by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Former mayor-turned-lobbyist Lou Ritter isn’t just still puttering around his Palm Valley home. His lobbying efforts this past session were good enough for the Florida Lobbyist Association to name him the 2006 “Lobbyist of the Year.”
Ritter got the award during the 11th Annual Florida Lobbyist Award Banquet, a fundraiser held each year at the Governor’s Club in Tallahassee that raises money for the Florida Fund Foundation, Inc. — an organization that provides education and medical assistance to underprivileged children and families in Leon County.
“It’s an honor and I was totally surprised,” said Ritter, who was mayor of Jacksonville from 1965-67, a year before Jacksonville became a consolidated city.
A year ago, winning such an award was close to unthinkable for Ritter, who has been a lobbyist for 31 years.
“Last year, I had much less of a session because I had a bout with leukemia,” he said. “This year, I was in Tallahassee full-time and had a good session. They were awfully kind and so gracious to honor me.”
Ritter was recognized by the Lobbying Corps, a group of his peers who select the annual winner based on the criteria of a person who exemplifies integrity and skill in the profession. By winning, Ritter joins an elite group of lobbyists who have been recognized over the years for their professionalism and devotion to their clients.
“So many people don’t have kind words to say about lobbyists,” said Ritter.
This year, Ritter said he devoted a majority of his time to lobbying on behalf of the Florida Funeral Directors Association. And, while he wasn’t able to be in Tallahassee full-time last year, Ritter worked for the Florida Dry Cleaners Association.
“We had to overcome some very sensitive environmental problems,” said Ritter, who has also lobbied on behalf of the City of Jacksonville Beach and the Florida Medical Association in the past.