By Jeff B. Flinn
Managing Editor

Cities are more than just a name and a face; there are stories behind virtually every person, every business, every dignitary, every neighbor.

And once you start to assess a city — based on its attractions, its offerings, its influential residents and its “Chamber of Commerce” moments — a clearer picture begins to form.

Such is … Schertz.

In July 2007, Money Magazine listed Schertz as No. 40 in its “Top 50 Best Places To Live” in the United States. The list was based on criteria like economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a sense of community.

Schertz — the highest-ranking Texas city on the list — was noted for “the kind of collective nostalgia that historians only dream of: Descen-dants from the first settlers still live there.” (You can read about them on page 20).

What else did Money Mag find attractive about Schertz? “Schertz’s economy is humming. Schertz’s crowning gem and most-beloved tradition? The Schertz Fourth of July Jubilee, which draws visitors from all over the state.”

But when the Herald sat down a few months ago with the “movers and shakers” of Schertz, we were able to find the three top ingredients in making Schertz a Top 40 city:

People. People. And People.

It was no easy task, but we have compiled a list of “40 Great Things About Schertz” and have included a few of them in the pages that follow. There were so many, in fact, that we’ll have to save a few for the weeks that follow.

The people of Schertz ARE Schertz. The personalities, the business owners, the historians, the city servants – its people. It’s that simple.

And: Special thanks go to writer Steve Davidson, who penned the following stories, for your reading enjoyment.