What I Love About Memphis…More
From Steve Steffens:Well, I might as well get in on this, I’ve only lived here 36 years.1. Memphis Music & Heritage Festival2. Center for Southern Folklore (full disclosure – I’m on the board, but I would...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Feb 28, 2009 | Uncategorized
From Steve Steffens:Well, I might as well get in on this, I’ve only lived here 36 years.1. Memphis Music & Heritage Festival2. Center for Southern Folklore (full disclosure – I’m on the board, but I would...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Feb 27, 2009 | Uncategorized
This post continues the discussion that began with our last one.To recap, following a recent post about thoughts for the new year, someone challenged Charlie Santo to name 10 things he liked about Memphis. He replied with more...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Feb 24, 2009
There is a clear line between self-analysis and self-loathing.Often, in Memphis, we don’t just step over it, but we run past it. We were reminded of this a few ago when a guest post of this blog urged us to think about...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Feb 24, 2009
Matt Kuhn deserves better.He’s smart, attractive and has an impeccable pedigree, his mother a long-time Democratic activist and his father the Shelby County attorney on and off for a couple of decades.However, the decision by...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Feb 23, 2009
The national Republican Party seems loathe to learn the lessons of the past election.Because of it, they are caught up in rhetoric that only makes it look either tone-deaf to the last election’s message or simply...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Feb 22, 2009 | Planning and Urban Design
This week, we’ll speak with two people with grand ideas for the future of city living. First,there will be Tim Beatley, co-author of the book Resilient Cities: Responding to Peak Oil and Climate Change. He says it will...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Feb 19, 2009 | Memphis City Schools, Taxation
Memphis City Schools Superintendent Kriner cash says: “Arguing over who should fund schools is not good for children.”Wrong.Editorial writers say Memphis City Council acted rashly and as a result, it left the city schools in a...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Feb 17, 2009
Even paranoiacs have enemies.And while we fight the birthright to regard Nashville as the evil empire, we can’t summon the same attitude toward State of Tennessee government.As witnesses for the prosecution, we call on the heads...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Feb 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
Rather than selling themselves at a discount — cheap land and cheap labor and tax giveaways – cities that are succeeding are investing in better workers, high-quality universities, quality of life and efficient public...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Feb 15, 2009 | Regionalism
It’s a tale of two cities, and only a short drive is needed to come face-to-face with the telling. In Nashville, the drive takes you to Williamson County, the 11th wealthiest county in the U.S., with a median family income...
Read Moreby Bill Day. Memphian Bill Day is two-time winner of the RFK Journalism Award in Cartooning. His cartoons are syndicated internationally by Cagle Cartoons. Cartoons Archive →
Since 2005, this has been Smart City Consulting’s blog with the aim of connecting the dots and providing perspective on issues and policies shaping Memphis. Editor and primary author is Tom Jones, columnist, author of two books, and consultant on public policy. Smart City Memphis was called one of the most intriguing blogs in the U.S. by the Pew Partnership for Civic Change; The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal wrote that “Smart City Memphis provides some of the most well-thought-out thinking about Memphis’ past, present, and future you’ll find anywhere,” and the Memphis Flyer said: “This incredibly well-written blog sets out to solves the city’s ills – from the mayor to MATA – with out-of-the-box thinking, fresh approaches to old problems, and new ideas. If you have questions, submissions, or ideas for posts, please email Tom Jones, at tjones@smartcityconsulting.com.