El Toro Point and Counterpoint

* The best evidence that the unprincipled effort by special interests to cram an airport into urbanized Orange County is in desperate trouble is found in the article of Oct. 25 (“County Finds It’s Stuck in an El Toro Quagmire”). Revealed is that the pro-airport leadership has now hired Mickey Kantor to help. This is the same Mickey Kantor who President Clinton first turned to when the Monica Lewinsky affair threatened to end his presidency.

A Jan. 21, 1998, Washington Post article profiles Kantor as “A Confidant for Every Crisis.” He was instrumental in saving Clinton’s bid for the presidency from allegations concerning Gennifer Flowers and draft evasion; and he arranged consulting work for Clinton’s friend Webster Hubbell.

He certainly fits with the arrogance of the pro-airport forces, an arrogance the opponents see as eventually causing the El Toro airport concept to self-destruct.

MIMI WALTERS

Mayor pro tem

City of Laguna Niguel

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* In the matter of the El Toro commercial airport and the proposed expansion of John Wayne Airport, an important environmental effect is being overlooked.

Airplanes fly directly over Newport Bay out of John Wayne, causing noise and air pollution. The bay is a wildlife preserve with many native species of plants and animals. Newport Bay and wetlands are a treasure not just for Newport Beach but for all of Orange County.

Now South County residents are demanding that John Wayne be expanded to accommodate all of Orange County’s future air traffic.

Little thought is being given to the potential harm to Newport Bay and wetlands. Increasing the air and surface traffic around Newport Bay could well become an environmental catastrophe.

SHIRLEY A. CONGER

Corona del Mar