Author: Smart City Memphis

In the midst of our concerns about Memphis’ future, we said in a meeting this week that we need to remember there are model programs here setting national standards. Someone immediately challenged us to name just three. They...

There’s an axiom that government staff members live by. When an elected official gets emotional or strident about an issue, it’s not political. It’s personal.These are always the worse kind of issues for employees and other...

Sometimes, it just seems that Memphis is too timid for its own good. Too often, the people we expect to articulate and fight for a defining principle or a critical issue seem to go along to get along.We thought of this in light...

Can cities rebound from disaster? Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams is convinced his city is on the rebound from years of job losses and despair. At 36, Mayor Williams is the city’s youngest mayor, and he is determined to turn...

Regardless of your point of view, the fact that the future of Juvenile Court will be decided in Chancery Court is a sorry spectacle.The lawsuit is a stark testament to narrow political agendas winning over the best interests of...

From Keith Kirkland, executive director of Wolf River Conservancy:The Wolf River Conservancy’s wish for Memphis in 2007 is that our community will come together at our 6:00 p.m., Feburary 8, Greening Greater Memphis Event...

For political appointees in government, there’s often a choice – doing what’s right or doing what you’re told.There’s an axiom repeated frequently by these appointees – loyalty flows up, not down. As a result, those who risk...

Do U.S. automakers have any new ideas about how to make congested, polluted cities more accessible? Can they think beyond 1.8 cars per household?David Berdish of Ford insists they can. David is developing sustainable mobility...

It’s hard to imagine, but passage of the proposed Unified Development Code just got more important.Yes, there’s the impact that the code could have in encouraging a walkable, sustainable community. But, more to the point, it...

Another wish for 2007, this one from Dr. George Lord:Getting to Truthiness Through Cherry PickingWikipedia, the source of modern neologisms, defines “cherry picking” as:“In the literal case of harvesting cherries, or any other...