Capitol Display : County Is Pictured Sans Cities

Picture this:

- A lovely, lonely shoreline, where a deserted beach draws only a cluster of photogenic gulls.

- A mountain pasture and thousands of unspoiled acres running to the horizon, totally unmarred by signs of civilization.

- Stands of oaks, fields of poppies, lovely lakes and boundless vistas without streets, stores or crowds of people.

Now, “Picture Yourself in Orange County.”

That’s the name of the new Orange County display that went up in the state Capitol this week, replacing an array of orange crates and turn-of-the-century photos of orange pickers that had been widely criticized for not being representative of the county’s diversity. Not to mention tacky.

The new display is centered around a large, simulated camera and includes 31 color photos such as those described above. The newest of 58 such Capitol displays--one from each of the state’s counties--was installed Tuesday by a private decorator hired for $4,400 by the Board of Supervisors.

The new display has all-color photos. No orange groves. But rustic scenes predominate, with no signs of cities, industries or highways. And few people.

“It sounds as if the display needs to have something showing our urban flavor, such as Disneyland and the new Performing Arts Center,” said Rod Speer, executive assistant to Orange County Supervisor Harriett M. Wieder. In a telephone interview from Santa Ana, Speer listened to a description of the 31 photos in the new Orange County display.

Speer said he had not seen the new display but added that he hoped Wieder, who was in Sacramento for a water conference on Wednesday, would be able to view it before flying home. He pointed out that Wieder was among the most vocal of the old display’s critics, calling for a better-looking, more representative replacement.

“The old display was mostly about agriculture, which is falling in the background now in the county,” Speer said.

“I think Mrs. Wieder wants the display to show something that lets you know Orange County is now the Silicon Valley of the south. And maybe something showing Disneyland. How can you have something about Orange County without showing Disneyland?”

Virgil Terpack of Reliable Decorating and Parade Float Inc. of Riverside, the company that won the contract to come up with a new Orange County display, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

But Helen Lotos, public information officer for Orange County, said Wednesday: “I’m sure this is just Phase I. Virgil is getting many more photos we’re sending him, including scenes from the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts and Performing Arts Center. We want some photos showing the architecture of cities, such as Newport Beach. And maybe scenes showing a beautiful shopping mall.”

Lotos, however, said the photos to be included won’t show all sides of Orange County.

“I don’t think we’ll be showing a freeway crowded with cars,” she said.