(return to newsroom)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Aimee Sheire - 407.442.0837
10/16/07

ROSE ANN TORNATORE TO LEAD VOLUSIA AMENDMENT FIGHT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(ORLANDO, FL - October 16, 2007) Floridians for Smarter Growth (FSG) today announced that Daytona Beach businesswoman and affordable housing advocate Rose Ann Tornatore will lead the fight against the so-called Hometown Democracy amendment as the group's General Chairperson for Volusia County. Ms. Tornatore joins a growing coalition of local leaders publicly announced by FSG in recent weeks.

"Rose Ann Tornatore is widely recognized as one of Volusia County's top business leaders," said Mark Wilson, FSG Treasurer and Florida Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President. "With a strong record of service to her community, Ms. Tornatore is well-positioned to carry our message to the voters of Volusia County."

"I think Hometown Democracy will make our state's affordable housing problem far worse," Ms. Tornatore said. "This amendment will cause housing prices to soar and place home ownership permanently out of reach for many Floridians."

"It's clear that Hometown Democracy will hurt Florida's economy and increase costs to local governments," Ms. Tornatore explained. "Florida's families will inherit those costs in the form of higher taxes."

Ms. Tornatore is the founder and President of Wholesale Lightning, Inc. and was named "Most Influential Business Person" by the Volusia/Flagler Business Report. She serves on numerous civic and community boards including the United Way, Children's Home Society, and the Affordable Housing Advisory Board for the City of Daytona Beach.

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.

END