Gov. Wilson Appoints Task Force to Look at Camarillo Hospital Site

Declaring that closing Camarillo State Hospital is “the responsible thing to do,” Gov. Pete Wilson on Friday launched a task force to determine if a public university or other government agency should take over the complex of Spanish-style buildings surrounded by 750 verdant acres.

In a statement, the governor rejected a proposal to save the mental hospital by bolstering its dwindling number of patients with hundreds of sexual predators and other criminals in need of psychiatric attention. The decision left hospital supporters dejected.

“This hits people with a thunderclap, it’s a bolt of lightning,” said John Chase, a leader of parents with children at the hospital. “It’s really depressing.”

At the same time, the governor delighted university boosters by opening the door for Cal State to consider the hospital as a site for a long-promised campus in Ventura County.

“We are going to pursue it vigorously to see if it is going to work as a campus,” said Jim Considine, chairman of Cal State’s board of trustees.

In his announcement, Wilson stuck by his January budget proposal to close the hospital by July 1, 1997, for economic reasons.

The governor cited the hospital’s “tremendous overhead costs” that have not diminished as its patients have been referred to less expensive community homes and other facilities.

Wilson needs the approval of the Legislature, and several key lawmakers Friday said they will work to strip the closure plan from the governor’s budget.

“I think we have to try to impress on the governor that this decision doesn’t make sense,” said Assemblyman Antonio Villaraigosa (D-Los Angeles), who sits on the budget subcommittee that rejected the closure plan May 6.

Sen. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles), who also reviews mental health funding, criticized Wilson’s announcement as shortsighted.

Wilson spokesman Sean Walsh said the governor wants Ventura County leaders to help determine what should replace the mental hospital. He appointed Sen. Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley) and Assemblyman Nao Takasugi (R-Oxnard) to help lead the task force. Both represent the Camarillo area.

Kenneth R. Weiss is a staff writer and Jeff McDonald is a correspondent. Staff writer Daryl Kelley also contributed to this story.