Hello Neighbors!
Like many of you, I didn’t come to live at Woodside by chance. When it came time for me to downsize to a condo, I purposely looked for my new home here, 16 years ago. I lived here in the early ‘80s and knew I wanted to come back to a lush and peaceful community. I still believe Woodside is the best place to live in Sacramento. My wife and I love what we call our “tree house.”
Woodside was created by a developer who envisioned an urban forest, a place of tranquility, in the middle of a city. It’s a legacy I worked to protect even before I was elected to the Board of Directors. PG&E was determined to cut down dozens of trees on our property, rather than trim them. I was able to volunteer my background in journalism and politics to good use and persuaded our state Senator to intervene. That effort preserved 46 trees at Woodside.
My Vision for the Next 2 Years
Continuing to protect our unique environment with prudent management.
That includes tending to our urban forest so that trees and other landscaping remain healthy while also keeping residents safe.
We don’t have an EV charging station on the property—yet. But I’m working on it with support from SMUD. Alternative ways of heating our swimming pools also can cut utility bills and reduce our use of natural gas.
Investing in Woodside to retain homeowner value.
Like any property that is 50 years old, Woodside requires a lot more upkeep than when it was new; not much different than what each of us needs as we get older. Besides routine roof repairs, paint and residing of buildings, we have some urgent needs:
· Improving the reliability of the hot water system
· Repairing balconies and walkways to comply with a legislative mandate by next January
Improving communication with homeowners.
One thing I’ve learned during decades working as a journalist and in the communications industry—there is no such thing as too much communication. I’ve promoted the use of text messages and more content in the newsletter. I will continue to look for more ways to give homeowners the information they need about the business of Woodside.
What I Believe In
As a journalist, I have always believed in the power of facts and in making knowledgeable decisions based on them.
Fact: Woodside continues to be a desirable place to live, with more than 40 homes sold in the last year as quickly as they came on the market, and for record prices. Woodside is a more than $4 million business that requires the Board to make decisions and manage finances based on information and analysis, not trends, wish lists or slogans.
· I believe in leadership and that teamwork and collaboration produces good decisions.
I have served on the Board of Directors of four other non-profit organizations, worked directly on special projects for the Chairman of the Board and as CEO of a major for-profit corporation, and worked in government settings where policy was dictated by Boards.
I believe that Boards of Directors are only effective when members work together for a common goal and take advantage of each member’s complimentary skills for the good of the entire community
Friends of Woodside
Jennifer Choy
Darren Keenan