(return to newsroom)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ryan Houck/407-496-4035
4/3/08

FLORIDA SIERRA CHAPTER HAS MORE ANSWERING TO DO

Although the Sierra Club's national board took the unprecedented step of suspending all 27 members of the Florida Chapter's executive committee, important questions regarding the decisions of the state organization remain unanswered.

Chief among them: Why did now-suspended Florida Sierra leaders choose to "go it alone" among major environmental groups by contributing over $150,000 to the thrice-failed Florida Hometown Democracy (FHD) Amendment?

Although the Florida Sierra Chapter ranks as FHD's 3rd largest donor - behind two wealthy individual contributors - other major statewide environmental groups opted for a neutral position or chose to actively oppose the amendment. These groups cited serious fears over the possible unintended consequences of the amendment, including well-documented concerns that it would harm Florida's environment by causing sprawl.

"Florida Sierra members deserve to know why now-suspended state leaders used member contributions to help bankroll an effort that has received virtually no support from mainstream environmental organizations," said Ryan Houck, Executive Director of Floridians for Smarter Growth.

February 1st marked the third election cycle that "Hometown Democracy" failed to reach the ballot. "They failed to gather enough signatures because there is absolutely no grassroots support for their idea," said Houck. "Instead, they relied on the deep pockets of a few wealthy individuals who took an issue of abiding concern in Florida - growth management - and wrote an amendment so unreasonable that respected environmental groups will not support it."

Houck called on individual Sierra members to carefully study the so-called "Hometown Democracy" amendment, read what other environmental groups and leaders have written on the proposal, and urge future leadership to take a more thoughtful approach to the issue.

END