The watchdog group Common Cause of Georgia has announced the names of 17 recipients of the organization’s 2012 Democracy Awards.
“We are honoring 17 outstanding individuals who have in some way or another contributed to bettering our democracy in Georgia since our last awards reception,” said William Perry, Executive Director of Common Cause Georgia. “They have worked to improve Georgia’s ethics laws or have stood firm for higher standards and better government.”
“Seventeen awardees sounds like a high number, even to us, but the truth is this has been a banner year for ethics reform and better government advocates. We have a long way to go to fully improve Georgia’s weak ethics laws and make government more accountable at the state and local level. The people we are recognizing this year, however, have helped us take tremendous strides in the right direction,” added Perry.
Each year, Common Cause Georgia recognizes Georgia citizens who better our democracy in Georgia through their work as members of the media, public officials and citizen advocates.
“This year we are adding a career achievement award and are very pleased to present the inaugural award to Bill Bozarth, former Executive Director of Common Cause Georgia,” said Perry. “Bill laid the strong foundation for the success we are currently building on. There is no one who would be more appropriate than Bill to receive the first career achievement award.
Other awardees include: Jay Bookman, Columnist, Atlanta Journal Constitution; Micheal J. Bowers, Lead Investigator, Atlanta Public Schools Investigation; Jason Carter, Georgia State Senator; Debbie Dooley, Citizen Activist, Georgia Tea Party Patriots; Kay Godwin, Citizen Activist, Georgia Conservatives In Action; Richard Hyde, Lead Investigator, Atlanta Public Schools Investigation; Mike Luckovich, Editorial Cartoonist, Atlanta Journal Constitution; Josh McKoon, Georgia State Senator; Felicia Moore, Atlanta City Councilmember; Elizabeth Poythress, Citizen Activist, League Of Women Voters Of Georgia; Tommy Smith, Georgia State Representative; Julianne Thompson, Citizen Activist, Georgia Tea Party Patriots; Pat Tippett, Citizen Activist, Georgia Conservatives In Action; Bob Wilson, Lead Investigator, Atlanta Public Schools Investigation; Kyle Wingfield, Columnist, Atlanta Journal Constitution; Dick Yarbrough, Syndicated Columnist
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