Airport backers bus up support

Paul Clinton

NEWPORT BEACH -- Come Tuesday, airport supporters say they will be

ready to load up their own magic bus.

On that day, members of the Airport Working Group plan to send four

buses to the Orange County Board of Supervisors meeting. The board is

holding a public hearing on its environmental analysis of the airport for

the closed El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

“It’s a show of support,” said Dave Ellis, the group’s spokesman.

“It’s a culmination of eight years of hard work.”

The base was tagged for closure in 1993, even though the Marines

didn’t leave until 1998. In that time, the working group has been at the

forefront of efforts to put a commercial airport at the base.

The buses, set to leave in pairs at 8 and 8:30 a.m., are the

culmination of a recent public-relations blitz by the group.

In the past week, the group has sent out gift bags of goodies -- pens,

bumper stickers and T-shirts. They all carry messages on a similar theme.

“El Toro Airport . . . For the Future of Orange County” is one slogan.

Before heading to the board meeting, airport supporters will eat

breakfast at the Newport Dunes Resort. The buses will then “whisk you

away to a day of live democracy,” according to an invitation. They are

also promised “a wonderful lunch” and a bus ride back home.

The group’s program is being funded by a $3.6-million grant given to

the group by Newport Beach in March.

Ellis said a broad group of North County leaders will attend the

breakfast and ride the buses.

At the Tuesday meeting, expected to run for most of the day, the board

will take public testimony about the environmental review. A final vote

on a possible airport at the base is set for Sept. 17.

The public comment period for the report has already ended, so

comments heard Tuesday are not likely to affect the outcome. State law

requires the county to hold a hearing before certifying the report.

South County leaders also said they would attend the Tuesday hearing

but with less enthusiasm.

“It’s extremely sad and unfortunate that the county has made a

shambles of the environmental review,” South County spokeswoman Meg

Waters said. “What happens [on Tuesday] isn’t the end of the game. It’s

just a sideshow.”

* Paul Clinton covers the environment and John Wayne Airport. He may

be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail ato7

[email protected] .