Monday, March 5, 2007 | What is remarkable about the debate on changing San Diego’s airport location is that it continues, even though the electorate overwhelmingly rejected the idea last November.
First, our airport was removed via state legislation from the umbrella authority of the Port District. Then a new airport authority of insiders was appointed which proceeded to spend millions on an information campaign to educate voters about the pros and pros of relocating Lindbergh Field to Miramar. When that idea spectacularly tanked — with not a single city in the county favoring it — another airport authority was appointed with more unqualified (but salaried) insiders running it.
This newest incarnation of the airport authority, chaired by abrasive ex-school superintendent Alan Bersin, last week voted to oppose State Senator Christine Kehoe’s bill to reform and democratize the composition of the airport body — like having a few accountable elected officials on it — but indicated its desire to negotiate with the senator on the final wording of her proposed legislation.
Watch out, folks. The more things change, the more they may stay the same.