ORANGE COUNTY IN BANKRUPTCY : Governor Says Little of Crisis : Capitol: Others in Sacramento also take pains to distance themselves.

As Orange County was experiencing the financial equivalent of a major earthquake Tuesday, Gov. Pete Wilson was here tending to the ceremonial lighting of the Capitol Christmas tree.

When the county was forced to declare bankruptcy because of its deepening financial crisis, Wilson did not comment beyond a simple, one-sentence statement his press office issued earlier in the day saying the governor would work to “identify the alternatives” needed to help the county.

Other state officials--including Atty. Gen. Dan Lungren, Treasurer Kathleen Brown and Controller Gray Davis--likewise had little to say as the county’s problems worsened this week. Instead, most took pains to note that they had no real jurisdiction over the matter.

This wasn’t a flood, firestorm or other typical disaster. Faced with a complex and unprecedented investment temblor in a wealthy county, state officials weren’t doing much more than monitoring the fiscal aftershocks and scrambling to figure out what, if anything, they could do.

Many wanted more.

“If (Wilson’s silence) were to continue, it would be very alarming,” said Del Weber, president of the California Teachers Assn. and an Orange County resident. “It would suggest they’re not taking control of the situation.”

Weber said the bankruptcy will have “a major impact on the state.” He said Wilson “has got to play a role. There is no solution possible to protect the rest of the state unless the governor intercedes.”

The lack of even some soothing words from the governor or other top Republican officials was particularly surprising, given Orange County’s status as a GOP stronghold that has long delivered a mountain of votes at election time.

“I’m sure he has his advisers weighing the alternatives, especially since Orange County is far more important to him than it is to the few surviving Democrats,” said Senate President Pro Tem Bill Lockyer, who suggested that the state consider a temporary loan to help Orange County.

A few Orange County municipal officials also voiced criticism of Wilson and other state leaders.

“I’m a little outraged,” Costa Mesa Councilwoman Mary Hornbuckle said. “Perhaps people were too busy running for reelection rather than looking for solutions to problems that were brewing. It’s very frustrating for all of us to realize the state has done nothing yet.”

On Wednesday, Wilson again was saying little. He met with his top staff members to discuss dispatching a team of financial experts to get a handle on the crisis. After a lengthy meeting, officials had no plan.

“The state has no line authority to oversee the investments of local governments,” said Sean Walsh, Wilson’s spokesman. “We’re working with state officials to assist in determining the scope and magnitude of this problem.”

Wilson did, however, take time to talk on the phone with Orange County Supervisor William G. Steiner. “The governor said he wanted to be very supportive,” Steiner said. “He’s looking at mobilizing state resources to help the county.” Steiner said the governor was not specific.

Some city officials, meanwhile, were confident that Wilson was doing the right thing.

“The governor is taking a measured approach,” Mission Viejo Councilman William Craycraft said. “There’s a great deal to be uncovered in the next few days. Any reaction right now might be premature.”