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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Aimee Sheire / 407.442.0837
11/27/07

TOM WHITE TO LEAD OSCEOLA AMENDMENT BATTLE

(ORLANDO, FL – November 27, 2007) Floridians for Smarter Growth (FSG) today announced CenterState Bank President and CEO Tom White will lead the fight against the so-called Hometown Democracy amendment. With his appointment as the group’s General Chairperson for Osceola County, Mr. White has joined a rapidly growing coalition statewide.

“The addition of Tom to our team is a great advancement in our strategy to reach all areas in the state that would be dramatically affected by Hometown Democracy,” said Mark Wilson, FSG Treasurer and executive vice president of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “With large tracts of undeveloped land and fully-developed tourist areas, Osceola County incorporates both ends of the development spectrum and is significant in winning this battle.”

“I am honored to be a part of the FSG’s growing leadership coalition,” Mr. White said. “As a longtime resident of Osceola County, I have seen first hand the importance of new and well-managed development.”

“Unfortunately, Hometown Democracy would turn a careful planning process into a political process, forcing development to a halt,” Mr. White explained. “This amendment will negatively affect all businesses in the state turning our economy into a downward spiral.”

Mr. White has been with CenterState Bank since 1989 when it started out as First National Bank of Osceola County and later took the bank public in 2000. Currently, he serves on the Board of Directors for Heavenly Hoofs, a therapeutic riding organization, the Kissimmee/Osceola Chamber of Commerce, and is the Chairman of the Osceola Liaison Committee for the Metro Economic Development Commission. Mr. White has previously spent time serving as the President of the Kiwanis Club of Kissimmee, and as a Chairman for both the United Way of Osceola and Junior Achievement of Osceola.

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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