By Dave Mitchell
Supervisor Gary Giacomini on Friday lashed out at Governor Wilson for failing to declare the Inverness Ridge Fire a state disaster, clearing the way for various forms of disaster assistance.
Accusing the "goddamn governor" of "silliness and ineptitude," Giacomini said the governor is using technicalities to withhold "a declaration of a disaster."
The so-called technicalities include costs to local government, amount of housing lost, and other financial issues, he said.
Wilson has no interest in helping Marin, the supervisor claimed, because "the governor was always given the queen of spades" by Marin voters. (In the card game Hearts, players try to avoid getting stuck with the queen of spades.)
Giacomini's comments came during a joint meeting in Point Reyes Station of the West Marin Chamber of Commerce and the Point Reyes Business Association.
Referring to the risk of massive erosion in the burned area, the supervisor noted, "Our concern is a disaster upon a disaster."
The state disaster director's office has recommended the governor not declare a disaster, but Giacomini on Friday vowed, "I'll do anything to get the governor to do his job."
Some federal assistance is already available because both the US Small Business Administration and the regional disaster director have declared the fire a disaster.
However, non-firefighting costs caused by the blaze -- such as activities by the Sheriff's Office and Public Works Department -- are not reimbursable without a state declaration.
In addition, Nichols told the supervisors, the governor's failure to act could block private property owners from taking advantage of tax-code provisions that allow county assessors to make urgent changes in assessment practices following disasters.
The SBA representatives on Friday acknowledged many of the businesses affected are "home businesses," and figuring out how much of a low-interest loan they need can be "a little more subtle" than with conventional businesses.
Nonetheless, they stressed, "If your business is suffering [because of the fire], we have a loan to fit your needs." The loans start at 4 percent interest for operating capital and 8 percent for replacing buildings.
This week Theresa Elaine, whose home survived the blaze mostly intact, was urging West Marin residents to fax Governor Wilson at 916 445-1455, asking him to reconsider his denial of a state disaster.