Two School Board Candidates with Criminal Histories Face Off as Election Approaches

A recent review of candidates for the Lake Havasu Unified School Board has unveiled significant questions surrounding their pasts. Kyle Neidermann seeks re-election, facing scrutiny over a series of past offenses. Meanwhile, challenger David Rose aims to secure his position while also addressing his earlier missteps.

Neidermann, who has been on the board since 2020, has a history that includes a marijuana possession citation in 2014, hit-and-run charges in 2017, and a misdemeanor DUI in 2018. Today, he serves as a hospice chaplain and volunteers with various community organizations aimed at aiding Havasu’s vulnerable populations.

Former Kentucky pastor David Rose has his own turbulent history. He once launched a newspaper, the Metro Messenger, which folded after just two issues in 2011. Allegations of financial misconduct followed him, including claims of disappearing with investors’ funds. Now a pastor at Restoration Hope Church in Havasu, Rose contends he has drastically changed since those days.

Both candidates have openly discussed their encounters with the criminal justice system. Rose recalls a troubling chapter in his life, claiming that he faced serious legal consequences fourteen years ago. Authorities pursued him for various offenses, branding him a thief. However, he believes those experiences ultimately resulted in personal transformation.

“The lost and broken person I was as a young man is very different from who I am today,” Rose explained. He attributes his change to a profound encounter with faith during his incarceration, asserting it has provided him with hope and purpose.

In 2011, Rose faced charges for theft of services and deception, stemming from poor business practices associated with the Metro Messenger. While one charge was dismissed, he pled guilty to the other and completed his sentence, along with restitution obligations. He maintains that his prison time played a critical role in reshaping his life.

“I discovered hope, forgiveness, and a new direction during that period,” said Rose, who is now married with children. He emphasizes that change is possible for anyone, regardless of their past actions.

Neidermann also discusses the impact of personal loss on his past behaviors. Seven years ago, he was implicated in a hit-and-run that caused damage to a property in Havasu. He attributes his flight from the scene to a turbulent emotional state following his brother’s death, describing how grief led him to substance use.

“I have always been open about my past,” Neidermann stated, recalling the chaos of the incident. Ultimately, he sought recovery and became an ordained minister, proudly serving on the school board since 2020.

Throughout this election, Neidermann insists that misinformation about his history has clouded the real issues affecting students and the community. He warns that some tactics used against him have veered into manipulation rather than constructive discourse.

“I remain committed to putting students first,” Neidermann concluded. This election cycle presents unique challenges, but both candidates demonstrate a desire for redemption and responsibility regarding their pasts.