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Claude Perosa, president of Vista Gardens Property Owners <br />Association, 16 Vista Gardens Trail, felt we all have been in the <br />position of selling something and are aware that the price is not <br />always determined by the seller but by what the buyer actually <br />offers. He further stressed that the voters must realize the <br />alternative is not between just buying the property or leaving it <br />the way it is since we all know that it will not stay that way; it <br />will be developed commercially, and if that happens, we will spend <br />millions of dollars on getting rid of the resulting traffic <br />bottleneck. Mr. Perosa did not feel that most would object to a <br />taxing district as he believed turning this property into a park <br />would increase property values. <br />Brad Rossway, attorney for the McKee Jungle Gardens Society, <br />expressed his belief that the amount of money raised by their 1500 <br />members has been kept intentionally low. The idea was to gain tax <br />exempt status and then raise funds to purchase the property out- <br />right, but Mr. Ewing's time restraints changed that. Now that <br />they have received their tax exempt status as a public foundation, <br />he believed the group can mobilize and raise sums of money. He <br />also felt it is a bit premature to get into the matter of whether <br />the county will run this or the group. He pointed out the county <br />can always lease the property to the organization and give them a <br />chance to run it and have a reverter clause in the event they <br />can't. Attorney Rossway felt the group should be given anoppor- <br />tunity to work it out. <br />The Chairman determined that no one else wished to be heard <br />and thereupon closed the public hearing. <br />Commissioner Eggert commented that she has had a lot of <br />expression from people in the North County especially, not <br />objecting to buying the land so much, but voicing their concern <br />about the possibility of turning the Gardens into a tourist <br />attraction. <br />Steve Hawkins, representing the McKee Jungle Gardens Society, <br />stated that the very last intention the Society has is to create a <br />51 <br />1 � 1989 BOOK 77 P,iu 5 <br />