Challenger making another run at Beatrice City Council
Caleb Sabatka ran a competitive race previously against another third ward incumbent
By News Channel NebraskaBEATRICE – The Beatrice City Council Third Ward race picked up another candidate. Caleb Sabatka has filed for that race. Incumbent Mike McLain is seeking reelection. Sabatka previously ran for a third ward seat in November 2020, coming up short against Incumbent Rich Kerr by a vote of 517-to-410.
"Honestly, I want to keep going and I also plan on going further. Instead of just council, I also plan on maybe even running for governor or maybe senator, some day."
Sabatka owns a siding and home improvement business in Beatrice. He says he’d like to bring more revenue into the community.
"I understand the bike trails and the ballparks are great additions, but in all honesty...like the bike trails, they cost. They don't bring any revenue into town. They just constantly cost...maintenance and everything...it just costs. I have a few plans which I've already talked to other local people...that if I can get elected....we can bring in quite a bit of revenue for my generation, even the older generation."
Sabatka says business and attractions could be the source of revenue. He cites as an example, a drag racing venue. "Bring in not only from Beatrice and Gage County, but maybe even bring in from Lincoln, Tecumseh...all around. It's more revenue we can bring ourselves. I understand Homestead Days, we make quite a bit of money off that...so why not incorporate when we attract all those people with the car shows and everything else....allow the people to do something with those cars."
The candidate feels many viewpoints of council members are, “old…that may have worked ten, fifteen or twenty years ago". He said its time to update things.
On Friday, Gage County Attorney Roger Harris filed for reelection. He is a Republican. Also seeking another term is Wymore Mayor, Milton Pike. The mayoral office is a non-partisan position. Current Beatrice City Council President Rick Clabaugh…who is not seeking reelection, has now filed to run for a spot on the Beatrice Airport Authority Board.