Jackson Free Press

http://jacksonfreepress.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2016/03/29/Yarber_Twitter_1_t670.jpg" align="right" style="border:1px solid; margin-left:5px;" />The city's website is http://www.jacksonms.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=569">touting a new honorific for Jackson's mayor—he's a member of the "Tweet Elite" according to http://aboutdci.com/tweet-elite-25-mayors-mastered-twitter/">a report by Development Counselors International (DCI), which sought to learn how well the mayors of the 250 largest U.S. cities across the country use Twitter.

Yarber ranked 19th on the list, which measured each mayor's Twitter frequency, reach, audience size (relative to city population), engagement and influence.

The top-ranked mayor, Stephanie Rawling-Blake of Baltimore, Maryland, is quoted in the report saying that Twitter enables her to communicate important information about her city, take on issues affecting the country and "set the record straight."

Yarber is, without a doubt, willing to do some setting-of-the-record-to-straight in his Tweets:

I'm watching to see how media coverage of Jackson water "crisis" compares to Clinton water "scare". https://twitter.com/hashtag/fairandbalanced?src=hash">#fairandbalanced

— Tony Yarber (@TonyYarber) https://twitter.com/TonyYarber/status/714880611509473280">March 29, 2016

And has a little fun with constituents:

Some Jackson water humor: Rita B 👊🏾👊🏾😂https://t.co/bAyQ6ropHD">https://t.co/bAyQ6ropHD

— Tony Yarber (@TonyYarber) https://twitter.com/TonyYarber/status/713390633046642688">March 25, 2016

He's also a frequent re-Tweeter of events and happenings within the city, and makes use of Twitter to respond to constituent complaints or concerns (many of which involve potholes).

https://twitter.com/laterjxn">@laterjxn Where? Who have you dealt with? https://twitter.com/MssheenaL">@MssheenaL

— Tony Yarber (@TonyYarber) https://twitter.com/TonyYarber/status/710165282522800129">March 16, 2016

The DCI report points out that Twitter also gives mayors an opportunity to allow constituents "behind the scenes" access and glimpses into their personal lives.

Showing a little personality on social media—as many followers are aware—has long been right in Mr. Yarber's wheelhouse.

https://twitter.com/RepJAnderson">@RepJAnderson https://twitter.com/TyroneHendrix6">@TyroneHendrix6 Mannnn.... https://t.co/EjpLnMuH99">pic.twitter.com/EjpLnMuH99

— Tony Yarber (@TonyYarber) https://twitter.com/TonyYarber/status/696462894637125636">February 7, 2016