By Rebecca Feldhaus
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkms/local-wkms-894205.mp3
Clarksville, TN – Being away from her husband is not uncommon for Sandra Cooper. As the wife of an active soldier, Cooper has grown accustomed to the long distances and so have her three children. Recently, Cooper's husband reported to his assignment at the Pentagon in Washington DC. When Cooper heard about her husband's relocation, she refused to move her 17, 14 and 9 year old during the middle of the school year. Then, ultimately her oldest son solidified the decision.
"For Taylor being a senior, he was supposed to go there and see number one if all his credits would come through, and was he going to be able to play, because he's on the soccer team, and he didn't do that, so come March he registered for classes, and we just decided to stay."
When Cooper's family first came to Fort Campbell, they moved to Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Following a few years in Germany, her husband was called back to Fort Campbell. This time, the Cooper family moved to Clarksville. Cooper says Hopkinsville was too small, in addition to other factors.
"The drive, and also schools, the schools were higher ranking in Clarksville than they were in Hopkinsville."
When relocating a family with children in elementary, middle and high school, education is imperative. Cooper's opinion of Clarksville's education differs drastically from one study. In a list compiled by the Today show in 2008, Clarksville is ranked the worst city in the country in which to raise children. In addition to safety, traffic and museums, the list considered education. The study authors labeled Clarksville "low" in annual spending rate per student.
Data from the National Center for Education Statistics report in 2007 Clarksville spent a little over sixty-four hundred dollars per student annually. This is on the middle to lower end of the scale nationally, but sits at the average within the state. Officials from the NCES say there are many outside factors they can't tally when collecting such data that could skew reports like the Today Show's. One of these is higher living costs in places like New York and Connecticut which could hike educational spending.
Cooper is happy with her children's education. But one of the biggest reasons she enjoys Clarksville is because of the appreciation for the military. Cooper explains one poignant example she and her husband experienced.
"And it was just me and him, we went to lunch one day, and had an older gentleman come up to us and say, I already paid for your lunch.' Because he starts telling us he's a veteran and he wanted to thank him for all he did, they support us in different ways."
Military or not, families require more than just good schools. Crime rates come into play. In 2008 records from city-data.com, Clarksville ranks higher than average in crime for cities of its size. The average crime rate of thirteen similar size cities was 315.5. Clarksville's rate was 409.8. This means Clarksville has an average of 409 incidents per 100,000 people. Burglaries, thefts and assaults made up most of the data.
Museums, art exhibits, concerts, festivals and historical centers also fall under the generally accepted idea of "Quality of Life." The impending question for a growing city like Clarksville remains, "Is it enough?"
The Roxy Regional theatre brings Broadway-quality shows, Austin Peay State University's arts programs put up ever-changing exhibits and performances, and the city's tourism department touts the new marina for outdoor enjoyment. The Customs House Museum presents many permanent exhibits with new ideas coming in and out yearly.
Customs House Museum Executive Director Alan Robison is proud of the work he and his colleagues show. He sees the many needs of a growing city but says he's confident in Clarksville's current opportunities.
"Whatever it is you're looking to expose yourself to, you can find in this community."
Robison says the mayor's Master Plan is a necessary step for any savvy city, especially one with such growing population and industry.
"If you wanted to locate a business, and you were bringing in workers from all over the world, you would want those people to go to a community where they will be happy and ca still be exposed to all the quality of life that they would want."
The Cooper family feels they have just that. They enjoy their time outside at annual festivals and other Clarksville activities. Sandra Cooper says she and her friends have a nickname for the city.
"We tell people this is kind of like a black hole, you get stuck and then you fall in love with it."
The Mayor's Master Plan is set to be completed in 2030. Currently the city's population is up, industry is moving in, and cultural opportunities are available. With the city's present foundation, one can wonder what the city will be like in 20 years.