Dividing Lines Thicken in O.C.

Secession is the best and only solution.

United we stand, divided we will all fall. Every city and unincorporated area of South County better wake up before it’s too late. We are the scapegoats for those in central and north Orange County and the dumping grounds for all of its woes.

Those in New Porsche Beach will continue to help themselves at our expense. The new toll road has paved the way so nobody needs to drive the coast highway through Dana Point, Laguna Beach or Corona del Mar. This may have a negative effect on the revenues for the businesses in those areas, and will help only those in Newport.

The problems in south Orange County not only affect Irvine, Lake Forest, Laguna Niguel and San Juan Capistrano residents, but the quality of life for all of us. We must stop the demise of why we chose to live here in the first place. I am as opposed to a new jail in Irvine as I would be to oil rigs off San Clemente, Dana Point and Laguna Beach.

Stand united and we can win, stand alone and lose for certain. It’s time to face tomorrow’s problems today, because tomorrow will be too late.

SHIRLEY JAMESON

Laguna Niguel

* The good people of North County are being used as special interest pawns to forsake their neighbors in the South.

Every time I read an opinion or comment from pro-airport North County residents, I can’t help thinking how they have been so manipulated. Unless they own a piece of Disneyland or Knott’s Berry Farm, or happen to live under flight patterns at John Wayne Airport, they have been sold a bag of goods designed to benefit a few while totally disregarding the quality of life for so many.

I will bet the average person in the North uses an airport once a year if at all. Many probably haven’t flown on a plane in years, and quite possibly don’t believe an occasional drive to Los Angeles International Airport is that big a deal anyway.

And if anybody still believes that Orange County needs an airport as part of a bankruptcy recovery program they are simply not reading the papers. The county is on track with its lowest unemployment in years. Besides, what is driving booming economies are high-tech industries, not blue-collar, service-oriented jobs that airports offer. Unfortunately, nobody has taken a serious look at that because the big money is behind the airport.

The logical thing to do is to remove the operational restrictions at John Wayne and determine once and for all the service it is capable of providing at full capacity.

If we conclude in the future that an additional airport is needed to handle growing global trade, we can find an alternative location for a cargo-only airport and leave John Wayne to provide only passenger service. We could build a cargo-only airport south of San Clemente that wouldn’t desecrate the quality of life for anybody.

Let’s make this a win-win situation and quit pitting the North against the South!

BILL BURCELL

Irvine

* Why don’t we have a test? Since the proposed El Toro airport will be open 24 hours a day, let’s test John Wayne Airport for 24 hours-a-day operation for the next six to 12 months to see if the proposed new business growth can get started early?

This way we can see more quickly what the Newport Beach community feels will be best for Orange County. Let’s have United Parcel Service, Federal Express and the other overnight companies fly their cargo in as well as the commercial carriers and see if the business actually improves Orange County.

This would cost little additional taxpayer dollars and allow the residents in Newport Beach to show their good public spirit in this test.

KEITH GUIDUS

Lake Forest

* My wife and I are 50-year residents of Newport Beach and have watched with amazement the growth of Orange County. We have watched with sadness the demise of agricultural areas of the county but have understood why people are attracted to the area.

Over the years various Boards of Supervisors understood the expansive nature of the county and at great expense conducted comprehensive surveys, seeking a proper site which would fulfill future needs for air transportation.

Each time the Defense Department said no. However, now the county is offered a once-in-a-lifetime gift from the federal government. The El Toro Marine Base can fill the future needs for air transportation and be viable to the needs of business, residents and tourists.

The passage of Measure A, the defeat of Measure S, and the approval from the Citizens Advisory Committee, the Airport Commission and the Planning Commission all confirm the need for a well-thought out and well-regulated airport for the good of the county.

CLINTON RYGEL

Corona del Mar