Keep Lindbergh Field
The Airport Authority makes much of the apparent dire straits which Lindbergh Field currently is said to be approaching. This mantra has been repeated since I arrived in San Diego more than 20 years ago. With much wailing and gnashing of teeth, we are assured that the airport will overflow its capacity soon; the Airport Authority’s Web site states that the airport “will be unable to meet air transportation demands as early as 2015.”
Why, then, does a very recent forward-looking report on airport capacity from the FAA not include our airport? Use your favorite web browser to go to www.faama.org/news/mts/MTS0504.pdf, and you’ll find a document published by the FAA manager’s association in 2004. Therein, you’ll find an article entitled “INSIGHT: FAA’s Office of Airports takes a long, well-researched look at airport capacity through 2020.” And on page 9, you’ll find a long list of airports which have a capacity problem, or are predicted to develop one by 2020. And nowhere on that long list will you see Lindbergh Field.
As an all-too-frequent traveler, I pass through many of the nation’s busiest airports, and Lindbergh is far better than most in terms of vehicular access and passenger handling.Furthermore, according to FAA records, the “on-time” status of flights in and out of Lindbergh compares well with other busy national airports.
Simply put, San Diego doesn’t need a new airport. Financial considerations also weigh against it. At a time when our fair city is facing the consequences of financial mismanagement, it is not encouraging to read, on the Airport Authority Web site, that the cost of a new airport and all of the associated requirements “is unknown at this time.”
The site claims that our local tax dollars would not be used to build a new airport; but read carefully ” airport users would pay towards the cost, and local residents would have to foot the bill for new roads, light rail, etc. I look forward to being able to check the box next to “keep Lindbergh Field” when the opportunity to vote comes this fall.
J L Whitton, University City

Problem with Miramar
There is a problem with using Miramar as our primary airport; the existing runway’s centerline, extended two times the runway’s length, passes through the north edge of Soledad Park, then continues over the center of La Jolla Country Club, and over and in line with Genter Street. Military aircraft have enough power where they now turn north and avoid following this extended centerline; commercial aircraft do not have that excess power.
It is unlikely that commercial aircraft will pass the peak of Mount Soledad at a height that substantially decreases noise from their engines at full throttle during take-off. During Santa Ana conditions, a landing glide path will also pass low enough to induce headaches.
Now the consultants propose two parallel runways south of the existing one that will bracket State 52 and cross Clairemont, with the northern runway’s extended centerline passing above the intersection of La Jolla Scenic South and Soledad Mountain Road, following Gravilla Street out to sea. The proposed southern runway’s centerline is just north of Balboa Avenue, but this runway does not have the elevation to traverse that the other two do.
This is obvious Nimbyism, but the difference from long-suffering Point Loma’s relatively flat terrain is the significant heights atop Mount Soledad. If you doubt the geography, visit the war memorial, eyeball the alignments and notice just how high you are. Yes, we may have to remove the cross, and maybe some antennas, but for an entirely different reason than the litigation.
Zack Hayman, La Jolla

Hillel’s prolonged dog-and-pony show
Attention Council District 1 constituents:
Your City Council Representative, Scott Peters, now president of the City Council and in his last term in office, could care less about you and your neighborhoods. He is giving back to the “big bucks” that got him re-elected, but he is still trying to make it appear that fairness prevails by arranging and attending prolonged “dog and pony shows” put on for you and by you.
Pamela Colquitt, University City

Let’s play charades
The following is a copy of a letter to District 1 City Councilman Scott Peters.
Re: Hillel Hearing on May 9, 2006, Site 653
After I watched your performance at the above hearing on TV, I have nothing but contempt for you as my representative! How could you ignore a cash purchase offer at $1.3 million with a steady property tax flow (which would make the community happy) in favor of a backdoor deal for $940,000 to a religious group that will be tax-exempt forever (and the community does not want)?
The volunteers who work for planning and community groups don’t get paid for their time and efforts; yet you side with paid flunkies from an interest group for students who do not live or invest in our community.
Your mind was clearly made up before this charade on May 9, 2006. The 24 conditions you imposed are only enforceable with the help of the neighborhood groups you seem to despise.You and city staff get compensated for the time spent on these charades that are called “Public Hearings.”
Please explain to me which “Public” you represent? Certainly not the citizens, residents and property owners of La Jolla and University City.
Your arrogance and contempt for our community is breathtaking.
Ingrid E. Varon, La Jolla

Voters can tell
Congratulations to the residents of the 50th Congressional District (which includes much of La Jolla and University City). You aren’t being taken in by the National Republican Campaign Committee attack ads against Francine Busby ” polls show her popularity has risen since the ads started running.
In fact, many Republicans are embarrassed by the ads, which make ludicrous statements about Busby, a member of the Cardiff School Board.
Republican school board member Andy Brown calls the claims “outrageous and untrue.” Bill Boyer, one of the Republican candidates in the Special Election, said, “Ms. Busby has my apologies…I am embarrassed to acknowledge the Republican endorsement trailer on the ad.” Even Busby’s opponent in the June 6 election, Brian Bilbray, has “expressed mild disappointment.”
Of course, what he should do is acknowledge publicly that the ads are preposterous, but ” in the meantime ” what’s really important is that we voters can tell truth from really bad fiction.
Elizabeth Hansen, La Jolla

Jewish Film Festival appreciates coverage
We are writing to thank the University City/Golden Triangle News for its exceptional coverage of the 16th annual San Diego Jewish Film Festival. Our individual ticket sales exceeded goals with the total number of ticket-holders, pass-holders and underwriters exceeding 20,000. Such a box office success would not be possible without the support generously provided by you along with other outstanding radio, TV and print media outlets throughout San Diego and the region.
Our efforts to provide a world-class international cinema experience came to fruition due to a variety of factors. Leading the list is the international roster of festival participants, including over 40 community partners and co-presenters, more than 20 guest speakers and panelists ranging from filmmakers, actors and film subjects to local scholars and consulate representatives. The buzz about many of the programs carries on today (and beyond), thanks to the inclusion of this broad-based community.
Special attractions like the San Diego premier of “The Aryan Couple” and the San Diego return of “Protocols of Zion”; our free Teen Screen and School Day films; a new FlixMix package for young adults; the burgeoning Joyce Forum for emerging filmmakers; an appearance by Hollywood producer John Daly, Israeli film star Moshe Ivgy, folk music legend Peter Yarrow, and activist Michael Meeropol, were some of the major highlights. The total line-up of 38 features included documentaries and short-subject films from 11 countries, and 11 Israeli films opened new worlds of information and provided unique programming for our entire community.
Finally, the Audience Choice Awards were enthusiastically voted on by our attendees, with Best Feature going to “Live and Become” directed by Radu Mihaileanu, “A Cantor’s Tale” directed by Erik Greenberg for Best Documentary, and “West Bank Story” directed by Ari Sandel for Best “Joyce Forum” Short. This award helps spread the fine reputation of San Diego’s Jewish Film Festival at home and abroad.
Thank you again for your support.
Judith Friedel, chair
Francine Ginsberg, co-chair
Joyce Axelrod, Joyce Forum and SDJFF founding chair
Jacqueline Ann Siegel, producer
Patti Malmuth, publicist