Wibaux, MT

We have lots of nonprofit organizations in Wibaux but not one except the Wibaux Nursing Home Foundation has even applied for the IRS approved 501c3 status. MT Community Foundation grant funds were channeled through a non-profit out of town. One of the Horizons action plans is to get a 501c3 for Wibaux. The group has narrowed down the name to Wibaux CAN - Community Action Now, which allows flexibility for many projects from housing, beautification, historic, poverty, drug abuse and youth activity grants. This committee is spearheaded by people in the know including the Clerk and Recorder, Town Clerk and the County Attorney assistant. Work is progressing on the by-laws and officers will be elected in July. We hope to submit to the IRS in the fall. The results will benefit the community and address poverty by allowing us to apply for grants as most require 501c3 status.

Nowhere during Paul Lachapelle’s whirlwind tour of eastern MT did he have so many of the key leaders of a Horizons community represented. Paul was giving workshops on Montana Public Meeting laws and all who attended got “Serving on County Boards, Districts, Commissions and Committees in Montana: A Handbook for Members, Local Government Officials and Citizens”
In the small town of Wibaux on April 30th, 24 attended including all three commissioners, the mayor and town council member,fair board, new nominee for school board, Clerk & Recorder & Deputy, Clerk of Court, Historical Society, planning board, Disaster & Emergency Services and the newspaper editor who was well versed in public meeting law. The biggest concern was being sure not to make decisions without proper notification of meetings. We commend their interest in the training to prevent litigation or cause conflict — or maybe they came for the great lasagna for only $5!

Wibaux 7th and 8th graders helped the WibauxCAN (Community Action Now) committee design a logo. Ty Tousignant submitted the winning design, combining a W for Wibaux, with the school’s widely known longhorn mascot, as well as the CAN letters.

It was an empowering and humbling experience. Several people from the WibauxCAN Committee (Community Action Now), met to review the subcommitee’s grant award suggestions. Over $16,000 of requests for just $2000 worth of grant money. The committee had obviously hit upon a need.

The grants were for property beautification: clean-up and fix-up. Making Wibaux an attractive place to live, one that speaks of the pride that residents have in their town was one of of the most important goals expressed by the people involved in the Study Circles.

WibauxCAN, in reaction to the Study Circle’s #1 subject, community beautification, conducted the grant funding cycle.

The single round of grants were for a total of $2000. But because of the overwhelming number of applications for money, the committee elected to nearly double the money available.

Empowering: we could help; help the individuals and help the community. Humbling. there wasn’t enough money–even with doubling the available funds. Choices would have to be made.

Winners? The community. Those funded. And those not funded. Their needs were defined, the cost estimated. They were ready for what WibauxCAN hopes will be round two.

By Renae Rasmussen -Today I got my blood drawn at the Wibaux Clinic. No, not the Wibaux Clinic that’s been in operation on main street for years, the old, run down, Wibaux Clinic with the floor that had borken boards, but the new Wibaux Clinic. This clinic is just east of the nursing home.

It has three exam rooms with sinks, running water, exam tables, an office for the doctor(s), a nurses station where they can take blood, perhaps even do some labwork. (That’s where I got my blood drawn).

Know what’s great? In the not too distant future, it will be open five days a week! Five!

Kudoos must go to the community who has wanted better medical service, the Horizon’s Study Circles who kept the idea in the forefront, but most of all to the county comissioners who took the leap and decided that if Wibaux was to have better health care, Wibaux needed to have control of the health care.

I’m not letting my husband go out of town to get blood drawn again.

With its access to the interstate, close location to Medora, ND, an old west town just 30 miles away, and a rich colorful history featuring Pierre Wibaux, the community’s namesake, Wibaux has the potential to capitalize on tourism. It’s well known for good restaurants, good football teams and good people.

A priority of those involved with Horizons was taking care of eyesore abandoned buildings, for safety and well as community appearance. Needed is adequate housing for all ages, including one-level homes that would allow seniors to remain in the friendly compassionate Wibaux community.
2. Peggy Iba Says:
April 8th, 2008 at 1:03 pm

86 people (15%) filled out the survey in addition to the 20 written comments/ suggestions on how to improve Wibaux if you had $10,000 during Wibaux Appreciation Days Dec. 1 and the 35 who attended the visioning Dec. 3.

It was inspiring to read the surveys. 89% said Wibaux helps one another and it’s a real home. Wibaux’s top strengths or assets: places to eat, school. churches, helpful folks, western heritage.
People reported they would improve abandon building, youth drinking/drugs, housing, clean up, increase population, more jobs.
Top three things to improve quality of life from a checlist:
Liveable wage jobs 75%
Youth activities 60%
Improve the economy 44%

48% of surveyed said they were willing or very willing to help!

Top issues of the 8 listed that came out of Study Circles:
1. Expand business/ job opportunities
2. Housing
3. Increase Wibaux’s population
4. Medical care
5. Community Beautification