Op-Ed Columns

Ben Little disappointed some people last week.

It had nothing to do with George Monk.

Or Anniston's city manager position.

Or Little's car.

For days — no, weeks — the fly on the wall in Little's ward buzzed with the thought that the councilman harbored plans to seek a higher office. That he'd tried that already — and been soundly defeated — by state Rep. Barbara Boyd in a fruitless bid to advance into state politics — seemed no deterrent. Politicians with mettle don't quit.

Everyone had heard the talk. Little would run for mayor of Anniston. He'd try to unseat incumbent Chip Howell. He'd take on Howell's east Anniston/pro-McClellan establishment. He'd run against the record of Howell's two terms. He'd beat all of it, and make the city deal with him, even though he now admits what many people have long whispered under their breath — that there are residents who wish he'd butt out of city politics.

That way, he'd have time to get his car fixed.

Instead, Little disappointed those who think that way.

Little said no.

There's a news story.

"Ecclesiastes tells us that there's a time for all seasons," he told The Star. "This is not the season."

He kept talking.

"They want me to run for mayor so that they can stack the deck just to get me off the council," he said. "But I'm not crazy."

No, Little's not crazy.

In this instance, he's right. His logic is, and was, sound. Fully aware of what would happen if he ran for City Hall's top job and lost — he'd forfeit his council seat, too — Little chose the only route that wasn't blocked with an impassable option.

It made for an easy decision: Say no to running for mayor, say yes to seeking re-election to the City Council, and remain the most divisive and controversial figure in modern-day Anniston politics. You could hear those thoughts dripping from his words. "They want me off the council so bad …" And you can make your own assumptions as to who is the "they" Little referenced.

Here's the deal, though. Little has his followers. (Though wasn't it telling that about 20 people showed up last week to hear Little's re-election announcement, but about 100 showed up at a City Council meeting this week to support Monk?) Little's not afraid to speak his mind, even when he knows few want to hear what's on it. He doesn't shrivel when faced with opposition. If anything, he has stamina.

He could make a good politician.

Instead, Little makes a good headline.

Anniston needs none of that.

A few weeks ago, I walked around downtown Anniston with an acquaintance knowledgeable about civic leadership and Anniston's distinct need for vibrant guidance. I found the discussion invigorating, a springtime shot in the arm. Invariably, the discussion turned to Little — and this was before he and fellow Councilman Stan Bennett suddenly decided that Monk was an incapable, unqualified, underperforming city manager.

Our private discussion produced this statement: At least Little is an Anniston politician who'll stand up and pursue different ways of doing things, even if those ways are harebrained and often bring out the unkind in people.

I couldn't disagree.

Look, Little is his own worst enemy. He survives on the Anniston council in spite of himself. Sadly, Little's actions often allow bigoted, hateful comments to creep into city politics. Little seems to court controversy, just to see how many he can tick off. Remember when he defended the directive that the Anniston Police Department had to personally deliver a copy of the council's agenda to councilmen's homes prior to each meeting? Remember when he caused the needless investigation into Monk's response to an incident in the city manager's neighborhood? Remember the allegations of a missing $2 million?

Headlines, headlines, headlines. All bad.

Or, do you remember when Little pushed the notion of turning the vacant, brick building that once housed Noble Street School into a one-stop social-service shop? Now that was a productive, albeit expensive, idea, even if it didn't see the light of day.

Too bad Anniston hasn't seen more of that side of this politician — though Little's history of contention with the council would surely submarine any valid idea he put forth.

I've often wondered how Little would be perceived if he were less divisive. Imagine a politician, an ex-military man, a preacher, who could just as easily discuss issues in his ward as he could funding for the Eastern Parkway or redevelopment of the former Fort McClellan. Imagine if Little mended fences instead of mangled them.

Imagine if Anniston wanted to hear what a constructive, well-intentioned Little had to say.

That would be no disappointment at all.