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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Aimee Sheire - 407.442.0837
11/1/07

BOB HENRIQUEZ TO LEAD HILLSBOROUGH AMENDMENT FIGHT

(ORLANDO, FL – November 1, 2007) Floridians for Smarter Growth (FSG) today announced that former State Representative Bob “Coach” Henriquez (D) will lead the fight against the so-called Hometown Democracy amendment as the group’s General Chairperson for Hillsborough County. With the addition of Rep. Henriquez, FSG has completed its first round of strategically appointed Chairs throughout the state.

“Coach Henriquez is the ultimate ‘team-player,’ not only as a former legislator but also as a well-respected football coach,” said Mark Wilson, FSG Treasurer and Executive Vice President of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “Those with strong environmental records, like Coach Henriquez, know this amendment will be detrimental to Florida’s unique quality-of-life.”

“As a planner, I know this amendment is simply an unworkable and expensive attempt by special interests to stop all growth, at all costs,” Rep. Henriquez said. “Hometown Democracy undermines our representative form of government and turns our careful planning process into a political process.”

“Hometown Democracy is being touted as a plan to save Florida’s future, but in reality this amendment would reduce green space and increase sprawl across the state,” Rep. Henriquez explained. “During my years in the Legislature, I worked arm-in-arm with conservation and environmental organizations and I believe this amendment will only hurt their future efforts.”

The Sierra Club endorsed Rep. Henriquez every year he served in the State House, from 1998 to 2006. Currently, he is a professional planner with Atwell-Hicks and is the head coach of Tampa Catholic High School’s football team. While serving in the Legislature, he was named ‘Advocate of the Year’ by the Florida Family Child Care Home Association and was awarded the ‘Legislative Laurel Award’ by the League of Conservation Voters.

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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