Friday, January 20, 2012 AIRPORT: Riverside mayor vows to help Ontario BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL The Riverside (CA) Press Enterprise The tug-of-war for control of Ontario International Airport has gotten more tense in recent days. The city of Ontario has wanted it back for about three years now and the city of Los Angeles doesn’t appear willing to give it up, despite an offer of $50 million for the city to walk away. For the most part, it’s been an Ontario-led battle. But the rest of the region appears ready to show its support. From my colleague Alicia Robinson who covers the city of Riverside and attended Thursday’s State of the City: The next move in Inland officials’ bid to take over Ontario International Airport may be a charm offensive led by Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge. On Thursday – just a day after an angry exchange between Ontario city and Los Angeles World Airports officials – Loveridge pledged to organize a group of Riverside leaders to discuss ONT with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and L.A. City Council members. Loveridge, widely seen as a consensus builder, provoked applause when he made the airport comment during his final State of the City address. After 32 years in public office, Loveridge will retire once a new mayor is elected, which will be in June if there’s an outright winner or November if there’s a runoff. Related Data: |