Broward airport chief candidate put on hold

Jun. 19--Broward County commissioners Tuesday said they need more information before hiring the airport director recommended by County Administrator Pam Brangaccio.

They voted 7-2 to form a committee to consider Richard Stephen Walsh, a former Palm Springs, Calif., airport director who was Brangaccio's choice, after two of her other top picks withdrew.

The next director of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport will oversee a controversial runway expansion project to be finished around 2012.

Bob Bielek is the interim director.

If hired, Walsh would earn $175,000 a year plus a $450 monthly car allowance.

Ken Keechl and Sue Gunzburger were in the minority. Commissioners debated how many should get to serve on the committee, but Mayor Josephus Eggelletion said he will make that decision later.

Commissioners said they aren't ready to hire Walsh, since they have met him but not interviewed him. And they want to learn more about why he was fired from his Palm Springs job in April.

They are curious about allegations in an anonymous letter sent to county commissioners raising questions about a terminal construction project that Walsh oversaw. The letter also stated that Walsh got his airplane pilot wife a free parking pass -- while recommending raising parking fees for other workers from $100 to $600 a year.

Walsh had two parking permits assigned to him in December 2006, according to the city of Palm Springs.

"I had several calls from Palm Springs that really put into question this appointment," County Commissioner Sue Gunzburger said.

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