Schwarzenegger's nanny named to state board

California has often been tagged as the "nanny state" for passing laws that some people say interfere with citizens' lives.

But now it has earned the label for a whole different reason, thanks to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The Republican governor this week appointed a nanny -- his own children's nanny, in fact -- as a part-time state regulator on the Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Lindsay Ann Schnaidt, 32, a Democrat from Hermosa Beach who has worked for the Schwarzenegger family for seven years, will be paid $100 a day when the board meets, several times a year.

"She expressed an interest in serving the people of California like many other Californians do," said Schwarzenegger's spokesman, Aaron McLear. "The governor wants those interested in serving to have that opportunity."

Interestingly, the guide-dog board is one Schwarzenegger proposed eliminating four years ago in his aborted plan to "blow up the boxes" of state government.

In any case, it isn't the first time he has pressed a personal connection into state service. He named his former chiropractor, along with a bodybuilder buddy who was the best man at his wedding, to the state chiropractic board.

Schwarzenegger also appointed -- and later dropped -- his brother-in-law from the state parks commission. The governor's office news release announcing Schnaidt's appointment Tuesday did not identify her as a Schwarzenegger household employee. It said she worked as a nanny for Oak Productions, his film production company in Santa Monica.

That was an error, according to the governor's office. She is paid by Schwarzenegger personally.

"We don't need a nanny out here," said Paul Wachter, who manages Schwarzenegger's business at Oak Productions. "There's a whole separate world of the house people and the office people, and the house people are in the house and the office people are in the office.... We're, like, beyond meticulous on this stuff."

-- Michael Rothfeld from Sacramento

Photo: A young black Labrador undergoes training to be a guide dog. Credit: Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[ldb]

Our governor must have gone to the McCain School of Selecting Highly Qualified Appointees.

[Sal B]

So, as reported in the story, Schwartzenegger will give anyone who wants to serve a spot on a State board at $100/day? Gosh, I wonder if any of the general public would like to do something similar?

[Helario]

If the nanny wanted to was interested why did she not volunteer to get experience, since obviously she has no formal training nor any experience as a state regulator. But to start at the top, while the other employees who have been working hard to achieve that position, is an injustice. This governor has no idea what he is doing. The irony is that he is doing it with your money. Get rid of him before he breaks the state.

[Michael Kezirian]

Is $100 a day considered outrageous. How many employers would consider a $12 employee who was a college graduate, responsible and willing to work for 7 years. Is not being responsible for four children a very demanding job and worth a heck of a lot more than 50% above minimum wage?

[Leticia Christiansen]

It's not $100 a day stupid! She will get a $100 when the board meets! Can't you fools read - Boards do not meet everyday - if anything they will probably meet once a month at the very most.

And so what if he appointed an employee - he is familiar with her work and she must do a dam good job if she has been employed for 7 years!

Bunch of nit picky ninnies!

[Bruce]

GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION AT IT'S BEST !!!!

ARNOLD'S NANNY !!!!

WHAT'S HER QUALIFICATIONS ?????

[YoYo]

Most of those on these boards in Department of Consumer Affairs have no formal training nor any experience as a state regulator. Also most of the Directors in Department of Consumer Affairs have no knowledge of the programs that oversea as they are appointed jobs a used as pay backs for support in campaigns.

[Rosee]

I agree that if she wanted to serve the citizens of CA...let her volunteer in the field of her choosing first...THEN..apply for the position.

There are far more people qualified and willing to do that position...but AGAIN..it's who you know!

[Helario]

"Lindsay Ann Schnaidt, 32, a Democrat from Hermosa Beach who has worked for the Schwarzenegger family for seven years, will be paid $100 a day when the board meets, several times a year".

Hmmm, does that say $100 a day? For a job that should have been put out as a job bid as Government jobs are done. You don't just give a job to someone without a competetive circulation to acquire the best qualified. That is abuse of office. Now he changes the rules of government hiring, bypassing EEO employment.

[Helario]

not to mention, the job comes with benefits, inhelath insurance, retirement, pay increases, holiday pay ect. This is not just a government job that pays $100.00 a day. This job that is not being put out for bid to hire the most qualified person out there is being given to someone because they can take care of someone else's children. Say NO!!!

[Helario]

If she was that good as a nanny, why does he want to get rid of her? hmmmmm.7 yrs you say? Hmmm.

[LAMama]

I knew his former nanny and used to go to his house with the kids I was in charge of. While I can't really stand him or his politics, he doesn't hire illegal, uneducated women to watch his kids. Every nanny he had was intelligent and educated. One former college educated nanny had a mentally disabled sister and worked a lot with Special Olympics. The other was a nurse. Maybe this appointed nanny has training with guide dogs and its a passion of hers. What's wrong with appointing a broad spectrum of everyday people to give a dfferent perspective to all? None of you know her background yet so why not do some research first. Maybe she actually knows more about the subject than you think. Would you think differently if he appointed a friend who owned a pet store or was a breeder?

[Helario]

The question is not whether this nanny is qualified, the question is the method in which this person is being hired. A Government Position that was NOT process through normal PROTOCAL is being GIVEN, not bidded out as is the norm, so other qualified people might have a chance for advancement or at least a pay raise!! That is being taken from them because protocal is not being followed.

[Helario]

Read the headlines. Does this Governor have your best interest at heart or hi prior country'man's.

WASHINGTON — The nation’s unemployment rate bolted to a 14-year high of 6.5 percent in October as another 240,000 jobs were cut, stark proof the economy is almost certainly in a recession.

The new snapshot, released today by the Labor Department, showed the crucial jobs market deteriorating at an alarmingly rapid pace.

The jobless rate zoomed to 6.5 percent in October from 6.1 percent in September, matching the rate in March 1994.