STEVE SMITH -- What’s Up

San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy’s office made me work very hard over the

past two weeks, ever since I read on the Web an interview he gave with

the San Diego Union-Tribune about the city’s plans for expansion of

Lindbergh Field, the southern equivalent of John Wayne Airport.

After two weeks of daily messages and conversations and general phone

tag with the mayor’s press office, I was told he was too busy to speak to

me on the telephone for 15 minutes. So, let’s proceed without him.

I do not support the “V-plan” that is generating interest. The problem

with the V-plan is that it still places a big, noisy, smelly airport too

close to too many homes, including those of my friends and neighbors here

in Costa Mesa. And for the record, again, I am opposed to any expansion

of John Wayne Airport.

Space does not permit me to go into the Lindbergh configurations, but

they would easily remind anyone of the situation at John Wayne: A small,

regional airport that has outgrown its capacity, neighbors who don’t want

it expanded, and back-room forces that do not make front-page news. And

as with John Wayne, the air transportation issues have become secondary

to the divisive political wranglings that in Orange County have created

the island of Newport Beach.

During his campaign in October, Mayor Murphy supported the idea of an

airport serving both Orange and San Diego counties to be located on Camp

Pendleton. The idea is so popular in San Diego that even Murphy’s chief

opponent in the election also favored “Pendleton International.”

Pendleton has been suggested for an airport as far back as 1972, when

it received positive reviews from three different Southern California

Assns. of Government. Pendleton already has Amtrak rail transportation to

its door and is about a 35-minute ride from Irvine by train. In Chicago,

the same rail trip from the loop to O’Hare took about 45 minutes and cost

$2.50 when I took it last in 1997.

In October, Murphy said, “The Camp Pendleton idea is to operate what I

would call Southern California International Airport on a piece of Camp

Pendleton. Now, we’re not talking about shutting down Camp Pendleton. . .

. But the new airport could be a joint venture with Orange County. Orange

County has the same problems with John Wayne Airport that we have. I

would envision that airport being primarily an

international-transcontinental airport like Dulles [Washington, D.C.].

So, basically, anybody out of San Diego County or Orange County or

Riverside County who wanted to fly overseas or to Washington, D.C., could

fly out of that airport.’

Pendleton’s critics claim that the Marines will never give up a piece

of Pendleton, but that’s not true. The Marines have a history of giving

up property, and there is no reason why we should not expect their

cooperation on this issue. Besides, with more than 120,000 acres, it is

not likely that losing a few thousand acres would make a dent in

Pendleton’s operations.

But even if the Marines should balk, there are always ways to

legislate their commitment to the land, as much as I’d hate to see that

happen. Instead, I have a better idea. In return for the land at

Pendleton, Orange County will return the land at El Toro. San Diego can

work out their own deal with the Marines or give Orange County the lion’s

share of the Pendleton pie. Everyone wins.

Pendleton International’s time has come. It is a smart plan that

provides for our air transportation needs and gives both sides of the El

Toro issue an honorable exit strategy. The only factor preventing

Pendleton International’s progress is the theory that developers want an

El Toro airport only because they will reap huge financial rewards.

But I am confident that public opinion will overcome even this

challenge.

There will always be the assorted wet blankets who will try to drag

down Pendleton International. When they do, they will be attacking a plan

that admittedly is not perfect but one whose benefits far outweigh those

of an airport at El Toro, which is likely to face legal challenges for at

least the next decade.

As the saying goes, “If you don’t think it can be done, get out of the

way of those who think it can.”

As for Mayor Murphy, I’m sorry he didn’t have time to talk to me, but

I’m sure it was for a good reason.

I like to think that he was out at Pendleton pacing off the area for

the new runways for Pendleton International.

* STEVE SMITH is a Costa Mesa resident and freelance writer. Readers

may leave a message for him on the Daily Pilot hotline at (949) 642-6086.