Photo by Mia Watkins
As Mayor-elect Ben Short talks with attendees at the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce's annual State of the City luncheon, outgoing mayor Buddy Choat, center, walks past with a smile.
Incoming Trussville Mayor Ben Short is inheriting the city at a pivotal time, he said.
“I’m inheriting a city that is on the rise,” he said. “We have an exciting future ahead of us, and I would say that there are a lot of projects we’ll hopefully be able to implement in time. We’re in a good place, and I’m excited to see where Trussville goes.”
Starting Nov. 3, Short will take over from longtime Mayor Buddy Choat, who was first elected in 2016. He is also inheriting a $1 million surplus, according to the Oct. 14 City Council meeting.
The two spoke about the transition of power on Thursday, Oct. 16, at Trussville’s annual State of the City Luncheon at the Trussville Civic Center.
Outgoing Mayor Choat addressed the crowd with gratitude as he received a standing ovation.
“It was a great honor to have served you,” he told the crowd. “I tell people that this is probably the best job I've ever had. I have enjoyed it. I’ve had so much support from the community and so much support from our staff and employees.”
Linda Burns, one of Choat’s supporters and a Trussville resident of over 30 years, said she was a big fan of him but is optimistic about Short’s incoming administration.
“I think he’ll do a great job,” she said of Short. “Having the experience that he’s had on City Council, it’s just a great fit.”
Short, who worked as an employee of Choat’s and served with him on the City Council, said he’s grateful for his advice and friendship through the years.
“Trussville wouldn’t be what it is without him,” Short said.
Short thanked voters for trusting him and said he is focused on strategic growth in the city going forward.
“The city voted for growth, and it’s just doing that in a more controlled manner as we navigate the challenges that we have with the population of our schools, as well as our infrastructure,” Short said. “It’s going to be very intentional development, but development’s going to continue. We’re going to keep growing.”
He likened population growth in the city to a water faucet running at full blast.
“We’re going to back that lever off just a little bit to where we can get our subdivision regulations and our master plan updated to account for the growth that we’ve experienced in the city,” Short said.
Choat’s advice to Short and the incoming City Council members is to work as a team.
“Come in with your eyes open, your ears open,” he said. “Be willing to listen. It’s always better to talk about it than make a decision on your own. … Keep those comments going to each other and learn from each other.”
