Anniston, AL – Anniston mayoral candidate Ben Little sat down with the Calhoun Journal to outline his vision for the city if elected.
Ben Little, a longtime Anniston City Council member seeking the mayor’s office, recently participated in an extensive interview with the Calhoun Journal, outlining his comprehensive platform for leading the city. The veteran public servant, who has represented Ward 3 for multiple terms, presented detailed plans addressing everything from basic city services to major economic development initiatives.
One of Little’s immediate priorities involves addressing city ordinances he believes are hindering economic growth. He plans to ask the council to rescind the ordinance banning fireworks in Anniston, arguing the city is missing out on thousands of dollars in revenue annually. “The people are buying them and coming to Anniston to shoot them,” Little explained, suggesting the city should capitalize on this existing demand rather than prohibiting it entirely. He proposes implementing time restrictions instead of a complete ban, recognizing that “people are getting off work and some are going to work that need sleep.”
Additionally, Little intends to push for rescinding ordinances restricting mobile homes in certain areas, though he clarified his opposition to new trailer parks. This position reflects his broader philosophy of reducing regulatory barriers while maintaining community standards.
Drawing from his council experience, Little emphasized his track record of constituent services and results. He cited a older opinion piece that stated “Ben Little got more done in Ward 3 than all the other wards combined.” This accomplishment, he explained, resulted from his persistent advocacy with city management on behalf of residents’ needs.
“That’s our job and our duties, and I do the same thing as the city as a whole,” Little stated, highlighting his commitment to serving all residents regardless of race or ward boundaries. He noted that residents from other wards frequently contact him when their own council members are unresponsive, a practice he takes pride in despite occasional criticism of his direct approach.
Economic development represents a cornerstone of Little’s mayoral platform. He points to successful projects during his council tenure, including expanding Walmart, bringing Lowe’s to the area, and providing tax abatements to various companies for expansion. He also played a key role in bringing Greyhound bus service back to Anniston after it had been discontinued.
Looking forward, Little envisions creating a professional economic development team equipped with marketing materials and expertise to attract businesses. He criticized the city’s current approach, noting that other municipalities employ dedicated professionals who understand how to court potential businesses effectively.
The candidate expressed particular frustration with the handling of the McClellan property, arguing that fundamental ownership questions must be resolved before meaningful development can occur. Through his research, Little discovered what he believes are issues with the property’s deed history, potentially involving Native American tribal claims dating back to the original Army acquisition in 1917.
“The first thing I would like to do with the McClellan property is get who owns the property,” Little stated, explaining that current property buyers may only be receiving quitclaim deeds rather than clear title. He has been in contact with Creek Indian representatives in Oklahoma and believes resolving these ownership questions could unlock significant development opportunities, possibly including gaming facilities.
Infrastructure and basic services represent another major focus area. Little promises immediate improvements to trash pickup and sanitation services, which he considers fundamental to the city’s image and economic prospects. “You cannot lift your city, just be trashed out and nothing is happening,” he argued, noting that business prospects driving through the city form immediate impressions based on cleanliness and maintenance.
He attributed current service deficiencies to staffing decisions that prioritized management salaries over maintaining adequate worker levels. Little plans to rebalance city employment to ensure sufficient workers for essential services while examining overall salary structures.
Public safety improvements feature prominently in Little’s agenda, particularly regarding police department leadership. With Chief Bowles retiring in January, Little advocates for opening the police chief position to external candidates rather than limiting selection to internal promotions. He believes this approach would bring fresh leadership and expanded candidate pools to address current challenges.
“This is 2025, and we’re only confined to three, maybe four individuals. That’s not good for a city,” Little observed, criticizing the limited internal options. He emphasized the need for police leadership capable of effective community communication, particularly during crisis situations requiring public information.
Education represents another priority area, though Little acknowledges the separation between city and school board governance. He supports public referendums for new educational facilities and has already commissioned architectural studies for a comprehensive campus renovation. His vision includes keeping select facilities like the auditorium and gymnasium while rebuilding the remainder with modern technology and expanded capacity.
“Anniston has to move up into the 21st century. We have to build a new education complex with modern technology and equipment,” Little stated, comparing outdated school facilities to a 1968 Ford truck – solid but inadequate for current needs.
Transparency in government operations represents a fundamental principle for Little’s administration. He plans to implement comprehensive equipment inventories, televise board meetings, and provide quarterly public updates on city finances and operations. He particularly wants accountability regarding COVID-19 relief funds and other federal grants, expressing concern about how these resources have been utilized.
The candidate also proposes expanding youth engagement through reestablishing a youth council with representatives from public, private, and homeschool communities. This initiative would provide civic education opportunities and give young people voice in local government decisions.
Airport development presents another opportunity Little wants to pursue actively. He envisions partnerships that could include aviation training programs for high school students, addressing anticipated workforce shortages in aircraft maintenance and piloting. He has experience with similar programs from visits to Detroit and believes Anniston could benefit from comparable initiatives.
Regarding his sometimes confrontational reputation on the council, Little makes no apologies for his direct approach when advocating for constituents. “Every now and then you have to do like Jesus, went in the temple and cracked the whip,” he explained, comparing his council tactics to necessary intervention for community benefit.
He emphasized that his assertiveness stemmed from representing residents’ needs when other officials were unresponsive. As mayor, he believes this dynamic would change because his role would involve coordinating with council members rather than pressuring reluctant colleagues.
Little’s military background informs his leadership philosophy, which he summarizes as “identify the problem, determine the cause, and take action.” He argues that Anniston needs decisive leadership willing to challenge entrenched interests that have hindered the city’s progress.
Looking toward the future, Little envisions projects like an amphitheater on Duggar Mountain that would capitalize on the area’s natural beauty and attract visitors. He also wants to revitalize the Dr. David Satcher Health and Leadership Institute concept, which would bring international speakers and educational opportunities to Anniston.
Throughout the interview, Little emphasized his commitment to serving all areas of Anniston equally, rejecting what he sees as favoritism toward certain neighborhoods or interests. He promises transparent governance, improved basic services, aggressive economic development, and leadership that puts community needs before political considerations.
With his extensive council experience and detailed policy agenda, Little presents himself as a candidate ready to implement immediate improvements while pursuing long-term strategic development for Anniston’s future growth and prosperity.
