Ciara Smith updates local civic club on Anniston's progress

Yahoo

28-01-2025

Reflecting on her time in office, Ciara Smith expressed deep gratitude for the experiences and relationships she has built during her time serving on the Anniston City Council.
"I was a lot younger," Smith began. "I have grown so much in the last four and a half years with the experiences that I have, the relationships that I've built, places that I've been … I know I wouldn't have had those experiences before."
Smith told members of the Anniston Kiwanis Club on Jan. 23 that her journey to the City Council began in south Anniston, where she was raised by her grandmother and introduced to faith and advocacy.
"I used to attend Christian leadership conferences at 17th Street Baptist Church," the Ward 3 councilwoman said. "Had no idea what anyone was talking about, but obviously, at some point, I listened in some way because here I am today."
Her personal challenges included a stint in foster care, where she moved between Anniston and Oxford city schools. She noted a stark difference between the quality of education she received in both systems.
"I had access to MacBooks and modern technology in Oxford, and we were reading from 10-year-old textbooks in Anniston," Smith recalled.
At 16, she began working with the city of Anniston's finance department and attending school board and City Council meetings, advocating for better resources in local schools.
Smith continued her studies in political science at Spelman College, where she interned for former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga. Her experiences in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., exposed her to national policies on issues such as veterans' affairs and immigration, helping to shape her political outlook. At age 19, Smith attended the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, D.C., where she was able to speak before a panel of lawmakers.
Since serving on the City Council, Smith has overseen progress in Anniston. She highlighted the city's budget increase from $43 million to $51 million, driven by a $4.1 billion sales tax increase. This surge in revenue has been reinvested into infrastructure and development.
"We've invested over $6 million into our city's infrastructure, and 15 of those projects are focused on making neighborhoods safer," she said.
Smith also emphasized the importance of attracting businesses to the area, citing the arrival of Starbucks as a symbol of the city's improving economic climate.
"We're not in competition," she explained. "We're creating our own insurance for growth."
The councilwoman further noted the expansion of housing projects, including the development of 11 townhouses and the redevelopment of public housing, with an eye on creating spaces that promote positive community outcomes.
One of Smith's priorities has been addressing healthcare disparities in Anniston. She advocated for a new clinic and learning center in the Glen Addie area, aimed at providing better healthcare access to underserved populations.
"There are so many health disparities in the city, and a lot of people don't understand that," she said. "It was important for me that people have access to take better care of themselves."