Tough talk flies at El Toro forum

Paul Clinton

IRVINE -- Nothing like a debate about the future of the El Toro Marine

Corps Air Station to get an Orange County crowd riled up.

Four of those who have worked to shape the public perception of

whether an airport is needed at the closed base butted heads for the

90-minute session in a packed Barclay Theater at UC Irvine.

The debate, broadcast live on Santa Monica-based KCRW-FM (89.9), was

hosted by Warren Olney as a part of his program “Which Way, L.A.?” For

the final hour, it was broadcast live only over the Internet.

“I believe [an airport] is the way of the future,” said Barbara

Lichman, the executive director of the Airport Working Group. “Airports

bring jobs and income to the region.”

Lichman, who lives in Dover Shores, and Supervisor Chuck Smith

emphasized the importance of an airport at the base as a way to meet

rising passenger demand and fuel economic growth in the county.

The county has proposed a 28.8 million annual passenger international

airport for the closed base.

Irvine Mayor Larry Agran and Len Kranser, the editor of an

anti-airport Web site, promoted an alternate plan for a central park at

the base.

“We have a once in a lifetime opportunity right here, right now,”

Agran said. “Building an airport in the center of Orange County is just

nuts.”

The two sides squared off more than once during a debate that, at

times, became heated. Oftentimes, audience members shouted “liar,” burst

into laughter or blurted sarcastic remarks.

Smith and Lichman took turns hammering away at the Great Park plan.

“My question is who’s going to pay for that?” Smith asked. “A park

next to Irvine would be wonderful for them, but what about the rest of

the county?”

* Paul Clinton covers the environment and John Wayne Airport. He may

be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail at [email protected].