For the upcoming May 7 primary election for three at-large county council seats, the Tribune asked the five Republican candidates five questions.

Early voting is set to start at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Jackson County Public Library at 303 W. Second St. in Seymour. The polling site will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday through May 3 and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 27 and May 4. Incumbent John Nolting did not return the questionaire.

Why did you decide to run for county council?

Lucas L. Hanner: “I want to get involved and make a difference in Jackson County. The council is the true backbone for our county. Every decision the council makes, impacts the residents of Jackson County. I will be a voice and make sure the decisions being made, are benefiting the residents and shaping the future in the right direction for Jackson County.”

Roger D. Hurt: “I decided to seek a seat on the Jackson County Council to be a part of the county office that works in funding county offices and operations while maintaining a handle on overall costs that affect all county taxpayers.”

Amanda Cunningham Lowery: “I have had the pleasure of serving Jackson County for many years now. I served two terms as county clerk (2011-2018), one term as county recorder (2018-2022) and then I began serving as an at-large member of the Jackson County Council on Jan. 1, 2023. I have enjoyed my time in this new role. There are several big projects on the council agenda right now, and I would love to continue to serve to see these projects through to completion.”

R. Brett Turner: “Several years ago (based upon my experience in law enforcement with Seymour PD) I was asked to consider representing the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department deputies on the sheriff’s merit board. I was voted into that position by the deputies and served on the merit board for three years. During this time I gained knowledge and a deep interest concerning what makes our County operate in an efficient manner.

My interest grew to the point that I felt a need to up the ante and become more involved, thus my decision to run for County Council in 2020. My decision to run for re-election stems from the good work our Council has done and wants to continue for the next term. My interest and desire to contribute has not diminished.”

What do you think you can bring to the Jackson County Council?

Lucas L. Hanner: “The two things I can bring to the county council is honesty and trust. I’m running to support Jackson County only and the residents that live here. I am not running for political gain and I’m not a politician. I’m a normal resident who will be unselfish, listen to concerns that arise and put the residents of Jackson County first.”

Roger D. Hurt: “I will bring with me the experience that I gained from my tenure as the county treasurer and the county auditor. Along with the knowledge of how the other offices operate and rely on good communication with the county council in the funding of their operational budgets and daily needs to provide the taxpayers with quality services.”

Amanda Cunningham Lowery: “I bring many traits to the position of county council. I bring my experience as an elected official, and also a unique perspective, having been an elected official sitting on one side of the table, asking council to approve the budget needs of the different offices I have overseen, to being a member of the body making the decision on how to meet the budget needs of the County’s offices.

I bring a strong working relationship with all of the elected officials and employees in Jackson County. We have many intelligent, hard-working individuals working together in a great team effort, and I am proud to be part of that team. I bring a solution-oriented approach and a dedication to doing what is right for all of Jackson County, even when we are faced with making tough decisions. I am conservative, and committed to ensuring fiscal responsibility in how our county operates, making sure every tax dollar is spent wisely.”

R. Brett Turner: “ I feel that my common-sense, level-headed approach while wading through the issues and my ability to ascertain how the taxpayers feel about those issues are two of my strongest points.

I feel confident of this based upon my doing that very thing for the past three years as a Council member. Learning county government is a process that works like building blocks: The more you know the big picture concerning budgets, projects, issues, etc. the better you can go forward and make solid, sound decisions. By being re-elected, I can continue to make sound judgements for the taxpayers of Jackson County.”

What is the most pressing issue facing Jackson County, and how do you plan to address it?

Lucas L. Hanner: “There are always going to be new issues arise, but one issue that’s pressing to me is the wellbeing of the smaller communities. The council has to find a way to adopt a plan that will bring in more tax revenue to support our towns. We need to have consistent economic growth throughout our communities in order to support our first responders, our county employees and all the other residents that live throughout Jackson County.”

Roger D. Hurt: “I believe one of the pressing issue currently facing county government is the need to retain a skilled workforce within county offices and this will require all areas to be evaluated on the level of each sector within the offices and a comprehensive approach while maintaining a level of growth for the county tax base.”

Amanda Cunningham Lowery: “In Jackson County, the most pressing issue we face is finding a way to strike a balance between thoughtful growth without overburdening our taxpayers. We have to ensure that we grow in a way that is proactive, while also enhancing our roads, bridges, schools, court systems, and our county departments, including the ambulance service and sheriff’s department. We must ensure that our infrastructure is well-maintained and able to support growth. We need to support our court systems, county offices, and emergency services to meet the needs of Jackson County effectively.

We must find a comprehensive approach that prioritizes both the safety of our community and the well-being of its residents. This includes investing in our law enforcement agencies by providing them with the resources and training they need to effectively combat crime. At the same time, we must work with our schools to foster an environment that promotes academic excellence and prepares our children for successful futures. We must strive to make Jackson County the best-and safest-place for our future generations to want to stay to live, work and raise their families.”

R. Brett Turner: “In my mind, our biggest challenge today is keeping our employees satisfied with wages and benefits. If we cannot retain those who run our day-to-day offices and entities that make things “work,” then those aforementioned building blocks become unstable. And keeping our local government stable is paramount. Good, caring employees (which we are blessed with now) are the base on which to build solid, productive growth.”

What do you think will be the biggest challenge facing Jackson County in five years, and what would be your best idea to mitigate that challenge now?

Lucas L. Hanner: “An important issue facing our communities and residents is the cost of living. This issue is an ongoing hardship. The cost of groceries, gas and rising utility cost are greatly impacting Jackson County families. As a council member I cannot stop the rising cost of these items, but I can and will do everything in my power to keep from raising taxes. Many families are struggling to pay bills and put food on their table. The county council’s decisions impact lives and I will make sure the decisions being made are benefitting the residents and not burdening them.”

Roger D. Hurt: “One challenge facing Jackson County in the next few years, as well as all Indiana counties , is the constant influx at the state level to dictate how local counties are allocated funding and the amount of resources for each county to collect revenue. Continuous overseeing the process of how the county coexists with state government is through developing a strong communication system the leaders at that state level. In doing this we can attempt to stay up on legislation that would and will affect those sources of revenue that County taxpayers rely heavily upon in stabilizing their tax base.”

Amanda Cunningham Lowery: “The challenges we face today are still going to be the challenges we face in five years. There is no quick fix to our current situation. We have to be mindful of the impact of growth and these initiatives on our taxpayers. Any growth we experience must be sustainable without putting undue burdens on the hardworking people in Jackson County. As a member of the Jackson County Council, I would encourage my fellow council members to continue to manage our finances responsibly, to seek out opportunities to work with local businesses and organizations to forge strategic partnerships, and to think outside the box to find innovative solutions to tackle these challenges.

I assure you that the issues that are important to you are important to me. I am a wife, a mom, a taxpayer, a community supporter, and I am committed to rolling up my sleeves and doing the work to deliver success. It’s going to take a team effort to grow Jackson County in the right direction, and I am ready to be part of that team. Many hands make light work, and Jackson County is ready to lead the way with common sense and innovative solutions to build a bright future.”

R. Brett Turner: “Our biggest future challenge is in the headlines today – the proposed too-rapid growth of our population.

I’m all for growth, but growth in a way that allows Jackson County to care for what we have today before adding a significant, sudden population increase. I was raised with an eye toward always being “your brother’s keeper” and doing what you can to help anyone out. But I feel that we have immediate needs to address (housing, mental health, wages, EMS services, Sheriff’s Department services, etc.) before adding to those who need those services.

We must take care of those citizens we have today before adding (in a significant, adversely impactful manner) to the population.”

What are you most proud of about Jackson County?

Lucas L. Hanner: “I love how our small towns throughout Jackson County come together through difficult times or exciting times, to support each other. The small towns are what make Jackson County stand out in Indiana. Residents stand together against any issues that arise and always have each other’s back.”

Roger D. Hurt: “There are several examples of why I am so passionate and proud of all of Jackson County. I was born here and I have lived nowhere else but here. I have raised my family along with operating of a construction company in this county. You can drive anywhere along the many miles of roads and countryside and just be amazed by the honesty and kindness that you receive from the people within this community. That is what makes this a great opportunity for me to seek a position to be a servant to all those that call this County home.”

Amanda Cunningham Lowery: “I have loved Jackson County with my whole heart for my whole life. I am grateful to have been born and raised here, to be raising my own family here, and I hope that future generations of my family continue to call Jackson County home. I am proud of our conservative values, our firm faith-based foundation, our strong work ethic, and our community spirit. I am dedicated to ensuring that I am doing my best work for Jackson County and the taxpayers I serve.”

R. Brett Turner: “Our residents and the current elected officials and the work we do together.

In my full-time job with Brownstown Electric and in my current role as a County Council member, I have ample opportunity to meet many folks and hear how surrounding county governments work.

Folks from Jackson County are the most intelligent, friendly, level-headed group I’ve met and they are always willing to pitch in with labor or finances when a need arises.

Many Jackson Countians have “favorite” projects, interest, etc. but I’ve yet to meet a single one who has not been willing to hear the other side and come to an agreement.

To me that’s a special character trait that seems to prevail in Jackson County.”