On Friday, Oct. 3, I shared my response to an email circulating in Sky Valley about the upcoming elections. Yesterday, part-time resident Karla Ballard Stahl commented on my response and shared her comments on social media. Her post is in bold.
Benita – I have tremendous respect for you as a person and your accomplishments thus far. We have socialized in our homes and at other venues. I consider you more than an acquaintance and certainly someone with whom I’m friendly but I haven’t known you nearly long enough to call you a friend. And make no mistake – I question even my closest friends if I have concerns about something they’re doing. I’m not a “yes woman” for anyone
I have posed questions to you which were only answered by other questions or “don’t you worry about it”. (You left off the adjective phrase “your pretty little head” but it still smacked of tremendous condescension).
I’ve earned my living with words, and if I don’t say something, what you assume is what you assume. To be perfectly clear, you have not posed any questions of me.
- You have: “wondered” whether I had permission to place a banner at the junction.
- You have told me you’re “concerned” that if CareySue Beasley and I are elected, “City Hall will implode. … We will end up in a lawsuit.” You told me you had mentioned that to other people, too.
- You wondered why I would want a position that doesn’t pay.
- You said you were worried about my time commitments.
As you pointed out, I am chair of the Rabun County GOP. At every meeting, I display a sign: “Pose your question in the form of a question.” I’m sorry you feel you can’t simply ask a question. I’d be happy to respond to your questions. “Wondering” is not the same as asking a question. As I told you, I don’t appreciate you planting seeds of doubt about my integrity or campaign. You apologized, then added that my yard signs “are on the property of people who can’t even vote for me.” I have pledged to represent ALL property owners.
I told you that I I think it is fair to question the time demands of your business and your now TWO other political roles – chairman of Rabun Republicans and advisory committee/panel on eliminating Georgias income tax) and whether this leaves sufficient time for you to guide the city through the next several years. “Don’t you worry about it” is no kind of answer. I believe the citizens of SV deserve to know how many hours you can devote to the role. No one has more than 24 hours in a day.
You’re right that no one has more than 24 hours in a day. In the interests of transparency, I have even more roles:
- I serve as the Editorial Officer in my capacity as an appointee to the Georgia Advisory Committee to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission.
- I co-chair a monthly, state-based meeting of organizations as part of a national coalition linked to the Washington, D.C.-based Americans for Tax Reform.
- I am a proud Fellow with donoharmmedicine.org, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy organization working to overturn DEI initiatives and outlaw gender treatments on minors.
To address the two commitments you mentioned: Rabun GOP meetings take place once a month in the evenings. When the Chairman of the Georgia Senate Special Committee to Eliminate the State Income Tax asked me to help write the enabling legislation, I agreed. You may not be aware, but I am that legislation is filed by the time the Legislative Session begins on January 13, 2026.
None of these are paying positions. It’s an honor and privilege to serve causes I believe in: lower taxes, meritocracy, protecting our children and the civil rights of all Americans. I am so grateful of the opportunity this country has given me that I am determined to “pay it forward.” I grew up with white people telling me what I could and couldn’t do with my life and time, and questioning my abilities. Frankly, I didn’t expect to have to deal with it again. I’ve always believed my record speaks for itself; I cite it now because voters need to know.
I have seen you out and about in Sky Valley since you became a candidate more than in any of the past 2-3 years. You are regularly out of town in Atlanta or elsewhere. You have yet to be involved in other LOCAL committees or community efforts or leadership roles in SV that I am aware of.
Wow. I’m impressed. I had no idea you watch me and my schedule that closely. I moved from metro Atlanta, a brief three hours away from my family, and I enjoy visiting them and conducting business in Atlanta. I’ve supported many community efforts – Sid Weber, the Garden Club Scholarship and raffles, the Hay Bale Trail, the pancake breakfasts, fall decorations. I also created the Sweet on Sky Valley Facebook page and group, which promote and discuss events and news in the area. I didn’t need leadership roles in Sky Valley; it’s not why I moved here. My husband and I have quietly supported our community.
I moved here to enjoy the serenity. I’m running now because I’d like our community to grow organically, as would so many with whom I have spoken as I canvas the neighborhood. As I’m sure you know, door-knocking and introducing myself to my neighbors requires being “out and about.”
I am also not appreciative of the “sight pollution” of your plethora of signs. You’re running. We get it.
As for the yard signs: Folks wouldn’t “get it” if it wasn’t for the signs. I truly appreciate the property owners supporting me. The signs will come down on Nov. 5. I’m grateful to have the support of the U.S. Supreme Court. I’d feel bad about you not appreciating my signs if I didn’t realize there isn’t much you seem to be appreciative of about me, lol!
Nor do I admire your veiled accusations against the city council and mayor and their integrity or truthfulness, a behavior which several candidates have adopted as well.
I have made no veiled accusations of the city council and mayor and their integrity or truthfulness. I have made clarity, integrity, transparency and consistency MY platform. That I have pledged to run a positive campaign doesn’t mean I shouldn’t ask the tough questions. As I have told you before, I don’t speak for the other municipal candidates.
As for the bogeyman of litigation, as you put it, you seem incredibly naive to think that the developer is going to roll over and reduce his plans where and when they comply with the existing zoning. My understanding is the zoning allows for a lot of what he’s proposing, if not all, and asking him to reduce his footprint, and therefore profit, is sort of ridiculous in my opinion.
You can call me “incredulously naïve” and dismiss as “sort of ridiculous” my expectation that developers work with the city on what we want. This is my plan. If high-density development isn’t what voters want, then we don’t need to facilitate that development. As I said, “If we are not at the table we are on the menu.”
I’m just not convinced that your candidacy is based on a real commitment to SV and not just another rung in your political ladder.
I’m disappointed that you’re not convinced of my good intentions. Two short years ago, you may recall, you were encouraging me to run for mayor. I’m the same person I was two years ago. I’ve spent decades testifying before legislatures, chairing meetings, and leading and influencing public policy across the state and country. I’d be honored to serve and share my experience and network with Sky Valley as we face the future. Ultimately, it’s for Sky Valley’s voters to decide, and I’m perfectly willing to accept their decision.
I’m grateful you took the time to share your thoughts, and I hope I’ve responded adequately.