| There's nothing like being in the streets, feeling that joyful outrage, and being surrounded by people power. But we know we can't stop there. Showing up matters in many forms, not just at rallies. This month, there are many opportunities to take that protest energy and apply it to tangible next steps. From a national strike day, to a training on how to stop ICE by teaching businesses their Fourth Amendment rights, to a postcard party in support of public education, there are so many ways to plug in, build power, and keep the momentum going! |
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Our sincere thanks and appreciation to Deb Rich, who has authored our SPOTLIGHT columns for the past 4 years. And a big thank you to Betsy Alger for writing this one. |
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Ron Redmon grew up in Alexandria, VA surrounded by cobblestone streets and historic buildings. He describes this early experience as being "continuously marinated in the early history of this country" and "infused by the spirit of the American Revolution…." From an early age, Ron’s family instilled in him a belief that the role of government in a free society is to ensure order and better the lives of ordinary citizens. Also instilled in Ron was the importance of education, which he took seriously, earning a master’s degree in government and public policy and completing a postgraduate fellowship inorganization development. Ron served in the U.S. Air Force as an "intelligence specialist (aka, a spy)" for four years and completed a 20-year career as a hospital administrator in the Air Force Reserves. Since being posted in Italy in the early 1970s, Ron has traveled widely throughout America and Canada, Europe (including Russia), the U.K., Scandinavia, and South America. Ron began his public service career working on Capitol Hill, followed by 22 years in the executive branch. In 1992 Ron was invited to join President Clinton's National Performance Review (i.e., the Reinventing Government initiative) where he served on the leadership team which reported to Vice President Gore. After the review, Ron opened a consulting and coaching practice specializing in the leadership development of senior career and political executives in the federal service. In 2010, Ron and his husband moved to Flat Rock. They had lived in Boone since 2000 and Maryland before that. They both have strong family ties to NC and always desired to retire here. Ron loves to travel by "car, plane, train, river boat, ship, barge, or hot air balloon." He is an avid supporter of the arts and collects paintings, art glass, and American pottery. Ron is also a "passionate Beagle owner." [Editor: me too!] Most important to Ron though are his son and daughter-in-law in Atlanta. Ron has been an environmentalist for as long as he can remember. Having consulted to NOAA for 20 years, he became very knowledgeable about climate change and in 2019 initiated a public forum about its impacts on our region. In addition, Ron and his husband actively support civil liberties, healthcare as a human right, social justice and historic preservation. In response to Donald Trump’s efforts to destroy our democracy and dismantle our federal government, in March, Ron started a group of the nationwide Indivisible movement along with 34 of his neighbors in Flat Rock. In its short life of less than six months, the group now has 165 members across the county… which led to a change in name to Indivisible Henderson County, NC. The group’s goals are to raise awareness of this historic constitutional crisis through large public events, by engaging with disaffected and non-voting citizens, and encouraging elected officials to use their power stop the administration’s authoritarianism.
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Ron’s message to everyone is: “This is not a NetFlix movie we’re watching! It is the rapid destruction of what our Founders and every veteran since them put their lives on the line to create and sustain. Time is short. There is no second chance. The Congress is impotent. The Courts are tainted. We, the people, are all who stand between Trump and a dictatorship. Please join Indivisible Henderson County, NC or any other group you like, but get active! In our group we remind ourselves of the value of what we’re doing by quoting the Jewish religious leader, sage and scholar, Hillel the Elder, who asked: “If not us, who? If not now, when?” |
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OUR MISSION: The Progressive Alliance of Henderson County (PAHC) compassionately advocates for justice, dignity, inclusion and sustainable, healthy communities for all. OUR VISION: To connect residents of Henderson County and vicinity through grassroots civic engagement, education, outreach and volunteerism. Visit our website for more photos, events, and links to like-minded groups. |
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The PAHC core leadership group (currently Betsy Alger, Jesse Bailey, Chris Berg, Nancy & Neil Brown, Sheila Clendenning, Padma Dyvine, Laura Miklowitz, Andy Myers, David Watson, and Paul Weichselbaum) working together diligently to strengthen our impact, has created mission and vision statements for the group.
Please speak to any of us if you can offer your ideas and time about the future of Henderson County. |
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Copyright © *2019-2025* *Progressive Alliance of Henderson County* |
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