Murray, KY Receives Prestigious Recognition

The city of Murray, Kentucky has been named "The Friendliest Small City in the Nation" by USA Today. The results of a nationwide judging were revealed Tuesday in Seattle Washingtion. Murray Mayor Bill Wells says he's "over the moon."

In explaining the judging, Wells said a group of visitors selected by Rand McNally and USA Today traveled to the six finalist cities, which were located in Texas, New Mexico, Missouri, and two in California. The cities were judged on how genuinely the visitors felt they were received. Wells also said the city had only overnight notice that the group was coming. They were in town over Father's Day Weekend. 

The judges were given lunch at Murray's Playhouse in the Park with members of the fire department, a tour of the city, among other activities.
 
In terms of what it will mean for the city, Wells likened it to recognition the city received in the late 1980's. 

"I relate it to what Rand McNally did in the late '80's when Murray was designated as the number one retirement area, and we had an influx of people that came in."

He recalled his time as principal at Murray High School. 

"We would register new students that came in. I couldn't remember that many coming from California, or Texas, or Illinois."

Wells said that Erin Carrico and Stephanie Butler, who work with the tourism department in Murray, represented the city at the awards ceremony in Seattle.