You can 't always believe them. But you can 't ignore them, either.

There 's usually insight to glean from the conjecture.

So is the case with Money magazine 's high-profile "Best Places to Live " list, which ranked Madison the 89th best mid-sized city in America this week.

Madison has been slipping down the magazine 's scorecard. Our city ranked 53rd just two years ago. And a decade before that, Madison 's skyline graced the cover of Money as the No. 1 place to live in America.

Madison's falling favor in a popular national magazine is no cause for alarm. The rankings are hardly scientific, and criteria for being a "best place to live " keep changing.

Nonetheless, the magazine 's analysis suggests our city has work to do to keep and attract families, high-paying jobs and community investment.

Madison needs to control crime and property taxes. It also needs close attention to its schools and economy.

Back in 1996, when Money ranked Madison No. 1 in America, the magazine highlighted our city's low crime rate. Money even quoted a Madison business executive emphatically stating: "We don't have a crime problem."

It 's hard to imagine anybody offering such a sweeping statement on public safety today. And according to this year 's Money rankings, Madison has higher rates of personal and property crime than the average cities on its list.

Back in 1996, Money credited Madison schools for high test scores and parent satisfaction. But this week, Money cited Madison for below average test scores in math. Reading scores also fell behind cities on the list.

Madison 's property taxes weren 't mentioned as a problem back in 1996. But this week, Money listed them as $600 higher than the average city on its list.

Madison had "a vibrant economy with plentiful jobs " and incredibly low unemployment in 1996, according to the magazine. Madison still has a good economy, considering all of the financial turmoil going on nationally. Yet maintaining a business-friendly attitude that welcomes entrepreneurs and innovators is an ongoing challenge.

At least today's Madison City Council is staying more focused on providing high-quality basic services, rather than dabbling in divisive and distracting international affairs.

Don't put too much stock into Money's latest comparisons. But don't dismiss them, either.

Madison should be proud to be among the 100 best places to live in America. Madison also should want to stay on Money's list and climb back toward the top.

Our great city can't afford to let down its guard or start coasting.