Florida Hometown Democracy makes national news, controversy flares in Broward fund raising event ... by gimleteye

NPR national correspondent Greg Allen reported on Florida Hometown Democracy/Amendment 4 listen here or read the transcript including: "Lesley Blackner, who calls herself the "mother" of Florida's Hometown Democracy movement (said), "Well, many of the commissioners are very dismissive. They look at their BlackBerrys. They read the newspaper. They look at the agenda. They're not really focused on the citizens," Blackner says. "The citizens get three minutes, and then they're told to shut up. And it seemed, not always, but many times, that these decisions were a done deal before the public hearing."

What NPR doesn't say, is that the opponents of Florida Hometown Democracy (now known as Florida Amendment 4) promoted a toxic change to the Florida constitution requiring that 60 percent of voters approve a ballot referendum, not a simple majority. This hurdle, that only exists in Florida and nowhere else in the nation, specifically targeted against passage of Florida Hometown Democracy that will, when approved by more than 60 percent of voters, be the first hint of accountability for the housing market disaster unleashed by financiers and developers who substantially assisted in running the economy off the rails.

Broward New Times writer Bob Norman-- a long time observer of the mess developers made-- writes on his daily blog, "The Best Reason to Support Amendment 4". I couldn't agree more. Click 'read more':

Here's the language of Amendment 4, which you'll see on the November ballot:

"Establishes that before a local government may adopt a new comprehensive land use plan, or amend a comprehensive land use plan, the proposed plan or amendment shall be subject to vote of the electors of the local government by referendum ...."

What that basically means is that before a group of politicians can change your town's land use plan, voters will have to agree with it. The amendment was put on the ballot thanks to Florida Hometown Democracy and more than 1 million petition signatures.

Funny thing, the lobbyists, power brokers, land barons, and politicians hate this idea more than you can believe. They hate it so much that I think the proper knee-jerk reaction is to steadfastly support passing it.

They're organizing their forces in Broward right now and will have a "Vote No on 4" fundraiser at YOLO restaurant on Las Olas on June 9.

Hit the jump to see the who's who list of locals who will be there with the intention of stomping Amendment 4 -- and the will of the voters -- into the ground.


Book
​The June 9 fundraiser is sponsored by the Broward Workshop -- a well-heeled business group that focuses on political issues. The workshop is putting $100,000 into the fight against Amendment 4. Here are some choice members of the committee, which is being chaired by Pembroke Pines Mayor Frank Ortis:

Wayne Huizenga

Lobbyist Ron Book

Mike Jackson, AutoNation

Colin Brown, JM Family Enterprises

Rick Case

Terry Stiles

Mario Cartaya, Architect (New Broward Courthouse)

Lobbyist Debbie Orshefsky, Greenberg Traurig

Lobbyist George Platt, Shutts and Bowen

Lobbyist Don Hall, Gunster Yoakley

Lobbyist John Milledge

Ed Pozzuoli, Tripp Scott

Dan Reynolds, Broward County AFL-CIO

Phil Procaccci, Procacci Development Corp.

Rick Derrer, James A. Cummings Inc.

Steve Holmos, Holmos Holdings

James Berger, Berger Singerman

Jarett Levan, BankAtlantic

Skeet Jurnigan, C&EDC

Tom Miller, Miller Construction

George Morgan Jr., Morgan Property Group

Phil Smith, Phil Smith Automotive Group

Peter Boulukos, YOLO Restaurant & O Lounge

Jim Goggins, Sunbeam Properties; Bill Cotron, Southeast Mechanical Contractors Inc.; Alan Hooper, Hooper Construction; Steve Hudson, Hudson Capital Group; Bobby Julien, Kolter Homes; Kathy Koch, Ambit Advertising; Keith Koenig, City Furniture; Don Lindblade, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce; Ralph Marrinson; Tim Petrillo, the Restaurant People; Andy Petry, Liberty Property Trust; George Pincus, Stearns Weaver; Harry Posin, Lobel & Co. Development; Oscar Rivera, ICSC; Don Shaw, Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida; Bob Swindell.