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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Aimee Sheire / 407.442.0837
12/21/07

RENE FLOWERS TO LEAD PINELLAS AMENDMENT FIGHT

(ORLANDO, FL – December 21, 2007) Floridians for Smarter Growth (FSG) today announced St. Petersburg Council Member Rene Flowers will lead the fight against the so-called Hometown Democracy amendment as the group’s General Chairperson for Pinellas County. Ms. Flowers joins a growing coalition of regional leadership recently announced by FSG.

“We are excited to have Rene leading our efforts in Pinellas County,” said Mark Wilson, FSG Treasurer and Florida Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President. “Rene is already familiar with the negative impacts of an extreme plan like Hometown Democracy. We welcome her invaluable experience, perspective and leadership to our team.”

“I am pleased to be a part of FSG’s efforts to defeat this unworkable amendment here in Pinellas County,” Ms. Flowers said. “I’ve seen first-hand how voting on everything can hurt a community’s efforts to grow smarter, so this is a battle I’m eager to fight.”

“Passing Hometown Democracy would most negatively affect some of our state’s most fragile communities,” Ms. Flowers explained. “Living in a state as diverse as Florida, we simply cannot afford to create impediments for vital programs like affordable housing and Head Start services.”

Ms. Flowers has served as a St. Petersburg Council member in District 7 since 1999 and is currently an EZride Program Manager for the Neighborly Care Network. She serves on multiple committees including the Affordable Housing Committee, National League of Cities Human Development Committee, and is the Immediate Past-President of the Florida League of Cities. She is also heavily involved in the community and is currently the Chair of the Family Support Board, Board Member for Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Mental Health Services, and is a member of the Executive Committee for the NAACP. Ms. Flowers has won many awards for her community and leadership services including the Service and Support Award for Pinellas County Head Start and the WorkNet Pinellas Dedication and Service Award.

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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