. Unfortunately, we cannot afford to continue to send newsletters to non- members. If you would like to continue to receive this newsletter and stay current with the latest developments on El Toro, you must become a member of TRP.

To our members, TRP is grateful for your financial and emotional support, as well as your willingness to spread our message. The success of this organization depends on your participation. Please renew your membership today.

Telephone Volunteers Needed

The TRP Advisory Board has formed a Volunteer Committee to coordinate the efforts of TRP members who want to actively participate in the El Toro fight. The first task will involve making phone calls to TRP members. Phone-tree volunteers are needed to call regarding TRP memberships, meeting schedules, fund raising events, and ETRPA committee memberships. If you are interested in helping, please contact the TRP office at 770-4014.

Federal Doubts About Airport Grow

Skepticism with the Orange County plan to build an international airport at El Toro continues to grow. Earlier this summer, two top congressmen expressed their doubts with the current process. Congressmen Robert Livingston, head of the House Appropriations committee, and Floyd Spense, head of the Armed Forces committee, expressed their concerns in a letter to Secretary of Defense William Cohen. In their letter, the congressmen expressed particular concern about the fiscal impacts of the current plan, particularly the potential loss of revenue to taxpayers.

Laguna Beach Pageant of the Masters Board Opposes Airport

The Board of Directors for the Laguna Beach festival of the Arts/Pageant of the Masters recently sent a letter of Vice-President Al Gore and the Board of Supervisors opposing the reuse of El Toro as an airport.

The Pageant of the Masters is a world famous live show held each summer. The Board, in taking their action, cited the destructive impacts of an international airport on this unique show, particularly the effects of both noise and pollution.

Homeowners Group Unite for Airport Fight

Two organizations created to fight the airport at El Toro by mobilizing opposition through homeowners associations have decided to merge their efforts. The two groups, Clear the Air and The Homeowner Coalition, announced their decision to combine efforts on September 19.

The expanded group, called Clear the Air/No Jets!, is co-chaired by John Zarian and Wayne Rayfield. The new group currently represents over 30,000 dwelling units and 100,000 people in south Orange County.

According to Rayfield, "Property values are clearly at stake in the airport issue and more and more homeowner boards are realizing they have a duty – mandated by the CC&R's – to protect these values and their quality of life."

TRP members living in communities that have homeowners associations should find out if their association is a member of Clear the Air/No Jets! There is no membership fee to join, only a simple board resolution in opposition to the airport is needed to join. For more information, call 459-5530 or 493- 5557.

County Spending Nears $30 Million for Airport

According to the September 27 edition of the Orange County Register, the current projected spending by the County to develop plans for their airport at El Toro will exceed $28.6 million. This figure includes a budget of over $20 million approved by the Board of Supervisors, despite the fact that the preliminary budget was $13 million. As TRP continues to say, "the County of Orange is taking the taxpayers for a ride."

Stay Active in TRP

TRP members are needed to help with many tasks required to defeat the airport:

Plan on attending the No Jets Jam on Saturday, October 25.

Volunteer to join the ETRPA planning effort for non-aviation uses for El Toro.

Plan on attending the No Jets Jam and the encore performance of the TRP Comedy Night at the Improv on Thursday, November 20.

Volunteer to join TRP's phone tree.

Get your homeowners association to join Clear the Air/No Jets!

Be sure your TRP membership is active.

WRITE TO TRP

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


Online Version of Our Newsletter

El Toro Airport Home

Join TRP!
Become a Member Now!

 The TRP is...