OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
550 MAIN STREET
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT

EDDIE A. PEREZ                                                                                                               Telephone: (860) 543-8500
Mayor                                                                                                                                                                          Fax:                  (860) 722-6606

Contact:  Sarah Barr, Director of Communications

-----MEDIA RELEASE-----

HARTFORD NAMED 11^TH CLEANEST CITY

 BY NATIONAL MAGAZINE

(July 25, 2005)--- Mayor Eddie Perez is pleased that Reader’s Digest Magazine has named Hartford the 11^th cleanest large city in America.  Data regarding air, water, industrial pollutions, hazardous waste, and sanitation were compiled from 50 big cities and their surrounding suburbs.

Mayor Perez says, “This is a positive note for how we are improving the quality of life in Hartford.  It also goes to show how well the Capital City is working in partnership with neighboring suburbs.  We are showing strength as a region that keeps us competitive with other parts of the country.  It also shows that Hartford is a great place to live, work, and play.”

The July issue of Reader’s Digest ranks the top 11 as follows:  Portland, OR, San Jose, CA, Buffalo, NY, Columbus, OH, San Francisco, CA, Denver, CO, Rochester, NY, Austin, TX, Orlando, FL, San Diego, CA, and Hartford, CT.    Hartford is the only Connecticut city ranked in the top 50 cleanest areas and it is the highest ranked in New England.