Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy, Inc.

(ORLANDO, FL – December 18, 2007) Floridians for Smarter Growth (FSG) today announced Ed Timberlake, former President of Bank of America Central Florida, will lead the fight against the so-called Hometown Democracy amendment. Mr. Timberlake will serve as the Orange County Chair for the statewide coalition.

“Ed has lived in Florida for nearly thirty years, bringing a perspective that will be extremely important as we shift into high gear to defeat Hometown Democracy,” said Mark Wilson, FSG Treasurer and Executive Vice President of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “We are excited to have Ed leading our Orange County campaign.”

“Hometown Democracy would cripple effective regional planning efforts and keep Central Floridians from working together to develop a vision for smarter growth,” Mr. Timberlake said. “Worse: the amendment’s meat-cleaver approach to planning could throw Florida’s economy into such peril we may never recover.”

“Enshrining this “Vote on Everything” idea in Florida’s Constitution could also frustrate the development of affordable housing projects and essential service centers such as fire stations and hospitals,” Mr. Timberlake said. “Ultimately, that is not a risk Floridians should take.”

After a forty-year career in the banking industry, Mr. Timberlake serves today as a member of many business and charity boards in and around Orange County. He currently serves on the board of the Heart of Florida, United Way and the American Red Cross, and also is the Chair of myregion.org, a community visioning project. He served as a Board Member on the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, a member of the Audit Committee for the Enterprise Florida Board, and was a Founding Trustee and former Chairman of Business Force, Inc.

Mr. Timberlake was recently honored by the Jewish National Fund for his outstanding community involvement, professional leadership, and compassionate service.

Floridians for Smarter Growth was founded by Sunshine State community and business leaders to fight extreme special interests bound to destroy Florida's unique quality-of-life under the guise of the Hometown Democracy amendment. Please visit www.FLSmarterGrowth.org for more information and to download, sign, and submit the Smarter Growth petition.

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