DISQUS

Mike Ruehle · 1 year ago

The District Weekly (TDW) published a one-sided anonymous letter on October 8th about me. This was the same letter taken from the comment section of two different articles published on-line by TDW. I responded back to both on-line posts, defending myself. As always, I used my name rather than hide behind an anonymous name. However, neither rebuttal was published, only the one-sided anonymous letter was published on-line and hardcopy in the letters section. Then, on October 15th, TDW’s feature listed 2nd street bars with an on-line and hardcopy comment, “just leave Mike Ruehle at home!” Subsequently, an October 16th article references a link to the LB Report where I am described as preventing Terry Jensen from speaking before the Belmont Shore Residents Association meeting immediately following Mayor Fosters Measure I presentation. I suspect there were other resident organizations in the city that did not allow Mr. Jensen to speak at their meeting.

I admit to being a frequent complainer about certain politically connected people who receive preferential treatment and are allowed to circumvent municipal codes. For that, I expect reporting of my name that is not always flattering. However, there appears to have been an interesting turn of events at TDW. All of this occurred immediately following the September 29th TDW on-line article titled “Belmont station joins AD Boycott aimed at the Paper You Are Reading Right Now,” which was not printed hardcopy.

Has the TDW now been forced to cross over to the dark side? Is TDW now controlled by these same politically connected people who also direct a large part of their Ad revenue stream? Are they going the watered down way of the PT and the Grunion Gazette? If so, it is a loss for residents in Long Beach. After all, it wasn’t me who cancelled advertisements with TDW in order to change their behavior.

Andy · 1 year ago

Pretty sure it's a joke. At least I thought it was funny. Lighten up.

I don't think TDW is covertly cuddling up to the Satan of Second Street.

Ellen · 1 year ago

Andy: You're absolutely right. I think it's funny, too.

Mike: I wrote that a joke, meant to reference the ongoing events (see also: "Tell them we sent you!"). If anything, Legends patrons who have not yet heard the lowdown might do a little research after seeing your name printed and get filled in on what's going on, too.

anonymous1 · 1 year ago

Welcome to being a public figure. The old saying "Those who throw stones shouldn't live in a glass house" appears to be very appropriate. Instead of worrying about what people are writing and saying about you, please take the high ground and not jump into every mud puddle for the sake of ego. Your letter stating the Mayor hates you was funny. I bet the Mayor hasn't given much thought about you and certainly doesn't know you well enough to hate you, but keep rattling swords at every windmill and you will surely be correct in time. For the sake of Belmont Shore, please stop the games namely: video taping people while voting (what happened to my rights), harrassing neighbors about the way they voted, calling the press (Joe Segura) to create news and actually do something to help your neighborhood. I wish you the best because we deserve better.

wswaim · 1 year ago

Everybody: Mike Ruehle is clearly joking. Nobody would take seriously a joke in which we tell our readers to go to bars that are part of an effort to boycott the District--and then encourage those readers to tell the bar owners we sent them. It's funny. Mike gets that. That's why he wrote this very tongue-in-cheek response pretending not to have a sense of humor. Seriously. I'm crying. Because it's all so funny.

LB City Girl · 1 year ago

This is the problem with the written word versus an in person conversation--it is difficult to read the intended irony at times-- where as in person, the listener would gain many verbal and non-verbal clues as to the true intent of the speaker.
I must admit, I missed Mike's irony, but it is rather obvious when placed in the overall context of the post.

Andy · 1 year ago

I think Will is the one joking here. This is all so confusing now.

Ellen · 1 year ago

Andy, I really wish you'd quit the irony. :]

Toothless 2 · 1 year ago

Perhaps M.Rhule enjoys bottles ,opening and emptying them. Myself and many many other local homeowners wish he would go away.

Mike Ruehle · 1 year ago

Hello Mr. Toothless,

Or should I say Tree guy? I believe you are the person who frequently expounds upon the virtues of the Parking Commission and it’s Chairman Kurt Schneiter, aren’t you? Is there any accuracy to your statements, or do you like to just make things up?

When I was elected to the Belmont Shore Residents Association (BSRA) a year ago, there were barely 100 members. Today, there are over 400 members, with new members joining weekly. I began emailing a monthly newsletter a year ago, informing residents of what is going on in the neighborhood, both positive and negative sides. Unfortunately, your favorite Parking Commissioners make up the majority of the negative side. Despite your claims, the newsletter readership is approaching 600 people and is growing faster than the BSRA membership.

I don’t doubt your claim that there are many homeowners that wish I would go away. However, based upon last month’s election, there appear to be more people who are OK with my attempts to represent residents. I can tell you are not one of them. I wonder why that is. Are you so enamored by these commercial property owner Commissioners because they allow you to plant trees, that you don’t see how they are turning our community into an entertainment district for their benefit? While I commend you in your tree planting activities, I respectfully choose to rate the concerns of my neighbors and community at a higher level. I believe its called being able to see the forest through the trees, so to speak.

LB City Girl · 1 year ago

Quien es mas ironico?

Andy · 1 year ago

My head just exploded with the sound and fury of off-topic self-referential angst.