While the recent survey by the Washington Department of Health found that “San Juan County ranked number one regarding quality of life,” we still have a long way to go before we can be smitten with ourselves.

The fact that 21 percent of our residents are considered “excessive drinkers,” 18 percent of our children live in poverty, 13 percent of adults still smoke, and only 83 percent of our kids graduate from high school, and way fewer are fully immunized are causes for concern.

Throwing money at these issues won’t solve them. It’s going to take all of us, working cooperatively, whether volunteering, helping a neighbor in need, putting in the time on our children, or just taking a good reflective look at our own behavior to make a difference. I’m optimistic for 2016.

Let’s all work together, as islanders, to make this the best year ever.

Mike Buetell

San Juan Island