San Diego's Mayor Not Taking Sides On Miramar Study

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders said yesterday he will remain neutral on the November ballot measure for a new airport site and will not lobby for a joint-use operation at any military base before the Pentagon is comfortable with the idea.

Sanders said that while Lindbergh Field is unsuitable for San Diego's long-term air travel and cargo needs, the right time to pursue a civilian airport at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station or any other base is "when the military brings it up."

In his campaign for mayor last year, Sanders promised to work with the authority as "an advocate" for an appropriate solution.

His less-committal stance yesterday was spun into a plus by opposite camps in the airport debate, expected to settle on Miramar when the airport authority board votes on an option June 5.

Backers of Miramar's joint use said Sanders showed he understands the need to work out a deal with the military. Opponents said the mayor had tacitly aligned himself with the "no means no" contingent.

"I don't believe it will hinder us," said Dennis Burks, chairman of an organization expected to lead the political campaign for the Nov. 7 countywide ballot measure.

One of the most vocal opponents of joint use, Lemon Grove Mayor Mary Teresa Sessom, said Sanders had damaged the measure's chances by effectively agreeing with those who have said there is no way around the Pentagon's opposition to any consideration of local military bases.

A draft version of an advisory ballot proposition on joint use of Miramar for a future civilian facility seeks to pressure elected leaders, such as Sanders, to get at the head of the train for joint use.

Sanders said he could have supported a less-confrontational measure that speaks to an era in which "the military makes a different decision" about its bases.

"I guess it all goes back to the fact the military owns the property and they've said they're not interested in giving it to us at this point," Sanders said. "I think we need to respect that and let's move on, let's work on Lindbergh Field. ... Then let's be ready to pursue something should it come forward in the future when the military brings it up.

"Whichever base the airport authority selects and places on the ballot, the reality is that our region's ability to pursue a new airport site will ultimately depend on the decisions made (at) the Pentagon."

San Diego Councilman Jim Madaffer, who opposes Miramar's joint use, said the mayor is caught between the business community, which strongly supports a new airport site, and residents, who are almost sure to be angered if it is near their homes.

He read Sanders' decision as a blow for Miramar site backers.

"They were hoping he'd take a position of support," Madaffer said. "Clearly, that sends a message right there."

In October, campaigning against Councilwoman Donna Frye for the mayoral vacancy, Sanders never identified any personal preference for an airport solution.

On his campaign Web site, he said: "It is essential for us to have a larger (airport) in order to keep our local economy healthy. The Mayor needs to work actively with the Authority and then work as an advocate for an appropriate solution."

And in an interview with The San Diego Union-Tribune editorial board in October, Sanders said, "The next mayor's going to have to push hard for the airport location that the airport authority comes up with."

Approved 3-1 in committee Monday, the Miramar proposal goes to the full nine-member board June 5; Sessom was the dissenting vote.

Sanders' comments yesterday were welcomed by two authority board members who favor joint use of Miramar.

"He's saying the only solution is to work something out with the military," William D. Lynch said. "If you take the totality of his statement, he's exactly the same place I am."

Another board member, Paul Nieto, said, "What's nice about what (Sanders) said is that he would like to continue a dialogue, and that's certainly what we would like."

But Sessom said Sanders' position will force Miramar site supporters to reconsider their strategy of imploring elected officials to carry the ball for joint use.

"You have the (most) prominent single San Diego official saying, `It ain't gonna be me.' It's huge," Sessom said. "What other political figure who has that clout is going to step forward and say, `I will be your champion'?"

Councilman Brian Maienschein, who said he would actively oppose any Miramar ballot measure, said he wished Sanders had come out against the committee's proposal.

"It's important to our region that (Miramar) remain a military base," Maienschein said.

In a letter to airport authority board Chairman Joseph Craver, Maienschein urged him to seek a "less troublesome" site option.

A site in dispute

* Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, introduced a provision in a defense authorization bill to prohibit civilian air operations at local military bases. The House passed the bill May 11.

* Monday: The San Diego Regional Airport Authority committee voted 3-1 to put joint use of Miramar on the November ballot.

* Yesterday: Mayor Jerry Sanders said he will remain neutral on the ballot measure proposal.

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