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The city of Irvine is throwing down the gauntlet to the Orange County Business Council--declaring that business doesn't really support a commercial airport at El Toro. And to prove its case, the city plans to spend $250,000 to start the rival Tech Coast Chamber of Commerce.
But Business Council CEO and president Stan Oftelie doesn't seem too worried.
"I'm surprised that they're using a chamber of commerce for a government front group," Oftelie quipped last week.
While the Business Council has supported a commercial airport at El Toro, its support has been low key--limited to a handful of economic studies showing how the airport would benefit business and a few polls to measure public support for the plan.
Oftelie said the airport is only one of many issues for Business Council members. He said he doubts the Tech Coast Chamber would gain wide acceptance among business executives because of its government backing and its one-- issue theme.
"Most business people are concerned about the airport affecting the quality of life and the long-term economic impact. But they're not obsessed...