this is all very nice well and fine, but who did the survey, what criteria they use? and best of all do you have a link?
On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 3:40 PM, Jerry Barnes <[email protected]> wrote: > > Chosen from the list of top 100 cities by population. > > Criteria- local economies, fiscal discipline, and standard of living. > > *The Best-Run Cities in America* > > *10. Plano, Tex.* >> Violent crime per 1,000 people: 1.81 (7th lowest) >> Poverty rate: 7.9% (5th lowest) >> Adult population graduated from high school: 93.3% (4th highest) >> Credit rating: Aaa >> Population: 261,697 > > Plano, a wealthy suburb of Dallas, was founded in 1873. The city has one of > the lowest violent crime rates in the country, partly because it can afford > a sizable and educated police force. Plano is one of the few cities in the > U.S. that require a four-year college degree of its police officers. > Planos population is the third wealthiest of the cities we examined, with > a median household income of nearly $80,000 a year. Just 7.9% of the areas > residents live below the poverty line, and just 1.3% of households makes > less than $10,000 per year, the lowest rate among all major U.S. cities. > Moodys has assigned a perfect Aaa rating to Planos general obligation > credit, citing an affluent and large tax base and strong financial > management. > > *9. Chandler, Ariz.* >> Violent crime per 1,000 people: 2.86 (14th lowest) >> Poverty rate: 8.2% (6th lowest) >> Adult population graduated from high school: 91.5% (13th highest) >> Credit rating: Aaa (stable outlook) >> Population: 236,775 > > Chandler is one of the newest large cities in the U.S. The city was > incorporated in 1951, but the population did not truly expand until very > recently. In 1980, Chandler, which is located within the greater Phoenix > metropolitan area, had a population of 30,000. Now, it has a population of > 247,000. There are countless examples of cities that experienced this level > of growth, but few, especially in the Southwest, that maintained a healthy > economy through the recession. And despite home values dropping > precipitously in the city, like the rest of the Phoenix region, Chandler > managed to maintain a healthy economy. In 2010, the city had the > ninth-lowest unemployment rate among the largest cities, and the > sixth-lowest poverty rate. Chandler has been assigned a perfect Aaa stable > rating by Moodys. The credit rating agency justified the rating: The > stable credit outlook reflects Moodys expectation that management will > continue to maintain favorable financial operations and strong reserve > levels despite ongoing economic weakness. > > *8. Scottsdale, Ariz.* >> Violent crime per 1,000 people: 1.53 (6th lowest) >> Poverty rate: 7.9% (4th lowest) >> Adult population graduated from high school: 95.9% (the highest) >> Credit rating: Aaa (stable outlook) >> Population: 217,977 > > Like Chandler, Scottsdale is a prosperous suburb of Phoenix. It has the > seventh-highest median income in the country, the highest percentage of > high school graduates, and is among the top 10 for unemployment and health > insurance coverage. However, because of its close proximity to Phoenix, > home values dropped substantially during the recession. Nevertheless, the > city has managed to maintain healthy employment and low poverty, as well as > a stable Aaa rating the best a city can receive. According to Mayor W. J. > Lane, Scottsdale has weathered the recession with our Aaa bond ratings > intact because we cut where we need to cut and we invest where we need to > invest. > > *7. Seattle, Wash.* >> Violent crime per 1,000 people: 5.67 (43rd lowest) >> Poverty rate: 14.7% (14th lowest) >> Adult population graduated from high school: 92.8% (7th highest) >> Credit rating: Aaa >> Population: 610,710 > > Among the best-run cities, Seattle is easily the largest, with over 180,000 > people more than the next largest city on our list. A large population > often hinders a citys ability to manage resources well because it can > create a higher cost of governance and more complicated logistics. > Nevertheless, Seattle is one of the healthiest large cities in the U.S., > with a poverty rate smaller than other cities on our list with populations > a third of the size. In the 1980 and 1990s, the city became a mecca for > emerging Internet, tech and green-tech companies. These industries are > still going strong, continuing to attract a healthy base of professionals > to the area, as evidenced by its high percentage of adults with a high > school diploma. Seattle also has a high rate of health insurance coverage. > > *6. Chesapeake, Va.* >> Violent crime per 1,000 people: 3.84 (19th lowest) >> Poverty rate: 7% (2nd lowest) >> Adult population graduated from high school: 90.8% (14th highest) >> Credit rating: Aa1 >> Population: 222,986 > > The city of Chesapeake was founded in 1963, although the area itself has > had people living there since the late 17th century. Chesapeake is located > on the southern edge of of the City of Norfolk. It is also within striking > distance of the city of Virginia Beach, which itself is among the best-run > cities. These two adjacent cities provide sources of employment for > Chesapeake residents. With few urban areas, Chesapeake has relatively low > crime and unemployment, as well as the second-lowest poverty rate in the > U.S. However, the city has a credit rating of Aa1, rather than Aaa, and is > not in the top 20% for health insurance coverage. > > *5. Lincoln, Neb.* >> Violent crime per 1,000 people: 4.84 (32nd lowest) >> Poverty rate: 17.3% (28th lowest) >> Adult population graduated from high school: 92.9% (6th highest) >> Credit rating: Aaa (stable outlook) >> Population: 259,041 > > Lincoln, Neb., is one of only two state capitals to make our best-run > cities list. It also has a much lower median household income compared to > the very high incomes of most of the best-run cities on our list. Lincolns > income is just $47,526, ranking only 35th among the 100 largest cities in > the country. Despite the less affluent tax base, however, Lincolns economy > is healthy. The city had an average unemployment rate of just 3.73% over > the past 12 months, the lowest among the 100 cities considered, as well as > the fourth-lowest vacancy rate. Mayor Chris Beutler explained to 24/7 Wall > St., Over the past five years, weve incorporated citizen input into a > multifaceted outcome-based budget process where we ask residents what their > priorities are and what they want their city to be. Its been very well > received and has helped build a culture of citizen ownership and > involvement that has guided our decision making and solidified citizen > support. Moodys has awarded an Aaa rating to the citys debt, explaining: > The citys financial position will remain sound given managements > conservative budgeting practices, ample revenue-raising flexibility and > alternate liquidity provided in the Special Revenue fund. > > *4. Fremont, Calif.* >> Violent crime per 1,000 people: 2.37 (11th lowest) >> Poverty rate: 6.6% (the lowest) >> Adult population graduated from high school: 90.2% (15th highest) >> Credit rating: not rated >> Population: 214,613 > > For a large city to have weathered the worst of the recession is > impressive. To do it in the particularly hard-hit state of California is > especially notable. Like most of the state, home values dropped nearly 15% > between 2007 and 2010. Nevertheless, the city has a vacancy rate of just > 5.6%, good enough to make the top five among large cities. Fremont also has > a poverty rate of just 6.6%, the lowest in the country, and a violent crime > rate of just 2.37 per 1,000 people. > > *3. Madison, Wis.* >> Violent crime per 1,000 people: 3.92 (21st lowest) >> Poverty rate: 18.7% (40th lowest) >> Adult population graduated from high school: 95.1% (3rd highest) >> Credit rating: Aaa (stable outlook) >> Population: 233,777 > > Madison, the other capital city on our list, was incorporated in the mid > 1800s, and exists today as one of the most well-run cities in the Midwest. > Madison is not a particularly wealthy city, with a median household income > of just over $50,000. Nevertheless, the capital has a perfect Aaa (stable) > credit rating, as well as extremely low unemployment and home vacancy > rates. According to Madison city administrative analyst Tim Fruit, Over > the past few years, we have really made a significant effort toward more > carefully planning our six-year capital improvement program. In the past, > the out years were not well scrutinized. Now, we try to analyze and balance > the out years much more carefully. > > *2. Irvine, Calif.* >> Violent crime per 1,000 people: 0.55 (5th lowest) >> Poverty rate: 12.3% (9th lowest) >> Adult population graduated from high school: 95.7% (2nd highest) >> Credit rating: not rated >> Population: 212,982 > > Irvine has a violent crime rate of just 0.55 per 1,000 people, the fifth > lowest among the major cities on our list. The city is also among the best > 10 for home vacancy, unemployment, median income and high school graduation > rates. In 2008, CNN Money rated it the fourth-best place to live in the > U.S. According to Craig Reem, director of public affairs and > communications, We are seeing a gradual improvement in our local economy > that allows us to move from recession ready, to recovery ready. The City > Council plans conservatively: This past fiscal year (2010-2011), we > outperformed our budget expectations by nearly $14 million. > > *1. Virginia Beach, Va.* >> Violent crime per 1,000 people: 1.88 (8th lowest) >> Poverty rate: 7.5% (3rd lowest) >> Adult population graduated from high school: 93.1% (5th highest) >> Credit rating: Aaa (negative outlook) >> Population: 439,172 > > Virginia Beach is, by our measurement, the best-run city in the U.S. > Located on the eastern shore of Virginia, the city is one of the most > prosperous in the country. Out of the 100 largest cities, it has among the > 10 lowest violent crime, unemployment, and poverty rates, as well as among > the 10 best for median income, high school graduation and health insurance > coverage. Moodys listed Virginia Beachs three main strengths as a large > and diverse tax base stabilized by the presence of military bases, the > citys strong and carefully managed financial position, and > comprehensive financial policies and conservative budgeting approach. The > citys credit rating is a perfect Aaa. > > *The Worst-Run Cities in America* > > *10. Hialeah, Fla.* >> Violent crime per 1,000 people: 4.36 (26th lowest) >> Poverty rate: 22.1% (35th highest) >> Adult population graduated from high school: 68.6% (5th lowest) >> Credit rating: not rated >> Population: 225,461 > > Hialeah is the sixth-largest city in the state, and yet it receives little > press attention, largely because it is overshadowed by the neighboring city > of Miami. In many ways, Hialeah is an improvement on its larger neighbor, > posting the 26th lowest violent crime rate in the country, as well as the > third-lowest vacant homes rate, at just 5%. However, Hialeah also has a > 12-month unemployment rate of more than 15% higher than Miami and all but > a few of Americas largest cities. The city, which has grown very quickly > over the past several decades, has one of the lowest percentages of adults > with health insurance, at 28.6%. > > *9. North Las Vegas, Nev.* >> Violent crime per 1,000 people: 8.93 (28th highest) >> Poverty rate: 18.0% (35th lowest) >> Adult population graduated from high school: 76.8% (15th lowest) >> Credit rating: A2 (negative outlook) >> Population: 217,304 > > The housing market of North Las Vegas plunged 50.9% from 2007 to 2010. In > 2010, one in every five homes in the city was foreclosed upon, according to > RealtyTrac. On top of it all, the North Las Vegas Housing Authority > misspent public money for years meant to help needy residents. It appears > that the soft housing market will continue to hurt city coffers. One of its > major revenue sources property taxes is expected to fall by over a > fifth in 2011 in the county. To reduce spending, the city cut or froze more > than 800 > positions<http://www.lvrj.com/news/layoffs-resignations-leave-void-in-north-las-vegas-128550773.html> > in > recent years. The city has a credit rating of A2 from Moodys, which the > agency attributes to its continued economic weakness and persistent > financial challenges, as well as the citys structurally imbalanced > operations and reliance on financial reserves used to support government > operations. > > *8. Fresno, Calif.* >> Violent crime per 1,000 people: 6.26 (48th highest) >> Poverty rate: 30.2% (9th highest) >> Adult population graduated from high school: 74.6% (11th lowest) >> Credit rating: A3 (negative outlook) >> Population: 496,147 > > Fresno, which was incorporated in 1885, is Californias largest inland > city. Like much of the state, the citys home values declined by more than > 30% between 2007 and 2010. However, the vacancy rate in the city, at 9.8%, > is better than average. Fresnos 12-month average unemployment rate was the > fifth-highest among the largest cities in the U.S. Also, more than 30% of > the population lives below the poverty line. In October, Moodys downgraded > the citys long-term debt rating to A2, citing an increasing budget gap and > weak financial reserves. > > *7. St. Louis, Mo.* >> Violent crime per 1,000 people: 17.47 (2nd highest) >> Poverty rate: 27.8% (13th highest) >> Adult population graduated from high school: 81.5% (36th lowest) >> Credit rating: Aa3 (stable outlook) >> Population: 319,156 > > St. Louis has had a hard time controlling violent crime. With 17.47 > incidents per 1,000 residents in 2010, the city has the second highest rate > of violent crime in the country. This is due in part to the citys high > poverty rate of 27.8% and its median income of $32,688, which is the 10th > lowest out of the 100 largest cities. Additionally, nearly 20% of housing > units in the city are vacant. All of these measures influence government > revenues. Despite this, St. Louis has managed its finances fairly well. > While Moodys credit score is Aa3, the credit agency also reports that the > city faces a continued weakening of resident income levels, high > unemployment rates and a decreasing population. > > *6. Stockton, Calif.* >> Violent crime per 1,000 people: 13.81 (6th highest) >> Poverty rate: 23.0% (27th highest) >> Adult population graduated from high school: 75% (12th lowest) >> Credit rating: Baa1 (negative outlook) >> Population: 292,747 > > Stockton is part of the inland area that also contains Fresno. Stockton was > one of the hardest-hit by the burst housing bubble. In 2007, median home > value in the city was $364,700. By 2010, that number declined more than 50% > to $171,500. This massive drop the second-largest decline among all major > cities has led to large-scale foreclosures and an increasingly dire > economic situation. Stockton has the sixth-highest violent crime rate in > the country among major U.S. cities, as well as the second-highest average > unemployment rate, at more than 20%. The city currently has a large debt > and a weak economy. > > *5. Cleveland, Ohio* >> Violent crime per 1,000 people: 12.97 (8th highest) >> Poverty rate: 34.0% (3rd highest) >> Adult population graduated from high school: 77.7% (19th lowest) >> Credit rating: A1 (stable outlook) >> Population: 396,240 > > Cleveland has grown exceptionally poor since its days as a major > manufacturing center. Census data from 2010 show that one out of every > three Cleveland residents lives in poverty, placing the city among the > poorest large American cities. Cleveland also has the second-lowest median > household income, at just $25,977, as well as a particularly high rate of > violent crime. In addition, Cleveland is the county seat of Cuyahoga > County, which is in the midst of a tremendous corruption > scandal<http://www.cleveland.com/countyincrisis/index.ssf/2012/01/jury_selection_set_for_wednesd.html>, > centered around County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora. > > *4. San Bernardino, Calif.* >> Violent crime per 1,000 people: 8.15 (31st highest) >> Poverty rate: 34.6% (2nd highest) >> Adult population graduated from high school: 64.1% (2nd lowest) >> Credit rating: not rated >> Population: 210,670 > > San Bernardino is the third city from California to make our top worst-run > cities list. Its economy has arguably been hit harder by the subprime > mortgage crisis than any other major U.S. city. Between 2007 and 2010, > median home value dropped 55%, from $327,000 to just $147,200. Along with > the massive loss in home values, unemployment rates have skyrocketed to the > third-highest in the country among the largest cities. The city also has a > poverty rate of nearly 35%. Just 64.1% of adults have a high school diploma. > > *3. Newark, N.J.* >> Violent crime per 1,000 people: 10.29 (21st highest) >> Poverty rate: 30.2% (10th highest) >> Adult population graduated from high school: 69.2% (6th lowest) >> Credit rating: A3 (negative outlook) >> Population: 277,232 > > Newark has a very high rate of poverty, reaching 30.2% in 2010. Its median > household income is $32,043 the ninth lowest among the 100 largest > cities. Less than 70% of the adult population has a high school diploma or > more the sixth lowest rate. Meanwhile, Newarks violent crime rate has > been increasing. In late November 2010, the city laid off nearly 15% of its > police > force<http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/05/15/n-j-crime-increases-raise-issue-of-police-layoffs/>. > By May 2011, the annual murder rate had increased a stunning 65%. > Robberies, burglaries and thefts increased as well. > > *2. Detroit, Mich.* >> Violent crime per 1,000 people: 18.87 (the highest) >> Poverty rate: 37.6% (the highest) >> Adult population graduated from high school: 77.4% (18th lowest) >> Credit rating: Ba3 (on review) >> Population: 711,910 > > Despite being more notorious for its troubles than any other major U.S. > city, Detroit managed to avoid the title of worst-run city in the country. > The city has been in a tough spot for decades, but continued problems with > corruption and poor management have not helped matters. Detroit already > sports the worst credit rating awarded by Moodys and is the only one of > the 100 largest cities in the U.S. to have a rating below investment grade. > Worse still, the rating agency is currently reviewing the Ba3 rating > which already had a negative outlook after the state of Michigan > announced it was evaluating whether the citys troubles constituted an > economic crisis. Of the 100 largest cities, Detroit has the highest home > vacancy rate, the highest unemployment rate, the highest poverty rate, the > worst violent crime rate and the lowest median household income. > > *1. Miami, Fla.* >> Violent crime per 1,000 people: 11.08 (13th highest) >> Poverty rate: 32.4% (5th highest) >> Adult population graduated from high school: 68.2% (4th lowest) >> Credit rating: A2 (stable outlook) >> Population: 400,892 > > According to a 2011 UBS study, Miami is the richest city in the country and > the fourth richest city in the world by domestic purchasing power. However, > a 2011 study by the Census > Bureau<http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/acs-16.pdf> found > the Miami metropolitan area also had the second-highest income inequality > rate in the nation probably due to the incredibly high percentage of > households living below the poverty line. Despite the citys wealth, > Miamis median household income of $27,291 is the third smallest among the > 100 biggest cities. Its poverty rate of 32.4% is the fifth highest. The > city faces a handful of other problems. Only 68.2% of adults have a high > school diploma or more the fourth lowest rate. Also, 22.5% of housing > units are vacant, which is the fifth highest percentage. A 2011 Brookings > Institute report put Miami among the 20 weakest-performing metropolitan > statistical areas in the country with regards to recovering from the > recession, due in large part to the crash of its housing market. > > And there you have it, Miami upsets Detroit for the worst on the list. > > http://247wallst.com/2012/01/05/best-and-worst-run-cities-in-america/ > > > J > > - > 03-16-2006 - The fact that we are here today to debate raising Americas > debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. Leadership means that the buck > stops here. Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices > today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt > problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better. I therefore > in > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Order the Adobe Coldfusion Anthology now! http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Coldfusion-Anthology/dp/1430272155/?tag=houseoffusion Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-community/message.cfm/messageid:345206 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-community/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-community/unsubscribe.cfm
