An airport for the closed El Toro Marine Corps Air Station may be an
idea thats time has come. Or at least that was the case last week at the
Orange County Board of Supervisors meeting.
After years of delays, the board certified the environmental report
for its airport plan at the base.
The board picked an airport that could handle as much as 18.8-million
annual passengers a year. As on extra twist, Supervisor Jim Silva who
represents Newport-Mesa, suggested bringing back the Marine Corps for a
"joint use" of the base. The Marines left in 1998.
South County forces, of course, vowed to carry on the fight against
the planned airport.
-- Paul Clinton covers the environment and John Wayne Airport. He may
be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail ato7
paul.clinton@latimes.comf7 .
No worming his way out of this
Dennis Rodman pleaded guilty Thursday to three criminal misdemeanor
charges relating to noise violations at his 40th birthday in May.
The former NBA star also paid off a ticket he received for speeding
his boat through Newport Harbor in August.
Superior Court Judge Margaret Anderson ruled Thursday that Rodman pay
$1,000 to the Newport Beach Police Department as reimbursement for law
enforcement expenses and $500 to pay court costs.
The judge also ordered Rodman to pay a $1,080 to settle the speeding
ticket.
Prosecutor Mike Fell said he was satisfied with the judge's ruling and
that he was pleased that Rodman pleaded guilty on all counts. Rodman's
attorney Paul Meyer said his client was singled out and treated
differently than others who might have been in the same position.
In other news, a suspected child molester, wanted for exposing himself
to three Costa Mesa girls in April, was arrested in Tustin. Kirk Brian
Eggleston, 35, a Tustin Ranch resident was arrested near his home this
week after a six-month long investigation by Tustin, Irvine and Costa
Mesa police. He is being held in Orange County jail with bail set at
$150,000.
-- Deepa Bharath covers public safety and courts. She may be reached
at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at o7 deepa.bharath@latimes.comf7 .
Putting all their apples in the lobby
The city's stance against unbridled expansion of John Wayne Airport
took on national significance as the City Council approved plans to lobby
Washington. Council members decided to spend at least $350,000 on two
contracts for legislative advocacy. Their goal: to convince Federal
Aviation Administration and other officials to side with the city and
