Norman Abbod, a Lake Forest resident, sent Lake Forest Patch the following letter to the editor:
I read with interest and would like to clarify her understanding of this situation as well as others who may be ignorant of the history of the ETHS Stadium.
Everybody wants a stadium for El Toro High School, except not one that is on-site. The voters have made that clear several times and funded an off-site stadium when Measure B passed.
The issue of support for a home stadium for the students, staff, and community of Lake Forest has a history that voters solved with the passing of Measure B, or so we thought. We voted 180 million dollar in bonds for all our schools, supporting friends throughout the school district, to improve all the schools. Knowing the community is now built around the campus and the many negative effects to hundreds of neighbors, the voters' compromised by agreeing to the construction of an off campus stadium. Voters said "yes." Where has the school board been in implementing the will of the people?
Today neighbors point out the value of a stadium, off campus. Others just want a stadium at the expense of nearby residents and those who voted to support the 180 million dollar bond measure. The school board has put a community at odds with them and created disharmony in the Lake Forest community of Lake Forest. The location of the stadium is the issue. The money for an off campus stadium is there. UCLA has their stadium, off campus. Other high schools do not have stadiums at all. When things change, the board is on solid ground to vote as the people have voted. Well meaning residents, parents of students and others have tried to get a stadium for years. We concluded a long time ago: For our city, an off-site stadium for sure! Go Chargers!
