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Chairman Eggert added that there will be public hearings before bonds are issued. Bill Koolage, 11 Vista Gardens Trail, thought that the wisest thing the Board could do would be to take this item off the agenda. He had grave doubts about having a pool of money with no control over how wisely it will be spent. He felt that property will be purchased just because money is available, and urged further study on the basis that taxpayers will have to buy it. Mr. Koolage assured the Board he will oppose this issue because it is a pig in a poke. Robert Schoen, Vice Mayor of Indian River Shores and former investment banker who earned his livelihood by issuing debt and who is familiar with the bond market, felt the debate over this language is inconsequential. These are merely technical changes and have nothing to do with the substance of what the LAAC Board has been dealing with for almost two years. It does not change anything. In response to Mr. Koolage's comments, Mr. Schoen reported that a survey of the residents of Indian River Shores indicated that 78% of them are in favor of spending taxpayers' money to acquire environmentally sensitive land. There are strong feelings in the community to proceed with this project and an effort is under way to use private funds to sell this idea to the public. Mr. Schoen stated that the Commission does not have to put itself in the position to make the final decision but should allow the citizens to decide whether they want to authorize the $26 million bond issue. Chairman Eggert thought that the ongoing discussion pointed out the need to educate the voters, who will make the decision on this issue. Commissioner Scurlock pointed out that, as elected public officials, the Beard has the responsibility to come- up with a program that can be understood by the public. Pat Brown, member of the LAAC Board for about a year, has attended the meetings for approximately two years and wanted to assure Mr. Koolage that a great deal of planning and study has gone into the proposal. There is a manual that guides the action of the LAAC Board which is very specific about the criteria to be followed in selecting the lands that will be acquired. It is specific in its overlay about the management of those lands subsequent to acquisition, and there is a list that has evolved from the application of the criteria to the initial list of lands. Ms. Brown stressed that the committee is not homogenous, it is a cross section of this county and there are many interests represented. 17 A UBOOKS J