Posts by Deborah Quam
Governance, Factions, and Dialogue in Oakmont: Representing the Whole
It’s almost election time in Oakmont. In any homeowner’s association, prospective board members and sitting directors carry the same fundamental obligation: represent the interests of the entire membership, not a circle of supporters, not a social network, and not a single socio-economic segment of the community. In a 55+ active adult community like ours, that…
Read MoreFEATURE – Oakmont Central Area Complex Redevelopment Project: Years of Discussion and Planning
After more than a decade of community discussions, committee work, and planning, the Oakmont Village Association (OVA) continues to evaluate a major redesign of the Central Complex—an evolving vision that has most recently culminated in Concept 3: “A Walk in the Park.” The project remains in its concept cost modeling phase, with discussions focusing on…
Read MoreNew Fire Maps, Zone Zero & the Central Area Complex – What It Means for Oakmont
Introduction The latest Local Responsibility Area (LRA) fire maps from Cal Fire confirm that Oakmont homes and OVA common facilities fall into different fire risk zones. Residents can enter their address into the San Francisco Chronicle’s fire risk search tool to determine their home’s fire risk designation. A search of the OVA office address (6637…
Read MoreWhat’s Next for Oakmont? A Year of LRPC Planning, Proposals, and Community Feedback
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Oakmont Observer plans to follow the Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC), with a goal of keeping the Oakmont community informed about the activities of this important committee, which is responsible for providing the OVA Board with information and advice. This first article is a review of the activities of the past year,…
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Community Matters by Deborah
Making Candidates Night Work for the Community
Mark Twain said, “History never repeats itself, but it does often rhyme.” And here in Oakmont, the rhyme goes like this: keep things controlled, keep things contained, and keep the community at arm’s length. A well-run Candidates Night isn’t just a formality – it’s a critical tool for voter education and accountability. To be effective,…
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Community Matters by Deborah
Still Waiting: Mystery of the Central Area Costs
If the OVA Board is unable to effectively analyze and interpret the ArchiLOGIX Cost Modeling Report in a timely manner, then the simple and logical solution is to hire someone who can. Relying on professional expertise to explain how the cost models translate into real-world estimates is not an admission of weakness—it is a demonstration…
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