Suburbs

Todd Halford is bringing a humorous, gotta-see-what’s-next approach to the City of Bartlett social media pages.

Halford, a former police officer, detective and drug investigator, has taken on a new role running the city’s websites, informing the public about upcoming events and all things happening in the suburb.

And he has made the segments pretty darn entertaining.

This is not to say other spokespeople aren’t doing their jobs. They are. But Halford, who first took on the task in the police department, is raising the announcements and information to another level. Much like when we featured the Arlington Community Schools’ announcements about school closings during the pre-spring snowy season.

As with the Arlington story, reporter Michael Waddell brought us the feature on Halford. Because – well, frankly – Halford has made the whole thing pretty light-hearted. There’s a smiling Halford wandering the streets of the suburb, promoting businesses, trying out restaurants and providing information about various events.

He will sometimes don his slick dome with a chapeau from a vintage goods store to cite the local business or fashion a fun-loving shirt with red lobsters. There is construction status for Ramble on Summer and cute puppy pictures to promote the Animal Shelter. A warning of a fender-bender on a major road or a goose atop the City Hall Annex building.

He dances between informative and fun.

Many of the posts may just be behind the City of Bartlett Facebook page without Halford named or included, but his touch is fairly evident. And on certain contributions, he may not want his name attached to the pun that leads to good-natured moaning from the reader.

There may be an announcement about the city’s annual plant sale, but one of the posts includes flower pots with the words:

“My Next Victim.”

Or “Please Don’t Die.”

Or “Plant Coffin.”

On those unnamed posts, it’s possible that Debbie Gelineau, the city’s community relations director who works with Halford, could be responsible for the post, but somehow they seem to have Halford’s fingerprints on them.

Halford has brought a different taste to city information. Adding a little flavor and spice to the communiques.

And that makes it worth checking out.

Other spokesfolks are recognizing the different approach Halford brings to the job. Jennifer Preston, Collierville’s public information officer, sneaked on to the comments section of this week’s story on Halford and praised the approach.

“Todd’s fun personality definitely shows through his work!” Preston wrote. “He has done a fantastic job humanizing local government and engaging with the Bartlett community. Well done, Todd!”

Indeed. - Suburbs editor Clay Bailey

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