Platform and Philosophy
What is your political party, who do you model your belief system after, and what is your platform?
I am a Republican party member. I model my political beliefs after two distinguished Presidents. First, Theodore Roosevelt. A politician, rancher, police commissioner, and soldier- Theodore gave his all to public service. He championed the “strenuous life.” Quoting him, “Never throughout history has a man who lived a life of ease left a name worth remembering.” Another great quote of Roosevelt’s that resonates with me, “I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do! That is character!”
Second, Ronald Reagan. The President of my youth, Reagan and his wife Nancy shaped how I thought government should work: build coalitions towards a common goal (as he did with the Reagan Democrats) and try to get government out of regulating our citizen’s lives. As he said, ““We've gone astray from first principles. We've lost sight of the rule that individual freedom and ingenuity are at the very core of everything that we've accomplished. Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.”
My platform:
Government is not a bank. We do not collect money to store it or lend it. Taxes are for service the government provides the people.
Government is not a business. The government does not make a profit or reward a board of directors with bonuses if they cut overhead. Government does not produce a product. It should only provide the essential services to the citizens.
Government should be conducted civilly and with educated debate. Grandstanding, personal attacks, and putting ones ego over the greater good for the citizens is abhorrent.
Government officials should know their role and stay in their lane. Commissioners do not tell the courts how to decide cases. Council does not tell the Commissioners how to execute policy. I learn my roles and stick with them.
I am a local official and should focus on local issues. However, I am an extremely strong proponent of the 2nd Amendment (I have a hobby of collecting old police revolvers), I believe in law and order and oppose defunding law enforcement, I do not support needle exchanges, and I believe everyone has a right to practice their religion without interference.
How did I get started?
As a young man, my Grandfather Wilson Bentle and my father Randy Turner were my heroes, and they dedicated themselves to helping their communities: Papa Bentle through his helping of anyone and everyone who needed construction help, and my dad Randy through the utilities, Lions, and all the boards he served on. There were Thanksgivings and Christmases that he had to go out for main breaks. That made me so proud that my dad responded to emergencies to help the community.
For whatever reason, I have always been looked to as the spokesman or leader of many groups leading all the way back to my school days. I was in student council. I became president of the student body at South Dearborn High School. I was vice-president of the History Honor Society at Butler University for one year. I have held many different offices in my church from Elder, Vice Chairman, Chairman, and lay delagate to the Indiana and National Conventions.
What makes you different?
I truly believe in public service. Not only do I serve as a commissioner, I volunteer to help the South Dearborn Variety Show, serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the Dillsboro Civic Club Halloween Contest and the Dillsboro Main Street Hometown Christmas, and teach CPR and first aid. Additionally, I believe that each elected official should study and know the responsibilities and lane their office requires. It does no good for a county commissioner to set the county’s budget, because that is the lane of the council. Furthermore, each official should treat the public with respect and consider all sides of an issue. Finally, I have been spent most of my life in positions that require poise under pressure, whether you consider my public safety positions, sports officiating and coaching positions, my time as a substitute teacher, or as a leader in my high school student council. I will continue to be a good representation of the level headed and good hearted people of our county.
How can I contact you?
You can reach me through my county email while I am in office on official business kturner@dearborncounty.in.gov. On personal and election matters, that should be go to kturner508@comcast.net. My home phone is 812-432-8148. Please leave a message if I do not answer. I try to return all calls in a timely manner. The reason I use my home phone is from advice I received from one of my previous police chiefs: If you do not feel people can contact you at home, you should not be in a position of public office.