Supervisor Sees His Ambition Thwarted

Supervisor Tom Wilson’s bid to become chairman of the county Board of Supervisors in January has crumbled under the weight of opposition by supervisors who favor building a commercial airport at El Toro.

Wilson, part of the 2-3 minority that opposes the airport, is next in line by seniority to step into the ceremonial job, which will be filled by the full board Jan. 5.

But current board Chairman Jim Silva and Supervisor Charles V. Smith said they cannot back Wilson for the chairmanship because of his anti-El Toro stance.

“The chairman has to support board policy,” Silva said.

Smith said he isn’t seeking the post but would accept it if elected.

“I’ve been getting a lot of pressure [from pro-airport supporters] to accept the chairmanship because a lot of people think it’s very important,” Smith said.

Wilson expressed disappointment that a single issue would determine who can lead the board. Supervisor Todd Spitzer, the other El Toro opponent, decried the maneuvering as “pure politics.”

Wilson said he wants to remain vice chairman if the vote goes against him. He said he met this week with incoming Supervisor Cynthia Coad, who told him her vote was unlikely because of their opposing views on El Toro.

The chairman has only one vote on the five-member board but is in charge of overseeing items on the board’s weekly agendas. Several key votes on El Toro, including approval of the environmental report, will take place next year.

The slight to Wilson is a slap to South County residents who oppose an El Toro airport, said Irvine Councilman Larry Agran, who is fighting El Toro’s conversion.