Business & Economy

Murray is the "Friendliest Small Town in America" in Best of the Road Contest

WKMS | By Shelly Baskin,

Published July 17, 2012 at 3:35 PM CDT

Rand McNally and USA Today have awarded Murray the title of “Friendliest Small Town in America." The award comes from the organizations' Best of the Road contest. The friendliest town award comes ironically on a divisive day for city residents as they vote on whether or not to allow package alcohol sales.

Murray Mayor Bill Wells says the win shows that even in the midst of a polarizing vote, the city is still a friendly place.

“I think it really kind of talks about, really the diversity in this town. Some are very much opposed to it some are very much for it. And what the benefits could be to the city. It’s just ironic to me that both things are being decided on the same day.”

The award brings with it added visibility within Rand McNally publications and the Travel Channel. Walla Walla Washington won last year's title of Friendliest Small Town in America.

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Shelly Baskin

Shelly Baskin works in MSU's Office of Regional Outreach and is a graduate student in Occupational Safety and Health. A roustabout from Memphis, Tennessee, Shelly first found his way into WKMS through the newsroom back in 2011 through luck, charm and force of will. Though he left news for another position, he still enjoys working on independent radio projects and volunteering for the station. He’s an avid disc golfer and occasional real golfer and is terrible at both. A lover of all things musical, Shelly is always ready to hear something new and unique.

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Chad Lampe

Chad Lampe, a Poplar Bluff, Missouri native, was raised on radio. He credits his father, a broadcast engineer, for his technical knowledge, and his mother for the gift of gab. At ten years old he broke all bonds of the FCC and built his own one watt pirate radio station. His childhood afternoons were spent playing music and interviewing classmates for all his friends to hear. At fourteen he began working for the local radio stations, until he graduated high school. He earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology at Murray State, and a Masters Degree in Mass Communication. In November, 2011, Chad was named Station Manager in 2016.

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