“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” The famous quote by the late Sir Edmund Burke is one that Whitney resident Debbie Gregory says greatly influences her daily life. She is always looking out for new ways to help out her community, and says her faith and her desire to serve has driven her to get involved in a myriad of ways — whether that be block walking, campaigning, attending local government meetings, or helping out in various community groups.
“We should be our own best resource,” Debbie says. “Bringing community togetherness, uniting to support one another and protect each other instead of relying on government to be the source of provision on any level.” To that end, Debbie helped organize the Hill County Tea Party in 2009 to help educate her neighbors about what was going on in politics at all levels. In addition, she has also been involved with the VFW Aux. American Legion, Hill County Republican Women’s Club, Lake Whitney Garden Club, and the Association of Realtors.
Born in Great Falls, Montana in 1955 and, following her father’s series of career moves, Debbie eventually found her way to Texas where she feels blessed to enjoy a life with a large blended family. Early on in her education, Debbie says she recalls being the lone conservative contrarian in classroom discussions – a tradition she’s carried on to this day.
“Many times, I would be the only person on the conservative side of a discussion or debate. In fact, our teacher’s nickname for me was ‘Miss America’ – in a derogatory manner. She would say things like, ‘Oh, here comes Miss America to disagree…”
Debbie recalls debating many contentious political issues in government class during her early education. And they’d have quite a few: “During my high school years, the voting age was lowered to 18, Richard Nixon won in a landslide, Mayor Daley told the police ‘shoot to kill’ in Chicago during the Democrat Convention, older classmates being drafted…” were just some of the tumultuous issues Gregory recalls debating with her classmates.
Nowadays, she puts that experience to use by putting in hours performing campaign activities and finding other ways to stay involved. “I attend city council meetings, Commissioner’s Court, and School Board meetings. I’m also always preparing and serving food at fundraisers or meet and greets.”
Service, Debbie says, is the most important aspect of holding public office. But without an actively engaged citizenry, politicians will end up serving their own interests and abandon their campaign promises.
“Our publicly elected officials from city, to state, to federal should return to being servants of the people instead of lording over the masses. Until the heart of a servant returns to our elected officials, the battle will continue being about power and control. That is not what our forefathers had planned.”
When she’s not too busy, Debbie likes to stay busy with water sports, hand sewing, reading, gardening, but most emphatically helping others. “Helping others accomplish their dreams and goals brings great returns on the investment of time,” Debbie says. “I’m always on the lookout to vet a new servant of the people!”
