Anniston, AL – Mayor Ciara Smith is addressing rumors circulating in the community about the city manager selection process, emphasizing that the procedure has been transparent and conducted collectively by Anniston’s elected officials.
“I’ve heard the rumors from various members of the community, and I want to be clear about how this process has worked,” Mayor Smith said. Mayor Ciara Smith has provided a detailed update on the process to select a new city manager for the City of Anniston, emphasizing that the approach has been structured and collaborative. The position was publicly advertised on August 11th, 2025, with applications open for 30 days. The job posting was shared widely through the City of Anniston’s social media platforms, official website, the Alabama City/County Management Association (ACCMA), and the Alabama League of Municipalities. The application deadline was September 10th, 2025.
The city received a total of nine applications. Each city council member was provided a complete packet containing all submitted materials. After reviewing the candidates independently, each council member submitted their top nominations to the interim city manager.
The interim city manager then compiled those nominations and provided them to Mayor Smith. From there, Mayor Smith personally reached out to each applicant via email to inform them of the outcome. Those selected to advance to the interview stage were also contacted by phone.
The three individuals selected to advance to the public interview stage are:
· Kenneth Free
· Derrick Swanson
· Jeffrey Thornton
(Listed in alphabetical order)
Public interviews for the finalists will be held on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Mayor Smith recognized the overall quality of the applicant pool:
“The six candidates who were not selected to advance are highly qualified professionals in their respective fields. I appreciate the time and interest each of them showed in serving the City of Anniston, and I made sure to personally thank each one for applying.”
Many professionals face successes and challenges in their careers. However, we considered the full picture: past experience, current roles, interactions, and how each candidate could best serve Anniston at this point in time.
She reiterated that the process is — and has been — a joint effort:
“This decision was not made by one person. It is a collective process involving all five elected members of the city council. These are the city council members currently serving this city. Each finalist was nominated by council members and is now being given the opportunity to present their ideas to the public.”
Mayor Smith also addressed the importance of responsible communication:
“Fact-based information is essential — especially in today’s environment. Unfortunately, there are those that create narratives, and very few people take the time to ask the right questions. It’s easy to latch onto a negative storyline — that’s politics — but it’s not how we lead.”
Mayor Smith concluded by explaining the city’s form of government and the importance of the city manager’s role:
“Anniston operates under a council-manager form of government, where the city council sets policies, and the city manager is responsible for implementing them and managing daily operations. This structure ensures professional management and accountability. Selecting the right city manager is crucial to the success and future growth of our community. We are committed to choosing a leader who will work collaboratively with the council and residents to build a stronger, more vibrant Anniston for all.”
Mayor Smith would also like to personally invite all residents to attend the public interviews, which will be held at the Anniston Meeting Center on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, beginning at 5:00 p.m. This is an important opportunity to learn about the candidates and be part of the city’s future.
She again warned of the damage caused by circulating misinformation. “Rumors create mistrust and bias that hurt our community and our city’s reputation. We have worked hard to move Anniston forward in a transparent way. No one individual or group should control the narrative or direction of the city. Our only agenda is doing what’s best for Anniston.”
Smith stressed, “Public discourse is always welcome, but the decisions are made collectively, and in the open, by those elected to serve right now. That’s the process, and that’s how Anniston will continue to move forward.”
