News & Events

Contact: Joseph O’Brien 718 796-9700, 917 880-0392 (cell)

Contact: Jeremy Tomasulo 202-225-2464

For immediate release: Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) issued the following statement following the Towns of Clarkstown and Ramapo being included in Money Magazine listing of best places to live. Clarkstown ranked 41st and Ramapo 88th among the Top 100 of America’s best small cities. To view the rankings for Clarkstown, click here - http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2010/snapshots/CS3615968.html. For Ramapo, click here - http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2010/snapshots/CS3660510.html

"I completely concur with the honors bestowed upon Clarkstown and Ramapo in this ranking. Both towns are not only idyllic places to live, but are perfect places for New Yorkers to raise their family. To have both places receive national recognition is further affirmation for both Clarkstown and Ramapo residents who already know how special their hometowns are – and now the rest of the country knows as well.

"Money highlighted Clarkstown’s outdoor activities such as High Tor State Park and Rockland Lake, convenient shopping, and its reputation for safety. Ramapo was recognized for its multitude of activities, as well as the classic film festival at the Lafayette Theater, arts and theater and the wealth of town-sponsored events.

"It is a tribute to Ramapo and Clarkstown leaders and residents that they would be included among the many great small towns across the nation. I have always been proud to represent these towns and now everyone knows why."

The top ranked town nationwide was Eden Prairie, MN. Other local honorees were Franklin, NJ (34), Amherst, NY (42), White Plains, NY (53), West Hartford, CT (55), Piscataway, NJ (57), Wayne, NJ (73), Stamford, CT (78), New Rochelle, NY (82), Bristol, CT (84), Hamden, CT (87), Middletown, NJ (89), and Norwalk, CT (90).