THE CLINTON INAUGURATION : Wieder Has a Seat at Both Parties

You didn’t see any fortune cookies dished up at the exclusive Mr. K restaurant in Washington on Monday night.

“No won-ton soup either,” noted Orange County Supervisor Harriett Wieder, laughing. “This was gourmet Chinese--Peking duck, beef mimosa and firecracker prawns.”

Wieder didn’t need a cookie to tell her why she’d been invited to the dinner, or to tell her future.

“Jim McConnell, Orange County’s legislative advocate in Washington, invited me to the dinner to meet Peter Kostmayer, the former congressman from Pennsylvania,” said Wieder. Kostmayer is said to be in line for a position in the Department of Interior.

“He’s going to be concerned with endangered species and wetlands. And, since the restoration of the Bolsa Chica wetlands is important to Orange County, it’s going to be important for me to have him to turn to,” she said.

As for her future, say, four years down the road, Wieder says she could be campaigning for Jack Kemp (George Bush’s secretary of housing and urban development). “I’ve run into a lot of Republicans here who are determined to take our party back,” she says. “I’m still a Republican, remember. If Clinton doesn’t work out, I’ll probably be campaigning for Kemp, though a lot can change in four years.”

Meanwhile, Wieder and her husband, Irv, are making the most of their Washington sojourn (their fourth inauguration). After the Chinese dinner--which included love dumplings and crab toast--the couple ducked into Clyde’s for a nightcap and ran into Linda Moulton-Patterson--a California Coastal Commission member--and her husband, Jerry.

“They asked me if I didn’t find Democratic inaugurations a lot more fun than Republican ones, and I told them no, not really,” said Wieder, who has been holed up at the Washington Marriott since Saturday. “But there sure has been lots to do. I feel like I’ve been here for months.”

As for speculation about a presidential appointment coming her way, well, could be. “I got a call from Hillary’s office about three weeks ago. They wanted to make sure I had sent in my resume,” Wieder said. “If I’m appointed to something, I hope it’s in the area of human services. That’s where my interest lies.”

Whatever appointment comes his way, Western Digital Chairman Roger Johnson--who is attending the inauguration with his wife, Janice--says he’s likely to remain in Orange County.

“I’ve been involved in Washington policy issues for 12 to 15 years,” said Johnson, who is staying at the Grand Hotel, near Georgetown University. “I’ve been in and out of Washington and I’m sure, as a supporter of the President, that’s what I’ll continue to do.”

The Johnsons were among the hundreds of party-goers who attended Monday night’s $1,500-per-person American Gala at the Washington Hilton.

There, along with developers Gus Owen and Kathryn Thompson--who wore a red cocktail suit--they dined on papaya and orange salad, filet mignon and fresh salmon. “We couldn’t get over how delicious the food was,” said Janice.

Or how lovely Hillary Clinton looked. “She wore her hair up ,” Janice said. “And her black gown had gold sparkles on the bodice.”

When Janice Johnson returns to Orange County, watch for the performing arts activist to sport the latest in status jewelry--a gold-tone saxophone pin. Especially a saxophone pin purchased in Washington. “I’ve bought five,” she said.