A long chapter in the Daviess County government is coming to a close in a few days, as Judge-Executive Al Mattingly along with Commissioners George Wathen and Mike Koger are all leaving office. Charlie Castlen is taking over as Judge-Executive, paving the way for an almost entirely new look to Fiscal Court. Mattingly, Wathen, and Koger all recently looked back at their combined 32 years served in the county’s highest-elected offices.
Mattingly and Wathen were both elected to their current positions in 2010, while Koger was elected in 2014.
Mattingly said it feels a bit strange to be stepping away from public service; prior to his role as Judge-Executive, he also served two terms as an Owensboro City Commissioner.
“It has been a wonderful 12 years. I think this Commission has accomplished a lot. The one before us did a lot of good things. They brought us into the 21st century and I think we just advanced that,” Mattingly said during his final Fiscal Court meeting as Judge-Executive.
He said he is not “retiring” from his position, and that he still plans to be involved in the community — especially getting to shoot at the newly re-named Al Mattingly Gun Range at Pup Creek Park.
Nonetheless, he said that he hopes his legacy on the Fiscal Court reflects the ability to be fair.
“I hope people will remember me as being fair and trying to look at both sides of the situation. I tried to take politics out of the business of local government and I tried to treat all people with respect,” he said.
Koger, who served the East district, echoed those thoughts on hoping to leave a positive legacy. He said the current Commissions has continuously tried to be fiscally responsible and undertake important community projects.
“We’re leaving the county in good shape financially and that’s really important,” Koger said. “A lot of the projects that are coming up we were kind of beginning to see happen. and I believe that next year you’ll see those happening and that’ll be a big thing.”
In addressing his decision not to run for re-election, Koger said that it was time for him to step aside from his seat. He thinks it’s time for a younger crowd to take charge.
Similarly, outgoing Wathen said he is relieved his 12 years as Commissioner has come to an end.
“I’m proud of the 12 years I held and it’s time to move out of the way and let somebody else take over, so I feel good about it,” Wathen said.
Looking back, Koger noted the constant desire maintain good infrastructure in the county — including parks, building roads, work on maintenance and many other projects.
“The next person in charge of the county government has to make sure that those things are taken care of,” he said.
Mattingly thinks that Castlen, with 12 years under his belt as County Commissioner, will be able to do just that as he leads the next group.
“I’ve known Charlie for the 20 years I’ve been in local politics, and I have the utmost respect for him and his ability to do his job as Judge-Executive,” Mattingly said. “I’m sure he’ll do a fine job.”
