Head of local utility board, to try for Beatrice City Council spot

BEATRICE – The chairman of a local utility board has filed for a position on the Beatrice City Council.  Dave Eskra became a candidate for the Second Ward Beatrice City Council position on Tuesday...now held by Rick Clabaugh. Eskra has served as Chairman of the Beatrice Board of Public Works. He is a former Chamber of Commerce President and has been Chairman of the utility board for several years.

"I've had some pretty good experience in the community from Chairman of the Chamber, to sitting on the committee that really got the House of Orange to where it is, from where it would have been if the community hadn't helped donate a lot of money....and as you know, we learn a lot about a lot of things on the BPW board."

Eskra says the community has a lot of good leaders who help the city progress. Eskra spent several years in sales before acquiring Twin Rivers Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram. He’s now retired from the dealership. Eskra talked about his philosophy regarding public service.

"There's been times over the years that people get in there and they forget, that everybody is your customer, not just those who think like you do. That's what happens when you get into public service. There is a tendency...it doesn't make any difference what you do...it's not what somebody wanted."

Eskra said in his role with the Board of Public Works, things are going well.  "We're in good shape, and I just marvel at how some of these things have transpired. We were talking about a $25 million sewer plant renovation...and I talked to Tobias (Tempelmeyer, City Administrator) the other day, and he thinks we're somewhere down to $10 million, if we had to do it today."

He said the city could have allowed the Beatrice Six civil judgement to affect what initiatives or projects are accomplished, but it largely, hasn’t.  "We built a brand new fire station and everybody is so proud of it. And, it does seem like it got done without a whole lot of complaining."

In other Tuesday election filings, a new candidate has filed for the Beatrice Board of Education. Joseph Brewer of Beatrice is seeking a spot on the District-15 Board.  Also, incumbent Joe Hawkins is seeking reelection to the Beatrice Airport Authority Board.