Politics & Government

Ontario Gets Wildomar's Support On Airport Issue

Mayor Pro Tem Tim Walker and Mayor Ben Benoit were adamant Wednesday night that Ontario Airport is important to residents and business owners of Wildomar and other surrounding cities.

Wildomar has thrown its support behind the City of Ontario’s effort to gain local control of the international airport located there.

During its regularly scheduled meeting Wednesday night, Wildomar City Council members voted 4-0 to adopt a resolution supporting the northern city’s move to take control of Ontario International Airport away from Los Angeles.

Councilwoman Marsha Swanson was absent Wednesday.

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, the City of Ontario has ramped up its bid for local control. Ontario City Manager Chris Hughes has pitched elected officials and business leaders across the Southland, making his case that the airport is on a dizzying downward spiral under Los Angeles World Airports, the same operator that oversees Los Angeles International Airport.

“Ontario is committed to taking whatever steps are necessary to assure that this vital economic engine is reinvigorated through the creation of a low-cost airport that aggressively markets the airport and region,” the city’s website www.setontariofree.com states.

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to the website, LAWA’s commitment to Ontario is overshadowed by its obligation to the much larger LAX. As a result, Ontario International has experienced steep passenger declines in recent years caused by LAWA’s lack of marketing efforts that include allowing high travel costs to get out of hand at the facility, the site contends.

Mayor Pro Tem Tim Walker and Mayor Ben Benoit were adamant Wednesday night that Ontario Airport is important to residents and business owners of Wildomar and other surrounding cities.

“The City of Los Angeles is not doing us any favors by running our airport into the ground,” Benoit said.

Walker urged that his business clients are complaining about lack of flights at Ontario. He said local businesses that rely on a nearby airport for travel and cargo transport are being hurt by lack of services available at Ontario. The businesses are relying on airports outside the area, and the commute alone can make travel and transport more expensive, Walker said.

“They (LAWA) are strangling our businesses,” he said, arguing that the City of Wildomar cannot sit on its hands.

“My clients are complaining and they want something done,” he said.

Councilman Bob Cashman said he too relies on Ontario Airport.

“I fly in and out all the time,” he said, lamenting the lack of flights at the facility.

In February, the Lake Elsinore City Council voted 3-2 against a similar resolution. to read that story.


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