Please give a brief history of yourself including why you are running for office? My early childhood was spent on a farm with my parents, Roy and Bobbie, and my grandparents near Pisgah. I grew up in Versailles and have lived my entire adult life in Midway. I have been married to my wife, Judi, for 34 years, with 3 children, Joy(Bryan) Barnes, Laurel (Xon) Hostetter, and Miller (Victoria) Benson. I worked for over 30 years in the thoroughbred industry, serving for over 20 years as the Yearling Manager at Airdrie Stud,10 years as the Yearling Manager of Winstar Farm, and 2 years as the General Manager at Mt.Brilliant Farm. During my career I managed substantial budgets and crews of up to 30 people. This experience has built a good foundation for making tough fiscal decisions and taught me the art of compromise, qualities that have served me well in public service. I have always been interested in politics and trying to make a difference in the community. After serving for 8 years as a city councilman in Midway, I decided to take a break from service and to devote more time to family and other interests. My career changed a few years ago and with my 2 youngest getting married last year, I feel it is time to get involved again.
What are your main qualifications to serve as magistrate? 1)Leadership -chaired the intergovernmental committee that led to merger of Versailles and Woodford Co. police. Managed the midway recycling program which was a model for the Woodford Co. program. Instrumental in revitalization of downtown Midway and with the re-paving of Midway streets as councilman. 2)Vision-believe that Woodford County is unique and that any development should begin with that premise. Midway has always been thought of as the back door to Woodford County but with its location on the interstate we should be viewing it as the gateway to all that's uniquely Woodford. 3)Personality-always been a people person, with a quick wit and smile, but a determined resolve to be able to ask tough questions and seek common ground on difficult issues.
What volunteer positions have you had in Woodford County in the last five years? What have been your contributions to Woodford County in the last five years? In the last 5 years I have volunteered for the Francisco's Farm Art Fair and have help organize and manage the Race for Education 5 and 10k.
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A great amount of tourist dollars come into Woodford County partly as a result of our horses, bourbon, and farms. In view of that, do you think protecting farmland should be a priority? Protecting farmland is one of my biggest priorities. My ties to this land run deep. My grandfather was a tobacco farmer and I am a horse farmer. I think tourism is one of the main industries we should be fostering in Woodford Co., with agri- tourism leading the way. We are sitting on a potential goldmine of revenue from a clean industry that would allow us to keep Woodford as a place that people talk about and want to visit.
Do you support the audit of every city/county agency that is supported by taxpayer dollars? Absolutely. Fiscal responsibility is the backbone of any good government.
What are the most important problems facing Woodford County right now? What would you do about trying to solve them? The most important problems facing Woodford Co. are trying to keep,maintain, and increase the current occupational tax base while preserving the rural qualities that make our community special, and the inefficiencies of having 3 governing entities in one county. We have ample land currently zoned for light industry and business but we must have a vision of what we want to be in 10,25,or even 50 years. The types of businesses we attract will in large part shape that future. We need to look at providing more efficient service to our taxpayers as well, by looking at merging services in areas such as road maintenance and fire protection. We need to think about forming a task force, much like the one I chaired, that would include elected officials, business and community leaders to take an in- depth look at any places where savings and efficiencies can enhance this community.
Do you favor/oppose placing a cap on the amount property taxes could be raised in a year? If so, what should that cap be? What are your feelings regarding eminent domain and private property rights? I believe that there are statutory regulations already in place to limit the amount property taxes can be raised without a referendum to augment the limit. Regarding eminent domain, I believe eminent domain should only be used for major infrastructure upgrades where demonstrated need and public welfare make it a necessity, as in the development of our interstate highway system or in the delivery of basic utilities to provide service to our citizens. The toughest part of eminent domain, however, is that often we feel different when its in our own backyards. Private property rights are an integral part of the foundation of this republic and should be treated with respect and should only be breached when the common good is threatened.
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What makes you a better candidate than the other two? First, let me say that I respect my opponents and applaud their service to our community. They are both good, hardworking people trying to make our community a better place. I believe that the difference between us is vision and leadership. My 30 years of budget management and public relations experience raising and selling thoroughbreds has taught me the value of each dollar spent and the people skills involved with running a crew of up to 30 people has given me the ability to make tough decisions in the short run and the vision to plan for the future. Woodford County is at a crossroads for development and we need more voices like mine who want to preserve and enhance what makes us unique.
What role should the office of magistrate have in retaining or attracting new businesses to the area? I believe we should do everything we can to promote existing businesses and should look to attract new business that augment our existing business environment .
Are you in favor of the creation of the Northwest Corridor around Falling Springs Park? The creation of this corridor should only become a reality if its impact on the safety of motorists on US 62 between Midway and Versailles is negligible and if the affected property owners where the bypass would be placed are in favor. I fear that more business development along this corridor would only compound the safety issues that already exist on US 62(Midway Road), such as narrow high shoulders and trees and utility poles that crowd the highway.
Would you be willing to put "Citizens Participation" back on the Fiscal Court's agenda for each meeting, keeping anyone speaking to 3 minute limit (?) but allowing our citizens to feel they are welcome to attend these meetings and be a part of them? Are you willing to use a microphone at your desk during Fiscal Court meetings so attendees can hear what you have to say? Participation is necessary for any government of the people to function. Any request to be on the agenda for an open meeting should be entertained within reasonable limits. Microphones welcome.
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What questions should be asked and what stipulations should be in place before approving new residential developments? All new developments should be included in the Woodford County Comprehensive Plan. This community wide plan should serve as a template for future development and anticipate needs in different areas of the county. Woodford County has a long tradition of protecting historic areas and for rural land protection. However, pressures exist in the community for more development of all kinds. We must continue to ask the tough questions that are required for smart growth to be a reality, and to seek common ground on a community vision.
What questions should be asked and what stipulations should be in place before approving new commercial developments? Should there be a protection policy (bond, requirement of paying rent and taxes until the box is rerented) in place to guard against empty big boxes in the retail area? Refer to above question and yes, if possible, add restrictions concerning the urban blight that has been left in Woodford County by our largest retailers.
What are you spending priorities? My number one priority is to be an advocate for fiscal responsibility. That is why I am in favor of looking at all sectors of service in Woodford County to find areas where merged service is a feasible possibility. We owe it to future generations to increase efficiencies and reduce waste at all levels of government.
Where do you stand on the merger of city/county government for Woodford County? The toughest proposition of all for many who have a fear that merged government would cause a loss of sovereignty. However, it is a proposition that needs to be debated and given serious thought.
Are you in favor of extending the Bluegrass Parkway? No.
Dale Benson page 5 Name one thing you would do as an elected official to improve life in Woodford County? Work to establish a better intergovernmental dialogue. There has long been an air of dissension in this county that is detrimental to our being a progressive community. We have to work together to find common ground and common sense solutions.
Falling Springs Park is an incomplete asset for Woodford County. What would you do to enhance the park? The first thing I would want to understand is the meaning of incomplete asset. Most people that I know speak highly of the facilities and programming that currently exist. Any enhancement should be the result of careful study and demonstrated need.
Many cities and towns across America are focusing on becoming more pedestrian and bicycle friendly. What can and will you do to promote this concept in Woodford County? As a lifelong exercise enthusiast ,I would like to see more programs such as rails to trails be examined to see where we might take advantage of that untapped resource. As far as bike friendliness, the biggest issue we face in our rural setting is the limited road width of many county roads . Bike lanes exist in Versailles and on most weekends, Midway is full of cyclists. Perhaps the best thing we as a community can do is learn to share the road.
There is much talk of Wal-Mart coming to Woodford County and harming our small business community. What can you as a magistrate do to support current small businesses and encourage new small businesses to consider Woodford County a good place to locate? It seems to me that to encourage Walmart is to discourage small businesses in a general sense. However, Walmart is not the sole culprit in the demise of many small downtowns. We as a people love the idea that we can get things cheaper, faster and in more variety and it doesn't start or end with Walmart. As a magistrate I want to encourage the visioning process that would look at all community issues,including the need for a vibrant small business economy to keep our downtowns viable. The best thing we can all do to promote small businesses is to shop locally.
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In closing , let me first thank you for the opportunity to introduce my feelings and positions on community issues. As I said in a facebook post on my Dale Benson for Magistrate page today, an election without debate is like cereal without milk. Perhaps some of these answers will provide a glimpse of what the discussion might be like if I am elected. I am always available to discuss any issues with my constituents. I can be reached at 859 537-5002 or on facebook.com/Dale Benson for Magistrate. . Remember, our most common denominator is that we are all Woodford countians. Lets make that mean something more!