Incumbent Beatrice City Councilman kicks off filing season, for 2024

BEATRICE – A veteran Beatrice City Councilman has become the first candidate in Gage County to formally file for election or reelection this year.

Second Ward Beatrice City Councilman Ted Fairbanks is seeking reelection to the body on which he has served, off and on…since age 32.

The 66-year-old retired United Parcel Service driver says he now has more time than ever to commit to serving the city and said the city is on the verge of accomplishing some major initiatives.  

One is resolution of the vacant, condemned Dempster property in south Beatrice.   Fairbanks was appointed this past year to chair a special council committee focusing on that objective.

Fairbanks first got involved in city government when he was appointed to the city’s planning and zoning commission by the late Mayor Bob Sargent…serving three years on the commission.

Fairbanks played a key role in formation of the Beatrice Plus program, where utility ratepayers can voluntarily donate to projects that better the community, through their utility bill payments.   He’s served on the committee that reviews applications for that funding.

Fairbanks has also served as President of the Beatrice City Council and as a city representative to the local economic development organization.