Riff Raff

by Michael Tilley -

Getting it right

If Fort Smith is to be successful in developing amenities and infrastructure that support diversified job and wage growth in the region, public-private partnerships (P3s) will be vital. The number…

by Michael Tilley -

The micromanaging thing

The debate in Fort Smith between automated and non-automated trash collection with 2,402 households among all 28,673 households is instructive in that it well serves as an obvious symptom of…

by The City Wire staff -

This can’t be BS

Many metro areas around the country have what was once referred to as a “good suits” club — a collection of well-resourced business decision makers able to build or sustain…

by The City Wire staff -

Early disqualification

In light of bullying allegations against presumptive GOP Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney when he was a high school student, I feel it necessary to come clean before being outed by…

by Michael Tilley -

A fortunate son

A lot has changed in Mom’s world. The world in 1949, the year of her birth, was a crazy place. Europe was rebuilding its continental economy, the Soviets were rattling…

by Michael Tilley -

Celery

A few years back there was this Facebook fad in which a friend would “tag” you to post 25 random things. Or at least that’s how it may have worked….

by Michael Tilley -

Recycled memory

The urge to save humanity is almost always a false-face for the urge to rule it. — H.L. Mencken Recently toured several of the fine museums in Chicago. The city…

by Michael Tilley -

Complex insanity

Ready, shoot, aim. That’s been for the past several years the modus operandi of the Fort Smith Board of Directors — and that’s giving them credit on the “Ready” portion….

by The City Wire staff -

Actually, again

“We are actually currently considering all options at this point in time.” That’s the statement — or darn close to it — of some fella with one of the Gulf…

by Michael Tilley -

Godvernment

One might think even with a superficial knowledge of history and religion one would see the advantage of avoiding God-based government or government-based God. But the level of support for…

by The City Wire staff -

Something Else

There is this thing with the Fort Smith Board of Directors about money and television and Something Else. Coincidentally, Political satirist P.J. O’Rourke once noted that the three branches of…

by Michael Tilley -

Cool water religion

The realization hit me in the face like cool water spray from a canoe bow plowing through fast-moving sections of the Mulberry or Buffalo rivers. But I was firmly butt-planted…

by Michael Tilley -

Uncomfortable awareness

This week begins an effort by The City Wire to focus on the wholly unpleasant topic of child abuse. We do not do this because it is an engaging topic…

by Michael Tilley -

Cold truth

Tuesday was enlightening; refreshing in the way a pleasant memory reminds us of who we are and from where we come.

by Michael Tilley -

General thoughts

And now for a few notes on the news about the 188th Fighter Wing in Fort Smith losing its A-10 planes and mission by mid-2013, and instead receiving what may…

by Michael Tilley -

Press on

This particular website real estate is rarely reserved for anything seasoned or respected or smelling of conventional wisdom.

by Michael Tilley -

Here we go

Dear Kind Readers: We’re doing this new thing with The City Wire. New look. New people. Not all new people. You’ll continue to have to put up with me. For…