Board Denies Disciplinary Request
The Oakmont Board of Directors has declined to conduct a disciplinary hearing requested by a resident who alleges he was assaulted March 28 outside the CAC by two men who took umbrage over his display of campaign posters and a sign encouraging residents to vote in the board election.
According to Directors Carolyn Bettencourt and Greg Goodwin, the disciplinary request was denied because neither the victim nor the alleged assailants are members of an OVA committee. “We have no jurisdiction over residents, only committee members, which we consider personnel and are protected against abuse,” explains Goodwin.
The incident occurred as a lawn bowling game was in progress and shortly after the campaign volunteer had set up his posters and signs at the entrance to the CAC. Reportedly he heard shouts coming from the adjacent court. Soon two men approached and complained that campaigning on OVA property is prohibited. However, it is not. Election campaigning is only prohibited inside OVA facilities.
Tempers quickly escalated. When the men grabbed the volunteer’s poster, a brief tussle ensued, resulting in injuries to the face and neck of the volunteer and a minor puncture wound to the arm of one of the men. The volunteer said the wound was from his ballpoint pen which ‘accidently’ struck the man.
While deeply troubled by the incident, Bettencourt said residents should seek remedy with law enforcement; “the OVA is not your village police force.”
To protect their privacy, the Oakmont Observer felt it appropriate to withhold the names of those involved in this incident.
Perhaps with the lessons being taught by the President in behavior, we should hire a private security firm with cars to patrol Oakmont streets for this example of extreme bad behavior. They can probably do citizen arrests since OVA can’t protect us.
I think this was a horrible incident. I hope a police report is filed along with assault charges. The penalty for assault is far worse than anything the OVA has authority to do.
Whatever happened to freedom of expression?
Disgraceful, reprehensible behavior!
Lisa, I agree that a physical assault is a crime that should be reported to the police. I hope a police report was made.
A police report was made – as stated in my first article about the incident – the victim reports no addional contact with SRPD
Campaign Volunteer Attacked Outside CAC
Published: April 05
This is an awful thing to have happened, but you seem to think the Board should get involved in a police matter. ??
Why would you think that vickie? Just curious
This is absolutely reprehensible behavior for and it is a shame that Oakmont cannot or will not do much about this unfortunate incident. I thought I read that if a volunteer causes a ruckus action can be taken? I guess management doesn’t want to involve itself with this kind of behavior since it also ignored the issue last autumn with a volunteer behaving reprehensibly toward another person on common area.
Residents resorting to physical violence is 100% unacceptable. I demand that the BOD adopt written guidelines for being a Member in Good Standing of the OVA. In such guideline, as stipulation that addresses this sort of behavior. This begs the question: Where is the community condemnation of this incident? Wake up people! This is YOUR Oakmont.
Add your comments below if you agree that this needs to be nipped in the bud!
I am responding Rich, not as a contributor to the Oakmont Observer, but as a resident who shares your concerns.
This incident is shameful; the men who allegedly instigated the attack should have either been named or (at least) identified as lawn bowlers. In my submitted article to the OO, I wrote it was two men from the lawn bowling court who accosted the campaign worker. My investigation determined that one alleged assailant was an official with the Lawn Bowling Club.
The person who manages the OO website refused to post my original story; he did not want to antagonize the lawn bowling club; he made changes to the copy.
The fact that the ‘victim’, who requested the disciplinary action, refused to be named also minimized the story’s impact. This is unfortunate. If residents know they could be publically held accountable for their actions and words it might help bring more civility to Oakmont.