County Commissioner Candidates Voice Opinions During Forum

Area voters had the opportunity to hear from the four candidates for Roosevelt County commissioners during a forum sponsored by the Northern Plains Independent and Wolf Point Elks Lodge on Thursday, May 5.

The primary election is scheduled for June 7. The general election is Nov. 8.

Candidates Edward L. Bach, Ken Hentges, Craig Karge and Robert Toavs each shared their opinions regarding the toughest challenges facing the county.

Hentges mentioned the decreasing tax base, people moving away, businesses closing and crime as some of the county’s largest problems.

“It can change,” Hentges said. “I would like to see it be like when I grew up.”

Bach mentioned that the tax base isn’t huge and that fact limits the amount of funds to cover costs. He mentioned law enforcement and road maintenance as areas that could especially use more resources.

He said he’s willing to listen and use his best judgment to spend money in a conservative fashion.

Toavs sees drugs and crime as the county’s biggest challenges. He wants to change the reputation of Wolf Point and increase pride in the community.

He said his goal is to make things better in the area so children and grandchildren stay or come back here.

Karge pointed to crime, drugs, businesses moving away and losing the tax base as the county’s biggest concerns.

Regarding county roads, Bach said he believes that the roads on the East side of the county probably need the most improvements. “But all of the roads are important. Except the county commissioner’s personal road, that can be last.”

Toavs explained the county receives gas tax money for every county road, but counties don’t have easements to many of the roads.

That problem impacts every landowner. “The whole county is subjected to this,” he said.

He added that having enough gravel is always an issue. Roads aren’t maintained as well as they should be. He said the county needs to make sure that road signs are posted.

Karge said commissioners have already started the process of addressing the easement problem. He said there needs to be good communication between the road foreman and commissioners to know where the issues are.

Hentges agree that many roads along with bridges need to have conditions improved.

When asked how to address the homeless population problem, Toavs said situations should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. “No one should be left in freezing temperatures,” he said.

Karge said he would make sure that existing resources are working to help the homeless.

Hentges said he feels a curfew should be enacted and be enforced. He noted that some homeless people choose to live that way.

Bach said people need something to look forward to or strive for. “It’s a problem. I don’t know the answer.”

Regarding what the relationship between commissioners and sheriff should be, Karge said there should be good communication between the two offices. Working together on a budget is important. “If they don’t have it, they can’t do their job,” Karge said of funds in the sheriff’s budget.

Hentges said there needs to be a good one-on-one relationship between commissioners and the sheriff.

Bach said the relationship should be very, very open. Conversations shouldn’t be just once a week or once a month, but on a regular basis. Commissioners shouldn’t micro-manage the sheriff’s office. “The lines need to be open so everybody knows what they need to get the job done,” Bach said.

Toavs said commissioners and the sheriff are all elected offices. There’s only so much money for the sheriff’s office. Commissioners and the sheriff need to work inside the budget and work together.

Whether they will be a full-time commissioner and attend Montana Association of Counties’ trainings, Bach answered, “Yes, if elected, I plan on going 110 percent.” He said he’s always dedicated more hours on jobs throughout his life. “It’s not an 8 to 5 job for me.”

Toavs said it’s important to attend trainings in order to get educated. He said he’s willing to make the sacrifice to be a full-time commissioner. He plans to decrease his number of cattle. He, however, said that his auction business will not suffer because he built that business from the ground up.

Karge answered, “yes.” Hentges answered, “Absolutely. That’s the commissioner’s job. There shouldn’t be any shortcuts.”