Transportation is a regional problem and should be adderssed with regional solutions. Long Beach should convene a regional conference on transportation, incluing airport usage.
GENERAL STATEMENT REGARDING LONG BEACH AIRPORT
While I support expanding LB airport traffic to the full 41 slots previously authorized by the FAA, I also think we should explore other traffic than pure passenger traffic, provided that ALL planes meet the established noise standards. I am not presently in favor of more than 41 slots, unless there can be greater noise reduction.
One concept that should be explored for the Long Beach Airport is that there is a greater need for cargo flights close to Orange County businesses, now that the El Toro Airport site has been voted down.
I also would suggest that we should explore the wisdom and financial impact of giving all of the available slots to one carrier (JetBlue). That ties our airport to the financial stability of only one company. More diversity may be wise, provided previous contracts will allow it.
REGIONAL SOLUTIONS?
However, airport planning is more than one City or County should attempt. We are, in reality, part of a metroplex and a regional economy. While we have distinct municipal identities and authorities, the cities of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties are "cheek by jowl" and have common city borders and common problems that cross those borders.
Pollution and water quality are urban problems that do not respect city limits. Our transportation issues also do not respect our political boundaries. Whether it is freeway congestion or airport congestion, we must all work together to find solutions.
Travelers and cargo from Orange County are now funneled to LAX. The residents near that airport are fighting ITS expansion. Orange County/John Wayne faces opposition to ITS expansion. The voters of Orange County have turned away from another large airport on the El Toro site. It is a regional issue and the solutions need to be cooperatively regional.
Therefore, if elected Mayor, I will propose that the City of Long Beach convene a REGIONAL AIRPORT CONFERENCE of all affected cities, with an eye toward developing a REGIONAL AIRPORT PLAN.
This plan may include agreements for balancing the amount of cargo flights among various airports. We may also consider developing better transportation to and from available airport space.
Whatever comes of it, we must see that we are linked together and that we need to seek regional solutions that take into account the local issues of property values and residents' sanity!
| 
