The name “Tom Jones” is well known to students of literature (as that of a picaresque hero in a pathfinding 18th-century novel by Henry Fielding) and to popular music fans (as that of a formidably talented 20th century cabaret singer). It is also familiar locally to followers of politics and journalism.
This latter Tom Jones is an author, a veteran of local government, and a highly respected watchdog of media and politics in Shelby County and, for that matter, in Tennessee at large. Jones is the proprietor of “All News is Local,” a well-read Facebook page that keeps tabs (and score) on the aforementioned subjects.
In an age in which journalism is demonstrably diminishing, quantity-wise, Jones makes it his business to evaluate such quality as remains. He posts daily reminders — and sometimes whole essays — regarding which subjects and which writers are worth attending to.
Jones’ range is impressive, but, by and large, he is looking for, and recommending, cases of serious and detailed journalism about important subjects — as well as noting examples that fall short of the mark.
To be honest, he hasn’t had a whole lot to say about me personally of late. His last reference was, in fact, to a boo-boo of mine earlier this year when I carelessly quoted some lines of a playground jingle that, in one erstwhile version, has an overtly racist line. My quote was based on a sanitized version that involved “catch[ing] a tiger by the toe.” But still, shame on me.
My daughter Julia Baker, who toils for the Daily Memphian and whose coverage of criminal justice matters often gets noted by Jones, reminded me of a Jones post, not too long ago, that referred to me as an “encyclopedia.” That’s good, I guess. What I best remember is a “To Whom It May Concern” letter he issued in 1991, during the first full year of this column, in which Tom cited my coverage of the then ongoing mayoral election of that year as exemplary.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that’s kept me going these 30-odd years since. That letter was long since framed and attached to my home office wall.
Tom has worked in harness with such other local lights as Carol Coletta (with Smart City) and Susan Thorp. In his government years he served as a right arm for three consecutive Shelby County mayors — Bill Morris, Jim Rout, and AC Wharton.
Check out “All News is Local.” You won’t regret it.
• Van Turner, the former Shelby County commissioner and local NAACP head who is one of several declared candidates in the 2023 Memphis mayor’s race, has several declared supporters among other well-known political figures, but one of them, the recently elected District Attorney Steve Mulroy, has become something of a doppelganger, appearing as a co-occupant of automobiles bearing his name along with Turner’s in formal parades in Orange Mound and Whitehaven.
“I don’t know if I have bootstraps, but I want it known that I do support Van wholeheartedly, and to the extent that it helps him, so much the better,” avers the reform-minded Mulroy, who may be getting some useful long-term community support himself from onlookers, who greet him, he says, with shouts of “Hey, Mr. DA!”
• The Flyer has not been able to confirm an interest in running for mayor on the part of J.W. Gibson, but the well-known businessman and former county commissioner is known to have discussed the race with friends and confidantes.
There is a general feeling among pol-watchers that the field of candidates, which so far includes Turner, Sheriff Floyd Bonner, Downtown Memphis Commission President/CEO Paul Young, school board chair Michelle McKissack, state House minority leader Karen Camper, and former TV Judge Joe Brown, isn’t done yet.