A Letter to The Oakmont Observer – 2025 Feb 23
Dear Oakmont Observer,
I am not convinced that the entire “Oakmont membership is upset” with the BOD, since there are those who think that a major revamp of Oakmont is the best way to increase values or recruit new residents. I am, however, convinced that a large segment of the membership is confused and concerned by the unwillingness of OVA Board to share important data that could eventually change the look and feel of Oakmont – even if that change will not occur for several years. Changing our community to meet certain benchmarks, adding more room for clubs, or increasing property values may seem logical to some, but when there is uncertainty about real world issues – financing, disruption of services, etc., the membership will not react positively. As in any social or political environment, the lack of an open line of communication can disrupt most any good or faulty planning effort.
Although there is a very remote legal issue that some proprietary data should remain unpublished, “shielding” the membership from estimated costs and financing considerations is not a realistic approach to gain support or to regain the community’s trust. The membership knows that any future project will be expensive, strain finances, and interrupt facility use. However, that same membership does recognize that facilities have limited lifespans and upgrades may be necessary to some common areas. The current and future BODs may be surprised to find that when all the facts are presented in an open format, an informed community will respond in a more constructive manner to the “A Walk in the Park” plan, the “Concept 3 OF THE CENTRAL COMPLEX MASTER PLAN”, or the “There are no projects envisioned at present” plan.
On a positive note: Oakmont is fortunate to be home to a wide range of knowledgeable community members with professional backgrounds in government, corporate, military, social services, as well some members who have experienced living in other senior communities. Given Oakmont’s knowledge base, it is unfortunate that a large portion of the membership, including OVA committee and/or BOD members, do not understand the basic technical, legal, financial, and practical concepts required to effectively manage the administrative duties of a senior Common Interest Development (CID). Hopefully, the 2025 BOD will combine their personal experiences along with the CID/DS requirements to then assist the OVA management team to support 4800+/- senior residents who have a broad spectrum of needs, wishes, and financial resources.
We can all agree that, from prior personal involvement or speaking with others, volunteering as an OVA Board or committee member can be a frustrating experience. By providing a less opaque communications policy to the membership, that volunteering experience can become a more rewarding one and one that will benefit both the community and those who work to make Oakmont a better place to live. “No one said it would be easy.”
John MacInnis, Oakmont
“that some proprietary data should remain unpublished” is a similar lame excuse CourseCo., Inc. uses to control the financials of the golf course operations which they collect and keep hidden from paying Oakmonters. I ask what would be so earthshattering if that information would be known to all Oakmonters? I guess you could then call it Accountability, Transparancy and Honesty. No doubt, some or even all of that data would be known to “outsiders” sooner or later and really, what would that matter? Instead, we have a situation where Oakmonters are kept in the dark since Sept 22, 2020, when the Golf Course Lease was signed. Does anybody know how much money is being paid to CourseCo., Inc. and what do we Oakmonters get in return? Among other things, a lousy Oak restaurant, ridiculous golf course walking hours, a Social membership for all Oakmonters meaning what exactly? etc, We also get a lot of Secrecy, no Transparency, no Accountability, no Honesty, etc. The result has been a great divide and lack of trust in our governance as this Secrecy has carried over to very large Project Cost Overruns in the last few years, the 2030 Sham and now the redevelopement of the Central Complex, aka, “A Walk in the Park”. As owners of the OVA , also being active and concerned Oakmonters, we should be kept informed of important matters because, after all, we pay for “stuff” through our monthly Fees. Yet, here we are still guessing about some very important financial matters because a few continue to like being in charge and doing things their way but having everybody else in Oakmont pay for it!
John MacInnis: “that some proprietary data should remain unpublished” is a similar lame excuse CourseCo., Inc. uses to control the financials of the golf course operations which they collect and keep hidden from paying Oakmonters. I ask what would be so earthshattering if that information would be known to all Oakmonters? I guess you could then call it Accountability, Transparancy and Honesty. No doubt, some or even all of that data would be known to “outsiders” sooner or later and really, what would that matter? Instead, we have a situation where Oakmonters are kept in the dark since Sept 22, 2020, when the Golf Course Lease was signed. Does anybody know how much money is being paid to CourseCo., Inc. and what do we Oakmonters get in return? Among other things, a lousy Oak restaurant, ridiculous golf course walking hours, a Social membership for all Oakmonters meaning what exactly? etc, We also get a lot of Secrecy, no Transparency, no Accountability, no Honesty, etc. The result has been a great divide and lack of trust in our governance as this Secrecy has carried over to very large Project Cost Overruns in the last few years, the 2030 Sham and now the redevelopement of the Central Complex, aka, “A Walk in the Park”. As owners of the OVA , also being active and concerned Oakmonters, we should be kept informed of important matters because, after all, we pay for “stuff” through our monthly Fees. Yet, here we are still guessing about some very important financial matters because a few continue to like being in charge and doing things their way but having everybody else in Oakmont pay for it! Please get ready to vote!
One of the candidates for the board suggested at the board q and a session that the board was slow-walking the project because a majority of the board wants to not do anything, and they hope the new board will kill the project outright. The process of getting better numbers is certainly taking way way longer than it should. The resulting unhappiness of the residents about the situation is exactly what these members want. Why everyone on the board is going along with this I don’t know. Should the residents ever see the absolutely necessary replacement of HVAC equipment and other much needed repairs, and the marginal cost of some level of upgrade, the majority might well agree with some improvements.
Margaret, your point is well taken. Maintenance of our existing facilities should precede additional facilities. Can be specific on which HVAC unit needs work or replacement? Thank you.