Officials say city's Top 10 ranking no surprise

By Todd C. Elliott
todd.elliott@eunicetoday.com

Eunice cannot be spelled without the word “nice”.
And now it would appear that Eunice is officially a “nice” place to raise a family.
A recent survey ranked Eunice as one of the top 10 cities to raise a family in the state of Louisiana.
According to nerdwallet.com, Eunice ranked seventh out the top 10 best places to live in Louisiana.
And local officials gave their own factors for Eunice making the top 10.
“I think it’s a testament to the people of Eunice, I really do,” said Mayor Claud “Rusty” Moody, Jr. “Good things are happening in Eunice. We have excellent schools and according to the survey our schools were rated at a 7 out of a possible 10. I just think that if we continue on the path that we are on, families will come to Eunice.”
Moody said that Eunice provides a good quality of life for aspiring families with one strength being the activity of group participation in organized athletics.
Don Reber, of the Eunice Economic Development Committee, said that the survey reaffirmed what he already believed about Eunice.
“I’m surprised that we were seventh, it seems to me that we ought to be closer to the top than that,” said Reber. “We’re in good company though, I can tell you that. I do think that it’s the strength of Louisiana. And for Eunice to be singled out as being in the top 10 is  pretty amazing.”
Reber echoed Mayor Moody’s sentiments about the people of Eunice and athletics.
“I think the biggest thing that contributed to it is that the people here had a good life growing up and they want to make sure that their kids have the same opportunity,” said Reber. “And the adults are very participatory especially in the activities that the young people are engaged in like football, baseball and basketball. Everybody seems to get included in whatever is going on in this town and I think that’s good. And everybody tends to watch out after each other’s kids.”
Reber said that the relationship between St. Ed’s and Eunice High School is “amazing” and is not seen in other communities.
Rick Nesbitt, president of the Eunice Chamber of Commerce said that being rated number seven out of ten in the entire state is exciting and something for all “Eunicians” to be proud of.
“Our fine schools, with their rating, and the economic growth of our beloved city from 1999 to 2011 are obviously major contributing factors,” said Nesbitt in a written statement on the matter. “But we cannot overlook the continuing contributions of the Eunice Economic Development Committee and the progressive-minded citizens and business professionals who are a constant reminder that Eunice is pleasurable-living paradise for all ages. I am also very proud of the recent “Keep Eunice Beautiful” campaigns that are keeping our city more beautiful and cleaner than ever.”
NerdWallett.com analyzed national and state data to create its list. Factors include public school rating, median home value, ongoing cost of home ownership, median income and economic growth.
Leesville in west-central Louisiana tops the website’s list. Others, in descending order, are Walker, Belle Chasse, West Monroe, Zachary, Galliano, Eunice, Patterson, St. Rose and Sulphur.