Congressional delegation opposes airport aite proposition

By: JAMES R. RIFFEL - North County Times wire services | Thursday, October 19, 2006 7:09 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO - The five members of San Diego's congressional delegation banded together today to urge the defeat of an advisory proposition on whether to build a new commercial airport at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

"There ain't a lot of issues that can bring the five of us together," Rep. Bob Filner, D-San Diego, quipped at a news conference.

The proposition was the result of months of study by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority on where to put a facility to replace cramped Lindbergh Field. The region's growth and terrain have made the decades-long quest to find a site for an expanded international airport particularly difficult.

The result of the advisory measure on the Nov. 7 ballot will be non- binding. Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-El Cajon, said it will also be moot, because a defense authorization bill recently signed into law has a provision banning regular civilian use of airfields at Miramar, NAS North Island and Camp Pendleton.

"This ballgame is over," Hunter said.

Bruce Boland, who is leading the anti-A campaign, would not release polling data, but said it was close.

The proposition has been endorsed by the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp.

The SDREDC resolution states that if Miramar ever becomes available, it "could provide the only real alternative for an international airport other than Lindbergh Field."

"Miramar is not only the best solution, it's the only solution," William Lynch, a member of the airport authority's board of directors, said at a recent forum.

Marine Corps brass have said they oppose civilian use of the base.

Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Carlsbad, said use of the current location still has not been "maximized."

Bilbray suggested that a high-speed rail system to Los Angeles International Airport would reduce the number of commuter flights between San Diego and LAX.

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, said officials could place a 50-seat minimum on flights into and out of Lindbergh Field, which would mean fewer operations on larger airplanes.

It's time for the airport authority to "get creative" and "come up with better options," Hunter said.

Nearly 20 opponents of the measure backed the members of Congress at the news conference at Spanish Landing Park -- across from Lindbergh Field -- holding signs that read "No on Prop. A. Support Our Marines."

Boland said a new airport would place "unconscionable" constraints on the Marines who use and live at Miramar, create unsafe flying conditions because of a mix of aircraft, and increase traffic on already clogged streets and freeways.

SD Robbery Arrest

Eds: SDPD media services can be reached at (619) 531-2900.

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A juvenile suspect was behind bars today in connection with the robbery and sex assaults of four college students by four masked assailants at a Mission Beach apartment last weekend, authorities reported.

San Diego police refused to release the age of the arrestee, who was booked on multiple counts of armed robbery, and would not disclose when or where he was taken into custody.

The intruders burst into the residence in the 700 block of San Fernando Place about 3:15 a.m. Sunday, according to investigators.

They stole cash, credit cards, cell phones and electronics and assaulted two teenage women before running away, SDPD Lt. Vincent Villalvazo said.

One of the victims was the tenant and the other three students were visitors.

City officials have held several community meetings in the neighborhood this week to address residents' questions and concerns about the case. CNS-10-19-2006 12:56

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