pardon I didn't see the link until the end. On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 3:54 PM, Larry C. Lyons <[email protected]> wrote: > 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:345207 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-community/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-community/unsubscribe.cfm
