Routing a Tollway Through San Clemente

There is more to San Clemente than Avenida Pico.

However, Mayor Candace Haggard says it’s “devastating” if the proposed tollway linking the Tustin and San Clemente areas has to be routed through San Clemente instead of Camp Pendleton to connect with Interstate 5.

We wonder if she and her ilk paused a moment to think that the route through Camp Pendleton is devastating to San Clemente residents and property owners who live on Avenida Santa Margarita, especially the beginning of Avenida Santa Margarita from El Camino Real, where the proposed tollway is located within 300 feet or less of our residences. (Yes, the southern end of town is considered a part of San Clemente.)

Did the San Clemente city officials and our other elected state and federal officials stop to think about the effect this massive roadway project will have on the San Clemente community with regard to increased freeway noise (in addition to Interstate 5), traffic, air and water (aquifer) pollution?

We wonder just how much the mayor, city officials and our state and federal officials care about San Clemente, its environment and its families, residents, and property owners.

We wonder how much they care about preserving the pristine natural habitat on Camp Pendleton and state land.

We wonder how much they care about the Earth and its ever-increasing fragility to the damaging effects of pollution.

At the next and subsequent elections, we will remember our elected officials as they have remembered us.

MARGO BEAUCHAMP

San Clemente