The Civitas Citizen of the Month is an award given to recognize a person who has had an impact on state or local policy debate, provided information to the public, or otherwise had a noteworthy accomplishment. The Citizen of the Month will be recognized at our monthly poll luncheons and honored with a gift. If you know someone who fits the definition and has given of their time for a constitutional, free-market society based on liberty, please nominate them here.
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Sep 2011 Beverly Elliott
“Isn’t it time education is about the children?” This is the question posed by Beverly Elliott, vice president of TEA for Education, a group whose mission is to transform education by moving away from bloated bureaucracy and enacting true parental choice.
A North Carolina native, Elliott grew up with a love for history and often volunteered for local candidates, determined not to idly sit by. She gained political experience as a District Representative for Congressman Charles Taylor where she worked to “make government accountable to the people.” After taking a short break, Elliott jumped back into politics by joining the Haywood County 912 Project, which works to promote fiscally sound government, and now serves as event coordinator and co-chair.
After the 2010 elections, Elliott was approached by Bruce Gardner, 912 Project co-founder, with an idea of using the Tea Party’s influence to promote school choice.
“Our primary goal is to direct the focus away from adult-centered bureaucracy into a child-based system,” Elliott said.
The group quickly got to work organizing a volunteer task force, conducting educational presentations, and contacting state legislators in Raleigh. Their most notable accomplishment to date is working to get the state charter school cap lifted...
Aug 2011 Dee Park: Moore TEA Citizens Chair
Like many in the conservative grassroots movement, Dee Park’s desire to decrease the size of government and reign in excessive spending motivates her, despite keeping a busy schedule. A self-described “Constitutional conservative American,” Park, Chair of the Moore TEA Citizens group, spent many of her early years in Vermont where she read a great deal on history and government.
Her political experience began on the Montpelier School Board where she served as Vice Chair and Chief Negotiator for the school board. And while educated on political figures and government, it was not until Park moved to North Carolina six years ago that she became politically active at the local level. Upon getting involved, she recognized a need for better communication and online activism and now maintains numerous websites for various Republican groups. However, in 2009 everything changed.
“We’ve followed Washington’s growing liberal spending habits for years. We looked for men and women who would follow basic principles of fiscal responsibility, limited government, free markets and strong national security,” Park said. “Concern led to alarm and alarm suggested action.”
This call to action drew 1,000 people to the Southern Pines Post Office on April 15, 2009, intent on stopping...
Jul 2011 Michael Munger: Libertarian Advocate and Teacher
Eager to impact the way young people think about themselves and their place in society, Dr. Michael Munger chose the classroom and academia as the place in which he would leave his mark.
Munger, Director of the Duke Philosophy, Politics and Economics program, gained experience through working as a staff economist at the Federal Trade Commission before teaching at Dartmouth College and the University of Texas. His enthusiasm for engaging with students, through classroom work and conversations, has allowed him to impact many, including those who disagree with him.
“The biggest reward is a sense of participating in the democratic process, both directly in talking about particular policies, but also in talking about why some human societies flourish and prosper, and others wither and die,” Munger said. “Almost every day I have two or three really great conversations!”
Unhappy with the escalating size of government and actions of both major political parties, Munger decided the Libertarian platform best fit his philosophies concerning personal freedom and economic prosperity.
“I want a government small enough to fit inside the Constitution. My role is to try to remind the citizens of our state that for a society of truly free and responsible citizens, nothing...
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