Fighting For Changes
There is a quote from Margaret Mead that says, “ Never doubt that a small
group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it
is the only thing that ever has.” That quote could certainly be written
about one of Pooler’s own, Billie Stack.
Billie hails originally from Hickory, North Carolina. A middle child of
twelve children, it is easy to see that she has had to make decisions and
work with a “group” of people for most of her life. This ability to solve
problems and to work with the ideas of others started at an early age.
Moving to Bloomingdale in 1983, she joined the Bloomingdale Volunteer
Fire Department in 1993. When asked why a volunteer firefighter, she
states that she wanted to get involved in the community and desired a way
to help others in the area.
In 1998, she moved to Pooler and wanted to continue working with the
volunteer fire department there. It was here that she met Fire Chief
Jimmy Fields. She asked Chief Fields if she could join his department
since she still had all of her credentials. Of course, being the type of
man that he was, he was very eager for her to join. However, Billie
wanted to know if there were any other women in the department. The
answer was no. So, she kindly asked the Chief if he would talk with the
men in the department to make sure that this would not be a problem. Of
course it was not. They were very pleased to have someone like Billie to
be a part of their division and were excited that she also brought the
abilities to work on fund raisers for their department.
In 1999, Billie was voted Volunteer Firefighter of the Year for the
department in Pooler. “I was very honored with this award”, she stated.
“I just enjoy working for others and helping in any way I can.” During
this time she also owned her own business, Technology by Design. She
would work at her business and would train every Tuesday evening for the
fire department. Clearly it was easy to see that Billie wanted to be
involved with her community.
However, her desire did not stop there. After her award, Chief Fields
asked her to run for the city council in Pooler. She was not sure if this
was something that she needed or wanted to pursue, especially since there
were no women on the council. In fact, there had not been a woman on a
council seat since 1983. But, with the encouragement of friends and
family, Billie decided to run. She went door to door and would walk the
streets to meet the citizens and explain why she wanted to run for the
city council and her ideas for change and growth. Billie indeed won the
seat and was to become the third woman in the history of Pooler to be on
the council.
“I wanted to continue to be a part of the community by helping this city
grow and develop. I was very humbled by several women who would come up
to me and tell me that they voted for me because I was a woman and they
wanted to see a change.”
Her first role with the council was Chairwoman of Planning and Zoning.
This is a very important job as it helps the council to see the needs of
the city and where change and growth need to occur. “The people here are
wonderful and even though we have grown so much, there are good things
happening here”, she says.
Billie worked hard to make Pooler a city to be proud of. She also felt it
was important to have a code of ethics for the council and was pleased
when it was passed by a 4-3 margin. “I believe it is important for things
to be honest and forthright. It is important to me that people know that
I am doing my best for them and for the community we live in.” And that
is just what she has done.
Billie served on the council for two terms and believes that it was worth
every long night of planning and meeting. Asked if she will run again,
she smiled and stated that she has been asked by several people to do
just that.
“I decided not to run in the last election because I wanted to spend some
time with my family. My daughter was getting married and I wanted to
spend some time with her.” Now she also has a grandson, Ricky Dale
Jeffcoat, III. “He is the apple of my eye and I certainly enjoy spending
time with him. I call him my ‘Little Man’.” However, Billie is very quick
to say that she plans to run again because she believes in this city and
the citizens here.
Billie now works for as an Administrative Assistant for a construction
company, Alan Mock Construction. “I enjoy my job and the people I work
with. Alan has to be the best boss I have worked for”, she says.
Asked if she will continue being a firefighter along with all of the
other “hats” she wears, Billie quickly says, YES! “I know that what I am
doing helps others. Although Pooler now has firefighters who are paid and
respond to first call out, we are there to respond when needed.” She also
is very impressed with the new Fire Chief, Wade Simmons and Assistant
Fire Chief, Ashley Fields (Jimmy Fields’ son). “The volunteer department
continues to move forward and I am proud to be a part of it”, she says.
It is easy to see why Billie Stack has been successful in the various
roles she has played in her community. Her devotion to the people here
and her concern for Pooler’s growth is evident in all that she has
accomplished and in what she still wants to see take place.
“Every vote counts and everyone has a stake in the city of Pooler”, she
says.
Her desire to continue to be a working part of this community, and a part
of a “small group of thoughtful and concerned citizens”, is why she is
one of Pooler’s People We Admire.
Loading... 
