This is an “open letter” to Mr. Gary A. Whisnant, Hudson, NC:
Because the Lenoir News-Topic will print letters-to-the-editor only so often, I’m quite sure the paper won’t print my response to Mr. Gary A. Whisnant’s diatribe against me in yesterday’s newspaper. Unfortunately, my only options are to post this letter on my website (dennisbenfield.com) and to mail Mr. Whisnant a copy.
Mr. Whisnant, you see, is very upset with me, because he believes I was “belittling” his son, Gary Whisnant, in my response to the son’s letter-to-the-editor in the News-Topic about a week ago. The elder Mr. Whisnant, understandably, is fighting back at someone he perceives as attacking his son—even though he’s in his 40s and is secretary of the Caldwell County Republican Party Executive Committee.
So, if my daddy were still alive, I guess, maybe, I could get him to write a response to Gary A. Whisnant’s attack on me, and the News-Topic might print that. Shoot, where’s Daddy when you really need him? Pop did warn me, though, about getting into what he called “pissing matches” with people he called “skunks.” I don’t know if that applies here.
First of all, Mr. Whisnant, your attack on me was clearly personal—you called me “arrogant” and you belittled my work, which you obviously know nothing about—while my letter last Saturday, responding to your son, focused on issues facing Caldwell County. If you perceived my response as a personal attack, and your son, too, was offended by my remarks, I apologize. That was not my intent.
As for “not liking” your son, I’ll admit we are not close. During last fall’s campaign, I tried to be friendly with Gary, but he wouldn’t accept my handshake in front of a number of witnesses. Since then, we both have gone about our business just steering clear of each other. You can’t be friends with someone who doesn’t want your friendship.
Regarding my comments about “commas” in your son’s original letter, I was trying to be sure I understood the meaning of his rambling run-on sentences. I just reread his letter, and I’m still not sure what he was trying to say. Again, if I offended the two of you with my own awkward choice of words, I’m sorry.
My first reaction to Gary Whisnant’s letter was to email the News-Topic to ask them why they didn’t more closely edit Gary’s letter to clarify his meaning, saying that he might be unnecessarily embarrassed. The paper responded that it is accused sometimes of changing a writer’s intended meaning in the editing and that it’s found it better to let the writer’s “syntax” speak for itself.
That you interpret my letters as “my arrogant attempts to educate those…less literate” is unfortunate. I try to argue political positions with reason, logic, facts, analysis and common sense, not emotions or personalities. If you view me as intelligent, articulate and well-educated, I thank you, sir, for the unintended compliment.
For the record, let me compliment you, too, on your obvious command of the written English language. By contrast, Mr. Whisnant, your letter was very easy to understand. Do you think I should apologize for my education?
You should know that my response to your son’s letter was provoked by (1) his obvious blind loyalty to a Republican-controlled board of commissioners and (2) the undercurrent of words scolding people who criticize their decisions as somehow not helpful in the county’s political processes. I tried to focus on issues, Mr. Whisnant, and I called no one “arrogant.”
As for the commissioners you so vigorously defended, again, my response was not personal—I mentioned none of the commissioners or their hired hands by name. In fact, I like several of those same people and certainly respect their public service—and I have told them so, if you care to ask them.
My complaint is with the decisions they’ve made and the fiscal policies they have been pursuing—spending us into oblivion in Caldwell County—necessitating the recent 22.2% property tax increase. Part of my response would be, simply, to say “no” occasionally to county departments which seek more money and more employees—always “more, more, more.”
Like you, I agree with some of the commissioners’ actions. Why can’t I exercise my First Amendment right to freedom of speech and “to petition the Government for a redress of grievances”? I certainly consider a tax increase of that magnitude as a “grievance.”
To answer some of your other specific points, Mr. Whisnant:
· I have operated my own one-employee business for about 36 years, sometimes part-time, sometimes full-time.
· I have brought no new “industries” to Caldwell County, but these commissioners haven’t brought as many as they want us to believe. I have, however, assisted in opening new businesses elsewhere.
· I have taught in colleges and community colleges for more than 10 years, so as a classroom teacher, I am guessing that I might have had as great a role in educating young adults as you.
· What I have done “to remedy everyone’s situation,” as you put it, is my own personal volunteer charity work all my adult life, including in my church, Boy Scouts, coaching youth sports and assisting other non-profit organizations. I have also tried to be a good son, a good grandson, a good nephew, a good cousin and a good neighbor. But that’s none of your business.
· I don’t appreciate your denigrating comment about my “lofty position” as a Caldwell Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor. That board, for your edification, Mr. Whisnant, is one place where the partnership of state, federal and local government really does work for our citizens. I’m proud of that board, and I try to keep my personal political views out of its business.
I agree with you, Mr. Whisnant, that the “consent of the governed” is, indeed, Election Day—and I believe that the next one will result in a change in at least three of the current commissioners. Until then, all sides in the debate on county issues will eagerly try to “educate” the electorate, as you have accused me of doing. Your commissioners try to do it every day.
Yes sir, I will readily admit that I am trying to educate. One of the tools I will continue to use is opinion letters in newspapers, just as Hamilton, Jay and Madison used The Federalist Papers to engender public support for the new Constitution of the United States 230 years ago. At that time, the majority of the colonial populace actually supported King George III—so the letter writers obviously changed some minds.
Finally, Mr. Whisnant, I certainly appreciate your early endorsement of me as a candidate for county commissioner. I hate to disappoint you, but, at this point, I’m not planning to run for any office in the next election. You seem to be aware that I was elected to an office just last year.
I actually have a lot of other priorities this year, and I am happy serving on the soil and water board that you apparently have such a low regard for. I’m not so sure that I would even vote for someone running for a new public office less than a year after winning a different office. There’s just something a little disingenuous about that.
However, voter responses to letters like yours in yesterday’s News-Topic may change my mind. In the last week, I have received a daily average of four emails or phone calls from people who say they would support my candidacy if I do run for another office. One man said he could get me 20 votes in addition to his and his wife’s.
If I do decide to run at some point, I’ll be sure to let you know as soon as possible, Mr. Whisnant, so you can say or write something else that will bring me more support.
And if my dad were around, I would still write the letters. He could help put out signs.
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