A record 16 candidates are running for Owensboro City Commission, with only four seats up for grabs. Candidates were asked to provide background information and give brief responses to three questions.
Candidates are listed in the order they appear on the ballot.
Most candidates are also participating in the OT live virtual Town Hall later today. The event is free to watch on our Facebook page. The video will remain on our Facebook and be uploaded to our website later.
Mark Castlen
Age: 60
Education: Apollo High School; Owensboro Junior College of Business
Occupation: Realtor (3 years), United Parcel Service (41 years)
Elected office held: None
1. What would be your top priority upon your first day in office, and how would you address it?
Flooding. I would meet with the city engineers and map out the areas that are prone to flooding. I will also look to see what kind of government assistance is available to help us. We need to get moving on this issue. It seems to be getting worse every year.
2. What steps would you take to ensure the economic and social stability of the City going forward?
I would try to hold back spending as much as possible. I would also look to see what we can do to get our small businesses open and running again.
Socially, I would like to set up some volunteer committees to give us insight and direction on issues. Dialogue helps bring focus and understanding in solving social issues.
3. How would you describe your leadership style and how would you use that in your role if elected?
I like to examine, then question, and then approach the issue at hand. I like to consider multiple options and set target dates for finishing a project.
Larry Maglinger
Age: 70
Education: Daviess County High School; Owensboro/Daviess County Vocational School and Sam’s Technical Institute of Electronics (Electronic Training)
Occupation: Owner of Custom Audio-Video in Owensboro for more than 44 years
Elected offices held: Owensboro Mayor Pro Tem (2018-present)
1. What would be your top priority upon your first day in office, and how would you address it?
My top priority is our community recovering from the effects of COVID-19. To address it I will continue to support funding for small business grants, rental assistance, nonprofit agencies, and any other assistance that could help our community recover from this unprecedented time.
2. What steps would you take to ensure the economic and social stability of the City going forward?
To ensure that our city keeps moving forward, I will continue to support our public safety agencies and policies that improve our infrastructure, support our existing businesses, attract new businesses, and support our nonprofit agencies that serve a critical need for our citizens. I will support new policies that provide opportunities for affordable housing in all sections of our city and that encourages our young people to remain in Owensboro.
3. How would you describe your leadership style and how would you use that in your role if elected?
My leadership style is listening, communicating and getting results. I will continue to work with our city staff, Mayor, Commissioners and citizens to keep our city safe and financially strong, and use my business experience to make sure we use taxpayer funds wisely.
Gordon “Gordy” Wilcher
Age: 70
Education: Daviess County High School; attended Brescia College and Kentucky Wesleyan College
Occupation: National and International Sales Director of MJC Ironworks; Former Owner of Owensboro Music Center
Elected offices held: None
1. What would be your top priority upon your first day in office, and how would you address it?
My first priority, should I be elected City Commissioner would be to build the relationships with my fellow City Commissioners, County Commissioners, the Mayor and other city leaders that are necessary for us to be successful in fulfilling the needs of the citizens of Owensboro. I would do this by spending time getting to know each of them, their leadership styles and goals for the city.
2. What steps would you take to ensure the economic and social stability of the City going forward?
I would work to support our public arts programs based on performance. The city is a business and must be run as such. It’s important to study our budget and make sound financial decisions. I will support those economic professionals and programs that are in the best interest of our city and its residents. I would seek meaningful programs to help our city combat all the baggage attached to our drug epidemic. The fallout from this includes poverty, violence, and broken families. Treatment for addiction, while necessary and important, costs money. Working to greatly decrease the number of our community members who experience addiction will eventually lead to more economic growth.
3. How would you describe your leadership style and how would you use that in your role if elected?
In order to be a successful business owner for 46 years, it was vital that I get to know those I came in contact with on a personal level. This plays heavily into my own leadership style. Without allowing people to get to know me, and without getting to know them, I cannot lead. I have called for citizens to reach out to me with issues that trouble them and ideas to improve our city. That shouldn’t stop if I am elected as a City Commissioner. To improve our city, we must take advantage of our best resource — the people who live here.
Deirdre A. Carbon
Age: 59
Education: High School
Occupation: Machinist at MPD, Inc.
Elected offices held: None
1. What would be your top priority upon your first day in office, and how would you address it?
Find a building that the city owns and open it for the homeless to get them off the street, and hire a staff to run it. No one should have to live on the streets during the winter months or anytime.
2. What steps would you take to ensure the economic and social stability of the City going forward?
Bringing good paying jobs to the city. No one can raise themselves or a family making minimum wage and affordable housing also. Building a drive-in to keep money here instead of going to Indiana.
3. How would you describe your leadership style and how would you use that in your role if elected?
Working well with the Mayor and others and listening to the concerns of our citizens. There’s no I in teamwork. Build a team to address the issues in our community.
Dale Taylor
Age: 67
Education: Murray State University (B.A. in Fine Arts); Teaching Certification K-12 KY
Occupation: Vice President at RiverValley Behavioral Health
Elected offices held: None
1. What would be your top priority upon your first day in office, and how would you address it?
I have no doubt the “first” act of the new Commission will be to reintroduce the primary election process for local elections. Once elected and before actually taking office my plan will be to bring all of the new Commissioners together to clearly define our priorities and goals for our first six months in office. We all have different ideas but we need to hit the ground running and work as a team. My top two priorities are tackling the local methamphetamine epidemic head on and stopping the spreading decay of our neighborhoods.
2. What steps would you take to ensure the economic and social stability of the City going forward?
First step is to meet with local industries and major employers to determine their needs for continued growth and success locally. What do they need? Are there ancillary and beneficial businesses out there that we should actively recruit? Bring regional visionaries and entrepreneurs together (young and old) and discuss the need to recreate our community image. Let’s really begin thinking outside the box, define our assets, create a pathway to a new Owensboro that will draw young entrepreneurs, exciting new ideas and retain our younger workforce.
3. How would you describe your leadership style and how would you use that in your role if elected?
With regard to business management, there are four clearly defined “Leadership Styles.” I most closely relate to “Coaching.” I am a team builder. I bring people together, ask questions, listen to response and together we develop a plan of action. The Owensboro City Commission is not a private club. We represent the people of this community and everyone should be heard and have a seat at the table. My promise is an open, honest and transparent dialogue with the citizens of Owensboro.
Joseph Martin
Martin did not respond to multiple requests for information.
Jeff Sanford
Age: 52
Education: Apollo High School; Western Kentucky University (Business Management)
Occupation: President at American Classifieds (1997-2005); Real Estate/Hartz Real Estate, LLC (current)
Election offices held: Owensboro City Commissioner (2010-14 and 2018-20); Mayor Pro Tem (2014)
1. What would be your top priority upon your first day in office, and how would you address it?
I really want to concentrate on the revitalization of northwest Owensboro. I think a
partnership with the private sector will enhance the area west of the Convention Center. This
area is vital to the downtown investment in that livability is the main driver to the success of this area. It is currently being addressed by the investment by local and federal dollars to be matched by private investors. I would like to see 30 to 50 houses that are currently in disrepair be totally restored. I also want to make sure our first responders have all the resources they need to keep our community safe as well as themselves safe.
2. What steps would you take to ensure the economic and social stability of the City going forward?
I think working with our business and educational systems will prove to be vital as we
think of jobs in the future. Technology and business have rapidly changed due to COVID-19
and it has pushed us years ahead in terms of the business we conduct. I think our biggest challenge is educating our workforce for the jobs of today, but more importantly the jobs of 5 to 10 years from now. That’s exactly why we just partnered with the community college to match grants that will give us the resources we need to meet the employer expectations of now and the future. As we all know an educated workforce is the key in the recruitment, retaining and expansion of our local and regional economy.
3. How would you describe your leadership style and how would you use that in your role if elected?
My leadership style is aggressively pursuing results. For over four terms of my time as a City Commissioner you can look at the progress made throughout the city. There have been many public and private investments in our community that would not have happened without aggressively pursuing them.
Jared Michael Revlett
Age: 30
Education: Daviess County High School; Hanover College (B.A. in Communication)
Occupation: Public Information Officer at Owensboro Public Schools
Elected offices held: None
1. What would be your top priority upon your first day in office, and how would you address it?
My first priority if elected would be to start working on retaining local talent and recruiting the best and brightest to Owensboro. I have a plan to connect local students with business owners and nonprofits to develop a vested interest in our community. I have spoken to the Economic Development Corporation about ways to recruit workforce to our community and how to maximize the limited space our city has to ensure we are bringing in the best paying jobs and training for the people of Owensboro.
2. What steps would you take to ensure the economic and social stability of the City going forward?
I have developed strong relationships with both community leaders from all walks of life and will continue to utilize those relationships to promote economic growth, recruit new employers and employees, provide law enforcement with additional resources to keep our streets safe, and keep open lines of communication with taxpayers about what they want to see in our community. People want a leader who will listen to their ideas and be open to innovative ideas on how to make our community stronger both socially and economically. That is the candidate that I am and will be if elected.
3. How would you describe your leadership style and how would you use that in your role if elected?
As a leader, I believe that it is important to have a solid, core group that challenges each other, but works together toward a common goal. I trust those working with me to do their job effectively and efficiently, but I’m not afraid to make a change if necessary. If elected, I plan to work closely with others, listening to and welcoming their ideas and opinions and working together on a bright future for Owensboro.
Walter L. Lee
Age: 67
Education: Kentucky Wesleyan College (B.A. in Elementary Education); Western Kentucky University (Master’s in Education, Rank I Certification)
Occupation: Retired since 2008 from Owensboro Public Schools (Teacher/Coach/Principal for 33 years); Self-employed (Educational Management)
Election offices held: None
1. What would be your top priority upon your first day in office, and how would you address it?
Ask for a strategic discussion (review policies pending/finances/budget) and update on where we are and where we, as a city, are heading. We are only as strong as a united group (commission) working in the same direction.
2. What steps would you take to ensure the economic and social stability of the City going forward?
Continue to retain our current businesses within the city and attract new small businesses and people to invest into the city of Owensboro. Owensboro’s diversity of businesses is one of our greatest strengths in this economy. It has helped our economy to overcome and maintain our low unemployment rate during this pandemic. Manage and help the continuous improvement of our city services – Fire/Police/First Responders/Sanitation/etc.
3. How would you describe your leadership style and how would you use that in your role if elected?
Teacher/Coach/Principal were roles that gave me my leadership style. The style that listens to individuals while encouraging others to use their skills to manage and create projects in their skill areas. As a proven leader on the local, state, and national level, and working very closely with people gives me the experience to understand individuals.
Michael A. Walker
Age: 59
Education: Maxwell Air University (Human Resource Management, Education and Training Management)
Occupation: District 3 Asset Protection Manager at Kroger Company
Elected offices held: None
1. What would be your top priority upon your first day in office, and how would you address it?
I’ll review the issues I’ve run on to evaluate how they are currently being addressed. As a newcomer my obligatory responsibility is not to burst on the scene trying to reinvent the wheel, but to refine it. I will look at the process; in this case poverty, homelessness, and vagrancy to see what actions City government is taking to address these issues. If there is not an adequate plan clearly showing that City leaders are being briefed on the state of these issues, and actively working to address the issue — I will introduce one.
2. What steps would you take to ensure the economic and social stability of the City going forward?
Owensboro needs a comprehensive plan to address poverty, homelessness and vagrancy. I want to establish help assist phones across the City for those who need assistance. These phones will be direct dial to Green River 211, United Way or other help agencies. I want to review city Planning and Zoning requirements to identify red tape, which stifles development. I’d support tax incentives and abatements to attract developers. I will support the continued expansion and new development of The Owensboro Riverport Authority. I believe this port has proven how valuable it is to our economy since COVID. I’d like to see more commodities moved along the river and out through land-based transportation from our port.
3. How would you describe your leadership style and how would you use that in your role if elected?
I’m pragmatic in my thinking and visionary in my leadership style, which is heavily driven by service to the people. I evaluate the strength of goals and objectives as part of my leadership strategy. If the issue I’m addressing is problem oriented, I’ll only consider the most equitable options on how best to address the matter. I always try to seek options or input from subject matter experts before moving forward.
Jay Velotta
Age: 51
Education: Owensboro Community and Technical College (Business and Real Estate Technical Degree, Mechanical Maintenance Certification)
Occupation: Real Estate, Broker at Gulfstream Commercial Services, LLC
Elected offices held: Owensboro City Commission (2016-2017)
1. What would be your top priority upon your first day in office, and how would you address it?
Primary Election – Bring back the primary for Mayor and City Commission races. Infrastructure – Working within the existing budget to allow for better streets, drainage improvements, intermodal transportation options between the airport and the river terminal; interstate access. Taxes – Eliminate tax on services which includes many small businesses within our community. A local sales option tax that would allow local government the ability to manage tax dollars within the community. Tax abatement, for small business owners, to entice new business and aid existing business. I do not support any new or higher taxes. Municipal governments need to operate within their budgets.
2. What steps would you take to ensure the economic and social stability of the City going forward?
To accelerate growth with an emphasis on infrastructure; collaboration between City and County for potential cost saving measures of duplicated services; affordable housing; enhanced community programs for seniors and retirees and veterans; focus on drug prevention and mental health education and awareness programs.
3. How would you describe your leadership style and how would you use that in your role if elected?
As an elected official my goal would be to continue to move the community forward progressively with the best interest of our citizens in mind. I feel that following the pandemic there will be a need for strong, experienced leaders on the commission. I will ensure that you will get every ounce of energy, enthusiasm, passion and professionalism anytime I am called upon to represent our great city. I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to work with the citizens of Owensboro on many levels for many years and feel that my experience has prepared me for a higher level of service in our community.
Debbie Fillman
Age: 60
Education: Western Kentucky University (B.S. in Dietetics and Institution and Administration, Master of Science)
Occupation: Green River District Health Department (34 years and Director for 9 years); Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum Development Director (2 Years)
Elected offices held: None
1. What would be your top priority upon your first day in office, and how would you address it?
Ensuring continued deliverance of outstanding public services and public safety for our community is a top priority. As City Commissioner, I will continue to support these core services and the essential workers required to deliver these services our citizens depend upon. Long term planning is also important if we want to grow and evolve. I look forward to being involved in developing, implementing and executing the strategic direction for Owensboro’s future.
2. What steps would you take to ensure the economic and social stability of the City going forward?
The economic and social stability of our city requires several elements; however, none are more important than strong leadership. Economic and social stability requires everyone’s involvement if we are to continue to grow as a community. Owensboro has had a long-standing tradition of excellence in education, public safety, healthcare, the arts community, and business … and has proven leaders in each of these areas. We can build upon these successes to foster leadership opportunities and shape the city’s future.
3. How would you describe your leadership style and how would you use that in your role if elected?
I believe my previous colleagues would say I lead by example and that I utilize listening skills. The decisions I make will always be based on what’s best for Owensboro and not on a specific group or individual. I value input and discussion in the decision-making process. Gathering input can often take longer; but I feel it is ultimately a win-win for both parties and leads to a more positive outcome in the long run.
Deanna J. Endicott-Smith
Age: 33
Education: Owensboro Community and Technical College (Associate’s in Science: Electrical Technology)
Occupation: Calibration Technician at MPD, Inc.
Elected offices held: None
1. What would be your top priority upon your first day in office, and how would you address it?
My first day in office would be spent addressing our homelessness issue. Transience isn’t just those on the street, but includes those with substandard shelter or unable to secure long term safe housing. To me, this is unacceptable considering the sprawl our city currently has. We keep spiraling out and leaving those behind with areas in disrepair. So starting from day one, I would propose a buyback program within the city to purchase empty homes, lots, and all with the intent to renovate them. From there, those houses would be sold back to the less fortunate in the community at low-cost mortgages. The money provided by those living in those homes would then be put back into the city to continue this process as well as work on our streets and parks.
2. What steps would you take to ensure the economic and social stability of the City going forward?
Every year we lose millions to Evansville because we lack a casino. We could develop much of our empty high cost condos downtown to create one along with other urban development programs. This would not only bring in revenue, but visitors for our empty hotels and patrons for our museum, arts district, and local restaurants.
3. How would you describe your leadership style and how would you use that in your role if elected?
My leadership style tends to be more centered on building coalitions among disparate concerned groups, whether they’re in the majority or not. Too often the voices of those marginalized are silenced by the powerful. By partnering and helping advocate that voice, we can ensure our city has equitable opportunities for all.
Bill Moss
Age: 67
Education: Owensboro High School; Attended Brescia College and Kentucky Banking School
Occupation: Retired from Kimberly Clark (23 years); Former Banker, Bank Consultant, Small Business Owner
Elected offices held: None
1. What would be your top priority upon your first day in office, and how would you address it?
There are so many issues facing the city of Owensboro. The one issue that could be improved quickly is the package of city services for our veterans. I would hope the Mayor would place this item on the agenda for a vote.
2. What steps would you take to ensure the economic and social stability of the City going forward?
I believe that small businesses are the engine that drive our local economy. I believe that the City, County and State should focus on helping this vital part of our local economy so that jobs will continue to be created which only helps our economic and social stability during this pandemic.
3. How would you describe your leadership style and how would you use that in your role if elected?
While working at Kimberly Clark we were a team concept facility which I believe is more of servant leadership style. I experienced a lot of success with team members with safety, quality, roduction and individual personal growth. I am positive that this type of leadership style will help my interaction with others at City Hall if I am elected. This style also will help me provide new innovations to City Government.
Andy Gamblin
Age: 58
Education: High School
Occupation: Bus Monitor at Owensboro Public Schools
Elected offices held: None
1. What would be your top priority upon your first day in office, and how would you address it?
On my first day I would look and see how we could bring high-paying jobs. We need to look at ways where we could cut taxes. If we can cut taxes across the board then everyone would win.
2. What steps would you take to ensure the economic and social stability of the City going forward?
I could make sure that we have money in the budget to work with. And if we could cut taxes the right way then we could go forward.
3. How would you describe your leadership style and how would you use that in your role if elected?
I feel in my heart that I am a strong person and with being a strong person, I will fight for Owensboro every day.
Bob Glenn
(No photo was provided.)
Age: 60
Education: University of Southern California (B.A.); University of Nevada Las Vegas (M.A.); University of Southern Mississippi (PhD)
Occupation: Professor of Communication at Owensboro Community and Technical College
Elected offices held: Owensboro City Commissioner (2012-2018), Mayor Pro Tem (2016-18)
1. What would be your top priority upon your first day in office, and how would you address it?
1) Conduct a community-wide stress test assessing the economic health of businesses throughout our region. 2) Continue to pursue development programs to support small businesses and help them prosper. 3) Seek additional funds and support for residents who are struggling to stay in their homes and put food on the table due to job loss.
2. What steps would you take to ensure the economic and social stability of the City going forward?
We must require new employers receiving tax incentives to meet livable wage targets. Expand programs focusing on mentoring youth so they gain the life skills needed to succeed as adults. Craft an updated economic development plan and increase the “work ready” percentage in our community. Reignite retail and residential development in the South Frederica and West Parrish areas.
3. How would you describe your leadership style and how would you use that in your role if elected?
Collaborative. I always do my research in order to fully understand the issues before us. The best solutions to major problems come when we all put our heads together to move Owensboro forward.
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