Good, better, best. I’m not sure why fall is the season for lists, but here on the Olympic Peninsula, we’re chock full.
Cases in point: Sequim recently was vaulted to the top of the Huffington Post’s “Best American Cities For Growing Old And Happy” list. Yes, our lovely spot on the globe beat out a nudist resort in Texas (No. 2), Denver (No. 3), Sarasota, Fla. (No. 4), a pre-earthquake Napa Valley (No. 5) and Ron Burgundy’s hometown of San Diego, Calif. (No. 6).
The basis for the Huffington Post’s uber-scientific proclamation? Facebook responses. The comment touting our town: “No smog or water or gang worries. Assisted suicide is legal, as is pot!” Well, OK then.
Two days later, Sequim got top billing once again on Fox News’ “Fox and Friends” TV program, a nearly identical list (minus the nude colony, thank goodness).
Proud were we? Probably not, if you read the reactions on social media. The general consensus, by those who responded, was, “Great … now here come the hordes. Quick! Someone shut the door!”
A few days later, a livability analysis by The New York Times listed Jefferson County is an easier place to live than Clallam County and both counties fared better than the national average. Using stats culled from household income, education, unemployment, disability, life expectancy and obesity, Jefferson County ranked 727th and Clallam County was 1,320th out of 3,135 counties nationwide. Well, OK then.
And then this little list tidbit came across the wire earlier this week: according to MyNorthwest.com, Sequim has the fourth highest percentage of residents in Washington with concealed pistol licenses, at about 46 percent with 3,044 of its 6,624 residents licensed. So, there’s another list to be proud of.
So what do these lists really mean? Nothing. Not really. I can’t say Sequim’s placement on any of the lists mentioned above surprised me. (Well, maybe the concealed weapons bit.) What seems clear to me, though, is that, in this day of instant news and instant commentary on the news — and instant commentary on the commentary itself — there are few truly great, “secret” little towns or burgs left. You find a fine city with great weather and affordable housingh and great schools? Chances are the crowd already has beat you there.
So just enjoy it, Sequim. You found a bit of earthly heaven. Expect a few more neighbors and traffic and quite possibly more crime … and expect more businesses and economic growth, too.
It could be worse. I came to appreciate what we have here recently after I attended my 20th high school reunion. I attended a school in Silverdale but the town is so lacking in viable charm that the reunion was held in East Bremerton. Many of the few alums who showed up said sheepishly they still live “in town” and that they’re ready to “get out.” As if 20 years wasn’t enough time to move or something.
I was happy to get home to Sequim. I guess I’m ready to get old and get happy … and carry a concealed weapon.
A plug for the Sequim Food Bank
It’s not too early to think of our hungry neighbors. Mark Ozias, manager at the Sequim Food Bank, tells me he’s seen a spike in new visitors this summer, with dozens of families coming through the bank’s doors for the first time. A full 10 percent of its visitors in May and 13.5 percent of visitors in June, were new. He added that July and August traffic remains brisk. Further, because of increased bank usage and the rising cost of food, the Sequim Food Bank has spent about 30 percent more purchasing food than it had at this time last year, he said.
The food bank provides about 1,700 holiday meals each year, but it can only do that with our help. Call 683-1205, e-mail SequimFoodBank@olypen.com or send along a donation to: P.O. Box 1453, Sequim, WA 98382.
Reach editor Michael Dashiell at editor@sequimgazette.com.
