OUR CORE PRIORITIES
HOUSING VACANCIES & BLIGHT
District 1 carries a disproportionate share of the county’s housing distress, with more than 3,000 vacant homes — over 30% of all vacant housing in Calhoun County. We will push for stronger cleanup, demolition, rehabilitation, and redevelopment strategies that reclaim blighted properties, protect neighborhood safety, and put neglected spaces back to work for our communities.
STRAY ANIMALS & PUBLIC SAFETY
District 1 has faced some of the county’s heaviest stray animal pressure. Anniston’s PJ animal-related calls surged 130% from 2021 to 2023, and the problem has remained elevated, with 2,226 total calls in 2025 alone. Several District 1 corridors account for a major share of those calls, putting real strain on neighborhoods, public safety, and animal-control resources. We need to make this a top priority.
YOUTH
ADVANCEMENT
Youth advancement starts with understanding the pipeline our children are moving through — where the gaps are, what barriers they face, and which resources are missing. We need safer neighborhoods, stronger mentorship, more after-school and career-connected opportunities, and a county government willing to invest in young people. Children cannot thrive where families do not feel secure, so we must support our families.
Addressing Blight and Renewing Community Spirit
A Strategic Plan for Local Restoration
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District 1 Blight Triage Map: We will build a clear property triage system that identifies which homes are salvageable, which structures are unsafe and headed toward demolition, which properties are stuck in tax-delinquent limbo, and which vacant lots are ready for productive reuse. That helps direct limited resources where they can make the biggest difference.
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Vacant Lot Greening + Adoption Program: We will work to turn cleared and neglected lots into cleaner, safer community assets through mowing partnerships, beautification efforts, neighborhood adoptions, community gardens, and small green spaces. Cleaner lots mean less dumping, less blight, and stronger neighborhood pride.
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Small Home Repair / Elder Repair Grants: We will push for targeted repair support for low-income homeowners, seniors, and families who are struggling to keep up with critical maintenance. Helping people fix roofs, porches, accessibility issues, and major hazards early can keep more homes occupied and prevent future blight.
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Side-Lot Transfer Program: When vacant lots are legally available, we should prioritize putting them into the hands of responsible adjacent property owners whenever possible. That can reduce maintenance burdens, discourage dumping, and help neighbors expand yards, gardens, or useful space while keeping land locally cared for.
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County / City Land-Bank Framework: We will support the development of a stronger long-term framework to acquire, hold, clear, and reposition problem properties for productive use. This is the larger structural tool that can help move abandoned parcels out of legal and practical limbo and into a pipeline for reuse, redevelopment, or community benefit.
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Property Education & Family Preservation Initiative: We also need to educate people before properties are lost. Too many families are unfamiliar with wills, heirs’ property issues, probate, tax delinquency, and the court process that can cause homes to sit vacant for years. We should promote free workshops, legal education, and community-based help so families are better equipped to protect inherited property and hold onto generational assets.
BIOGRAPHY
THE ROOTS TO LEAD
Born and raised in Central Anniston, Jackson Hodges comes from the heart of Calhoun County’s District 1 — a district made up of historic communities including West End Anniston, Tyler Hill, Blue Mountain, Hobson City, Lenlock, McClellan, Pelham Heights, and the Thankful community.
Now raising his own young family here with his wife, Charity, Jackson understands firsthand what local families want: safe neighborhoods, clean communities, and real opportunities for their children to thrive. That is why he is running for Calhoun County Commissioner, District 1.
Jackson’s commitment to public service is grounded in the belief that leadership begins at the community level — by listening well, working hard, and staying focused on the everyday issues that impact people’s lives. He knows District 1 is full of promise, but also knows too many families are still burdened by blight, stray animals, environmental concerns, and safety challenges that demand action. This campaign is about putting people first and moving District 1 forward with integrity, purpose, and a deep commitment to the community that raised him.
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CALHOUN COUNTY'S FUTURE IS IN OUR HANDS.
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