I’d like to provide some historical context regarding this matter, as the decision to make the Breeze publicly accessible dates back to January 2020.
In 2019, the Breeze was still being published in a black-and-white print edition, typically eight pages or fewer. The cost of printing and mailing these editions exceeded $1,600 annually. Recognizing that this was not in the best interest of the association, the newly formed Communications Committee evaluated alternatives and discussed them with then-editor Holly Roose. After careful consideration, it was decided that transitioning to a digital edition would be more cost-effective and beneficial for the community.
One of the key reasons for this shift was the significant number of new residents moving into Surf Pines. A digital edition, published on our publicly viewable blog, provided an accessible way for both new and long-standing members to stay informed about community news and activities.
During discussions with the Board of Directors at that time, concerns were raised about the inclusion of personal contact information—such as details for Board members, committee leads, and administrative staff—that had appeared in the print editions. Additionally, the Board expressed concern that gate codes were sometimes included in the Breeze. To address these issues, both personal contact information and gate codes were removed from the new digital Breeze before it was made publicly available. Since January 2020, the Breeze has been accessible on our Surf Pines blog at blog.surfpines.org.
These changes were communicated to the membership through mass emails, announcements on the members-only section of our SPA website, and in the first digital edition of the Breeze itself. Additionally, we undertook the project of digitizing prior editions of the Breeze, with some issues dating back to 1970.
Given that Surf Pines is the largest planned community in Clatsop County, with roots stretching back to the late 1940s, the Communications Committee believed it was important to preserve our rich history. To ensure this history was accessible for future generations, we decided to archive the complete collection—over 200 editions—of the Breeze with the Clatsop County Historical Society’s digital archive. This decision was communicated to members and added to the SPA website’s members-only Breeze newsletter page and our public historical section page.
Since transitioning to the digital format in 2019, the Breeze has contained no personal information or sensitive security details such as gate codes. Making these archives publicly available not only preserves Surf Pines’ vibrant history but also provides current and future members with a window into how our community evolved from just five homes into the thriving 406-property neighborhood it is today.
Please don’t let the concerns of a few individuals who prefer to keep our community’s story private overshadow the value of sharing our rich history. I encourage you to share your thoughts on this matter with the Board.