Home » Opinion
Glad to be back writing for Bartlett
In case y’all don’t know me, I’m Rick.
Now I’ve been here before. Lots and lots of times. Right here in this very space. But I’ve been gone for a while and, to tell you the truth, I’ve missed being here.
Believe it or not I began my columnist career here way back in the early 90’s. My very first column in the Bartlett Express, or in any paper for that matter, dealt with the West Memphis...
Fines too late
Two weeks ago in this space I commended Bartlett’s Board of Aldermen for issuing swift and decisive judgments against a seemingly growing list of establishments selling alcohol to minors.
I believed then, as I do now, that demanding identification should be a requirement for those with permit privileges and if they violate the same, businesses should face the penalties set forth in City Ordinance.
Today,...
Bigger not better
By Brian Bloom
Regional Manager
Bigger is not always better.
Shelby County’s Commissioners don’t seem to understand that as they’ve moved forward, over County Mayor Mark Luttrell’s objections, to advance the Shelby County Board of Education from seven to 13 members.
Commissioners mistakenly believe more board members equate better representation. Those in support of the resolution claim there...
Moving Day
By Brian Bloom
Regional Manager
“There,” my wife said to me, pointing to a vacant spot on the wall she deemed perfect for one of our pictures.
“A little to the left… I mean the right. Up a little, over… over…”
“Which way,” I said my voice rising in frustration. “You’re standing behind me. It’s either left or right, up or down. Over isn’t a direction.”
“Okay, left then,”...
A Post Valentine’s Day Analysis
By Cheri Thacker
Dear Chief Money Maker,
Since I plan to spend the rest of my life with you in spite of the2013 Valentine’s Day disaster, and although I appreciate your valiant efforts, I’m offering you some advice in regards to this Lover’s Day. Please feel free to apply in years to come only if you desire to remain among those we fondly call “The Living.”
Let’s—for organizational...
Repeating history
By Brian Bloom
Regional Manager
One of my favorite Forrest Gump quotes is “stupid is as stupid does.”
I found it fitting when I learned that the Ku Klux Klan proposed a downtown Memphis rally March 30 in retaliation of the cities’ removal of a marker at Forest Park.
That marker memorialized former Klan grand wizard Nathan Bedford Forrest (No relation to the aforementioned Gump) with a statue...
Moving Day
By Brian Bloom
Regional Manager
“It will fit,” my better half implored me. “A little higher… to the left, now back a little. There,” she said, a smug smile upon her face. “I told you it would fit.”
“Uh honey?” I interrupted. “How do I get out?”
Yep… moving day.
Behind surgery, a new home purchase, the birth of your child and the death of a loved one, it is considered...
How’s That Working for Ya?
By Cheri Thacker
You’ve got to wonder about the kind of life someone lives when they’ve emailed the Dr. Phil Show twice in their lifetime, and both times a producer called to request they appear on the program.
Well, I can tell you it is pretty normal—except for those two things I emailed Dr. Phil about.
In my defense, Dr. Phil has some misleading forms on his website. He has an “Ask...
Goodbye Mr. Poe
By Brian Bloom
Regional Manager
It was a thunder-filled day as my then seventh-grade teacher Max Poe ushered me out of his classroom to the “chair”. Located on the edge of a vacuous study hall, the chair was Mr. Poe’s one-on-one space where teacher and student could be free of classroom constraints. Lightening flashed across the darkened sky, followed by a booming roar.
“Your choice,” I remember...
An Asterisk to Dave Barry’s column
By Cheri Thacker
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, only this time while sober. I want to be Dave Barry—without the man parts. As a new writer, I kept hearing over and over in my head the mantra “write what you know.” Actually, it was Chief repeating it over and over in my ear because he was tired of the sight of me in front of my computer wearing only a bathrobe and a blank...
