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Sarasota News Leader January 17, 2014 Page 28 I do not want to paint us into an organizational corner where we have no more value for the expertise that we bring to this and people stop talking to us. Right now, people are talking to us. Catherine Luckner President Siesta Key Association Pass, President Catherine Luckner urged caution. Vice President Michael Shay supported her. "I am concerned about closing the discussion," Luckner said. "I don't think there's an urgency to [take a stand] today, because I don't think [the Corps is] going to get any permits for at least a couple of years." President Catherine Luckner addresses the Siesta Key Association meeting audience on Dec. 5. File photo Van Roekens countered, "But I think we need to state our opposition. We need to lead on STARTING THE DIALOGUE this position." During his report at the Jan. 9 SKA meet"I do not want to paint us into an organiza- ing, van Roekens related that the Boaters' tional corner where we have no more value Coalition had held a second discussion at the for the expertise that we bring to this and peo- Sarasota Yacht Club the previous Saturday ple stop talking to us," Luckner responded. on the proposed $22 million renourishment "Right now, people are talking to us." project. (The Sarasota County Council of After Luckner proposed an amendment say- Neighborhood Associations held a similar ing the organization's position was based discussion on Jan. 13. See the related article on current information, the motion passed in this issue.) unanimously. On Dec. 7, the Corps presented its plan to The Lido project is a joint one of the Corps and Coalition members during a meeting at the the City of Sarasota. City Engineer Alexandrea Yacht Club. DavisShaw has pointed out that state officials consider Lido a critically eroded beach. The "The bottom line," van Roekens said, "is the Corps would pay about 62.4 percent of the sailors … are very worried about any dredgcost, with the rest of the funds coming from ing in Big Pass." He added that if the Corps a state grant and Sarasota County Tourist is allowed to proceed with its plan, and Big Development Tax revenue. Pass suffers as New Pass has after dredging