Wolf Point Mayor Looks Forward To Community Working For Success

Chris Dschaak is starting the final year of his second term as Wolf Point’s mayor, and he feels the community is moving in the right direction. Dschaak noted Wolf Point needs everybody’s support in order to enjoy greater success.

“We need a lot of the kids in their mid-20s to step up,” Dschaak said. He pointed out that additional volunteers are needed in such areas as EMTs, the fire department and community groups. “We need more people to step up to the plate and care how the town functions and make it a better place. It’s your community too.”

He urged people to become active in some form to improve the community.

“The biggest thing is if you have concerns in your community, you need to get involved,” Dschaak said.

The city continues tackling water and sewer projects. Two big water projects have been conducted during the past year. The mayor estimates the projects cost nearly a total of $2 million.

“We’ve spent a lot of money,” Dschaak said. “But it’s been my goal to repair, repair and repair.”

The city has recently been awarded a $450,000 Community Development Block Grant from the State of Montana and the Department of Commerce to be used for wastewater system upgrades to sewer lines.

Dschaak said he doesn’t believe any work will be done on sewer lines this year, but planning for the major line on Third Avenue may take place in 2021.

Because of the need for these projects, water and sewer rates have increased by about 40 percent during the past three years.

“It’s crucial for us to get money we need for improvements,” Dschaak said. “Everything costs a lot of money. We either pay a little on the front end, or pay a lot more to fix it.”

He notes that the city’s sewer lagoon system is currently in good shape.

The mayor says Wolf Point is maintaining a population of about 2,800 to 3,000. That figure doesn’t include people living in west and east housing outside of the city limits.

“We’re on a decent track,” Dschaak said.

One concern is the decreased amount of local businesses in Wolf Point’s Main Street area. Dschaak said he doesn’t expect residents to do all their shopping locally, but he urges them to support local stores as much as possible to support their neighbors.

As far as controlling the crime rate, Dschaak urges the city, tribes and county to combat crime together.

“We need to start working better,” Dschaak said. “It doesn’t matter who you are. We all live in the same slice of heaven and want to make it safer.”

He’s pleased that improvements should be completed at the swimming pool prior to the start of the season. He feels the community is offering a solid recreation program with baseball, softball and soccer programs being offered.

Dschaak looks forward to a productive year working with community members. He says he needs to make a decision by June whether to seek re-election or not. He is currently undecided about serving another term.

“It changes day to day,” Dschaak laughs.