Remarks by JB Smiley, Jr.
15 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 1 of 1
- Play at 43:15
“Thank you, Madam Chair. We've been discussing data centers in the city of Memphis for quite some time. If you all remember, I think it was Councilwoman Cooper-Sudden who was adamantly against data centers in the initial. Since that time, we've experienced a lot of, I'm gonna be very direct, disrespect toward the community from particular data center, organizations without lacking community engagement and also the same lack of transparency when it comes to elected officials. Subsequent to that, the council sponsored a moratorium for temporary data centers in our community. What happened today…”
City Council · Oct 6, 2026
- Play at 48:08
“We can entertain a motion to amend it to include it, or we can discuss it at the working session on Thursday. We need a traffic study. We need to talk about how many people who are in the areas, whether their property values will be negatively impacted if these data centers continue to expand. There's a lot of stuff that this warrants forum doesn't contemplate, but it doesn't prevent us from passing it today and then coming back here on Thursday and working to put forth and amend this current moratorium. So, you know, with that, I just ask this body to take a vote today and stand with the…”
City Council · Oct 6, 2026
- Play at 58:58
“Yes, ma'am. It's a friendly amendment. Absolutely, absolutely.”
City Council · Oct 6, 2026
- Play at 1:01:26
“So respectful. I'm just glad you read it. Thank you. Thank you.”
City Council · Oct 6, 2026
- Play at 1:02:21
“Just to highlight one other thing, I think this body also, most of us agreed to start working session on Thursday. So it's not that... we're not gonna be doing anything. I think it's incumbent upon us to hear the people, but also making sure that the laws we put forth will pass legal muster, but also making sure that we are putting laws in place that actually protects communities and the city of Memphis.”
City Council · Oct 6, 2026
- Play at 1:13:46
“All right. Thank you. I just want to address a couple of things. There are some concerns about whether or not it passed legal scrutiny. Nothing within this ordinance. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. There are some questions about, you know, the legalities of the moratorium. Anything that... I'm a lawyer. I read. I graduated in the top third of my law school class. I understand this. But anything in the ordinance, the moratorium that could potentially be problematic from a legal standpoint, we put in the study committee. And as it relates to the funding that Councilwoman White mentioned, and…”
City Council · Oct 6, 2026
- Play at 54:59
“Thank you, Madam Chair. The committee met, recommended approval, and I so move.”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 1:38:56
“You said giving contracts to his friend. Who is his friend?”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 1:39:00
“I know who he is, but who is his friend? You said they're giving contracts to his friend.”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 1:39:04
“I'm looking at it, but... So every... So everything that you have highlighted, you're suggesting that these are his friends?”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 1:39:18
“Are these text messages or emails? What is this? Email. Okay.”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 1:39:27
“Can I also make one note? We don't approve the contracts of MLGW. Our authority over MLGW is limited to setting the salaries of... the individuals who work there, and also with the rate-making body as it relates to how MLGW conducts business on a day-to-day basis. That's up to the MLGW board. We don't have that authority. Our authority is limited by charter. Rate-making body is one. And then the second thing is set the salaries of those individuals who work there. over, I forget, what's the, I think it's like $200,000. Anybody over $200,000, we said. That's the authority of the city council.…”
City Council · Sep 15, 2026
- Play at 18:04
“Thank you, Madam Chair. Pastor, can you come join me? Greetings be it hereby known that Pastor Chris Walton, in recognition of a life of exemplary qualities and outstanding service to the city, meritorious involvement in humanitarian affairs, and demonstrated concern for governmental process, has been approved and appointed Chaplain of the Day. And it is hereby entitled to all honors, rights, and privileges, prerogatives appertaining to the office and to display of this certificate given on the seal on the 18th day of August, 2026. Chairwoman Jenna Schwartz-Washington, Councilman J.B. Smiles…”
City Council · Aug 18, 2026
- Play at 29:44
“All right, left side, or y'all's right side, okay. Put a buddy in one over.”
City Council · Aug 18, 2026
- Play at 33:30
“And whereas Samuel Henderson, who was formerly enslaved, a devoted member of St. Peter Catholic Church, a convert of Catholicism, and a church handyman, demonstrated exceptional courage, compassion, and faith during the devastating yellow fever epidemic that struck Memphis in 1878. And whereas...”
City Council · Aug 18, 2026