Allies sought in L.A. airport fight

What members don't know is how to approach the Los Angeles Department of Airports.

On Thursday, they decided to postpone action for a month in order to call in reinforcements from the Palmdale Regional Airport Advisory Council.

Sherry Lasagna, Antelope Valley deputy to Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, asked partnership members to contact L.A. airport officials during planning for future LAX development.

The response should articulate Palmdale's viability as an option to expanding LAX, she said.

Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford agreed the partnership shouldn't antagonize the airports department. The department is expected to assist with some of the $12 million in improvements at Palmdale Regional Airport.

"If they don't build in the bay, they might go for a double deck runway," Ledford joked.

However, the Palmdale mayor said the department of airports shouldn't wait for a company to express interest in the Palmdale Regional Airport before completing the multi-million taxiway project.

"If we wait for someone to show interest, all we will have is 20 passenger planes," Ledford said.

Antelope Valley officials don't know the members of the department of airports or other Los Angeles officials because much has changed since the 17,700 acres in Palmdale was purchased in 1969.

"We need to talk to those guys eye to eye if we have to put them on a bus and get them up here. Palmdale is a viable alternative," Ledford said.