Karl L. Rundberg
Encyclopedia
Karl L. Rundberg was a Los Angeles City Council member between 1957 and 1965. He was convicted of accepting a bribe in 1967 when a member of the city's Harbor Commission and was placed on probation.
, on January 30, 1899. He attended public schools there and later took classes in commercial and industrial illumination at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He became a businessman in that city specializing in commercial and industrial lighting and was general manager of Modern Lighting Company there. He moved to Pacific Palisades to retire. In 1953 he was named assistant director of the city's civil defense
organization. He was a member of the American Legion
, Westwood Shrine Club
, and a director of Richland Avenue Youth House. He was president of the Lions Club in Jefferson City, Missouri
.
He died of a heart attack in his home at 269 Monte Grigio Drive, Pacific Palisades, on April 2, 1969, leaving his wife, Margaret; a son, Karl, Jr., and a daughter, Mrs. Marie Pohle.
Rundberg was elected to a four-year term to represent Los Angeles City Council District 11 in 1957, ousting fellow conservative Harold Harby
, the incumbent, by 17,524 votes to 10,193. He was easily reelected in the primary election of 1961, but in 1965 he was beaten in the final by Marvin Braude
.
In that era the 11th District included Pacific Palisades, West Los Angeles, Brentwood, Mar Vista and Palms.
and others with non-conformist lifestyles living in the Venice beach area of his district. In a "resounding" City Council session in May 1957, he called them "scum" and "animals" just before the council passed an ordinance, 11-2, to restrict the noise from their bongo
and Conga drums
by forbidding the playing of any musical instruments on beaches or parks within 750 feet of a residence between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Only former policeman Tom Bradley
and musician Ernani Bernardi
were opposed.
A Police Department spokesman said that officers would take a noise-maker into custody, but only if a citizen made the arrest
for disturbing the peace
because officially an officer's peace cannot be disturbed. "It's sickening to me," replied Rundberg, "when I hear that a policeman has to stand by . . . because of some legal hair-spliting." He added: "Our people are afraid to come out after dark because of these animals—and that's what they are."
and James Garner
on successive days in July 1964 as the City Council debated a controversial master plan for the Santa Monica Mountains
, with McQueen angrily telling Rundberg. "Don't close the door in my face!" at one council meeting and Garner and Rundberg, with their fists clenched, trading "more harsh words at the top of their voices, their faces less than a foot apart," at the next day's meeting, until they were separated by a police officer.
Keith Smith at the harbor. Superior Judge William B. Keene sentenced Starr to a year in jail but placed Rundberg on probation
because of the latter's ill health.
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Biography
Rundberg was born in Kansas City, MissouriKansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, on January 30, 1899. He attended public schools there and later took classes in commercial and industrial illumination at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He became a businessman in that city specializing in commercial and industrial lighting and was general manager of Modern Lighting Company there. He moved to Pacific Palisades to retire. In 1953 he was named assistant director of the city's civil defense
Civil defense
Civil defense, civil defence or civil protection is an effort to protect the citizens of a state from military attack. It uses the principles of emergency operations: prevention, mitigation, preparation, response, or emergency evacuation, and recovery...
organization. He was a member of the American Legion
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
, Westwood Shrine Club
Shriners
The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, also commonly known as Shriners and abbreviated A.A.O.N.M.S., established in 1870, is an appendant body to Freemasonry, based in the United States...
, and a director of Richland Avenue Youth House. He was president of the Lions Club in Jefferson City, Missouri
Jefferson City, Missouri
Jefferson City is the capital of the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Cole County. Located in Callaway and Cole counties, it is the principal city of the Jefferson City metropolitan area, which encompasses the entirety of both counties. As of the 2010 census, the population was 43,079...
.
He died of a heart attack in his home at 269 Monte Grigio Drive, Pacific Palisades, on April 2, 1969, leaving his wife, Margaret; a son, Karl, Jr., and a daughter, Mrs. Marie Pohle.
Elections
See also List of Los Angeles municipal election returns, 1957 and after.Rundberg was elected to a four-year term to represent Los Angeles City Council District 11 in 1957, ousting fellow conservative Harold Harby
Harold Harby
Not to be confused with Harold A. Henry, Los Angeles City Council member 1945–66.Harold Harby was elected to the Los Angeles, California, City Council in 1939, but he had to leave office in 1942 when he was convicted of using a city car for a trip out of the state. He was reelected in 1943 and...
, the incumbent, by 17,524 votes to 10,193. He was easily reelected in the primary election of 1961, but in 1965 he was beaten in the final by Marvin Braude
Marvin Braude
Marvin Braude was a member of the Los Angeles City Council for 32 years, between 1965 and 1997—the third-longest-serving council member in the history of the city...
.
In that era the 11th District included Pacific Palisades, West Los Angeles, Brentwood, Mar Vista and Palms.
Beach noise
Rundberg, a conservative Republican, was known for his antipathy toward beatniks, BohemiansBohemianism
Bohemianism is the practice of an unconventional lifestyle, often in the company of like-minded people, with few permanent ties, involving musical, artistic or literary pursuits...
and others with non-conformist lifestyles living in the Venice beach area of his district. In a "resounding" City Council session in May 1957, he called them "scum" and "animals" just before the council passed an ordinance, 11-2, to restrict the noise from their bongo
Bongo drum
Bongo or bongos are a Cuban percussion instrument consisting of a pair of single-headed, open-ended drums attached to each other. The drums are of different size: the larger drum is called in Spanish the hembra and the smaller the macho...
and Conga drums
Conga
The conga, or more properly the tumbadora, is a tall, narrow, single-headed Cuban drum with African antecedents. It is thought to be derived from the Makuta drums or similar drums associated with Afro-Cubans of Central African descent. A person who plays conga is called a conguero...
by forbidding the playing of any musical instruments on beaches or parks within 750 feet of a residence between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Only former policeman Tom Bradley
Tom Bradley (politician)
Thomas J. "Tom" Bradley was the 38th Mayor of Los Angeles, California, serving in that office from 1973 to 1993. He was the first and to date only African American mayor of Los Angeles...
and musician Ernani Bernardi
Ernani Bernardi
Ernani Bernardi , known also as Noni Bernardi, was a big-band musician turned politician in Los Angeles, California. He represented District 7 on the City Council there from 1961 to 1993—at 32 years the second-longest-serving council member in the history of the city...
were opposed.
A Police Department spokesman said that officers would take a noise-maker into custody, but only if a citizen made the arrest
Citizen's arrest
A citizen's arrest is an arrest made by a person who is not acting as a sworn law-enforcement official. In common law jurisdictions, the practice dates back to medieval Britain and the English common law, in which sheriffs encouraged ordinary citizens to help apprehend law breakers.Despite the...
for disturbing the peace
Disturbing the Peace
Disturbing the Peace is the second studio album by Alcatrazz, and is the only one featuring Steve Vai on guitar. One of the singles, God Blessed Video, can be found on the fictional radio station, V-Rock, on Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Weeks on Chart: 7, Peak: #133...
because officially an officer's peace cannot be disturbed. "It's sickening to me," replied Rundberg, "when I hear that a policeman has to stand by . . . because of some legal hair-spliting." He added: "Our people are afraid to come out after dark because of these animals—and that's what they are."
Yorty
Rundberg was a foe of Mayor Sam Yorty, on one occasion in 1963 accusing the mayor's office of investigating Rundberg's background with the purpose of recalling him from office. "The whole tribe is not fit to be in public office," Rundberg said of the mayor's staff.Mountains
The "blunt-speaking" councilman tangled with actors Steve McQueenSteve McQueen
Terrence Steven "Steve" McQueen was an American movie actor. He was nicknamed "The King of Cool." His "anti-hero" persona, which he developed at the height of the Vietnam counterculture, made him one of the top box-office draws of the 1960s and 1970s. McQueen received an Academy Award nomination...
and James Garner
James Garner
James Garner is an American film and television actor, one of the first Hollywood actors to excel in both media. He has starred in several television series spanning a career of more than five decades...
on successive days in July 1964 as the City Council debated a controversial master plan for the Santa Monica Mountains
Santa Monica Mountains
The Santa Monica Mountains are a Transverse Range in Southern California, along the coast of the Pacific Ocean in the United States.-Geography:...
, with McQueen angrily telling Rundberg. "Don't close the door in my face!" at one council meeting and Garner and Rundberg, with their fists clenched, trading "more harsh words at the top of their voices, their faces less than a foot apart," at the next day's meeting, until they were separated by a police officer.
Conviction
After his City Council term ended, Rundberg was appointed by Mayor Sam Yorty to the city Harbor Commission. In August 1968 Rundberg and fellow commissioner Robert (Nick) Starr were convicted of receiving bribes in return for their help in getting a $12 million city contract for developerReal estate development
Real estate development, or Property Development, is a multifaceted business, encompassing activities that range from the renovation and re-lease of existing buildings to the purchase of raw land and the sale of improved land or parcels to others...
Keith Smith at the harbor. Superior Judge William B. Keene sentenced Starr to a year in jail but placed Rundberg on probation
Probation
Probation literally means testing of behaviour or abilities. In a legal sense, an offender on probation is ordered to follow certain conditions set forth by the court, often under the supervision of a probation officer...
because of the latter's ill health.
See also
- List of California public officials charged with crimes, Los Angeles
See also
- List of California public officials charged with crimes, Los Angeles
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