Anaheim Will Get Aid for Quake Loss

Gov. Pete Wilson on Monday declared a state of emergency in Orange County, paving the way for the city of Anaheim to recover million of dollars in earthquake damage at Anaheim Stadium.

“The main reason for the declaration was that the city of Anaheim had filed a request because of the major damage in and around the stadium,” said Kevin Eckery, the governor’s press secretary. “The amount of damage outstripped their resources.”

Anaheim’s request was criticized by some residents and politicians who argued that money to repair a scoreboard is not an appropriate use of the funds.

Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach), said Monday night of the governor’s declaration: “I can’t believe that. Unless there’s some (other) damage that I’m totally and completely unaware of, I can’t imagine a person in the executive leadership, a governor calling that a disaster. It’s outrageous. . . . Just like everything else, calling something like that a disaster depreciates the value of our common English language.”

Although last week’s Northridge earthquake was strongly felt in Orange County, there was relatively little damage. The most significant occurred at Anaheim Stadium, where the quake toppled the 17-ton Sony Jumbotron scoreboard. The collapse of the scoreboard caused part of the cantilever above the upper tier to cave in, damaging four giant advertising panels and crushing about 1,000 seats.

Anaheim officials have estimated damage at the city-owned stadium at $3 million to $4 million. Because the city’s stadium insurance policy has a $6.5-million deductible, the city is potentially liable for those repair costs.

Even before the earthquake, the city faced an estimated $8-million budget deficit next fiscal year.

Last week, County Board of Supervisors Chairman Thomas F. Riley declared the county a disaster area and asked the governor to do the same.

Anaheim officials said that they were surprised by the criticism and that they did not intend to minimize the severity of damage in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. They agreed that those who need housing and transportation assistance should have priority.

City Manager James D. Ruth said last week that the city was only trying to protect the taxpayers of Anaheim.

Eckery said the governor’s declaration Monday did not minimize the destruction that occurred in Anaheim’s neighbors to the north, which were declared disaster areas last week.

“I think it’s clear that the physical damage is not as great (as in Northridge, but) that doesn’t mean that the city of Anaheim doesn’t need the assistance,” he said.

Eckery added that assistance to Anaheim could take the form of low-interest loans. Furthermore, he said, any assistance that goes to Anaheim “won’t be taking away money from people in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.”

In his declaration, Wilson said he took the action because “the magnitude of this disaster exceeds the capabilities of the services, personnel and facilities of the county.”

Anaheim officials Monday welcomed the declaration.

“We are pleased with the fast action by the governor on our request,” said Mayor Tom Daly. “Anaheim Stadium is an important center of economic activity in Orange County.”

Councilman Irv Pickler said that he too is grateful but that the city will try to recoup the financial losses from anyone who might share responsibility for the scoreboard falling.

“I’m sure if we find the responsible party, that’s where we’ll get the money,” Pickler said. “Obviously the priorities are with the people in Los Angeles and Northridge.”

The governor’s declaration makes the county eligible for mandatory mutual aid from other cities, counties and state agencies and provides state reimbursement for costs connected with the emergency.

The owners of damaged or destroyed property will get extended property tax relief, and low-interest loans will be available from the state for housing reconstruction.

The governor also requested that President Clinton include Orange County on the federal disaster declaration, so Anaheim and other cities in the county can seek federal assistance.