Return to Sender

I was leaked McClendon's journal after he apparently left it in commission chambers (see "Marital Law," July 26). In it are numerous references to apparent work being done by Klenet for URS after his wife's election, along with a handful of mentions of Ritter herself, including McClendon's notation "Russ=Stacy."

"Clearly, there are questionable relationships, and that means that Ritter should not be involved with or voting on anything airport-related," says Brenda Chalifour, an attorney and consultant for Dania Beach, who is fighting the new runway plan. "She is facilitating everything that URS is doing — the overbilling, everything — and it all boils down to the relationship her husband has with URS."

It's true that when it comes to the specter of corruption, the Ritter-Klenet-URS connection has it all: apparent violations of the public trust, a literal marriage between a politician and a lobbyist, a sold-out office, and millions in wasted airport dollars. I've written about lesser cases that have subsequently been splattered about the mainstream media and investigated by the State Attorney's Office.

In this case, people are talking plenty about Ritter, but nobody in power seems willing to actually do anything about it. It's as if everyone is walking past a car accident but nobody bothers to check on the victims. While those in power circles know it stinks — and will tell you so privately — none of them has the guts or integrity to stand up against it.

Of course, it's no secret that the County Commission is a corrupt little club — none of the elected officials wants to be seen snitching on another. The county administration, meanwhile, is scared silly to lose their jobs (though Bielek has shown fortitude). And State Attorney Michael Satz needs to be led by his nose to a case before he'll touch it, and even then, with few exceptions, he and his assistants are as docile and harmless as kittens.

Chalifour is calling for the commission to demand an investigation.

"They have a responsibility to the people of Broward County," she says. "They go after contractors who do wrong. This is no different. I don't care if the person is a colleague of yours — that's all the more reason you want to make sure everything is aboveboard."

But right now, it's silence. Even from Ritter.

One of the more recent airport-related e-mails I received from the county regarded the committee of commissioners and county staff that was planning to meet to discuss revamping the URS contract. On June 12, Ritter wrote an aide, "Can I get on this [committee] at this point?"

That committee met last week to discuss downgrading the number of employees URS keeps at the airport and the amount of money it gets from the public coffers. Though the right move is to fire the company, it's at least a step in the right direction.

Apparently, Ritter opted out of the committee. She was nowhere to be found during that bit of airport business — which is exactly where she belongs.