07/18/2024
I have taken a hiatus from commenting much about politics these past weeks. Frankly, I've pretty well lost hope no matter who wins this fall.
I do want to comment on a Carlsbad related issue raised by Ponto resident Lance Schulte, who was incorrectly allowed on the ballot erroneously in 2022, and was soundly defeated by Retiring Treasurer Craig Lindholm. At the 15 minute point, you can see Mr. Schulte demanding to be on the ballot again.
After being apprised of the gulf between Mr. Schulte's credentials and work experience by a source in 2022, I agreed to publish their concerns on the platforms I administered, and did inform appropriate city officials of the oversight. Nothing was done at that time, (I assume) because filing had already closed.
As he attempted to file for the office this cycle, Mr. Schulte found that the rather rigorous educational and professional requirements for an office that is akin to being the City's Asset Manager, were finally being enforced.
It is true that Mr. Schulte does possess an Executive MBA from an accredited institution, (as opposed to a fake PHD from a no longer extant diploma mill). However a management MBA is not a pre or post graduate degree in finance, as is required.
But if we review what the qualifications are, and have been pre-Lance, he lacks any relevant experience in municipal finance. Mr. Schulte's interest in the office is not about growing the municipal nest egg either.
It's apparently about selling off the golf course to a developer, and taking the cash to buy land for the long desired Ponto Park, that would appreciate the already healthy property values for Lance and all those "People for Ponto" he represents.
Linked is Mr. Schulte's side of the story. I would invite anybody who cares about ELECTION INTEGRITY (I never thought I'd say those words ever again) to do their own review on Schulte's claim and the rules.
The qualifications listed are NOW being enforced. If anybody remembers the case of the Oceanside Treasurer's Office and the Victor Roy saga, they will be glad that Carlsbad has safeguards built in.