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Jacksonville Business Journal, February 27, 2008

Hometown Democracy opponent has new director

A Florida Chamber of Commerce-backed group opposed to the Hometown Democracy has a new executive director.

Ryan Houck, formerly Floridians for Smarter Growth's political director, will replace Michael Caputo as executive director. Caputo will continue to work for the group as an executive committee member and visibility chairman for its Miami-Dade branch.

The proposed Hometown Democracy constitutional amendment that would have allowed residents to vote on every proposed change to local growth management plans fell short of the needed signatures to make the November ballot.

"Today it is clear: The more Floridians know about the Hometown Democracy amendment, the more they oppose it," Houck said in a news release.