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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Aimee Sheire: 407.442.0837
10/2/07

CAROLE GREEN TO LEAD LEE-COLLIER AMENDMENT FIGHT


(ORLANDO, FL - October 2, 2007) Floridians for Smarter Growth (FSG) today announced former State Rep. Carole Green will fight against the so-called Hometown Democracy amendment as the group’s General Chairperson for Lee and Collier counties. In announcing the former Secretary of Elder Affairs as its first regional leadership appointment, FSG advanced a key strategy: establishing active county and municipal organizations to beat the ballot box planning proposal.

“Lee and Collier counties are key battlegrounds in this fight for Florida’s future,” said FSG Treasurer Mark Wilson, executive vice president of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “Nobody knows that landscape like Carole and she brings a unique perspective on how Hometown Democracy will impact Floridians’ health care.”

“Hometown Democracy is just unworkable, considering the huge taxpayer expense and overload that accompanies voting a few hundred of times each year,” Ms. Green said. “I am pleased to lead FSG’s Lee-Collier efforts against this proposal and eager to help get our counties organized and informed.”

“I’m particularly concerned about the amendment’s unintended tax on our community’s health and elder care services,” Ms. Green said. “What if Immokalee desperately needs an urgent care center? You’ll have to get the support of voters fifty miles away in Naples. That’s a recipe for interminable delays – or worse.”

Ms. Green is co-founder of Capitol Strategies Consulting and has over 30 years of experience in public service and healthcare. She previously served as Secretary of Elder Affairs under Governor Jeb Bush and was also elected to three two-year terms as a Florida State Representative serving Lee and Collier Counties. In the legislature, Ms. Green chaired both the Subcommittee on Health Care Appropriations and the Elder and Long-Term Care Committee.

Recognized for her exceptional leadership with multiple state and national organizations, the Miami Herald ranked Ms. Green the seventh most effective legislator and highest-ranked female legislator in the Florida House of Representatives in 2003.

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.