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I <br />JUN <br />13 <br />1989 <br />BOOK <br />7 d F,,q.CE 5O <br />Mrs. <br />Latta stated that about $40-50,000 has been <br />raised, but <br />Mr. Fletcher noted that they have gone through some of that. <br />Commissioner Scurlock asked if they have about $18,000 left, <br />and Mr. Fletcher felt they probably did. <br />Herndon Williams, 3554 Ocean Drive, commented that what he <br />has heard so far leads him to believe we are going to move ahead <br />with the purchase, and if that is the position, he certainly hoped <br />this body will consider the priorities of the expenditures we have <br />to make in this county. He has read about the lack of affordable <br />housing in this community; expenditures are anticipated for a new <br />Courthouse complex, a new library, another phase of the jail, etc. <br />Mr. Williams felt if we can afford things, it is great to buy <br />them, but he questioned whether this particular project merits the <br />priority it seems to be getting. Most people that he talks to are <br />very concerned about the increase in taxes in the recent years, <br />and he would hope that serious consideration would be given to how <br />funds are going to be raised and what it is going to do to the <br />other proprosed infrastructure. <br />Mr. Williams commented that Commissioner Scurlock mentioned <br />the small number of voters who would turn out, but actually even <br />when only 20% turned out for the Commissioners' election, that is <br />who elected them. He felt if the Board is going this way, it <br />should be by public subscription, and he was also concerned about <br />the validity of the figures presented by the Administrator. He <br />believed the Jungle Gardens closed because it was not economically <br />viable, and he did not know what has been changed. Mr. Williams <br />did not deny it is a desirable piece of property, but he did <br />question the priority in which it is being placed. <br />Sam Alia, resident of Vista Royale, noted that it seems to be <br />the consensus that this will only benefit a few, but he would like <br />to point out that there have been recommendations to purchase this <br />property since 1973. We want parks and open grounds, and he felt <br />it is about time to go that way. <br />50 <br />