GOVERNMENT
THE MAN BEHIND THE BEARD Meet Councilman Curtis Beard
"Curtis proves his love for the city every time we chat,” said Tony Mangat, a constituent and entrepreneur who founded The Mangat Group. “He only wants what's best for his family, friends and his community. He is highly motivated in everything he works on and is a great council member for the city. His generosity shows he's a selfless individual and a positive influence on others, and he continues to show continuous growth." Balancing act As one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities, Buckeye faces pressure to balance expansion with preserving the character of its neighborhoods. Beard said he supports “smart growth” that creates opportunity without erasing the city’s small-town feel. “Buckeye’s growing fast, and that’s a good thing, but I don’t want us to lose what makes our neighborhoods feel like home,” he said. Among the projects he’s most eager to see are the widening of Miller Road, which will help ease congestion, and the arrival of a Fry’s grocery store, which he said will benefit residents. Citywide, he also highlighted the upcoming opening of the Joe Foss Shooting Range as a draw for both locals and visitors. “There’s so much growth citywide it’s hard to mention all of them I’m excited about,” he said. Infrastructure and safety Infrastructure has been one of Buckeye’s biggest challenges as new developments continue to spread across the city. Beard said the city’s general obligation bond has helped launch key projects such as road widening and the
G ROWING UP IN BUCKEYE, CURTIS BEARD LEFT HIGH SCHOOL EARLY. BUT HE DIDN’T STOP LEARNING. “I went to school here all the way through, dropped out after a year-and-a-half of high school, got my GED and then my associate’s degree in visual communications,” he said. “I actually graduated from college the same year I would’ve graduated high school.” Now a fourth-generation Buckeye resident raising the fifth, Beard’s story is one of persistence, family roots and the resilience that has long defined this once-small, now fast-growing desert community. Beard will tell you, for him, serving on the Buckeye City Council isn’t about politics or self- interest. It's about leaving a legacy. BY MICHAEL MCDANIEL
“I was inspired to run because I believe Buckeye’s growth should benefit everyone, not just a few,” Beard said. “My biggest responsibility is to listen to our residents and make decisions that keep our community safe, thriving and united as we plan for the future.” He believes new development will improve life for everyone in his district, including residents around Old Town Buckeye. "Miller Road will be a lot nicer once it’s widened, and eventually it’ll be six lanes all the way down," he said. "It just takes time, but things are getting better than they were 30 years ago.” Representing District 3, Beard brings a business owner’s perspective to city leadership. With two decades of small-business experience, he said he treats city finances with the same care as his own, emphasizing fiscal responsibility and practical choices. “Being involved in operating several small businesses helps me to look at spending money as if it were mine, not just taxpayers,” Beard said. “It’s about making responsible choices for what’s best for the residents and community as a whole.”
CURTIS BEARD
Age: 41 Residence: Northwood Park
Businesses: Absolute Screen Printing, AZ Septic Works, One Site Construction Side hustle: Real estate agent Family: Wife and three kids Elected: November 2024 Term expires: November 2028 Council liaison to: Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce, Southwest Family Advocacy Center Phone: 623-349-6943 Email: CBeard@BuckeyeAZ.gov Fun fact: His family has continuously owned businesses in the City of Buckeye since 1960.
InBuckeye.com | September 2025
September 2025 | InBuckeye.com
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