BOTTLE VILLAGE BACKERS' SPIRIT UNBROKEN : PANEL PLANS APPEAL OF FEMA'S ABOUT-FACE ON EARTHQUAKE FUNDING.

Byline: Enrique Rivero Daily News Staff Writer

Vowing to pursue their dream to resurrect Bottle Village, advocates said Wednesday that they will appeal last week's decision to rescind a $505,000 federal grant for earthquake repairs.

At a news conference held at the tree-shaded landmark - a jumble of a dozen buildings made of old bottles, dolls' heads, vehicle headlights and other debris - supporters disputed a ruling by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that the site fails to meet guidelines for disaster relief.

``We're disappointed with FEMA's decision. We will appeal,'' said Daniel Paul, a member of the Preserve Bottle Village Committee. ``We will go through whatever motions we have to preserve this precious site.''

In the meantime, the group will try to collect money from preservation societies and other donors to fix and clean up the site.

He blamed political maneuvering - particularly by City Councilwoman Andi Webb and GOP Congressman Elton Gallegly, R-Oxnard - for FEMA's decision to withdraw the grant.

Gallegly, a former Simi Valley mayor, had introduced legislation to block the federal grant, while Webb had circulated petitions protesting the aid package.

``Whenever politics is added to the mix, it's more difficult to be treated fairly,'' he said.

Following a monthlong review, FEMA announced Friday that it was rescinding the $505,000 grant because Bottle Village has been closed to the public since 1984. Federal officials also raised questions about how much damage the Cochran Street landmark had sustained in the Northridge Earthquake.

But Paul said Bottle Village had been open, by appointment, several weekends from 1991-93. In addition, various groups have arranged visits to the site.

``And if people came to our gates, provided anyone was here, they were allowed access to the site,'' Paul said. ``That was no secret.''

The grant had outraged some local officials, who questioned the propriety of granting money to a project whose value they questioned while many homeowners whose property sustained damage got little or no help from the federal agency.

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3 Photos

Photo: (Color only in Simi edition) A man passes a ``They last'' sign embedded in the mosaic walkway at Bottle Village, for which U.S. funding for earthquake repairs is being sought.

(2--Color only in Simi edition) Preserve Bottle Village Committee says the panel will appeal the Federal Emergency Management Agency's rescinding of funding for quake repairs.

(3--Ran in Conejo edition only) Daniel Paul of the Preserve Bottle Village Committee says the panel will appeal the Federal Emergency Management Agency's rescinding of funding for quake repairs.

Andy Holzman/Special to the Daily News