October 16, 2006
(1) The proposed transfer of water from the Catawba River to Concord and Kannapolis will be decided soon. Whatever the decision, it has brought to light the importance of this natural resource. What actions can be taken on a local level to protect what we have and ensure an adequate water supply for the future?
The proposed water transfer, under state law, is decided by the state’s Environmental Management Commission—not local government. That’s the main problem. It’s a water quantity issue, too. The Soil & Water board’s focus, also by law, is water quality, or stopping pollution at the source. We need, for instance, to reduce storm water pollution of our primary source of drinking water, Lake Rhodhiss, which the EPA now calls “impaired.”
What ordinary citizens can do is to speak out in all possible ways—voicing their opinions at any public meetings related to water issues. On September 7, 2006, for example, I was the only one of seven Soil & Water Conservation candidates to speak at the Valdese hearing against the proposed water transfer for Concord and Kannapolis—the only one.
County Commissioners should also continue to develop the new Yadkin River reservoir in the northern part of the county.
(2) As Caldwell County's economy changes, agriculture and ecotourism could play an important role. What actions as a soil & water commissioner will you take to protect our natural resources?
Residential growth in Caldwell County brings the very problems we see in heavier populated areas like Concord and Kannapolis, although hopefully at a slower pace. Families moving here expect to be able to find jobs and careers to match their educations and work qualifications. Others came here to retire. Besides jobs, they all expect to find attractive, affordable housing, including appropriate drinking water and sewer services. We must also have land resources and adequate water and electricity supplies for new industries and other employers seeking to locate here.
The Soil & Water Conservation District, naturally, should work well with all other boards and commissions in local, state and federal governments—as well as private citizens—to promote prudent residential, industrial and economic growth. “The main thing” is to remember “the main thing,” and that’s soil and water quality.
(3) Caldwell County is experiencing unprecedented residential growth. What opportunities and challenges does this present for Caldwell County? What should be done to address those issues?
Again, the Soil & Water board is about preserving water quality. As a member, under the district’s lawful mission, I will visit landowners, farmers, dairymen, landscapers, timber men, homebuilders—anyone who might disturb or add chemicals to the soil—to convince them to use proven conservation practices. This means educating and persuading people to do what’s best for all of us.
People need to know there are consequences to making bad decisions about soil and water quality, just as in any other aspect of life. We know, for instance, that “dirty” water can be cleaned up for drinking. We also know that, the dirtier the water, the longer and more costly the cleanup. So, any time we avoid polluting our soil, water and air, the less time and money it takes to clean it up—and that means saving taxpayer resources. I’ve not met anybody yet who likes to pay taxes.
(4) What is the one thing, if elected, that you want to be sure to accomplish?
What has amazed me, as I have campaigned, is that the great majority people I meet have no idea what the Soil & Water Conservation Districts in North Carolina actually do. Even people who have been involved in politics for many years, working for their own causes and candidates, look at me like I’m green and come from Mars for actually campaigning for a job they never heard of, and which pays nothing.
For more than 35 years since college, I have been a professional communicator, with a career in public relations, sales and education. As a part-time college instructor for about 10 of those years, I’ve been privileged to teach—to reduce the ignorance of my students regarding the world around them. The one thing I’d like to be sure to do is to help the public at large understand what the soil & water board does for them.
5) What's the most important decision you ever made and what was the outcome?
The “most important decision I’ve ever made” is how I choose to live. I am a Christian, a child of God who’s been blessed with many gifts, most notably, my family. Much is demanded of me. I have hundreds of friends and, hopefully, not as many enemies. I’ve worked hard to get an education, through universities, yes, but more importantly, just from seeing the world around me. To know me better, check my website: dennisbenfield.com.
I’ve worked hard in my career, but even harder with my wife, to encourage our children to get their educations and to be “assets,” not liabilities, to their communities. I think they’ve done that pretty well. I’m mostly retired now, and our children and grandchildren live far away. I’m trying to “give back” to my community. The “outcome” of my decision is still being judged, by those around me and, ultimately, by my Lord and Redeemer.
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