More Thoughts on El Toro

Re Rep. Christopher Cox’s Orange County Voices column March 22, “Whatever Happens, Private Airport Is Matter of Public Trust”:

Cox has a great idea in suggesting the federal government sell El Toro. If El Toro is auctioned off, private airport developers could buy it or South County cities could buy it at a premium.

Orange County would gain tax revenue in any case without taking a chance of an international airport being a financial failure (and drain on county taxpayers) like the recently completed private international airport near St. Louis.

Let potential private developers determine if airlines would move international flights from LAX to Orange County. Let them have the burden of convincing airline pilots to take off eastward into the hills below Saddleback.

If the profit isn’t there, airport developers won’t bid on it, thereby saving Orange County government from another financial debacle. If South County cities want to buy it to preclude airport development, let them pay for the privilege.

If a large corporation wants to buy it to develop a high-tech extension of the Spectrum, so be it.

Why should Orange County take a chance on another financial embarrassment?

E.U. BIVEN

Irvine

As usual, quality of living in Orange County is being sacrificed to the god of economics.

Rep. Christopher Cox addresses further growth and population rather than quality of life.

Orange County growth is truly out of hand.

I see Cox as the god of more concrete, red tile roofs and flattened hilltops. Has it ever occurred to anyone that a higher quality of life enhances property values? See, there is economic value here!

Keeping El Toro in the public trust might ensure something sane, like a park.

What a concept!

But then, Cox doesn’t represent us folks under the flight path.

KAREN PHELPS

Dana Point