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Protecting Our Future, Health, and Community

An open letter.to.surfaide residents

I am running for the Surfside Board because I believe the future of our community depends on protecting both our residents and our environment.
Pacific County and FACET have identified major climate threats facing coastal communities like Surfside:
Severe winter storms
High winds
Flooding
Sea-level rise
Wildfires
Heat events
Water quality problems
The science is clear: trees help protect us from all of these threats.
Trees absorb stormwater, reduce flooding, stabilize soil during storms, cool neighborhoods during heat events, improve air quality, and help protect water quality. They are natural infrastructure that protects both our environment and public health

Research from Kathleen L. Wolf and hundreds of scientific studies shows that trees improve cardiovascular health, respiratory health, emotional well-being, and cognitive health, especially for seniors suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, stress, anxiety, and chronic illness.

Trees are not simply landscaping.
They are health protection.
That is why I believe Surfside should move toward compassionate, science-based policies that preserve and grow tree canopy instead of unnecessarily damaging it.

I also strongly believe in compassionate appeals.
Many HOA boards today follow a CAI-driven philosophy that says if you allow variances, accommodations, or overturn covenant violations, you somehow weaken enforcement or create legal risk for the HOA.
I do not agree with that philosophy.
Our covenants clearly allow appeals. They do not say residents lose the right to be heard simply because a violation exists.
I believe residents deserve compassion, fairness, and common sense.
We have many seniors in our community living on fixed incomes while dealing with serious health conditions, disabilities, respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular disease, dementia, and financial hardship.

An HOA should not exist to create fear, stress, or financial suffering for vulnerable residents.
I believe appeals should absolutely consider health conditions, disabilities, and financial hardship.
I also believe reasonable accommodations and variances should be considered where trees improve a resident’s health and well-being on their own property. That principle is consistent with the spirit of fair housing protections and disability accommodations.
Trees reduce heat stress. They improve mental health. They improve air quality. They encourage outdoor activity and emotional well-being. For many seniors, trees and greenery are part of maintaining quality of life.
Protecting vulnerable residents should matter more than rigid punishment.
My vision for Surfside is simple:
Protect our seniors
Protect our environment
Protect our water
Protect our future
Listen to residents with compassion
Use science and common sense in decision-making

I believe Surfside can be a healthier, kinder, and more compassionate community where residents feel heard, respected, and protected.

I hope I can earn your respect and vote.

Sincerely,
Michael Chevalier