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Dr. R. Grant Gilmore, 5920 lst St. SW, believed that people needed to have more <br />respect for agriculture. Relative to concerns about funds and land purchases, he discussed <br />the differences between the potential impermanence of beach renourishment projects, <br />versus the preservation of conservation lands that would remain in perpetuity. <br />Ken Grudens, Executive Director of the Indian River Land Trust, spoke about the <br />savings that would result from the County not having to pay the maintenance costs for the <br />conservation easement land. Mr. Grudens clarified that the easement property was not for <br />sale, but buying it now would provide the County with the first right to make the purchase <br />at such time it is for sale. <br />Louis Schacht, Agricultural Representative on the Land Acquisition Committee, <br />was in favor of this project, and did not feel that limited public access was a problem. He <br />pointed out that the County would pay zero for the upkeep of the property and would <br />collect property taxes on it. <br />Bill Eubanks, a long-time Vero Beach resident, related some personal historical <br />anecdotes regarding the subject site and surrounding areas. He was not against the County <br />purchasing the land, but voiced concerns about whether hunting rights would be available, <br />and what would happen to Padgett Branch (a tributary of Blue Cypress Lake), and the old <br />Military Trial. He was concerned about historical preservation and wondered if the County <br />would be building trails and providing access for people to view the area before it changes. <br />Larry Close spoke about the importance of the County owning the land outright, <br />so that there could be public enjoyment of the property. He remarked that the County <br />could purchase 58% of the subject property with the same amount of money that would be <br />used to buy the conservation easements. <br />September 18, 2007 30 <br />