Campaign Volunteer Attacked Outside CAC
An Oakmont man has requested the Oakmont Village Association hold a disciplinary hearing against two men who allegedly attacked him while he sat outside the CAC holding a sign that encouraged residents to vote, plus campaign posters and hand-outs.
The incident was reported to have occurred Wednesday, March 28 at approximately 1:00pm. The man asked that his name be withheld pending the disciplinary hearing. Reportedly, the man had been near the entrance to the CAC for about thirty minutes with a sign that read: Have U Voted Yet. He then heard shouts coming from the lawn bowling court where a game was in progress.
The man said two residents were yelling at him, saying, “You don’t have the right to be there.” The man shouted back, “Yes I do. I am a campaign volunteer. I have a right to be here.”
The shouting continued as the two men advanced to where the man was sitting. In his request for disciplinary action the victim alleges: “One of the men approached me and continued antagonistically, ‘You don’t have the right to be here.’ The other man pushed forward until he was about six inches from my face, yelling angrily. He then snatched one of the campaign posters from the bench. I tried to get it back saying: “You can’t do that!”
A brief tussle ensued. The tug-of-war ended when the second man stepped in and grabbed the other poster. When the volunteer tried to get it back he was punched in the mouth and placed in a headlock or choke-hold and throttled until he stopped struggling.
With his campaign literature scattered and his poster bent and damaged, one of the men was alleged to have said, “You should know the rules – no campaigning; now beat it.” The two residents returned to the lawn bowling courts.
The campaign volunteer went to the OVA administration offices where he received first aid for bruises, cuts and injuries to his throat. The alleged assault was reported to General Manager, Kevin Hubred, who confirmed that campaign activities are permitted outside OVA facilities.
A reporter for the Oakmont Observer contacted one of the suspects identified by the victim and asked if he would tell his side of the story. The resident declined the opportunity.
The board has been notified of the incident and is determining if anyone involved is a member of an OVA committee. If not, no disciplinary action can be taken. A police report has been filed. Anyone who witnessed the incident or can identify the suspects is advised to contact the Santa Rosa Police; ask for officer Benner, badge # 509
