BEATRICE – As he starts his four-year term as Beatrice Mayor, Bob Morgan is thanking those who recently ended their terms of service with the city.


"Mayor (Stan) Wirth did an absolutely wonderful job...he really did. If you look at all that happened over those eight years between Councilmen (Rick)Clabaugh and (Joe) Billesbach and Mayor Wirth, we made a lot of accomplishments. You think about the little things...the new railings on the bridges, a really nice enhancement. I know it was a project that got started long before we got on there, but we finished off the trail...so that was another nice accomplishment. And then, hats off not only to the councilmen that left but also to the citizens of Beatrice. Look at our fire station. We really enhanced public safety. That was an example of how Mayor Wirth and Councilmen Clabaugh and Billesbach could really help include the community...because it takes everybody."


Commenting on KWBE’s Ask the Mayor program for the first time as the city’s new top elected official….Morgan said Beatrice is fortunate to have great city administration and department heads.  Morgan moved up to the mayoral job, after serving in the First Ward as a Councilman. He says it will be a strong eight-member council in terms of experience over the next four years. The council includes Gary Barnard, who ran against Morgan in the general election for the mayor’s post.


"Gary is going to be a good asset for me on the city council. He's had two years under his belt, he's had other times that he's served in government, so I think it's really exciting when we look at the council that we have. We lost three good people because they chose not to run...having Councilman (Mike) McLain as the Council President brings some continuity, which is important to somebody who's coming in for the first time. We added Duane Ruh...we added Terry Doyle and we added Dave Eskra. They are all going to bring their own different talents...but if you look at Terry, he's been a city administrator, been in town for a long time...you look at Dave, who's been on the board of public works....there's some knowledge there that will transfer easily to the council. I feel like we have a real good group of eight, and hopefully a good mayor."


Morgan says coming from a retail and education career background…customer service will be a key component for him, with citizens of the community.
"I have a really strong passion clear back from the days I was in Aurora with the clothing store, for customer service. I believe very strongly that's what we, as employees of the city...need to do for all of our constituents. There may be times the answer might be no....but we do it in a customer service way and try to explain the best we can why that answer is no. That's deeply rooted in me."


Morgan says experience in education as a former administrator for Southeast Community College will help him in areas of leadership and budget skills during his term as mayor.