Airport fight won’t end if F passes

Greg Risling

The chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors hinted Tuesday

that a new initiative could be placed on the November ballot to counter

the anti-airport Measure F, which appears headed to victory according to

a new Times Orange County poll.

First District Supervisor Chuck Smith was dismayed at the results from

the poll published Tuesday, which showed 58% of those surveyed will

likely vote for Measure F. The initiative is aimed at derailing the

county’s plans for a $2.9-billion airport at the closed Marine Corps air

base at El Toro.

However, Smith said the county will move forward with its plans to build

an airport at El Toro regardless of the election’s results.

“We do need an international airport there for the benefit of the

residents in Orange County,” said Smith, who stands in favor of

converting the closed military base with fellow supervisors Cynthia Coad

and Jim Silva. “We will continue to plan an airport whether Measure F

passes or fails. We will have to fight the battle some other way.”

The supervisors in November considered placing pro-airport initiatives on

the March ballot, but later decided against it.

While Smith didn’t concede defeat, he said it may be necessary to revisit

that idea if Measure F is approved. The supervisors can place a measure

on the ballot with a majority vote.

But anti-airport forces said they are anticipating such a move.

“The supervisors who support an airport at El Toro will try to look for

ways to circumvent the will of the people if Measure F is approved,” said

Len Kranser, who backs the ballot measure. “Perhaps they do put another

measure on November’s ballot. It will probably be so unpopular it will be

like a kiss of death.”

The initiative, if passed, would require a two-thirds voter approval of

airports, hazardous waste landfills and jails.

Many observers expect if the measure is approved, its validity will be

challenged in court by its opponents, who say a two-thirds majority

requirement cannot be applied to land-use issues outlined in the state

constitution. Therefore, an amendment to the constitution would be needed

to allow the measure’s passage.

Whatever the outcome, Measure F proponents and detractors will continue

their campaigns to educate the public about the airport proposal.

“A lot depends on the outcome, but we don’t have a strategy in our hip

pocket,” said Meg Waters, a spokeswoman for the El Toro Reuse Planning

Authority. “Giving information to the public will indeed continue.”

Most of the opposition to the measure comes from pro-airport supporters

in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. City officials and many residents are

concerned that John Wayne Airport will be expanded if another airport

isn’t built to satisfy projected air traffic demands.

Despite the numbers provided by the Times poll, some pro-airport figures

lobbying against the measure said the days remaining before the election

would determine the outcome.

“We’re not throwing in the towel,” said David Ellis, a consultant for the

Airport Working Group. “There is plenty of time for voters to make their

decision. A lot of people who are undecided I think will be moving to the

‘no’ column.”

Other Measure F opponents don’t put much weight on the Times poll,

calling it skewed and misrepresentative of the actual count.

“If that was the accurate poll, we would stop right now,” said Bruce

Nestande, chairman of Citizens for Jobs and the Economy. “I think you are

going to see a big difference between the Times poll and the final

election results.”