Press Releases
Auburn City Council Member Announces Primary Run for Commission
No donations, no obligations
Auburn, AL, January 15, 2012: Auburn city councilwoman
Sheila Eckman announces her candidacy for Lee County Commission, District 1, which
encompasses the northwest corner of the county, including all of her current City
Council ward, Ward 2.
“I meant to finish out this term on Council,” says Eckman, “but I’ve seen how much
of our tax money goes through the County coffers, seen how County decisions impact
Auburn citizens, and I have a concern about the need for more transparency on County
Commission. Much of my current city ward, Ward 2, actually abuts the County.”
“Commission District 1 is larger than my City Ward,” says Eckman. “It takes in downtown
Auburn and about one-third of the rest of the City, as well as parts of Loachapoka,
Waverly, and Notasulga. It extends north to Gold Hill. I learned a lot about northwest
Lee County while working with the Land Trust of East Alabama. So I am well familiar
with rural communities such as Roxana, Farmville, James, Ridge Grove and Macon’s
Mill. http://www.leeco.us/commissioners/docs/Commission_Map.pdf
Eckman neither sought nor accepted contributions for her three successful City Council
races, believing that local political offices should be accessible to those without
means or influence. Her county commission campaign will be no exception. “I just
don’t see how you can take money, and then forget who gave it to you. Historically,
some donors have had business interests related to the County.”
“I’ve always been Republican. I’m a conservative ‘less is more’ person when it comes
to government at any level,” says Eckman. ”Because of my stances about our environment,
however, I sometimes have been perceived otherwise. But what is more conservative
than conservation?”
Eckman is available to speak to groups large and small and will be utilizing yard
signs, email, social media and a website to get out her message. “I’m counting on
those who have supported me to share my thoughts with their friends in District
1. And I’m hoping some of those in other city wards who have told me they wished
they could vote for me will now realize they can!”
Eckman can be reached at 334-750-9666, sheilaeckman@bellsouth.com,
or, soon, www.yourleecounty.com.
The primary election is March 13.