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Original Winners Prevail in Oakmont Recount nJackie Ryan and Marty Thompson
The order of finishing changed, but the four candidates elected to the Oakmont Board April 3 prevailed in a recount conducted Monday, April 17. Directors Ken Heyman, Frank Batchelor, Carolyn Bettencourt and Greg Goodwin were the winners again in the recount, finishing in that order to serve two-year board terms. “I’m very pleased with the outcome,” OVA President Ellen Leznik said after the results were announced by Jim Ernst, the independent election inspector. “I never had any doubts about the resolution of the recount. I always had Election Inspector Jim Ernst great faith in our own explains the recount process to observers. counters, and that they (Photo by Marty Thompson) had done a great job.”
May 1, 2017 • Volume 55, Number 9
Big Eggs Surprise, Delight nStaff Report
While the four winners remained the same, their vote totals and order of finish were different, putting incumbent Frank Batchelor in first place. He finished second in the first count. A total of 1,913 ballots were deemed eligible, up from 1,897 a week earlier. Ernst said unopened ballots were re-evaluated, increasing the total by 16 ballots. Batchelor gained 19 votes in the recount. Bettencourt, Heyman and Goodwin, who ran as a slate, were separated by one vote apiece. The slate campaigned in opposition to construction of pickleball courts at the Central Complex and vowed to re-examine the construction contract. Work on the courts began April 3, and was halted by Leznik following the April 4 vote count. The margin between the fourth and fifth place finishers widened considerably in the recount, from six votes to 18 votes. Batchelor had 974 votes, Bettencourt 963, Heyman 962, and Goodwin 961. See recount on page 7
Unexpected surprises popped up all through Oakmont as lucky finders discovered Easter eggs filled with treats and useful prizes. OVA Manager Cassie Turner said the hunt was aimed at spreading a little cheer and a lot of fun. The giant eggs turned up in a local bank, at swimming pools, the library and even inside a yoga mat—just to name a few of the 24 places targeted by a “mystery” bunny. Dr. Jerry Foster was the first to spot an egg at the CAC. He asked that the egg be filled again for a new finder, making it the “pay it forward egg.” Turner said she wanted the egg hunt to highlight how much Oakmont has to offer and put smiles on a lot of Oakmont faces. A message inside the egg asked finders to stop by the OVA office and have a picture taken with their eggs. Kathy Sowers found this egg suspended over a lap lane at the East pool.
Board Terminates Pickleball Contract
nAl Haggerty
Editor’s Note:Because of new developments since the April 18 board meeting, the information in this story has been updated in the President’s Message on page 3.
The future of pickleball in Oakmont is uncertain following the termination of the contract to build four courts behind Berger Center by the newly-elected board of directors at the April 18 board meeting. Whether or not pickleball finds a permanent home in Oakmont appears to hinge on whether or not the use of tennis courts at the East or West Recreation Centers will be blocked by threats of suits over the noise, the opposition from the Tennis Club or opposition from city. The city had previously granted only conditional approval of the use of one tennis court at East Rec. for pickleball. After more than two dozen residents, most of them favoring the sport, spoke at the members forum, the board voted 5-2 to terminate the contract with Siri Construction to build the courts at a cost of $310,000 with a 10% contingency, which could have put the cost at more than $340,000. Directors Frank Batchelor, who received the most votes in the recent election, and Andie Altman opposed the motion, with Altman asking that her vote be recorded as “totally objecting.” Director Gloria Young said there is an overall decline in tennis participation, both in Oakmont and elsewhere and that a number of cities are converting tennis courts to pickleball. The conclusion, she said, is that the majority favor converting tennis courts to pickleball and preserving open space. She said real estate agents tell her that people are not moving to Oakmont for pickleball but for open space. Director Ken Heyman said he agreed with Young and feels the contract
termination is representative of the community. Director Carolyn Bettencourt said it is the wrong location for the courts and director Greg Goodwin added that the project “is not right.” Batchelor, citing concerns over the sound of pickleball at the East or West Rec. and that the city gave only conditional approval for pickleball at the east facility, said: “Build the damn thing. Get it over with.” Altman supported Batchelor, adding that the termination could make contractors hesitant about bidding on Oakmont contracts. She called the termination “a grave injustice to the community.” The meeting, which brought more than one outburst from the audience as board members and residents clashed, drew one of the largest gatherings in recent years with racks of extra chairs rolled out as the crowd passed 200. The meeting opened with generally conciliatory statements from the new president Ellen Leznik and newly-elected directors Heyman and Bettencourt. “We are all Oakmont,” Leznik said, “and I am hopeful that we will come together, heal together and move forward together.” One challenge facing the board, she said, is “the disparity of wealth in our membership.” “An increase in dues, while insignificant to some, may be a significant financial burden to others.” Goodwin said he appreciates the opportunity to serve on the board, adding: “My decisions and board votes will be independent, not part of any team agenda.” See pickleball on page 6 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SANTA ROSA, CA PERMIT NO. 323
Bob Rollins and his son found an egg at Umpqua Bank. (OVA Photos)
Key Cards Now Required for East Rec.
nJim Brewer
Something has changed when you enter the East Rec. Center: The doors won’t open without an OVA key card. The card access, the same one already needed for the CAC, is part of a program to secure all Oakmont facilities. “Residents continually bring up the security issues here at Oakmont and with card access to the facilities everyone who enters that facility is identified by their access card,” said Oakmont’s facilities manager, Rick Aubert. “This eliminates someone who is not a resident just driving or walking by and going into the facility, and vandalizing or stealing items.” Propping the doors open triggers an alarm in the security office, Aubert said. Card key entry also helps keep track of how many residents are using individual facilities. The East Rec. installation, consisting of the reader at the entrance door and an additional reader at the new pool gate with the installations ADA compliant, cost $16,500. The project was recommended by the finance committee and approved by the OVA Board in 2016.