Daviess County Judge-Executive Charlie Castlen has declined to advance the second set of names submitted by the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA), instead recommending local attorney Tim Kline to replace outgoing Board President Susan Montalvo-Gesser on the Daviess County Public Library Board of Trustees.
KDLA’s most recent nominees were local historian Aloma Dew and Brescia University Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness Sagan Storm. Castlen said he reviewed both applications but ultimately moved forward with Kline, whom he had already spoken with about serving.
“My hope was that (KDLA) would pick Tim Kline,” Castlen said. “Tim had applied. He and I had talked some time ago, and I had asked him if he’d be willing to serve if I appointed him. He said yes.”
Noting that Montalvo-Gesser is a lawyer, Castlen emphasized that his decision centered on maintaining an attorney on the board, a practice he said dates back to when the current library structure was created in 1995.
“I’ve got a history of all the appointments, and there has always been an attorney on the board,” he said. “I think it’s important, especially in these days of arguments about what’s legal and what’s not, to have an attorney on there. That was my main thing.”
Castlen noted Kline is also a pastor, but he said that was not a factor in his decision.
“I didn’t go looking for a minister. I went looking for an attorney,” he said. “The last list (KDLA) gave me also included a minister, and we’ve had one before. Dr. Jonathan Carroll served 8 years. So KDLA clearly doesn’t have a problem with that.”
In a text message about why he applied for the position, Kline told Owensboro Times, “My family uses the library all the time, so it’s important to me that it remains a great place. As a dad, veteran, lawyer, pastor, and someone with extensive nonprofit board experience, I thought I could be of assistance.”
According to his KDLA application, Kline has served on numerous boards, including the Regional Water Resource Agency (current), the Kentucky Executive Branch Ethics Commission (former commissioner), and several Owensboro nonprofits such as the Rotary Club, Daniel Pitino Shelter, RiverPark Center, Alma Randolph Charitable Foundation, and Care Net Pregnancy Center.
Kline wrote that the library board “should reflect the community it serves by appointing active and committed residents, regardless of their various characteristics such as race, gender, age, religion, disability, etc. This diversity brings different perspectives, ideas, and expertise to the board, improving decision-making and considering the needs of all community members. Inclusion is also vital, creating an environment where everyone is valued and given equal opportunities to contribute. By embracing diversity and inclusion, the library board shows its commitment to equal opportunity and ensures relevant and accessible services for everyone.”
Kline highlighted his commitment to intellectual freedom and equal access in the application, writing that “the library must be a place where every resident — regardless of background, circumstances, or beliefs — can freely access books, resources, and programs.”
He added that intellectual freedom “is rooted in the First Amendment, which, as an attorney and veteran, I have defended and hold in the highest regard.”
Kline wrote that his experiences as a veteran, attorney, pastor, foster parent, and grandson of a Ukrainian immigrant who survived a Nazi prison camp have shaped his perspective.
“I will bring a diverse viewpoint to the library board through a lifetime of experience engaging with people from different backgrounds and circumstances,” Kline stated in the application.
Answering the application’s question about the goals and directions that should be important to the library’s future, Kline said it should be a place where people “can find a good book to read and resources to better their lives.”
“Human flourishing should be the mission of the library, and therefore, the library’s programming and resource selection should be geared toward that end,” he said.
Castlen said he formally emailed Kline’s name to Fiscal Court commissioners on Thursday morning and also texted each one individually to ensure they saw it.
Castlen added that he intentionally gave commissioners one week to review the recommendation before the vote, hoping to balance the need for proper vetting with the desire to avoid prolonged political pressure on both Fiscal Court and the nominee.
Commissioner Janie Marksberry said she does not know Kline personally and hopes to learn more about him before voting on the appointment.
“The judge-executive typically selects every nominee for any board,” Marksberry said in a text message to OT. “The library is the only board that he has to wait on outside recommendations before he can put forth his own nomination.”
Commissioner Chris Castlen similarly said he doesn’t know Kline yet, but “looks forward to the opportunity to meet him and discuss the library board position.”
Commissioner Larry Conder declined to comment at this time.
