'Best Place to Live' rank no shock to many locals

For a town that has been generating a lot of negative news lately, Sayreville indeed has something to boast about this week. It is one of eight New Jersey towns named in Money Magazine's "Top 100 Best Places to Live."

Granted, the borough's rank of No. 47 in the United States may raise some eyebrows in other towns that didn't make the list, but many Sayreville residents won't be surprised. The countless families who have remained in town for generations already knew they had something special. These residents take great pride in their community, which despite its size is still relatively close-knit.

In recent months, the town has had its share of challenges. Residents have raised concerns about a potential cancer cluster, though a state health official disputes that one exists. One neighborhood has been in the news because of a "black dust" material accumulating on their properties. An apartment complex meanwhile has been the subject of residents' concern for safety reasons and was the scene of a recent murder.

And while it is important that issues such as those are publicized and addressed, it is just as important to remember that these challenges do not define the town.

The borough has no shortage of assets, and the article in Money Magazine merely touches on a few of them. The magazine lists the tangible - the Julian L. Capik Nature Preserve and its horse stables; the skate facility at Kennedy Park - and cites statistics such as low crime rates, high job growth, restaurants in the area, etc. Sure, those qualities help, but most of the longtime residents know something else about the town. They love the people, the intermingling of cultures, the downtown area, the industrial history and the tradition of public service.

For today, however, it's nice to know that a national magazine has also given Sayreville a top spot on such an esteemed list.