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He stated that he loves oranges, and the Board and the citrus men <br />should have compassion for the people who need this retreat. <br />Jim Rogers returned to respond to several arguments. He <br />emphasized that he is not in the business of religion but he is a <br />religious man. Everything that his company owns is the Lord's and <br />he is a steward. He is concerned and frightened because we live in <br />a litigious society and the Coffeys cannot protect him from people <br />who come out to the property, get a whiff of the pesticide and <br />decide to grab the brass ring. He pointed out that 154th Avenue <br />was paved by the Federal government when the FCC facility was built <br />because they must have access to that facility in all weather <br />conditions. <br />John Bates, owner of a business in Indian River County and a <br />member of the board of directors of Sowing Seeds Ministry, having <br />been duly sworn, believed that the citrus growers have unfounded <br />fears. He observed that the Coffeys have met all criteria and <br />urged the Board to make a favorable decision. <br />Wilfredo Ortiz, having been duly sworn, stated that he <br />supports the Coffeys, who give young men like him a chance to <br />change their lives. <br />Sandy Coffey stated that she learned something about the <br />handling of chemicals when her son went through the training for <br />employment in the citrus industry. She pointed out that many <br />people live in that vicinity who are not trained. <br />Richard Coffey stressed that this is the only place they have. <br />They put all their money into this property. <br />The Chairman determined that no one else wished to be heard <br />and thereupon closed the public hearing. <br />Commissioner Adams commended Richard and Sandy Coffey and <br />hoped they will begin to think about our young women. Commissioner <br />Adams told of her experience in buying property in an area of <br />passive agriculture which changed to active groves. Her property <br />is sprayed when the groves are sprayed from the air. She has some <br />plants which are considered host plants, which she is switching to <br />other plants. She has traps that are monitored frequently and they <br />have never found fruit flies. Commissioner Adams called herself a <br />tough advocate for citrus, but she stressed that we must stop <br />thinking of reasons why we cannot live together and find reasons <br />why we can and should live together. She reminded everyone that <br />liability extends to spray falling on vehicles as they move along <br />APR 121994 2' <br />soot 9Z F,,�.1�.8 <br />