County Commissioners Stacy Ritter and John Rodstrom sparred Tuesday over the extent of his opposition to plans for a second major runway at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Ritter said she had learned Rodstrom participated in a conference call that expansion opponents recently had with the Federal Aviation Administration about its upcoming plans to issue a decision on expanding the south runway to handle commercial jetliners. Ritter said Rodstrom’s participation sends mixed messages when the commission has voted to back the construction. “We all have every right to express personal opinions, but when the board makes a policy, it must speak with one voice from then on,” Ritter said from the dais. “It makes it very difficult to move the county forward when we are not speaking with one voice. Rodstrom, who represents most of the neighborhoods affected by aircraft noise, said he would not be silent. “I don’t think we should be building any runway, period,” Rodstrom said. “I don’t see the need to spend $2 billion on any runway. As a policy maker I have a right to state my opinion. I have freedom of speech. You can’t put a muzzle on me.” ...
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County Commissioners Stacy Ritter and John Rodstrom sparred Tuesday over the extent of his opposition to plans for a second major runway at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Ritter said she had learned Rodstrom participated in a conference call that expansion opponents recently had with the Federal Aviation Administration about its upcoming plans to issue a decision on expanding the south runway to handle commercial jetliners. Ritter said Rodstrom’s participation sends mixed messages when the commission has voted to back the construction. “We all have every right to express personal opinions, but when the board makes a policy, it must speak with one voice from then on,” Ritter said from the dais. “It makes it very difficult to move the county forward when we are not speaking with one voice. Rodstrom, who represents most of the neighborhoods affected by aircraft noise, said he would not be silent. “I don’t think we should be building any runway, period,” Rodstrom said. “I don’t see the need to spend $2 billion on any runway. As a policy maker I have a right to state my opinion. I have freedom of speech. You can’t put a muzzle on me.” ...