EL TORO UPDATE - FEBRUARY 2001

New Direction Within the LRA: Mr. Gary Simon began his role as the Executive Director of the Local Redevelopment Authority mid January. What he’ll do with his position remains to be seen. Simon has five bosses and three want him to spend all his time planning an airport at El Toro. However, two of us, Todd Spitzer and I, have other plans for Mr. Simon. I for one, have made it clear to Gary that he must pay attention to the base itself. There is no real indication that anything substantial will happen to further an airport at El Toro in the near future. Yet, we are millions of dollars in the hole already. Consequently, Simon has a more immediate goal – turning red ink to black on the base balance sheet. Simon has no easy task ahead of him as he looks to move the two-pronged LRA program forward. From the outside looking in, one would think that the Board majority will have its way--moving on a fast track to an record of decision (ROD) and an airport. But the anti-airport powerhouse and I have other plans for Mr. Simon. He will need to prepare for a major paradigm shift in his effort once we repeal Measure A in March 2002.

Speaking of anti-airport pluses, the good news is we have the Navy and the FAA on our side. They are remaining firm on their plan to produce a joint EIS. The Navy and FAA just released the first written confirmation of that this week to Chair Coad. The County will have to complete and certify EIR 573 and the Airport System Master Plan before the Navy and FAA complete their final EIS. They have said that process could take an additional six months. Whether or not you believe that base property will ever become a commercial airport, it is tough to disagree with the immediate need to make the base pay for itself. There has been little done on that goal since the County signed the lease with the Navy at the end of August 2000. Therein lies the real test of Mr. Simon’s ability to get the job--any job done…..how well he can maneuver through the directives being delivered from five very different people on the Board of Supervisors. I have promised him that I will keep the pressure on for him to activate assets at the base AND watch the County’s/LRA’s processes with the powers that be in Washington, D.C. regarding this bumpy road to the ROD.

WHAT NOW WITH THE BASE: First things first. Regardless of how much any pro-airport supporters want to see an airport at El Toro, even the Board majority doesn’t want the responsibility of bad debt on their hands. To add to that, the LRA Director, Gary Simon, is proposing to add about twelve additional staff to "round out" the LRA. The truth is, as of last week, even Gary admitted he doesn’t have a completely accurate financial picture of the LRA. The problem, again, is with the process. It seems that instead of charting the most direct course toward leasing assets, staff has been busy building layers of County bureaucracy. Logic would dictate trimming County staff as much as possible, rather than involving more. Maximizing the services of Cabaco for their base knowledge and/or outsourcing makes more sense in order to get the job done. Even the Navy and the Marines are shaking their heads in disbelief over the protracted (haphazard) plan to generate use activities at El Toro. The next steps are up to Gary, with a little help for the 5th District Supervisor. He must tend to the responsibility for the 4,000 acre, non-aviation asset he just assumed. Stay tuned!

MEASURE??? There is a plan afoot to place a new initiative on the March 2002 ballot to repeal Measure A. Most of you have probably heard that much. You all know that Measure A, back in 1994, effectively amended the County’s general plan to allow for the planning of an airport at the El Toro site. In order to change that, Measure A must be repealed. Even Judge Otero, in his Measure F decision, pointed this out. In the repeal process, a new plan/idea must take its place. The anti-airport forces are finalizing the details of that plan/idea as you read this update. The initiative approval process will likely mimic the Measure F process, complete with signature gathering, etc. We will need the support of every voter. You all made Measure F a great success….that sentiment – revitalized, will ensure the success of the next and hopefully, last initiative regarding El Toro– this one to repeal Measure A. EDUCATION is the key…. And every voter will be responsible for knowing exactly what their votes means before entering the voting booth. Believe me, the other side is gearing up a campaign to confuse the voters. The more we educate ourselves, the more ready we will be to cast that important vote. And then, the public voice will finally prevail!