02/11/14 Kurt Garner of Plymouth threw his hat into the ring and filed for the Republican, District 1, County Commissioner seat. Born in Bremen in 1968, and raised in North Township Kurt worked at his family’s business before heading off to college. Married to Christine Gerard Garner for 15 years; they have two children, Jack, 13, and Chloe, 11 and have lived in Plymouth from 1997 till 2009 when they purchased a farmstead and moved back to North Township. The family attends Crossroads Evangelical Free Church in Plymouth where Chris is the children’s ministry directo
Kurt ventured out on his own and began a consulting business in 2008 that focuses on preservation, design, and research throughout northern Indiana. When asked why he wanted to be a County Commissioner Garner said, “I’ve enjoyed serving the residents of Marshall County through a number of different ways over the years. I feel that I have something to offer the county and pledge to work very hard for all of us if elected.”
His civic involvement is varied and lengthy:
With a small group of individuals, helped to found Habitat for Humanity of Marshall County in 1996; Treasurer through 2000
Member of Plymouth Kiwanis Club, 1996-2003; President 1999-2000
Assisted wife in directing Adams Street Youth Ministry, 1998-2003
Wythougan Valley Preservation Council, Founder & President 1999-present. Recognition and preservation of historic sites throughout the county, development of county driving tour map and National Register districts.
Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana. Northern Region Council member, 2004-present
Developed Historic Crossroads Project, securing funding for the Marshall County Museum expansion-Historic Crossroads Center, 2003-2006
Plymouth Greenways Development Team, 1999 & 2008
Member, Plymouth Plan Commission 1999-2002, 2004-2007 and Steering Committee for the Plymouth Comprehensive Plan-2003
Co-founder & member, Plymouth Urban Forestry Committee, 2002-2006
Organized & facilitated Andrews University redevelopment study of greater downtown Plymouth district, 2004
Elected to Plymouth Common Council, 3rd District in 2003, 2004-2007; member, Board of Works.
Member, Steering Committee, Plymouth Farmer’s Market, 2005
Member, Commission on Strengthening Neighborhoods, 2005-2006
Member, Marshall County Technology Initiative Committee, promoting/securing technology related industry and jobs to the community, 2004-2005.
Development team member, South Gateway Project, Plymouth, 2005-2006 Secured funding for redevelopment of near downtown area and public access to the Yellow River
Co-founder of Crossroads Church local outreach team, 2005-2008. Sunday school teacher, 3rd and 4th grade boys, 2011-present
Member, Marshall County Yellow River Festival Committee 2006-2008
Developed Emergency Strategy for the Unprotected, Plymouth, 2006. Focus on emergency preparedness which led to the installation of new severe weather sirens.
Historic State Byway development, Lincoln Highway & Michigan Road; economic development through heritage tourism. Co-founder & President, Historic Michigan Road Byway Association, 2009-present
Marshall County Community Foundation Board of Directors, member 2010-2013. Grants Committee Chair & Executive Committee member 2011-2013
Education & Recognitions
Bachelor of Business Administration – Bethel College, 1991
Bachelor of Architecture – Andrews University, 1996
Graduate, charter class, Leadership Marshall County, 1995-1996
Alpha Rho Chi Award for Service in Architecture, 1996
Member, Tau Sigma Delta architecture honors society, 1995-1996.
Graduate, Community Resource Planning, Ball State University, 1998
Distinguished Leadership Award, Natl. Assoc. for Community Leadership, 1999
Ernestine Raclin Community Service Award, First Source Bank, 2005
J. Marshall Legacy Society of the Marshall Co. Community Foundation, 2013
