Money magazine spotlights city of Arnold
Arnold Mayor Mark Powell, a Democrat who’s running for state treasurer, has been flooding e-mail baskets with his alert that Money magazine has singled out the city of Arnold as “a best buy.”
Here’s from the release:
”…Powell will hold a press conference today at 3:00 p.m. at the Arnold Recreation Center, 1695 Missouri State Rd, to discuss the August issue of MONEY magazine, which has named Arnold, Missouri among the 25 Best Affordable Cities to Live in the United States. Arnold has been recognized at the 13th position on the 2008 ranking. MONEY magazine populates the listing by compiling data ranging from; access to affordable housing, parks and recreation services, cost-of-living, schools and ambiance.
Arnold’s ranking is an indication of the successful work the city has undertaken in the last decade. The City of Arnold has successfully worked to attract new developments and revitalize older ones. It has built and brought to the city the amenities its citizen’s wanted and deserve such as the Arnold Recreation Center, the Jefferson College, the Jefferson County Library and the Pomme Creek Golf Course. In addition, Arnold’s Tourism Board brings nationally known entertainers such as George Jones, Merle Haggard, Vince Gill and Three Dog Night to perform at the Rickman Auditorium in Arnold.
The evidence of this hard work by the city over the past several years has resonated in the proclamation of this notable distinction of being ranked 13th in the nation. “I have always believed Arnold was a great city and have constantly promoted my hometown as I have traveled the state,” proclaimed Mayor Mark Powell, mayor for more than seven years. “Arnold is a wonderful place to live, filled with great people, and that is what makes it so appealing, and our hard work has now been validated and recognized by an independent nationally recognized source, MONEY magazine,” Powell went on to say.
MONEY magazine has been ranking cities for the better part of the decade. The complete article about the 2008 rankings, a history of past winners and an explanation the selection process can be found on money.cnn.com.
X Arnold City Council Person Dave Venable, I am glad you answered my question by taking full responsibility for that loss of freedom and property rights in your town. Smoking bans are kind of a loser politically in Missouri and I am glad Mayor Powell can run for office largely free from blame. Any candidate Randy Crisler endorses is likely someone I would vote for.
I think it is wonderful that the City of Arnold is being recognized. Too many people to name helped make this possible. Mark Powell has done everything he possibly can for the City. He is the only candidate that has all the credentials to make a good treasurer. As for the smoking ordinance, I too voted for it, and my wife smokes.
Jim Edwards
You are correct. Arnold is a wonderful place to live and work. It has a great deal going for it. At a time when many cities are struggling, Arnold has growth. This did not happen by accident. Mr. Powell had a plan and gathered the support to get it done.
As to the Smoking Ordinance in the City of Arnold. It was a bold move. Currently there are over twenty States with smoking bans, however, when Arnold undertook the ban four years ago this month, only six states had taken the issue on. Still, after 4 years, is working in Arnold. People said it would kill businesses, but businesses are growing. Now, the city has been recognized for the quality of the city overall. People can say what they want, but not only did the ban not kill the city, we have proof that the City of Arnold is alive and well. I am very proud of the ordinance and of the council that was willing to take this action to improve the quality of life in the City of Arnold.
St. Louisans have listened to Arnold Councilmen Randy Crisler and Claude Cooley tell a detailed story of economic hardship inflicted on Arnold businesses due to your original smoking ban, Mr. Venable. I remember Councilman Cooley, while addressing the St. Louis County Council back in August 2005 just before it voted down a smoking ban, turning to the crowd assembled and saying, “You don’t want a smoking ban!” But now that Arnold has modified the ban to once again allow smoking in bars and restaurants, I am sure many Arnold businesses are much better off.
And Arnold is Ranked 13. That is very impressive. I guess all the council did good with the Smoking Ban and the economic redevelopment. Something is going right as to draw national attention to a small town out side of St. Louis. It is about quality of life. And the quality of life in Arnold is good.
I just wonder how Money magazine determines such a ranking. Do they take into consideration commuting costs? That would make the “value” not so much of a bargain with ever-rising gasoline costs.
Of course, if a significantnumber of jobs that Arnold residents hold are also in Jeff County then this is a moot point. But, I know this is not the case.