(return to newsroom)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ryan Houck/407-496-4035
6/6/08

HOMETOWN DEMOCRACY TEST CASE LEADS TO CHAOS

(ORLANDO, FL - June 6, 2008) In November 2006, St. Pete Beach became the only city in Florida to pass a local Hometown Democracy measure, requiring voter approval for all land use plan changes. Since becoming the state's test case, residents of the small Pinellas County town have endured seemingly endless legal battles, unavoidably chaotic elections, and serious economic setbacks.

The local tourism-based economy has stagnated and serious legal and administrative delays have prevented the city from complying with state growth mandates. Playing by the new rules, community leaders in St. Pete Beach organized an effort to reinvigorate the local economy by placing four pro-growth amendments on the ballot. Each of the four amendments was passed decisively by the voters in a special election on Tuesday.

Lawsuits soon followed. Indeed, the same anti-growth activists who championed the "right to vote" now seek to overturn the results of Tuesday's election on the grounds that the four ballot questions were unclear. Citizens and community leaders are frustrated.

"They are trying to make it impossible to get anything done," said Lorraine Huhn, Chairwoman for Save Our Little Village (SOLV), the citizens group that won voter approval for its economic plan. "The people of St. Pete Beach approved these amendments and their will should be respected."

"It's a nightmare," said former St. Pete Beach Mayor Ward Friszolowski. "Since the Hometown Democracy measure was adopted, the town has suffered through a nonstop string of lawsuits and delays at taxpayer expense. This latest suit suggests that there is no end in sight."

"This is the natural result of a system that encourages conflict rather than compromise," said Ryan Houck, Executive Director for Floridians for Smarter Growth, the statewide group opposing Hometown Democracy. "It's not surprising that the same Hometown Democracy disciples who campaigned on 'the right to vote' now seek to overturn Tuesday's election. They don't really want to empower people; they want to stop all growth and they don't care how much it costs the taxpayers."

Floridians for Smarter Growth was founded by Sunshine State business and community leaders to alert voters to the dangers of the so-called Hometown Democracy amendment. Please visit www.FLSmarterGrowth.org for more information.

END