SUCCESS!!

July 5, 2026

Dear Friends of Zamperini Field,

The recent Torrance City Council elections advanced the cause of saving and improving our beloved airport. The approach your PAC took this time was different than two years ago. This time we did not actively support any candidate over any other. Instead, we attempted to talk to them all, educate them all, pointing out to them the value of the airport and the importance of preserving and improving it. We worked quietly behind the scenes to achieve this outcome. We emphasized the deteriorated condition on the airport, making it less useful to our city and the importance of our airport to the city and the whole region. This effort was successful.

Our most outspoken opponent on the old City Council, Jon Kaji, overwhelmingly lost his reelection bid to a promising newcomer, David Kartonsis in District One. David promises to be a great friend of the airport. Doubtless his airport support and Kaji’s opposition was a factor in this landslide 60:40 outcome, giving a strong message to others who may seek to weaken airport support.

In District five, Betty Lieu won in an open seat. Betty too seems to be a strong supporter our airport goals. The PAC made a great connection with her.

The new mayor and long term airport friend, Sharon Kalani, already a City Council member, replaces Mayor Chen, also an airport supporter, but Kalani seems to be an even much stronger supporter of our goals.

The open seat for Treasurer was won by Aurelio Mattucci defeating Mike Griffiths who when he was a City Council member was primarily responsible for for operations restriction and the institutions of landing fees that created disincentive to proper use of the airport.

Thus, ONLY AIRPORT SUPPORTERS advanced in this election cycle. All airports opponents lost, and we now have an unprecedented opportunity to advance important airport goals, which include.

1. Repair of the deteriorating pavement on runways, taxiways and hangar rows, the poor condition of which is becoming a hazard to aircraft operations.
2. Repair of the completely dysfunctional taxiway lighting system which currently and for years has made the airport more difficult to use at night.
3. Development of better aircraft repair and servicing and supply facilities that have been neglected in recent years.
4. Provision for full service FBOs (fixed base operators) to service visiting aircraft for parking, car rental and fuel including jet fuel not currently available to anyone but Robinson Helicopter which does have a tank for its own use.
5. A restaurant on the field for locals to use and watch operations and for visitors.

So, we plan to continue to work and advocate for the Field with our new, promising City Council, Mayor and Treasurer. A new City Council member must be appointed to fill Sharon Kalani’s now empty seat. We hope that this new appointee will also be a strong friend of Zamperini Field.

Already one small piece of broken up paving has been repaired. A good start. But in recent months almost the entire city of Torrance has been repaved, hundreds of miles of new paving, but the smooth beautiful surfaces stop at the airport gates. There is plenty of money and tools to do the job and we will be encouraging the city to act on that and all the other airport needs with speed and determination. You can help. Donation to the PAC are welcome and can be given at the website above. Feel free to call me personally with any suggestions or ideas.

Sincerely,

Thomas W. LaGrelius, MD, FAAFP
Chairman, Friends of Zamperini Field PAC