PLACENTIA : City Council Backs Base Airport Initiative

The City Council on Tuesday said it supports converting the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station to a commercial airport, adding the council’s voice to others supporting the conversion.

“I am committed to something positive being done with El Toro,” said Councilman Michael L. Maertzweiler, who is on the county’s El Toro Reuse Planning Authority committee. “I’m a firm believer that if we in Orange County do not put our best foot forward and step firmly into the 21st Century . . . we will all lose.”

Councilwoman Carol Downey said she normally prefers that the council not make political endorsements, but voted support for Measure A because of the jobs it is expected to create.

“I think this would affect us in a very positive way as far as jobs in this city,” she said.

Mayor Norman Z. Eckenrode agreed. He said a commercial airport at El Toro would create jobs to fill gaps left in the wake of cutbacks in the local aerospace industry.

Councilwoman Maria Moreno voted her support, but said the council should have done more to educate voters on the issue.

“If this is really that important to us, I would like to have seen a public education program rather than just an endorsement,” she said.

Councilman John O. Tynes was absent from the meeting.