Q & A WITH GOV. WILSON : Governor Discusses Orange County Issues

Q: How do you assess your political standing in Orange County right now?

A: It’s impossible for me to say beyond looking at the most recent polls. I think polls are what they’ve always been . . . “frozen snapshots in time.” Currently, I happen to know mine are down and I understand why they are.

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Q: Why the ($60-million) special allocation from the state for the Disney ($3-billion expansion) project and what criteria (will the state use in the future to decide about) jump-starting a particular development?

A: You’ll probably find me willing to do that for any project that promises 27,000 jobs and billions in economic development to a five-county area in a time of a severe recession. That’s the quick answer. What we actually did was to provide some gas tax money, about half of which came from savings on a scheduled lane-widening project.

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Q: So if somebody else comes up with a good plan for a major development?

A: If I could be assured that we would get 27,000 jobs for every 60-grand of transportation money, I would delighted.

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Q: How do you assess the Orange County (legislative) delegation in Sacramento?

A: In terms of interest and performance and seniority, you’re losing one of the very best (in state Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach)) . . . I expect you will get her back as a supervisor. I think Marian Bergeson has been one of the best public servants I’ve ever encountered. You’re lucky she wants to come back and be a supervisor. Which proves that she is an incurable masochist, but then who the hell is talking.