Sinclair Broadcast Company Aims Its Propaganda Machine At Memphis
If you are dismayed by the way that Gannett has dismantled the proud traditions of The Commercial Appeal and butchered its staff and if you believe the...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Nov 15, 2017 | Uncategorized
If you are dismayed by the way that Gannett has dismantled the proud traditions of The Commercial Appeal and butchered its staff and if you believe the...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Nov 13, 2017 | Economic Development, Livability
Memphis in May International Festival has entered its fifth decade, and while its economic impact hits record levels, some important decisions loom in its future. We’ve made no secret of our admiration for the way the festival’s...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Nov 10, 2017 | Uncategorized
Posted by Smart City Memphis | Nov 8, 2017 | Economic Development, Education, Talent
It is hard to think of a smarter investment in this community’s future than pre-K, and that’s why we welcome Memphis City Council’s interest in protecting and...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Nov 6, 2017 | Criminal Justice
It seems like we’ve waited an eternity to hear a local television newsman say: “Reporting crime all the time is not a responsible or accurate reflection of...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Nov 3, 2017 | City of Memphis Government, Economic Development, Shelby County government
We were watching the Lost City of Z a few days ago about a doomed British expedition to the Amazon at the dawn of the 20th century, and it was a fitting metaphor for the cities who believe El Dorado can be found with Amazon.com,...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Nov 1, 2017 | Civil Rights
In light of White House Chief of Staff John Kelly’s recitation of neo-Confederate mythology about Robert E. Lee and the cause of Civil War, we’re posting an article we wrote for MLK50.com about how the Myth of the...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Oct 30, 2017 | Uncategorized
It is said that death comes in threes. First, there was widely admired news executive Eric Janssen, and his death was followed by deeply respected news...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Oct 26, 2017 | Economic Development
“Our advantage is the Negro…and there is no race problem at all.” That comment was made in 1900 when The Commercial Appeal was assessing the state of a new century’s...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Oct 24, 2017 | Economic Development, Education
It may not have made headlines, but it was big news nonetheless: Seeding Success and PeopleFirst Partnership merged. This new organization – now just called...
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, 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.