Mark Castlen was a political newcomer two years ago. Tuesday night, he was declared Mayor Pro Tem by the community, meaning he received the most votes of any candidate running for City Commission. Incumbents Larry Maglinger and Bob Glenn retained their seats, while Pam Smith Wright claimed the final spot on the City Commission.
Castlen pulled in 7,272 votes, followed by Maglinger (6,969), Glenn (6,812), and Smith-Wright (6,754). Incumbent Jeff Sanford finished with 6,324 votes, followed by Deborah Fillman (5,879) and Robert Morris (3,708).
Castlen said he was extremely humbled by the support from the community.
“I’m very excited to see that people stepped up and put me in the position. Our votes are all equal but at the time whenever you have more people following behind you and supporting you as what happened in this election, it makes you feel positive,” Castlen said.
He said ultimately in his eyes the vote came down to his involvement in the community and his efforts to try to bring the community together.
In his first days as Mayor Pro Tem, he hopes to review where the City is as a whole before deciding how to push forward.
Castlen has said he hopes to work alongside some of the youth in the community to find ways to lower the amount of gun violence in the city. A few ideas he has involves further developing partnerships with schools and introducing new programs to them — especially at the middle and high school levels. Castlen said he has been involved in conversations with youth, as well as programs that have introduced city functionality to teens to engage in civic conversations.
Maglinger, the current Mayor Pro Tem returns for a third term after received 16% of the votes, and he said he feels fortunate to be able to return to the familiar table.
He said voters likely showed up to support him in the seat due to the progress that the City has undergone under his terms. Maglinger said that they need to finish the projects they have in store right now.
“We’re going to still support our police and firefighters respond to the safety of the public. We’ve got to continue right and make it a great place for people to live. And so that’s what I’m looking forward to continuing to accomplish,” Maglinger said.
In his most recent campaign, Maglinger mentioned a passion to start the revitalization of Owensboro’s west side along with getting businesses in town to invest within the community. He said both initiatives are well underway, with $1.3 million in local federal and private funding dedicated to the Northwest Revitalization Plans and over $75 million in investment from businesses resulting in over 250 new jobs.
Maglinger has also been a major proponent of the transient boat dock that would be built downtown.
Glenn said that he is thankful for the support he’s received from the community and credits the work he has put in as the reason the city elected him to a third term.
“I’m excited to have the affirmation of the community that the work I’m doing every day makes a difference and I’m absolutely thrilled to be working with the group that I’m working with,” Glenn said.
Going forward he plans to focus on the grassroots issues of the community and help push forward the momentum that is currently in the city. He’s placing much focus on the downtown area with the Big Rivers development among other developments throughout the city.
He hopes to also address public safety issues as well.
“We have to address the gun violence issue. We really really do. We need to give the police the tools they need to work with the community to address the issue,” he said.
Smith-Wright will serve as a familiar face on City Commission as this marks her sixth term overall. She served five consecutive terms before an unsuccessful bid for mayor in 2020.
“I’m glad to be going back. I love being a commissioner, and with my husband passing, this was the first time I’ve smiled in a long time,” Smith-Wright said through tears.
Smith-Wright said the election showcases that the city trusts her in the position. She said she often heard from several constituents that asked for her to run again.
One reason she wanted to run again was to help represent the diversity of the community. She hopes to bring her ability to listen and reflect the community’s desires to the Commission.
“I wanted to get back in so that our commission would somehow in a small way, reflect our community,” she said. “With this term, it makes me the longest-serving female (on City Commission) and I served as the first female Mayor Pro Tem, and I am really proud of that.”
