Runnels must remove abandoned cars at Y
By Kathryn Reed
A judge on Thursday put the brakes on abandoned cars being able to be stored in South Lake Tahoe.
John Runnels has 30 days to get rid of the vehicles sitting on his property on the northwest corner of the Y.
Previous city managers, city attorneys and councils have wanted to rid the vehicles. Until this week, none had succeeded.
John Runnels has a court order to remove the abandoned vehicles on his property in 30 days. Photo/Ernie Claudio
In October 2006 Runnels went before a city zoning administrator for a nuisance hearing after police officers cited him. Runnels prevailed.
Runnels was issued a dealers’ license in 1979 by the DMV, the same year the city’s Planning Commission approved a special use permit allowing him to store unregistered vehicles at the Emerald Bay Road business. Two of the conditions of the city permit were that Runnels had to maintain valid certification from the state to sell and repair vehicles. They both expired. That gave the city the power to revoke the special use permit.
Talks have been going on for about a year, with both sides ultimately putting the matter in a judge’s hands. On Aug. 6 after a four-hour hearing, El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Daniel Proud ruled in the city’s favor, determining the vehicles are abandoned, which violates city ordinances.
“We did a title search on each vehicle. We had to prove they were abandoned,” City Manager Nancy Kerry told Lake Tahoe News. “We did a history search on each vehicle. All of this history and research determined they are abandoned and not for sale.”
Runnels could still operate a store on site. He was not available for comment. He owns the corner lot as well as the parcel behind it.
I call shotgun
If he had a pile of old bicycles onsite people would have a parade in his honor.
If I was Runnels I would open a tacky massage parlor, head-shop, vape store on site.
Maybe invite some of the local beggars/homeless in the area to hangout there.
WHAT A SHAME RUNNELS has the best kept lot in town
He might just stay and keep the shop open, hold your breath.
Vindictive little people running this town, getting even with a vocal opponent of their schemes.
It’s a doggoned shame they’re getting away with it this time. That lot has always been kept meticulously neat and clean and there is no reason for this. If Mr. Runnels can afford to, I think he should continue to fight it.
I also hope karma comes back and bites all the people who are doing this to him.
There is an ordinance against abandoned cars, according to a judge he is in violation of the ordinance and he has been ordered to get in compliance. No big deal. End of story.
He should set up an outside display and sell discounted toilet paper now that the other corner lot selling discounted toilet paper has moved on.
Runnels lets his certification expire? What was he thinking, that was his only hope to continue to operate his ‘business’. Now he must deal with it. I used to dislike his little show on the corner, but I had changed my mind. He keeps it clean and neat but the stories of him running people off his lot started to get old. Finally someone decked him and he pulled a gun. Real hero.
Slap shot has it right. Without his certifications, he’s just one of us now. No more special privileges for his car ‘collection’. He knew this was coming, he’s no dummy. Used car anyone?
I’m really surprised to see the support for Runnel. If you’ve ever tried to walk on his lot and look at those cars then you know he’s a raging jerk who’s not actually open for business. Do you ever see customers coming and going? If he was really selling the cars, it would be different. But he’s not and he makes that corner of the Y look like the set of “Sanford & Son”. Good job city, good bye eye sore.
Why cant you all wake up. We depend on the tourism business both summer and winter. Now our guests can finally come into town and not be greeted by a Junk Yard.
HA! HA!
Amazed that anyone thinks this junkyard should remain open. Plow it under!
Private property rights are fundamental to liberty in this country.
Clearly, y’all would be fine if the State came in and took all of YOUR property and told you what you had to do with it?
Meanwhile you’re fine with beggars clotting up the entrances to shopping centers, littering their cigarette butts, bottles, and bedrolls everywhere? Yeah, that’s a sure attraction for our visitors.
smh
Seems like if he restored the facade, added some placards detailing the history of each car (attached or next to the cars), made the space available for people to walk around, and sold some vintage-type Tahoe souvenirs, he could actually have a cool retro car and gas station museum. However, as Atomic pointed out, the guy makes it a habit of being rude to anyone showing any interest in his property or the vehicles on it.
I’m as respective and appreciative of people wanting their privacy, especially on their own property. But, the lot is very interesting and eccentric looking, which attracts attention, and it happens to be located at the busiest intersection in town! That’s like wearing a bathing suit to an office job and getting pissed at everyone for staring at you or inquiring why you’re dressed that way. Based on the fact the lot is an old gas station, no one in their right mind would ever assume it was “private” (as in an actual home). And, he usually has on a neon sign advertising windshield wiper fluid, or whatever, so there’s no reason to assume the nature of it being private property is any different than the other businesses on the corner. People know that Raley’s, et al, are private and the businesses have the authority to refuse service to people for various reasons, but they’re still primarily a public place.
What about the cement plant “greeting” all the precious tourists who just love to stop at the South Tahoe “Cow Pie” and take pictures ?
Jared, exactly right. Mr Runnels is a bit of a sociopath in a bathing suit.
YAWN
Good riddance. Time for the angry old goat to move on. I’ve witnessed him running people off his junk yard of cars while waiting at the traffic light.
Dog you are right the City is just exercising their behind the curtain power.
I would be willing to bet that somebody wants that property for the future redevelopment of the Y.
with old John Runnels as crazy as he is, this is the only way to get rid of him.
myself I enjoy looking at the old cars.
maybe old Runnels could turn it into a homeless shelter that would piss off old Hal and the Team.
What a huge pile of bullshit.!!
John has been operating a business in this town for many many years !!
Obviously someone on the city council just doesn’t like what John happens to like.
Classic and rare autos in various states of restoration .
If they were Ferraris and Lamborghinis in various states of repair would that be more appealing ?
Abandoned vehicles ???? Give the man a break .
perhaps we should start examining each and and every one of the elected officials property and see just what they have on their lands. LOL .
Good luck John with the continuing saga, ” Days of our Lives” (play music)
What do you people do to piss him off? I have lived two blocks away from his lot for 35 years. Myself and most of me friends are car nuts.
I have been on his lot fifty times and in his store to ask him for free advice a couple of times. He was always good to me. I didn’t show up to make fun of his cars and set my soda on the hood of one of them.
PS
I watch old reruns of Adam 12 with the sound off just to watch the old cars!
I’m all for private property rights but the city and him had a contract (keep these 2 licenses current) he let them expire.
It’s his fault — personal responsibility and all that
I’m not sure John’s outdoor display is any tackier than the stores we are so proud of at Stateline that display 1/2 of their inventory of clothing on the sidewalk. The ordinance should apply to them as well.
That’s a great picture of him though. Thing with john is you either love him or you hate him. There’s no gray. He’s a good guy if he likes you. And if he doesn’t…, well then you end up writing posts like what you see above.
Maybe some would prefer a chicken ranch or pig farm? How about a nice state of the art battery manufacturing plant. Think of the jobs that could be generated.
Obviously not the best place for that type of business.
I’m sure he could get a good price for the property if he wanted to sell then he could keep his business going in a more appropriate area like the Industrial area by the high school which is not far from his current location.
Just a thought.
The point is, it’s HIS property.
And the powers have been trying to run him out on a rail for years.
This town is beautiful, but some of the people here should be ashamed of themselves. Little tyrants.
runnels “VHR at the Y” is his best option
Long time local jerks that hate gubmint UNITE!!!
John(douchenozzle)Runnels for MAYOR!!
we don’t need no stinkin’ ordinances about blight-let’s allow everyone driving into town know just what kind of idiot they can expect to do business with
He should turned his place into a classic car museum. I know too many people he’s been an ***** to. I may burn in hell for saying it, but I gotta agree with Kits on this one.
Dog…you gotta follow the law in this country too. What about the property rights of the natives the land was stolen from…do they not count?
Sunriser2…if you were Runnels it would be an improvement on your current personality.
Tea total, hahaha, yes, runnels is an a hole, needs to close his nonbusiness and slime away to his rock…
Yeah, gun nut confederate flag waving Teabaggers should you unite, that way it would be easier for the FBI to keep track of their domestic terrorist agenda.
I’ll be sorry to see another funky, unique piece of SLT disappear. But Runnels pulling a gun on the curious is completely unacceptable. It’s one thing to have an eccentric adding color and texture to the place; quite another to have a dangerous nut lying in wait for folks who like old cars.
I’d quite like the museum idea if Runnel was into it, and refrained from threatening people.
Ms Dog, with all due respect, you’re beginning to sound like a broken record – and I’m reasonably certain that you’re old enough to have heard that sound (if you, or some other reader, is not, perhaps Kae can post an audio with an explanation).
As the last truly honorable Republican once said,”My right to swing my fist ends where your nose begins.” Freedom does not grant the right of encroaching on the freedom of others.
John (I think I can call him by his first name; he used to call me by mine many years ago when he would call me at home to b**** about something) is maintaining his dump in the business district of an area which is economically dependent on attracting and maintaining the good will and the cash flow of tourists. He owns 1/4 of the property surrounding a major intersection where the owners of the remaining 3/4, as well as numerous other business in the area, have updated and upgraded their properties in order to attract tourists and their spending. His eyesore, not to mention his personal attitude, is damaging and violating the rights of every business owner in the area to build and maintain their property in a way that will attract business and enhance their income. In short, he’s intruded on their noses.
I’m obviously not a Republican, but Republican philosophy, as preached by both honorable Republicans and current Republicans, is that economic rights and human rights are essentially the same thing. And John’s property, by its very existence at that location, is trampling on the property rights of every businessperson in the neighborhood who stands to lose customers who don’t wish to do their shopping in the middle of a yard-car collection.
Good riddance. Bonus that dawg is all in heat about it for some reason.
I might have to find where they live and open up my paper factory near them to give them a lesson in private property and not being a jerk.
I like old cars, but John Runnels collection is in need of repair. Maybe some body work along with a fresh coat of paint! Make them look good,not like rows of rusting old cars that is the entrance to our city.
I wish I kept some of my old cars… but things happen and you buy and sell.Two sides to every issue. Hope he keeps the cars and gets them fixed up and finds a different location to store them.
Happy motoring, OLS
Dog, while I do not have a dog to hunt in this debate, your notion of property rights being absolute has no legal basis. I find the cars interesting to look at, I also understand that towns cannot simply allow property owners to operate in ways that violate the current zoning laws Property rights are not absolute and yes zoning laws and city regulations in practice have been found to be consistent with the constitution. Check out this site which provides the legal history and general principles the US Supreme Court relies on for determining whether or not a zoning law or regulation rises to the level of a Taking under the 5th Amendment.
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/takings.htm
Property rights are generally discussed under the metaphor of “bundle of rights” as they are not absolute. I direct you to the law article – long, but I found rather interesting and edifying. http://scholarship.law.uc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1164&context=uclr
So you might want and advocate property rights to be absolute, but in our system of law, they have never been treated as such.
Rick
Copper, well said! I usually, but not always, agree with you, but I always respect your class and intelligence.
Agree Copper.
Let’s get the dead bear picture off the front page! Keep up the posts!
Seems that the City’s ruling party has won this round. Is it really over?
Did they ever try to work with the property owner to determine what his underlying needs/wants are? Does he really just want a collection similar to a museum? If so, did they ever try to accommodate his needs with a deal at the airport property (new industrial park) where it wouldn’t impact their idea of what should be on private land at the Y?
If he just wants to P(** off the city, then there wouldn’t be much they could do except through the courts. But if there was another solution, did they really try or just ramrod only 1 solution down his throat?
If the other 3 corner’s property owners don’t like the look, they could always offer to buy the land. They could offer to upgrade it for him to change the look. There are many things which could be done rather than city lawsuits. How many real options were tried before the litigious approach?
I agree with OLS. Even if he just works on one of those heaps each season, then slaps a high price on it… then onto the next one. However, every time I go by the place, it is just the same old cars in the same state of rust.
Sounds like he had plenty of time to get permits and actually repair/sell vehicles… IMO.
But hey, maybe he can take over Tveten town in Meyers.
tahoeadvocate-thanks for chiming in on the side of long term local jerks-the City has bent over backwards for years to help John use his property as he wishes-
but there has to be line drawn when this guy is just obstinate and teabaggish-
maybe he can park his cars over at your ‘heritage family’ land-or is there ‘No Parking’ signs on the City street there?
If his personality is close the rumors I have heard…he is not going to go quietly.
TeaTotal-
Local Jerks? Why don’t you name them and present details as to why you feel that way?
The City has put up “no parking signs” but not at the request of the residents. You might contact them to file a complaint if you can’t find a place to park.
As far as what has been done to work with the property owner, I don’t have the knowledge which you must. Perhaps you could educate the readers in detail or provide it to Kay so she could enhance the article.
With regards to your continuing attempt to insult families who have been at Lake Tahoe for many years, I’d rather thank them for continuing the tradition of family ownership which in some cases dates back 100 years or more. They are the ones who invested both their time and money and developed the love for the Lake in their children and grandchildren. I’d hate to think what areas like Al Tahoe and others would look like if those heritage family lands didn’t exist today. Stop into the Lake Tahoe Historical Society Museum some day to see what personal investments were made by them.
HUMMER,
How come you can’t disagree with me without resorting to childish name calling?
By the way has anyone noticed John has sold more than half the cars in the last couple of months?
Great idea, careaboutthecommunity–let’s put that poor bear to rest!
Thank you Nancy!
Thank you Nancy Kerry and all those involved to get Mr. Runnels to move those cars.
Now if only I had the bucks to buy a few and get them fixed up! Good luck john.Old Long Skiis
Dog, please read copper’s response carefully and slowly again and again.
What would a clever rebuttal sound like?
Success!
Sunriser….is that ‘me’ that you are calling a childish
name?
Advocate. John has a long history with government in the basin for along time. Everybody cool down and enjoy the ride I knew we were in for when I first saw the article.
Hundreds of people traveled to Reno to see all the old cars non of them as interesting as the Runnels collection. Why is this situation causing such strife me thinks it is more than old cars. If runnels needs help I am willing to help with what ever I can do. we need more Runnels and fewer local people trying run his corner the world.
Awesome! Let’s see Chief, Sunriser2, Buttling and Dewitt arm themselves to the teeth and occupy the land while Dogula barks Martin Luther King quotes into a megaphone and whines about how trustfunders are a misunderstood and misundersestimated minority.They can call in their friends from Bundyville-all three of them! Sarah Palin can come down and wave a flag, Mann Coulter can drink baby’s blood…and they can ALL blame Obama! Heck, maybe a reality show could be in the works. Might make a segment on FoxNews….maybe Sheppard Smith.
Runnells won’t know who to brandish his gun at first!
Hmmm, nice shot!
Hmmmmm maybe you should drive over to the Cole ranch and shovel up some horse **** so that it doesn’t get into the lake ?
Horse, bull it’s all the same.
Hummer do you spit or swallow?
Of course you know I was talking about chewing tobacco!!!
Sorry Steve, that would be trespassing on Mr. Cole’s PRIVATE property(I’m assuming it’s a ranch, not a ‘business’ with a storefont.) Since you got such a dirty mouth anyways perhaps YOU should drive on over yourself and enjoy yerself a manure meal…’if you catch my meaning if you get my drift’ (old ‘Firesign Theater’ line).
Besides, they are not all the same. Horsesh!t comes from horses. 8ullsh!t comes from bulls. Silly rabbit.
That all being said, I am not a fan of domesticated animal poop of any kind making it’s way to the lake.
Who Spearheaded this attack?
@Sunriser2-Well THAT’S taking it to an entirely different level of insult, which makes sense because you usually present yourself as a shallow thinking
classless blunt pig. It’s taking on the tone of Kits and Rock4’s little tete-a-tete’s, which i tend to view with mild amusement which quickly moves to boredom. I forget, though…didn’t you say something about me using childish names?
Since you wonder where y chosen screen name comes from…
h’m
or hmm
[hmm]
interjection
1.
(used typically to express thoughtful absorption, hesitation, doubt, or perplexity.)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2015.
British Dictionary definitions for h’m
hmm
/mm/
interjection
1.
a sound made when considering or puzzling over something
interjection
1.
used to indicate hesitation, doubt, assent, pleasure, etc
Word Origin and History for h’m
representative of a sound made during contemplation or showing mild disapproval, attested from 1868, but this is probably a variation of the hum attested in similar senses from 1590s.
Hummer,
Nice how you use the word “interjection” to explain your screen name so many times.
Sorry if I made your B$#@ hurt. Maybe you should pull up your big boy panties, SUCK IT UP and move on.
Sorry Sunriser2…I was copy and pasting definitions before going on a hike…it seemed relevant, given the puerile fixation you have with bastardizing my screen name to emphasize the part of speech. It is not a noun, not a verb.
You’ve got some serious issues. I should be the least of your concerns.
I believe this city has a lot of more serious problems, that they need to regroup.
I wish John well.Yup he needs to lighten up a bit…I was a neighbor of his a number of years ago….you can deal with him.
To call the cars he has abandoned is one hell of a stretch, and clearly there is movement of inventory.
What about the tourists?! I say to H*&# with them. I hope Runnels wins.
Private property or not, we have laws in place so others are not offended by others lack of respect.for their neighbors. The property is an eye sore and I can only imagine the eye sore properties of those who think it isn’t. Mow it over and replace it with a contribution to Tahoe!
He should put in a strip club.
I think he should put in a pot collective or T-shirt shop.
Maybe someone will clean up behind K Mart now.
JohnnyGP, you have no right to ‘not be offended’ by others. You and the other petty tyrants would take away others’ rights, not even having the faintest clue that YOUR rights would be next.
Mr. Runnels’ corner lot is without question the cleanest and neatest of the four at that intersection. And as to his supporters’ properties? The Fire Safe folks kept asking to use my place as a demonstration garden.
You know what they say about people who “assume” stuff.
Dog needs to look beyond his bush behind K-mart if he thinks that is the cleanest corner. I guess he has very low standards……shocking.
Yes kitty cat. We all know you have the cleanest litter box.
“You and the other petty tyrants would take away others’ rights”
followed by…
“You know what they say about people who “assume” stuff.”
Dog logic.
Way to class it up, Liberule. A strip club at the Y…so the homeless can trade in their aluminum cans and Risperdal for oiled up boobies, beer and a night in the slammer. Brilliant. At least it would bring Sunriser2 in from cruising the public toilets at the lake.
Kits…I think Dog is a she. Used to call herself Dogwoman and AuntieSocial on the Trib. Now she fancies herself a blood drinking canine. Or a drinker of dog’s blood.
Ya know, I have been a local here in South Lake Tahoe all my life. Never once have those vehicles been an eyesore to me. It’s like as others have said, it’s a classic car gallery that you can just walk and look at. You other people must have pissed him off because I see people there quite often. He sells products, and can help you find parts if your vehicle needs them. Most people don’t even know that when they started their “Improvin 50” bs, they were going to replace the fence that used to be around his lot. Yeah, did that ever happen? Way to go city. So now, it is as people say, this city is full of tyrants who are running the city into the ground. Another example? The carved bears that were out front of gift stores and native american stores. http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20100406/NEWS/100409872
They thought the carved bears were taking away from the Tahoe ambiance. BULL. Those fiberglass bears? Super rediculous and unwanted. They have all these other eye sores up and down the road, which really do detract from the overall enjoyment of Tahoe in it’s natural setting. Oh! I know! Let’s replace his corner with the 100th gift shop showing off clothes and other garbage like they have along Stateline! This lot is not taking business/tourists away from the city, the city can very well handle that on its own. Should we even bring up the fact that the homeless population has risen to a ridiculous high? I can’t even get into a supermarket without three or four of them cluttering the corners. I feel bad for our fellow citizens, but the city is just letting them do it. Perhaps they are getting a % of what they take in for a renters fee. The city is really hitting a new low, if they are picking on locals who have been here longer than some of the people commenting here. Maybe the city should focus on TRUE issues, rather than petty ones. For those excited this bit of the towns history is changing, don’t worry. John will still be open after all is said and done. I hope he finds something else to put in its place to piss the city off. They’ll get theirs in the end, they are only adding to a dying town. I mean really, anyone else tired of the construction, RIGHT DURING summer? People wonder why they are taking their business and families off the hill. Hmmm.
The above comment hits the nail squarely on the head. Couldn’t have said it better. Bravo!
Hmmmmm it’s called sarcasm. Look it up. Get off my jock weirdo.
What’s a jock weirdo?
Liberude you are just one angry guy. Why do you have to attack everyone?
Can you walk through his property? I remember a handgun being being pulled out over someone crossing through his property, or something like that, that’s a little bizarre regardless of how that went down. I believe he is a bit of a lose canon, so they say.
I don’t know, only did business with him once, it went fine, but that was over doing business.
Mt thoughts: more than likely I’m going to be president in 2020. If I were you I’d start groveling now.
Hmmmmm: Dennis rodman is a jock weirdo.
Liberude I thought you were just angry but I see now you are nothing but a little bully. Strip joint? Is that so the little wifey can pick up some extra $1 bills for you campaign?
Those lazy and annoying trolls at Raleys holding lame signs of homelessness are nothing but frauds. I’ve watched and seen someone drive up and collect the lazy money. When will people get it that their donations are simply a contribution to Frauds. And yes, why the hell doesn’t the city do something to rid our stores of these pukes?! Hopefully an early winter will send them back to Sacto and the like.
Mt thoughts: you have it exactly right but I’ll be employing your wife. She’s a real “workhorse”.
You are absolutely right kitty. Time to get these scumbag drug addicts out of town. Enough is enough. Maybe they’ll scurry back under their rock in Sacramento soon.
liberude I have dealt with little bully’s like you before. All mouth but no action. The best thing to do is to just not engage. So I am done with you.
Mr. Runnels. Better to start painting the cars and make your place into a roadside car museum. It would look much better than a collection of rusty old cars in need of repair.Hope you get them fixed up. OLS
liberude as I said before you are nothing but a little bully. All words and not action. I have dealt with someone like you before and you feed off other people’s reaction to your threats and rude comments. The best thing to do is not engage so you can’t get your cheap thrill from intaginating other people. So good bye Liberude you have a great life with your over inflated ego.
I’m no jock weirdo, then…can’t shoot hoops, don’t got no earrings or tats.
Hmmmm: sorry my mistake.
My thoughts: change your name? Or spelled it wrong the first time? Ha! Yes. Run and hide. The big bad bully hurt your feelings. Sorry if the truth hurts. Liberule for pres 2020!
My feelings are fine. Not sure I know what you’re referring to. Didn’t know you owned a Dennis Rodman. Good luck getting votes.
Hmmmmm: I was speaking to someone else whose handle is “my thoughts”. The world doesn’t revolve around you. you’re more annoying than kitty Carson.
And I own 3 Dennis rodmans.
@librule, oops. sorry for the mistake. I know the world does not revolve around me, it revolves around the sun. Honestly, I don’t care much for your attitude either, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be friends. Good luck getting votes in you’re election run.
Hmmmmm: I’m just cranky from all the tourists. Sorry. I’m ready for fall. To apologize I’m going to give you one of my Dennis rodmans.
As for runnels I really hope he has something up his sleeve. If the city somehow manages to put in one more bike shop/ski shop/ fluorescent t shirt shop/mediocre burger joint I’m gonna scream.
His car lot is an eyesore. But it’s typical of Tahoe. Here’s a blast from the past, a direct quote from JWR himself, at this here website: “John W. Runnels says – Posted: November 3, 2010
Now is the time for all residents and businesses to work together to return a viable, healthy business climate to our town. Whether we are residents of the City or the County, it is our job to pull together, to forget our differences and with our new Councilmembers strive to solve the many problems facing our community.
We have many surmountable problems facing us, but we have a common love of our home and a deep understanding of how unique and truly special our area is, that will allow us to solve them together. We must look not to the issues that separate and polarize us, but to those that will unite and energize us in our efforts to raise South Lake Tahoe as a truly successful economy, which offers to all residents and visitors alike a chance to enjoy our environmental bounty, prosper in our jobs , and be secure in our homes.
Citizens Alliance for Responsible Government”
‘Healthy business climate’ and ‘Forget our differences’ ha ha ha — and if ya can’t beat, ’em, shoot ’em.
It’s actually a good quote. And I don’t see anybody in the city government making any effort to work with Mr. Runnels. Looks like a hijacking to me.
Dogula from my perspective the city has been trying to “work” with Mr Runnels for the last fifteen years. But that little fact doesn’t fit your anti government agenda, does it?
And Liberule, as far as I know the city itself doesn’t “put” ANY business in, but instead are open to business OWNERS that want to invest in our town.
Sure bigger picture. Let me rephrase. If the city ALLOWS one more of the shops I mentioned….. Happy now?
If you look at the EDC Clerk-Recorder’s search website and put the name Runnels into the query box you get a clearer picture of why JWR has such a bone to pick with SLT, EDC, CA Gov’t and the IRS. It’s all public information. Some would call it a “checkered past”. Except it’s ongoing. He’s obviously unqualified to manage a business let alone any aspect of city government or budgets of same. Look at his corner parcel using google earth, then click on the date function and go back at least a decade. After you look at a birds eye view of his lot over the years and the way the cars are strategically placed, it might give some insight into why he has so many heaps strewn across his lot.
Thanks all for an entertaining read! I’ve managed to get along with John for over 30 years. Not nearly important enough to get involved with but I sure appreciate all of your comments.
100th comment about a run-down car lot!
I heard from a long time resident that he had money and no one wanted to pursue the issue. It would make an interesting location for something the City could use…not sure what. We certainly needed that Bevmo though, right? lol
Shawn: HAHAHAH! Every time I have driven by Bevmo including during the full swing of touron summer, the lot is EMPTY. Same with the stupid Autozone (that looks like crap)
More fluorescent tshirts made in china!
I used to not have a problem with that lot–there used to be better cars there. Lately, they are crap. If anyone thinks most of those cars are “classics”, I’d have to wonder what you are smokin’.
On that note, we all know it’s not a “business”. Seriously. How often do you find John (or anyone) there “working”? lol But, it is his property and it is remaining his property–they are just making him get rid of the rust-buckets outside–which he ultimately made it possible for them to do.
Mr. Runnels has kept his property clean, neat and occupied. The cars may be a little old and rusty, but they are still kept clean and neatly arranged. I never considered his corner to be an eyesore or “blight”, just a small car lot with a certain degree of rotating inventory.
Looks much better than some other properties in town that are empty or partially occupied.
Leave him alone. He’s not blocking traffic, causing a health or environmental hazard, or endangering anyone.
that lot could be used for a local business or a couple, this old man hold a piece of prime commercial property and does nothing with it. You guys are saying he can keep it because he sweeps the parking lot an picks up trash. you guys are a disgrace to this community.
Gnarlywood, it’s HIS PROPERTY. It ain’t yours to give away.
I like runnels and think the labels you local jerks put on him are crazy. Bunch of judgemental people in this town. The 50’s diner is better isn’t it. How about another failed business or burger shop. He’s grumpy. Who cares. Whether he sells a car or not or kicks people off his lot is none of your business. Force out another local because you don’t like him. It’s his property!!! I’m a long time local and think what the community is doing to this man is BS. Mind your own business you jerks…