Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor:
Why in “tarnation” is it so utterly impossible to get a straight answer from our elected officials anyway? I have asked bluntly many times now as to where in Sam Hill are the missing tables to Triangle Park? We, the taxpayers, paid for them, yet they were mysteriously hauled off “to be cleaned,” remember? Can our mayor answer to the public this simple question? You see, without these tables, Triangle Park is reduced to a mere “green area,” and not living up to its full potential as a viable park set aside for all the public to use as they see fit.
The underlying reason, as I see it, is without those tables, the city doesn’t have to enforce city ordinances pertaining to the ever present trouble makers lurking around there. I understand that. What I don’t understand is the lack of will to confront the problem head on, and adopting like I’ve said over and over again, a Band Aid approach of hear no evil, see no evil, and maybe it will all just go away. Not!
In last week’s paper, Mayor Dschaak stated that I falsely stated that he was “mostly responsible” for pushing the sale. May I remind you mayor of a past article in the paper of your statement where one of the officers was hit in the head over there, and you couldn’t tolerate that? I stated that could happen anywhere, and the park wasn’t to blame. You also stated in another city council meeting that you had over 400 calls to Town Pump. Again, that’s Town Pump’s doings, not Triangle Park.
Councilman Mahlum rightfully stated twice in that meeting that “they will just go somewhere else.” Again, not solving the problem whatsoever. You also took it upon yourself to take “executive action,” by removing the picnic tables “to be cleaned,” remember Mayor Dschaak? Again, bobbing and weaving, but not answering the question. So, if in fact you once were a major opponent of selling the park, I have documents dating back to 2016, 2018, 2019, and literally every year of our Lord since, voicing opposition to the table removals in the Northern Plains Independent, so as of late, maybe not so much?
You then went on to state, “where I agree with Mr. Taylor on the enforcement, there is no mention to the rest of the judicial system, which is a huge part.” Wrong again, Mayor Dschaak, look at my statements in paragraphs five and six. The part of now being a Class B misdemeanor, but by charging them to a Class A offense, they then could be arrested and taken to jail. That answers the judicial part.
Although your statements to where there are federal, state, tribal and city jurisdictions is true, we’re talking simple Triangle Park infractions here, not serial murders or major fentanyl trafficking, remember?
In regards to councilman Mahlum, I simply asked one simple question, where are the Triangle Park picnic tables? Again, more bobbing and weaving. Although you stated publicly that you favored voting to sell the park, did you or did you not tell Dave Parsley Sr. just prior to the vote that you wouldn’t vote to sell it? Also later you said that “you have elected each of us to do what we see best for Wolf Point.” I agree to a point, but aren’t you also elected by the constituents to represent their will also, since we pay the bills around here? Hence, although albeit a little late, the numerous calls to Attorney Wilson, other councilmen and the 50 some signatures on that petition.
Both Mayor Dschaak and councilman Mahlum once again failed to answer the age-old question of why they want to sell Triangle Park and address the real problems plaguing this community of public drunkenness, loitering, pan handling, and unaccountable rampant crime. Triangle Park isn’t the problem people, it’s a symptom of the disease.
I have said for years that the city, county, sheriff’s office, townspeople, judges, businessmen and all partaking in the area need to come together with the Fort Peck Tribes and put some teeth in those laws for the betterment of all. In the meantime, I notice Mayor Dschaak that you won’t publicly address the putting back of those picnic tables, nor do you mention enforcing the city ordinances we presently have to maintain the rule of law to the best of your ability, and once again give the people what is rightfully theirs.
It’s been at least since 2016 now that I’ve asked these questions and still have not received any honest answers. It’s getting to be almost comical and almost a sure bet that none will be forthcoming now either. Bobbing and weaving can be a good thing. “Smokin Joe” Frazer himself was pretty fair at it, until he ran head long into “Big George.”
Scott “Pondoro” Taylor
