University City needs to rally the troops, so to speak, and show up at the University Community Planning Group (UCPG) event on Tuesday, Sept. 12, at University City High School auditorium, 6949 Genesee Ave., at 6 p.m. UCPG Chair Linda Colley has planned a forum for the Nov. 7 countywide advisory vote, Proposition A, relocating the commercial airport to Miramar. Both groups in favor and opposed to Prop A have been invited to share their information with the residents and friends of University City.
The Marines haven’t wavered in their opposition to shared use of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) with a commercial airport.
Maj. Gen. Michael Lehnert has said the Marines are committed to being at Miramar well into the future. However, the Marines don’t have the free-flowing money of the San Diego Regional Airport Authority, which will woo the voters with slick, one-sided ballot advice long on emotion and short on fact. As that famous Greek playwright Euripides said, “Money is far more persuasive than logical arguments.”
Stand and be counted, neighbors. Otherwise, you will be just another self-centered NIMBY to the commercial airport proponents. This November ballot issue goes out to the whole county, not just to the city. It is important that folks in El Cajon and Lakeside learn about the issue from those with a vested interest in keeping commercial air traffic out of Miramar. Imagine a 24/7 airport operating at Miramar. Imagine what school will be like at UCHS, Spreckels, Standley and Curie.
Commercial traffic patterns would be over densely populated neighborhoods, unlike military patterns performed completely over Miramar. Imagine losing “the few, the brave, the proud” Marines and having “the fewer, the greedy, the developers” exploiting us and letting Lindbergh become Venice West, according to a knowledgeable source.
City Councilman Tony Young is a member of the Airport Authority and he voted in favor of this Miramar location. A knee-jerk reaction might be to rage against his decision, but a honey-is-better-than-vinegar move might be to re-educate the good councilman. After all, he’s just been through the fallout of the Kroll report. His commentary about Kroll was his disappointment in his colleagues on the council for not being better stewards of the city. Wouldn’t it be courageous of him to step back and step over to U.C. on Sept. 12 and hear the voice of the people, who seem to go unheard over the din of the high-priced consultants? Why don’t you e-mail Councilman Young and politely invite him to our community to hear our side of the debate rather than just listen to the consultants? His email address is [email protected].
U.C. constituents watch big money go out the City Hall doors, while little money is hard to find for projects like upgrading our parks and keeping our pools open and staffed sufficiently. We all know that Standley Park Recreation Center needs a face-lift inside, especially after 30 years.
Rest assured that many locals are busily doing the work of well-paid consultants. Only residents like Gene Perusse don’t get paid six figures or even one dollar. Gene is vigilant in his work as a community activist, especially for the Miramar relocation of commercial air traffic. We are indebted to him. He has been attending UCPG since 1974. Since the early 1990s, Gene has been heavily involved in fighting relocation of Lindbergh to Miramar. Check out Gene’s cleverly worded Web site: www.-what-part-of-no.com or visit his other site: www.uc-planning-group.com.
The Aug. 20 San Diego Union-Tribune, a proponent of the Miramar location, published an article that pointed out this fact. To break down the $16.9 million price tag, $9.3 million was from Federal Aviation Administration grants to the airport authority, SANDAG (San Diego Association of Governments) and San Diego Unified Port District. Airlines provided the rest of the operating budget, according to the article. And where do the FAA, SANDAG and the Port get their money? Does April 15 ring a bell? The airlines won’t use San Diego as a hub city or cargo depot. Airport busyness does not justify relocation now or in the future.
You will be glad to know that five airport authority officials hoping to discuss joint use of Miramar with the Pentagon spent $8,500 in lodging and airfare. Four of the five flew first class, of course, just the way you would on such a critical mission paid for by someone else. They would have been better off betting a long shot at Del Mar, since the five folks returned after a one-hour meeting with an assistant Navy secretary perhaps asking, “What part of no don’t you understand?”
For all the reasons given by the Marines and the likes of UCSD Economics Professor Richard Carson that Miramar is the wrong choice and Lindbergh should remain the first choice, the advisory vote in November is critical. According to Dr. Carson, if San Diego County sends the message that Miramar looks like a good choice, then Lindbergh will not receive the necessary attention to remain competitive for decades. The sounds of silence will yield to jet engine roar 24/7, if Prop A doesn’t get defeated. Mark your calendar for Sept. 12 and show up at UCHS at 6 p.m.
Sandra Lippe, a former high school teacher with a master’s degree in creative writing, was born and raised in Connecticut. She is a 33-year resident of University City with husband Ernie. They have two children and two wonderful grandchildren.