Just a few days shy of marking his first 100 days in office, which would be November 5, Jim Moe says he is optimistic about what is ahead for the city of Devils Lake.
Earlier this year, on July 28, Moe was sworn in as the city’s Mayor. Following retirement from his nearly two decades as the city’s Fire Chief, Moe had set his sights on the position he knew Dick Johnson had decided to vacate. Moe won that election, one of the few that is decided in the city’s June primary.
Of the many challenges ahead for the city, Moe is excited about a number of improvements residents will see coming about in the days, months and years ahead. “If we can continue to work together for the benefit of the community, we will see some exciting things happening here in Devils Lake,” Moe stated.
He’s especially enthusiastic about the recent progress being made in the area of health care services emphasized by the agreement signed just last week among Altru Clinic, Essentia Health and the Spirit Lake Nation that would bring a new hospital and vital heath care services to the Lake Region by 2027. He admits there is a great deal that needs to be done along the way but he is hopeful this is one step in the right direction for the community and all the communities throughout the Lake Region who will benefit from this “out-of-the-box” plan. More details will be made available in the future in the months ahead, so “stay tuned” to the Devils Lake Journal.
Moe says he is happy to see that the Lake Region Law Enforcement Center is back on track after some rough bumps in the road. It most likely will always be an area of concern for the community, however, it is presently on a better path thanks to some changes made in personnel, administration and training. Again, Moe emphasized the need to work together to find solutions to problems as they arise, no matter what the concerns may be.
Moe is also glad to see plans for the Park Board’s community’s activity center in the former Leever’s South/Wallys location are going forward providing badly needed recreational facilities for youth and residents of all ages; like a movie theater, bowling alley, indoor playground for children and families, virtual reality arcade, party and conference center and more. Architectural plans are drawn up and will be featured in detail on the Devils Lake Journal’s front page very soon.
The Mayor shared that he was still hopeful that something would move the issue forward with the school district’s needs and what can be done with the Middle School/Central High building complex which has become a monument to learning for decades of residents. “We owe it to our community to grow and provide the best education available for all future generations,” Moe said.
He also stated he’d like to see some other ways to benefit the historic downtown area of Devils Lake, like work being done on the green space/park near the Senior Center and maybe an art studio or art gallery, something like that, as well.
*If you happen to run into the mayor on Nov. 5, or thereafter, wish him a “Happy first 100 days in office!” That’s the actual 100th day since his swearing in.
