Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy, Inc.

Oct. 6, 2008

Mr. Ross Burnaman
Co-Chairman
Florida Hometown Democracy, Inc.
123 Australian Avenue
Palm Beach, FL 33480

Mr. Burnaman:

Following a referendum in 2006, an appeals court made Hometown Democracy the law of the land in St. Pete Beach.

As the co-founder of Florida Hometown Democracy, you seemed eager to approve of the ruling, saying, "I think the appeals court got it right: All political power is inherent in the people."

Two years later, economic stagnation and nearly a dozen crippling lawsuits have imposed a heavy cost on the citizens of St. Pete Beach.

It was not surprising that a local citizens group collected enough signatures to place four comprehensive plan changes on the ballot. Frustrated with the unintended fallout from your "Hometown Democracy," the voters jumped at the chance to end the economic malaise; they voted decisively to adopt all four plan changes.

Oddly enough, you have yet to express your enthusiasm for this latest decision in St. Pete Beach - a ruling that comes directly from the people.

Far from celebrating the will of the people, you have filed a lawsuit to silence their voices.

And yet you insist that "Hometown Democracy" is "real, real simple." You say "it just involves giving yourself a vote on growth."

If it is so simple, then why have Hometown Democracy fanatics filed nearly a dozen separate legal actions aimed solely at invalidating a free and fair election in St. Pete Beach? And why are the residents of that small Pinellas county town being left with the bill?

Your ongoing legal action in St. Pete Beach proves that what you really mean is: "you get a vote on growth, as long as you vote no."

Most Floridians will marvel at the brazen hypocrisy of a group that preaches "power to the people" while simultaneously seeking to frustrate elections at every turn.

Several months ago, I called on Florida Hometown Democracy Chairwoman Lesley Blackner to condemn the charade in St. Pete Beach. She failed to do so.

I am now asking you to end your own charade. If Hometown Democracy is aimed at stopping growth, then have the intellectual courage to say so. However, if your idea is really about letting the will of the people prevail then respect their wishes. Let the election stand. Withdraw your legal challenge now.

Sincerely,

Ryan Houck
Executive Director
Floridians for Smarter Growth