The District Weekly - Latest Comments in THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

Ruehle — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 05:46:33 -0000

Parking Commission Chairman Schneiter is a hypocrite when he claims to “detest drunk drivers.” If that were the case, then why does he own numerous businesses that sell alcohol until late into the night? Why does he lease his businesses to tenants known to have DUI’s? One of Commissioner Schneiter's current lessees crashed drunk into parked cars at Argonne and The Toledo in Belmont Shore with a 0.19 BAC impairment level (booking no. 7792051, lbpd no. 03-63365.001).

Furthermore, if Commissioner Schneiter is sooooo concerned and detests drunk drivers, why does he own his own alcohol license (below link) on 2nd street? Is he not concerned about his patrons “barreling down 2nd Street at 65 mph?” Also, why does he attempt every year to extend the hours on this alcohol license from midnight until 2:00 am? Does he actually believe drinking later into the night will reduce the risk of drunk driving?

http://www.abc.ca.gov/datport/LQSdata.asp?ID=20...

Moreover, if Commissioner Schneiter detests drunk drivers, why is he attempting to implement a valet parking service in front of his restaurants and bars to make it that much easier for his over served bar patrons to get in their cars and “barrel down 2nd street at 65 mph?” Parking Commissioner Schneiter is quick to point his finger at other people’s shortcomings. Maybe he should take a look in the mirror once in a while to see if the “L” that normally resides on his forehead has changed to a flashing “H.”

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

Ruehle — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:24:09 -0000

The Belmont Shore Residents Association (BSRA) newsletter was published yesterday with Parking Commission Chairman Kurt Schneiter's below facebook link. I pointed out Commissioner Schneiter listed BOB FOSTER and GARY DELONG as "his favorite politicians." One day later, this reference to the Mayor and City Councilmember has been removed. It leaves one to wonder whether Commissioner Schneiter removed MAYOR FOSTER and COUNCILMAN DELONG’s names by his own volition or whether they demanded to have their names removed because Commissioner Schneiter’s unprofessional conduct was a continuing embarrassment to them.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Kurt-Schneiter/1...

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

Ruehle — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:23:16 -0000

Tonight, I again spoke before City Council about Parking Commission Chairman Kurt Schneiter’s low level of professionalism and also entered into the record my complaint of his conflict of interest. Commissioner Schneiter is using his Mayoral appointed position to improve his personal business interests by trying to shove valet parking for his Bono’s restaurant down the throats of Belmont Shore residents for the fourth time.

I informed Council that Commissioner Schneiter had failed to disclose all of his 2nd street financial interests on his California Form 700 as required by state law under criminal penalty. Commissioner Schneiter’s form 700 failed to disclose 3 of his 5 2nd street real property holdings near where he plans to implement the valet parking at Bono’s. Furthermore, Commissioner Schneiter did not declare on the 700 form his ownership of his alcohol license for Bono’s restaurant per the below link.

http://www.abc.ca.gov/datport/LQSdata.asp?ID=20...

Moreover, Parking Commissioner Schneiter was supposedly told by City Attorney Shannon’s office to refrain from attempting to influence residents to support his valet parking. Meanwhile, emails indicate Commissioner Schneiter has ignored the City Attorney’s instruction and he continues to do so.

There were numerous residents who testified last year against Commissioner Schneiter’s appointment to the Parking Commission. Mayor Foster and Councilman DeLong ignored our concerns. Now, Mayor Foster has failed to remove a Commissioner who has blatantly ignored conflict of interest and disclosure laws, yet Mayor Foster removes Jack Smith, a Commissioner who allegedly (Jack Smith denies it) said something about Mayor Foster’s relationship with developer Tom Dean.

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

howardx — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:16:13 -0000

i see now what they are up to, have their friendly media dredge up a years old dui, then continually refer to a "drinking problem" mike supposedly has, yet another attempt to marginalize his representation of the BS residents.

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

Ruehle — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:57:46 -0000

Below is ANOTHER insulting email I received from Belmont Shore Parking Commission Chairman Kurt Schneiter and my forwarded request to the Mayor and City Council to intervene in Commissioner Schneiter's unprofessionalism. As usual, I did not hear back from anyone.

----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Ruehle
To: Mayor Foster;district1@longbeach.gov;Suja Lowenthal;Gary DeLong;Patrick O'Donnell;Gerrie_Schipske;Tonia Reyes Uranga;Dee Andrews;Gerrie Schipske;Rae Gabelich;Val Lerch
Cc: City Attorney; Michael Mais; DDemerjian@da.lacounty.gov
Sent: 6/7/2009 11:15:10 PM
Subject: Parking Commission Unprofessionalism

Hello Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers,

Below is an email I received from Belmont Shore Parking Commission Chairman Kurt Schneiter after it was discovered that he AGAIN attempted to influence the outcome of our Belmont Shore Residents Association (BSRA) survey on valet parking. Besides it being a conflict of interest for him to participate in anything related to the valet parking due to his personal business interests, I would AGAIN like to point out the low level of professionalism Commissioner Schneiter demonstrates in communication with me as the BSRA President. Below, I have listed eight insults he recently hurled at me in one single paragraph of his below email.

1. You are obviously fixated
2. You really creep me out
3. A man who visits the bars as much as you
4. You are training to be an undercover reporter drinking to the bottom of a big story
5. You have embarrassed yourself
6. Been proven to be a lowly criminal
7. A criminal like you
8. Get help for your drinking

This correspondence is similar to many many emails I have received from Commissioner Schneiter. In particular, I forwarded an email I received from Commissioner Schneiter to the Mayor and City Council less than one year ago resulting in an article published by the District Weekly per the below link. If anything, Commissioner Schneiter's professionalism continues to get worse.

http://thedistrictweekly.com/2008/daily/writing...

I AGAIN question whether the language used by Commissioner Schneiter is appropriate for a City Commissioner and AGAIN request intervention on the part of the city to prevent continued insults of this manner.

Mike Ruehle
BSRA President

----- Original Message -----
From: Kurt Schneiter
To: rekim@earthlink.net;John Schneiter
Sent: 6/5/2009 10:22:11 PM
Subject: FW: Valet Parking vote--Tow Votes

Mr. Ruehle:

My brother has an interest in 229 Covina; it's owned by a family trust. As you have been informed on two other occasions, John is part of the family trust that owns 229 Covina. The trustee provided a lease since it is legal for the trust to rent to John and yes he has stayed at this property. It shouldnt be relevant how often John stays at this property, but weather he qualifies under the bylaws. He qualifies and appears to have a larger equity position in Belmont Shore than you. Also, I didnt falsely sign a lease. I had legal right and correctly signed it. You are obviously fixated on my family and to be frank, you really creep me out. It truly is odd that a man who visits the bars as much as you is so against the activities that comes out of them. Maybe you are training to be an undercover reporter drinking to the bottom of a big story. You have embarrassed yourself with your unfounded accusations and now have been proven to be a lowly criminal. I detest drunk drivers for obvious reasons, but more so because a criminal like you murdered my sister. Speeding down a freeway a drunk killed my sister and her friends on the way to her birthday party. That same horrific murder could have happened when you were barreling down 2nd Street at 65 mph. I hope you take the time to realize the game you are playing and help make our neighborhood a safer place by working with the police dept, BSBA and all other stake holders and to get help for your drinking. If you need a sponsor I know several wonderful people.

Kurt Schneiter

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

Ruehle — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:59:56 -0000

Belmont Shore Parking Commission meetings remained unchanged. Still no public participation allowed. 12 items were voted on by the commission. The public was graciously allowed to comment ONLY on the Conservation Corps recycle report that was ONLY given to the Parking Commissioners and was not available to the public. How can the public comment or question something that they are not allowed to see?

While the general public is not allowed to comment, the Parking Commissioners and Travis Brooks, their city liaison, again today openly discussed agenda items with Commission advocates in the crowd. However, anyone who may have questions about the Parking Commission decisions is not allowed to speak.

For example, residents were not allowed today to ask questions about the proposed gateway sign that will be installed in the residential area on Livingston nor the survey that will be conducted to select its design. It was approved by the Commissioners without allowing comments or questions from the public.

The Parking Commission meeting lasted an entire 32 minutes. Apparently there wasn’t enough time for public comment.

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

Ruehle — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:06:36 -0000

Kurt,

Per your challenge to me, when are you going to meet with Dave W. to review the evidence? You constantly expound on how you always keep your word. Don’t disappoint everyone again.

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

Ruehle — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:41:26 -0000

Kurt,

Per your challenge to me, when are you going to meet with Dave W. to review the evidence? You constantly expound on how you always keep your word. Don’t disappoint everyone again.

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

John — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:54:57 -0000

It's a shame that the relationship is what it is, but as I see it Mike is being totally dissed and trashed for having the audacity to disagree with the business interests. He stands his ground, and I appreciate it. We need to strike a fair balance. Fact is, though, Mike won't be getting any free dinners from Geno anytime soon

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

Ruehle — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:01:32 -0000

Hi Milly,

My name is Mike Ruehle. I am president of the Belmont Shore Residents Association (BSRA). No matter where you live, you are invited to the BSRA meetings on the Second Thursday of every month at the Bay Shore Library at 6:00 pm. If you wish to phone or email me, I can provide you with evidence I have backing up my statements about Commissioner Schneiter's unprofessional conduct. You may want to pass this on to your friend also. It sounds like she may be surprised at the emails that Commissioner Schneiter does not deny sending.

As a volenteer, my contributions to the community are somewhat limited by my time. Below are some of the BSRA's accomplishments over the past year:

1. Increased BSRA membership - doubled since July 2007
2. Increased BSRA meeting attendance - average of 50, up from 28
3. Timely and relevant BSRA meeting speakers including:

Angela Reynolds, Long Beach Planning SEADIP zoning
Gary DeLong, Third District Councilman Livingston Parking Lot
Dennis Eschen, Long Beach Planning beach development
Mark Sandoval, Long Beach Marine Bureau beach development
Long Beach Unified School District candidates election campaign
Gordana Kajer, Surfrider Foundation water quality
Laurie Semon, Olives Gourmet Deli business introduction
Jeff Benedict, Long Beach Bureau of Health restaurant inspections
Heather Mahood, Long Beach City Attorney nuisance issues
Carl Kemp, Malmuth and Ratkovitch developers Seaport Marina plans
Rudy Komisza, Cynthia Renaud, LBPD alcohol issues
Derek Burnham, Long Beach Planning zoning changes

4. Increased community awareness of issues
5. Increased community participation
6. Supported naming and signage of Lois Lane
7. BSRA "Spotlight awards" for community service given to Joy Starr, Station 8 (Belmont Shore) firefighters, Bay Shore Library staff, Kate Karp
8. Increased opportunity for resident input including resident surveys of timely issues and extended meetings by thirty minutes
9. Publish a monthly email newsletter communication to members and others
10. Oversight of development issues including; building variance concerns, Cabo Cantina, Belmont Shore Gateway Sign, beach development projects, beach "Green Bin" trash cans, motorcycle parking
11. Belmont Shore zoning changes including; two story limit, improved signage and notification

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

Milly — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:18:46 -0000

Mr. Ruehle-
Your comments make Commissioner Schneiter sound like a pretty bad person.
Are your certain everything you have written about him is factual?
I have read the entirety of the posts and it would appear that there is bad blood between the two of you.
I just don't know if what you are stating is factual, or if you are just trying to make the commissioner look bad.
All too often, I have seen self described activists not held to factual standards that the establishment is held to.
I did find it hard to believe that the person you have been talking about has that much power and bad intentions.
So, I asked a girlfriend of mine who he was. She told me he was a very nice man who has done much for the community. I asked what.
The one thing that stood out in her mind was how he took time and his money to help raise more money for her daughter’s school science program.
Doesn't sound like an arch villain to me.
I asked her who you were. She did not know who you were other than being part of the BSRA.
Who are you Mr. Ruehle, and what have you done for the community?
Actions speak louder than words in my world.
Just a Shore residents thoughts.

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

John — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:01:01 -0000

As I've said before, going back to john mansells' days as city manager, I've seen alot here in wrong beach, and it never changes. councilman delong, commissioner schneiter, different names-same sh*t.

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

Ruehle — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:09:18 -0000

My biggest objection is that the city did not notify the commercial property owners who will have their voting rights reduced by City Council Agenda Item 19. The right thing to do would be to allow them to vote on the proposed change to their voting rights. However, at a minimum, the commercial property owners should be notified so that they have a chance to voice their opinions before City Council.

According to the July 22nd City Council Agenda Item 19, “various property owners in the proposed CFD have requested that the City Council now take action” to change the way votes are counted. Why didn’t they just say that those “various property owners” were Commissioner Schneiter and the other commercial property owner Parking Commissioners? Why do these “various property owners” continue to get Councilman DeLong’s support over and over again, with no public notice, on issues that impact the community? Why doesn’t Councilman DeLong measure the wishes of all 63 commercial property owners rather than just Commissioner Schneiter’s Parking Commission before sponsoring a voting change that affects them all? Why is Agenda Item 19 so benign and not more descriptive of what actually will be done? Shameful.

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 17:23:47 -0000

Last year the proposed bond issue, to use public money to help pay for repair of private property alleys and purchase of Frank Colona's 1.5 million parking lot FAILED TO PASS.

Now they want to change the voting rules to ensure that they control both the Parking Commission and the BSBIA. Why pay for repair of your property and parking when you can get the public to pay for it?

Take a closer look the prop. 13 tax assessments. Square Foot votes do not make any sense because landowners are all paying different amounts depending on when they purchased their property.

1 vote 1 property makes more sense.

Reminds me of what Mark Sandoval Marine Bureau did last Thursday at the Planning Commission. The City sent out a survey to residents asking their opinion about the Marine Stadium fence.

The survey did not come out in support of the fence removal so Sandoval changed the vote, 1 pt if you lived adjacent to Marine Stadium, 1/2 pt if you lived on the other side of Appian. That's Democracy in LB.

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

Ruehle — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:21:18 -0000

Commissioner Schneiter is only concerned about his own personal and financial interests, nothing more. Meanwhile, the city continues to sponsor and support him and the other majority commercial property owners on the Parking Commission to the detriment of all else. Doesn't it make you wonder how they are able to get City Council action on multiple items that further their interests? If you read the benign description of Agenda item 19 on the July 22 City agenda, you have no idea that something sinister is going on. Only after drilling down and reading the full description does one understand that the agenda item lends control of CFD1 to Commissioner Schneiter's Parking Commission. Shameful indeed.

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

John — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 01:41:53 -0000

Well at least jackurt cares about his fellow commercial landlords as much as he does shore residents.

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

Ruehle — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:50:49 -0000

Hello JB,

Commissioner Schneiter did indeed write post #84. He has not denied it, and I can forward the email to you as I have to all of the City Council members.

The difficulty with canvassing the businesses is that in most cases, the business owners are lessees and not the property owner. Most of the commercial property owners live outside the area or outside the state. They have no idea that this is going on and that their voting rights will be diminished without their knowledge.

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

LB_City_Girl — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:54:47 -0000

Mike, you'd better get out and flyer every business in the shore with the details of agenda item 19. They better attend that meeting and speak up. They should all start writing every councilperson on the city with their feelings on the matter.

and wow #84...that is one wacked email. If Shneiter really wrote that, he may need mental health assistance. Seriously.

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

Ruehle — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 16:04:51 -0000

The July 22 City Council agenda item 19 is another example of how Belmont Shore Parking Commissioner Schneiter acts in his own self interest. Agenda item 19 changes the way he and 62 other Belmont Shore commercial property owners vote on how they are taxed and what the money is spent on.

Currently, every commercial property owner has one vote, no matter how many properties they own. The three commercial property owners on the Parking Commission currently control 5% of the vote because they are each one of 63 owners. Agenda item 19 will change the voting to reflect how much tax is paid by each commercial property owner. Commercial property owners who own multiple properties will have more votes than those that only own one property. The result is that the three commercial property owners (including Commissioner Schneiter) on the Parking Commission will now control 16% of the votes rather than 5%. How is this not Commissioner Schneiter again acting in his own self interest?

If agenda item 19 is approved by City Council, it means we are no longer in a Democratic society where everyone is created equal. Agenda item 19 says that the importance of a person’s vote is determined by how much taxes that person pays. Majority owners will control how all others are taxed. I believe this will establish an appalling precedent. Keep in mind that 10% of the people in this country pay 90% of the taxes. What if presidential and City Council election voting was changed in this manner where the wealthiest people in the country had more voting power than everyone else?

Even more appalling is that the city is proposing to make this change without even notifying the other 41 commercial property owners who are having their voting rights diminished. They don’t know this is happening next Tuesday and therefore won’t have an opportunity to object. Wouldn’t the right thing be to hold an election among the current property owners to see if they approve this change? Commissioner Schneiter and the Parking Commission will again sneak in substantial changes to the Parking Commission charter without anyone knowing about it. Shameful.

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

John — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 06:03:41 -0000

jackurt,
What's up? Speaking with forked tongue (again)? Comment #88 said we were rid of you two.

Oh how about this, it's so brilliant I must do it too. I am not bitter. I am not bitter. I am not bitter. I am not bitter. I am not bitter.

Whew, that's all I can handle. Like you guys, I am a math guy too.

Sooooo, are you going to just keep hacking away at Mike Ruehle or will you submit proof of your accusations?

kurt said in comment #82: "Let’s try to work together and move on to a better working relationship". Time to man-up.

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

Ruehle — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:22:21 -0000

Hello Peter,

I think you have misinterpreted my post 97. I retract nothing that I have stated on this site.

Commissioner Schneiter has been critical of me in his disrespectful emails to me. He has accused me of various things, claiming to have evidence to back it up. I disputed his accusations and asked him to provide me with his evidence. He responded by calling me names. I explained that I would immediately appologize if he could prove his inaccurate statements to be true. I asked Commissioner Schneiter if he would do likewise if he was unable to prove his accusations. He refused to respond to my question and again called me names. I have never seen Commissioner Schneiter's proof he claims to have. I stand by what I said, that I will appologize if proven wrong.

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

Jack — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:45:08 -0000

A fool that doesn't suffer fools well..
I wonder what Freud would say about that???
Bitter is a nice way of descibing him Pete.

I just wanted to be post # 100
Probably the most this site has seen before..

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

John — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:49:42 -0000

I am bitter only if it means I don't suffer fools very well.

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

Peter — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:42:46 -0000

Sounds like Ruehle is retracting what he has said (and written) about Schneider.
Very interesting.... Those statements certainly seemed like he had some factual evidence to back up his written statements and lord knows what he has verbally stated about the man.
Half heartedly retracted if you ask me. Either you were spreading falsehoods about the man or you were not. Which is it?
Why not list them here on the post for all to see?

John- your a bitter little man aren't you.

Laura- I have a friend tha was at that meeting.
As it was told to me by a very reliable source. It was before the meeting started and only lasted 3 to 5 minutes. I have heard what he had to say. Why not write down what it was if you were there. (please try and be accurate).
From what I have heard he didn't say anything that was incorrect.
Thanks.

Re: THE SEVEN NASTY THINGS COMMISSIONER KURT SCHNEITER WROTE TO A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST | The District Weekly

Ruehle — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:28:30 -0000

I have emailed to Dave Wielenga my observations of Commissioner Schneiter's actions that advance his personal or pecuniary interests. It is possible that I may be wrong in some cases because it has been so difficult to establish any type of meaningful communication with Commissioner Schneiter that gets beyond the name calling stage. If it turns out that I am wrong, I will be the first to apologize.