Money Magazine has just confirmed what local politicians have been saying for some time: that the town of Clay is a great place to live, work and raise a family.

In its August 2008 issue, the publication named Clay as the 59th best small place to live in the U.S. Clay was among 100 towns and cities with populations between 50,000 and 300,000 to make the list.

“A small city in the central part of the state, Clay offers respite from typical New York urban hassles with sprawling flatlands and big blue skies,” the article said. “Low home prices and safe streets make Clay even more attractive. It is also bordered by the Oneida and Seneca rivers — both havens for would-be fishermen.”

The article did warn that Clay residents had to contend with “long, icy winters.”

Criteria included median family income, family purchasing power, median home price, state test scores, the number of colleges and universities in the area, air quality, personal and property crime, recreation activities in the area and more.

“I think it’s awesome,” said Supervisor James Rowley of the honor. “It confirms what I’ve believed for a long time.”

Rowley said he was contacted a few months ago by a representative from Money Magazine, who said he was compiling data on some 700 small metropolitan areas throughout the country.

“This isn’t something we applied for — we were picked,” Rowley said. “I’m honored to be on the list. Again, it confirms what I’ve always said — Central New York is a great place to live. I grew up here. My kids have grown up here, and they’re all turning out pretty well.”

At the top of the list was Plymouth, MN. Other cities in New York state to make the list were North Hempstead (No. 46), Clarkstown (No. 71) and Greenburgh (No. 80).