Clinton’s Visit to Put Damper on Civic Center

It’s not an official shutdown, but President Clinton’s visit to Orange County this week is expected to cause a bureaucratic standstill of sorts at the Hall of Administration.

Because Clinton is appearing Thursday morning at the Old County Courthouse across the street from the hall, the Secret Service is laying plans that appear certain to disrupt county business and inconvenience the public.

County employees are being encouraged by their bosses to take at least part of the day off. Those who don’t are being asked to arrive at work before 6 a.m. to avoid the crowds that are expected for the 10 a.m. event. Even some county supervisors, whose offices overlook the historic courthouse, are being told they should stay away.

Supervisor Jim Silva said he was outraged by the disruptions the Clinton campaign stop will cause.

“Orange County is coming out of the largest municipal bankruptcy in the world,” he said. “To close the Hall of Administration for a political rally is unacceptable, whether it is for Mr. Clinton or Sen. Dole.”

Silva, a Republican, said he is also concerned because the Santa Ana Transportation Center, located across the street from the Hall of Administration, will have to reroute its buses during Clinton’s stop.

“You have poor people relying on public transportation who might miss their connection or be late for work so that Bill Clinton can give a campaign speech,” Silva said. “I would like to find out what irresponsible person set this up. It’s costing us thousands of dollars.”

Staffers in Supervisor Marian Bergeson’s office have been told that a giant banner may draped over the west side of the five-story building to prevent anyone from looking out the windows.

County Chief Executive Officer Jan Mittermeier sent out a memo to department heads Tuesday informing them that they can expect some “unusual activity” as a result of the president’s visit. She stressed that county business would continue and that county employees should try to accommodate the public.

Mittermeier asked department heads to consider moving to “alternate work locations” if their office functions are going to be hampered by the presidential event. Hundreds of employees and hundreds of residents hoping to conduct county business are expected to be inconvenienced by the event, officials said.

“We’re not closing down county government. . . . Essential services will be provided,” said county spokeswoman Diane Thomas. “This [event] simply requires that we make alternate plans.”

At the very least, it’s going to be a hassle for county employees who will have to pass through metal detectors and park blocks away from their offices.

“Give me a break,” said Supervisor William G. Steiner. “I may be a Republican, but I still respect the office of the presidency, no matter who’s in it. What do they think I would do?”

Clerk-Recorder Gary L. Granville said he will have to conduct marriage ceremonies out of his office instead of the Old County Courthouse, where he usually performs that function.

“We’ll be open for business, but it’s going to be pretty tough on the public,” he said.

The county assessor, who also has offices in the Old County Courthouse to hold assessment appeal cases, will be holding those reviews at the nearby Environmental Management Agency building several blocks away.

The Orange County Transportation Authority had to postpone its Thursday morning meeting at the hall until later in the afternoon.

“We can’t have a public meeting in a building the public doesn’t have access to,” said OCTA Director Stan Oftelie. “We have to adjust to it. It has caused some consternation.”

White House officials said they expect about 20,000 people to attend the president’s campaign speech.

For security and crowd control purposes, several streets will be closed shortly before 7 a.m. They are: Civic Center Drive from Main Street to Ross Street; Santa Ana Boulevard from Main Street to Ross Street; Sycamore Street from Civic Center Drive to 5th Street; and Broadway from Civic Center Drive to 5th Street.

Also contributing to this story was Times correspondent Shelby Grad.

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Security will close streets around the Old County Courthouse at 7 a.m. Thursday in preparation for President Clinton’s campaign stop later in the morning.