Get behind Miramar
If the airport authority came to the conclusion that the best airport solution would be for the military to vacate Miramar, they would not be able to put such a choice on the ballot in a military town. With around 12 military installations and 24 military housing areas in the country, San Diego certainly fits that definition.
In addition, the country is at war with terrorism. However, they could try to achieve that result by putting joint-use on the ballot and hoping that the military would elect to find another home should the voters approve it in November and then all of the local politicians get behind it.
What we need to do now is pass it and see that our politicians are on board or voted out of office the next time they run for re-election. Politicians have more experience with compromise than Department of Defense officials.
The airport authority identified Camp Pendleton, Campo/Boulevard and Imperial County as possible sites for a civilian airport. Wouldn’t they be suitable sites for a military airport? The military could relocate to one of those sites without the need for a high-speed rail line or concern about how far they are from downtown.
During the past five years, several statements from the airport authority made one wonder if they had the guts to select the best location; however, in the end, they did indeed select the best site. Now it is up to us, the voters, to make that choice a reality.
Don French, Ocean Beach