While Sheila Eckman may be known citywide for her service and dedication to Auburn, it is her personal relationships and representation of her constituents that characterize her presence in the Auburn area.
Eckman has served on Auburn's city council for nine and a half years for Ward 2 and last month was elected the new commissioner for Lee County, defeating incumbent J. Mathan Holt for district 1.
While the new position will open many avenues for progress, Eckman said she is excited about the opportunity it will give her to connect with more people.
"I'm doubling the number of people that I will be serving, and I enjoy that interaction with people," Eckman said. "I enjoy when they call me, they have a question and I don't know the answer. I have to find out the answer and get back to them and try to help them if I can."
Eckman graduated from Auburn in 1985 at 42 years old with a degree in journalism and said communication has always been important to her.
Currently, she has her neighborhood divided into different groups she can email, making sure her constituents are consistently updated.
"I'm excited about doing something a little different and adding to my representation of people," Eckman said.
Tom Worden, councilman for Ward 3, has known Eckman for 30 years and said she's always been concerned with being personal with the people she interacts.
"She's given her life to serving," Worden said, adding that Eckman goes the extra mile in her work with the city in wanting to see firsthand her constituents' problems.
"If there's a situation where somebody's concerned about--a corner that's dangerous, like there's a wire down, there's a branch from a tree down, and people are complaining about safety--she'll drive out to that corner and she'll look at it and she'll inspect it all from all angles."
Mike Golden, president of the Willow Creek Neighborhood Association, said Eckman works hard to keep things face to face.
"Sheila, in her early campaigns, tried to go to every house in her district and meet the people," Golden said.
Eckman said it's something she enjoys.
"You learn so much about your area that you didn't know just because a question will come up and you have to research the question," Eckman said. "It just makes you have a closer bond with your town, with your county."
Eckman said every person's question is important to them, and it's key to treat people with respect. She said she takes pride in being able to truly help.
"I think it's just that people are so appreciative when you can help them," Eckman said. "That's rewarding."
However, Eckman said she doesn't think she should be the only one talking. She encouraged her constituents to always be present to effect change.
"As much as I can, I encourage them to speak for themselves," Eckman said.
She said over the years she's seen how persistence can pay off for residents.
"What I call it is 'butts in the seat,'" Eckman said. "You've got to have butts in the seat. Show up and make noise. It does work."
Worden agreed and said Eckman's strong presence in the council room has helped bring change.
"In her ward, if she'd have been weak, they really wouldn't have gotten the representation that they deserve," Worden said.
Eckman said her time as representative has fueled a fiery spirit in the council room, and Worden said Eckman hasn't been afraid to speak out against council officials to push an issue she feels strongly about.
"She wanted to make sure that we were discussing all issues, all sides of issues," Worden said. "That was really a priority, to make sure that when we voted yes, we voted yes and everyone would benefit, rather than just a few people on the sides of an issue."
Eckman said she encourages others to realize that life does not have to stop after retirement.
"Actually I was very unique when I ran for council in that I had no record," Eckman said. "In fact, I hadn't done anything in Auburn. My jobs always took me on the road, so all of this transpired after I retired."
Today, Eckman is involved in a number of local organizations including Friends of Chewacla Creek and the Uphapee Watershed, Lee County Historical Society's Pioneer Park, Save our Saugahatchee and the Lower Tallapoosa Water Partnership.
"I think it's a good example to people ... that you can just jump in there," Eckman said. "I've found this everywhere I've ever been--there's always some kind of a void. There's always something that needs to be done that you can do."
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