5th District Supervisor | Thomas W. Wilson

March 5, 2002 was an election day that changed the face of Orange County. There seemed to be more controversial candidates and surprise victories than ever before. But the one race everyone was watching revolved around the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. The result -- the County's airport reuse plan was replaced by Measure W, an initiative which changed the zoning to a non-aviation reuse for the former base.

Measure W passed with 57.8% of the voters (263,008 votes) supporting it, so now the airport is no longer an option. But no sooner did the polls close than did the Department of Navy announce, with the support of Congressman Cox, that they have proposed another option to be to sell the base to the highest bidder. This could mean that the base is parceled off and sold to a number of buyers, or one entity may purchase the entire 4700 acres which, by the way, is surrounded by 14,000 acres of land owned by The Irvine Company. This is not what was expected.

The County must pause to take time to evaluate the options and make informed decisions on the ultimate reuse of the former base. It should not rush to conclusions or make illogical choices which could result in something that may not benefit the residents of this county as a whole. The County now has the opportunity, the right, and the responsibility to consider the possibilities and all of the nuances to the various non-aviation proposals and how they will effect the surrounding cities and the entire county. There are those who voted for Measure W because they wanted a central park. Some of them wanted exactly what was proposed in the Initiative and some want only part of it and to include their own individual ideas. There are people who voted for Measure W because they wanted to stop the airport but wanted more time to consider the park proposal. And, there are folks who voted for Measure W because they did not want an airport, no matter what it becomes, as long as it wasn't an airport. Some people have discussed reconstituting the Local Redevelopment Authority, but even they have varying opinions as to who should be part of the new make-up. And some believe the City of Irvine has a plan that could be the gem they've been looking for.

The bottom line is no one really knows. A decision has to be made. Some people would like to see those decisions made quickly, but the County has been guilty of rushing to judgment in the past - and needs to learn from its mistakes. This should not be another drawn out process which ends up convoluted and twisted; but, these are difficult issues, and the County should move forward with comprehensive discussions and fact finding missions on reuse options. It should use this critical time to evaluate every aspect and not act too quickly, but not let valuable time escape in the process. This will be a balancing act, one that should not be taken unconscientiously or lightly. The next few weeks will be the turning point in El Toro's history, but, as they say, you can't turn a battleship around in minutes - it takes a plan and time!