As a lifelong friend of Steve Smith, I am very pleased to support him in his bid for Hamilton County public defender. Beyond political, social or professional support, my support for Steve stems from a lifetime of friendship and experience together.
Though we are not brothers by blood, we could have been. We grew up in the same neighborhood together from the time we were toddlers until spreading wings and moving out on our own. Steve was one of the youngest of our neighborhood crew, and was always like a little brother to me. We learned to ride bikes, build forts and tree houses, ride those bikes to the creek each summer to enjoy the "blue hole," and just do what boys do. We jumped from bridges into the inviting waters of Soddy Daisy, and rappelled from the Eagles Nest and Sunset Rock. We explored caves, and camped. We learned the lessons of life together, laughing and crying at times...together. We each found faith in the Lord as we trekked through life, together.
Steve and I are now brother-in-laws as we married sisters from the same family. It's funny how that works. We learned to be husbands and fathers together, now joined in the same family. My wife and I have four children, and Steve and Mary had only two, but then caught up on the fast track with beautiful twins. We rejoiced together. We have experienced life's joys and sorrows together, and throughout this lifetime spent as friends and now brothers, I have developed a keen sense of who Steve Smith is.
It is based upon this background, friendship and kinship that I wholeheartedly endorse, support and publicly align myself with Steve Smith for public defender. There are few I trust more that Steve. In fact, if something were to happen to my wife and I, Steve is by our will the executor of our estate, being entrusted to see to it that our children are taken care of. I can't stake anything more valuable than that in a person.
So, I could just stop short and say "vote for Steve Smith", but I feel I would not do justice to our friendship by doing so. Instead, I will testify to the integrity I have come to know and respect over these many years and try to paint as accurate a picture as I can of the Steve Smith I know, so you can make an informed decision next fall.
Experience, credentials, education and pedigree have some value, but to me knowing a man's character and heart is the absolute test. When making your choice, evaluate the experience, credentials and pedigree, but also know those are only indicative of the underlying character of my friend Steve Smith.
Ross Turner