Finding Transformative Leaders For Memphis and Shelby County
Reading the platforms for candidates for Shelby County mayor often feels like entering a time...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Apr 20, 2026 | City of Memphis Government, Leadership, Shelby County government
Reading the platforms for candidates for Shelby County mayor often feels like entering a time...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Apr 18, 2026 | Cartoons
Cartoonist Bill Day never fails to prove the point that a picture – in his case, a cartoon – is...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Apr 16, 2026 | Criminal Justice, Shelby County government
Note: Shelby County Government is moving ahead with a process that will answer fundamental...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Apr 13, 2026 | City of Memphis Government, Civil Rights, Leadership, Poverty
Last week, in the wake of a few NBA players’ angst about hotel rooms, this blog’s attention...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Apr 11, 2026 | Cartoons
Cartoonist Bill Day never fails to prove the point that a picture – in his case, a cartoon – is...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Apr 9, 2026 | City of Memphis Government, Economic Development, Health
Later this year, in December, Protect Our Aquifer will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Apr 6, 2026 | Neighborhoods
Despite every effort to combat poverty, Memphis remains one of this country’s most economically...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Apr 2, 2026 | Uncategorized
Note: USA Today asked for a column about Donald Trump’s recent visit to Memphis, where he...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Mar 30, 2026 | State Government, Tennessee Legislature, Uncategorized
There is a narcissistic brand of arrogance that flourishes in the supermajority in the Tennessee...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Mar 25, 2026 | Economic Development
Part 1, Monday, March 23, 2026 – Note: Memphis’ hub of innovative thought and action...
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by 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, City Journal columnist at Memphis magazine, author of two books and a museum exhibition, and consultant on public policy and strategic planning. He has written articles for MLK50, The Commercial Appeal, and USA Today. The blog was called one of the most intriguing blogs in the U.S. by the Pew Partnership for Civic Change; The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal said it “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 solve 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.