BEATRICE – A Beatrice City Councilman has announced he’ll run for Mayor of the southeast Nebraska city.  Bob Morgan says he’ll formally file for the Mayoral race Thursday, January 6th. Morgan retired this past year as Vice President of Program Development and Beatrice Campus Director for Southeast Community College...having served 31 years with SCC.


"I did give it a lot of thought. I did have a number of people come to me and say would you consider running for mayor. I would say I'd consider it....and it went from 50-50 to 60-40. And then when I looked at what the city has done...I looked at what progress we have been making in a very positive way...I decided that I would run for mayor and would like to continue to strengthen the City of Beatrice."


Prior to his employment with Southeast Community College, Morgan was co-owner of Morgan Men's Wear, an Aurora Nebraska retailer, giving him small business experience.


"I think I'm in a really good spot to analyze everything because I am retired. Prior to that, being at Southeast Community College, it was a pretty neutral position. And so, I go into it with no axes to grind. I go into it to try to have Beatrice continue to grow."


Morgan has served over six years on the NGAGE Board of Directors and is finishing his second term on the city council, serving as a First-Ward representative. Since he retired in May of 2021, Morgan said he has the time to fully commit to the job of Mayor.  Morgan says the council has made some significant progress to improve the city and said he’d like to ensure Beatrice continues to be positive and proactive keeping in mind being fiscally responsible and transparent. He notes that among the challenges of the next four years is addressing the vacant Dempster property.


"I think it could be a nice greenspace for us....a little better entry point. As far as the building, it will probably have to go down, because of all the environmental issues that were in that particular building and the shape it is in, now."


Morgan said another goal is working with Mainstreet Beatrice to assess and improve the historic downtown. "I think Michael Sothan and Main Street and the people who are on that organizational board really want to see, and work with the city to try to continue to improve that. I have great hopes that we can at least continue to look at some of our worst-case scenarios and figure out a way to help those out."


Morgan says through the coronavirus pandemic, the city and its citizens have been resilient…citing as one example the public support of a new fire and rescue station.


Morgan and his wife Kelly enjoy spending time with their five children and five grandchildren.  Current Mayor Stan Wirth is entering the final year of his second term as Mayor and opted not to seek a third term.