Auburn, AL - At last night’s meeting, the Auburn City Council appointed Ron Anders as Ward 2 Councilperson, replacing retiring Ward 2 Councilperson Sheila Eckman, who resigned her Council seat at the October 16 Council meeting.

Councilperson Eckman served on the Auburn City Council from October 7, 2002 until October 16, 2012. She resigned from the Council to begin service as the newly elected Commissioner for Lee County District 1. Eckman was recognized for her decade of service by Council resolution at last night’s meeting.

Anders was one of five citizens who asked to be considered as a replacement councilperson for Ward 2. The other candidates considered were Keith D. Foster, Bettye M. King, Stacy Norman and G. Hal Walker, Jr. According to Code of Alabama Section 11-43A-16, “any vacancies on the council, except that of the office of mayor, shall be filled by the council at the next regular meeting … following the date of the vacancy.” Section 11-43A-8 provides that “such election shall require the affirmative vote of five members.” State law also requires the vacancy to be filled by a resident of the ward.

State law provides for Anders to serve as Ward 2 councilperson until the 2014 election, when a Ward 2 councilperson will be chosen by popular vote. The Auburn City Council last appointed a councilperson between elections in March of 2006, following the resignation of Logan Gray. Councilperson Brent Beard was appointed by the Council as his replacement. Beard then sought election (unopposed) later in 2006, and re-election in 2010.

Ron Anders has been a citizen of Auburn since 1965, living in Ward 2 since 1994. Anders is a 1982 graduate of Auburn High School and a 1986 graduate of Auburn University. Anders has three children with his wife Becky. Anders worked in a family business in downtown Auburn for over 20 years, and is currently the Director of Business Development for Rabren General Contractors. Anders has also served on the City of Auburn Planning Commission.

Anders will be sworn in as the Ward 2 Councilperson sometime prior to the November 20, 2012 City Council meeting.