BAKER CITY HERALD • THuRsDAY, FEBRuARY 17, 2022 A3
LOCAL
Nuisance
Continued from Page A1
“We’re trying to attack it from sev-
eral angles,” Duby said. “What we’ve
been doing in the past is just not
working. It’s been frustrating.”
Cannon said city officials, as
they pursue a possible declaration
of Gwin’s home as unsafe, will pro-
ceed without “preconceived notions”
about the condition of the home.
In other cases when the city
sought to declare a building unsafe
it was following a fire that damaged
the structure, Cannon said.
The situation with Gwin’s home is
different since it hasn’t burned.
If the city decides to block entry into
the home because it’s considered un-
safe, “we’d better be right,” Cannon said.
Under the city’s property main-
tenance ordinance, conditions that
could warrant the building official
declaring a building unsafe include
“whenever the structure ... has be-
come dilapidated or deteriorated as
to become an attractive nuisance or a
harbor for transients or criminals.”
The 950-square-foot home, built
in 1900, has a market value of $3,740,
according to the Baker County As-
sessor’s Office, which last appraised
the property in 2019. The lot, which
covers almost 5,000 square feet, has a
market value of $31,330, according to
the Assessor’s Office.
School
Neighbors frustrated by situation
Joel Richardson, who lives on
Birch Street near Gwin’s property,
said that although he respects prop-
erty rights, he believes the situation
at 1975 Birch St. needs to be ad-
dressed because it is directly affect-
ing neighboring properties.
Richardson said he and his wife,
Gere, had mice in their home, which
he attributes to the rodents being at-
tracted to refuse on Gwin’s property.
Richardson said other neighbors have
also reported mice infestations.
“To me, it’s just about wanting a
clean neighborhood that’s safe for
everyone,” Joel Richardson said. “It’s
been a long time with that property
just slowly going downhill.”
Angie Stewart, who with her hus-
band, John, lives at the corner of
Plum Street and Washington Ave-
nue, just west of Gwin’s house, said
the recurrent accumulations of trash,
and associated problems, have left
them and some of their neighbors as
“basically hostages to the inside of
our homes.”
Angie Stewart said unpleasant
odors emanate from Gwin’s prop-
erty, and she has seen people urinat-
ing in the yard.
“We can’t go out and use our decks
and backyards in the summer,” Stew-
art said. “It’s just awful.”
Stewart said she and her husband
have talked with Gwin about the
problem, but to no avail.
Stewart said the property “attracts a
lot of homeless and their friends, and
that adds to the problem.”
She’s also concerned about a tree
house that has been built on Gwin’s
property, and in particular that its
ladder is potentially dangerous and
could attract people.
Stewart said she’s told teenagers
who were in the alley behind Gwin’s
home to stay away from the property.
Stewart said she and her husband
are “ecstatic” that city officials are
trying to do something to improve
the situation.
Richardson said he thinks the city
should try to designate the home as
uninhabitable.
Although he said he’s never been
Samantha O’Conner/Baker City Herald inside the home or on the property, he
has watched people enter the house
Baker City officials are exploring the
not through a door but rather by
possibility of having the home at 1975
climbing through a window.
Birch St. declared unsafe to inhabit.
Richardson said that suggests that
“It’s not getting resolved,” she said. the inside of the home is as “inun-
Although both Stewart and Rich- dated” with items as the yard has been
ardson said they don’t believe any- several times.
one is living permanently in the
He said it also appeared last sum-
home this winter, they believe the
mer that people were living in a
situation will change when the
pickup truck parked on the property.
weather warms.
“It’s a condemned area as far as I’m
“We’ll see people hanging out there concerned,” Richardson said. “Is it a
come warmer weather, I guarantee
place where I think people should be
that,” Richardson said.
living? No.”
Kerns, in his Jan. 11 order desig-
nating Gwin’s property as a chronic
Property owner’s history of violations
neighborhood nuisance, wrote that
According to city and court re-
“the home is currently empty.”
cords, a city code enforcement officer
Chase
cited Gwin for violating the property
maintenance ordinance in May 2015,
August 2015 and October 2016.
On June 17, 2017, the city paid
a contractor $2,000 to clean up the
property.
The city cited Gwin for violating
the property maintenance order on
Dec. 27, 2017, and four more times
in 2018, according to court records.
On Oct. 29, 2018, the Baker
County Justice Court issued an or-
der allowing the city to clean up the
property and then bill the owner for
the cost.
The city had a $5,600 bid from
a contractor to do the work, but
city officials decided to have a pub-
lic works employee use a loader to
gather the refuse.
The city also removed material
from the property in October 2020.
The city sets aside about $6,000
each year to clean up properties that
violate the maintenance ordinance.
Stewart said that although she, like
Richardson, believes people should
be allowed to use their property as
they see fit, there must be a limit to
what’s acceptable.
“You don’t like to stomp on any-
body’s rights, but he’s had so many
chances to fix the place,” she said.
“It’s just a continual problem, for at
least the past five years. We want to
use our properties. There have been
tears shed in this neighborhood over
that property. It’s just so sad.”
east on Highway 86 toward ley Lane, then through an
Richland, according to a
open gate and toward a
Continued from Page A1
Continued from Page A1
report from Deputy Gabe
cattle truck. Maldonado
Maldonado of the Baker
wrote in his report that the
They are also slated to meet
David Marshall
The incident that led to
County Sheriff’s Office.
officer with him, Baker
with residents during a public
Marshall is superinten-
Snell’s arrest happened on
Thatcher followed the
County deputy Kyle Ebel-
event on Thursday, Feb. 24, from
dent of Brookings-Har-
the evening of April 28,
vehicle to about Milepost 7 ing, opened the door of the
bor School District on the
5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the library at
2021.
on Highway 86, where the
cattle truck and told Snell
Lair
southern Oregon Coast.
Baker High School, 2500 E St.
After Snell refused to pull vehicle turned around and
to stop. Snell did so, and the
Previously, Marshall was
“We are thankful to have three
deputies arrested him.
over for a traffic stop on
started driving west on the
assistant superintendent
strong candidates, and we look
Maldonado wrote that he
Interstate 84 east of Baker
highway, toward the freeway.
for the Hermiston and
forward to getting to know them
City, OSP Sr. Trooper An-
Meanwhile Rand Weaver, “could detect a strong odor
Milton-Freewater school
better next week to find the best
drew McClay pursued the
a Baker City Police officer,
of an alcoholic beverage
districts, following more
fit for Baker School District,” 5J
2020 Ford Expedition west- had deployed spike strips
coming from Snell’s person.
than 20 years of classroom
Board Chairman Chris Hawkins
bound on the freeway to-
across Highway 86.
Snell would not give me his
teaching experience.
said in a press release. “We hope
ward Baker City.
With Maldonado in pur- name, so when I went to
that our local community will
McClay notified other
suit, Snell crashed at the in- the crashed vehicle to look
Marshall
join us for the meet and greet at
officers that the driver ex-
tersection of Highway 86
William Schildbach
for a wallet, I saw multiple
Baker High School next Thurs-
ited the freeway at Camp-
and Lindley Lane.
Schildbach is princi-
empty cans of beer on the
bell Street but became stuck
Snell got out of the vehi- floor and there was alcohol
day to be introduced to the can-
pal of Tikigaq School, a
in traffic. The driver then
cle and ran north on Lind- spilled in the vehicle.”
didates and provide their feed-
pre-kindergarten through
returned to the free-
back, as well.”
12th grade school in Point
way, still heading
The school board plans to
Hope, Alaska.
westbound.
choose the new superintendent
He earlier served as su-
Raimundo Andres Uriarte
Baker City Police
during the regular board meet-
perintendent of the Nome
February 4, 1952 - February 10, 2022
officer
Zach
Thatcher
ing on Thursday, March 10, at
Public
Schools
in
Nome,
Schildbach
saw the Expedition
6 p.m. It hasn’t been determined
Alaska, and also worked
Please join family and friends
take the next freeway
whether that meeting will be by Erin Lair
as principal of Mt. Spurr Ele-
for the “Going Away Party” of Rai-
exit near Milepost
Zoom or in person.
Lair graduated from Baker
mentary and Emmonak School,
mundo Uriarte on Sunday, Febru-
302, and then drive
Witty announced in June 2021 High School and is the director
both in Alaska.
ary 20, 2022, at 1 p.m. Mountain
that he intended to retire through of school improvement for
Time in the gymnasium of Adrian
the Oregon Public Employees
the Intermountain Educa-
High School, 301 Owyhee Street,
Retirement System on July 1 of
tion Service District.
Adrian, Oregon, 97913.
that year, but that he would con-
She worked previously as
Janet Blodgett
Raimundo was born in Guerni-
tinue to work as superintendent director of curriculum, in-
June 16, 1943 – February 11, 2022
ca, Bizkaia, in the Basque Country
for up to two years.
struction and technology for
Janet was called to heaven to
where he grew up with his mother
In November 2021, the school the Sherwood School Dis-
be
with
the Lord on February 11,
Teresa, sister Maria and his half brother FaustinoLanda.
board set a timeline for its super- trict, and before that she was
2022.
In 1962, at the age of 10, his father Resu, who he had
She was an amazing daugh-
only met a few times, brought his family over to the
ter, wife, sister and aunt. An
United States. Resu herded sheep on the south side of
incredibly strong woman with
Wanda Joyce Lowe
the Steens Mountain in Oregon with Raimundo’s Un-
a beautiful heart. In her young-
October 23, 1935 - December 18, 2021
cles John and Ben Madariaga. When Raimundo came
er years she loved to cook and
to the U.S. he did not know English.He and his sister
Wanda Joyce Lowe passed away peacefully and
host holidays for her family and
started to learn by watching television.
went to be with Jesus on Dec. 18, 2021, due to pancre-
friends in Poulsbo, Washington.
Sports were always a part of his life. He participated
atic cancer. Wanda was born Oct. 23, 1935, in Baker
Family was always the most im-
in
football,
track, and wrestling throughout high school,
City, Oregon. A memorial celebration will be held on
portant to Janet.
where he set many records in Burns, Oregon.He played
Saturday, Feb. 19, at 1 p.m. at Mountain Life Church,
More recently, Janet had to be a very strong woman
football for Boise State in 1971.
10700 South Walton Rd., La Grande, Oregon 97850.
to be able to fight cancer and battle lupus.
He married Judy Renwick in 1973 and was bless-
Wanda was raised in the Burnt River Valley in Her-
Her fight is now over. Janet is now home and at
ed
with a son, Ramey. He returned to Burns to be with
eford, Oregon, where she met and married her high
peace, no more pain and suffering. She will always be
his new family, worked in the Edward Hines Lumber
school sweetheart Dell Lowe. They settled in La Grande,
dearly loved and forever in our hearts.
Company and joined the Army National Guard. He also
Oregon, and raised their children, where Wanda was a
Janet was preceded in death by husband, Lee
began what would become a lifetime of coaching.
devoted wife, mother and devout Christian. She was
Blodgett, father and mother, Lloyd and Evelyn Page,
In 1979, he married Teresa Stearns and they had
also very involved with, and loved her church family.
and brother Jerry Page.
3 children - Joshua, Amber and Marissa. In 1986, he
Wanda loved horseback riding and the outdoors; hunt-
Funeral arrangements are still to come.
moved to Baker City, Oregon, where he worked at
ing with her family; long walks in the woods; searching
Ellingson Lumber Company and continued his coach-
for wild huckleberries; gardening and canning; sewing
ing career. Throughout the years, he coached football,
and making wedding and prom dresses for her relatives;
track, wrestling, YMCA volleyball and basketball. He
reading and oil painting. Early on, Wanda was active in
loved coaching so much that it was part of who he was.
the lives of her nieces and nephews, and was instrumen-
Walter (Brad) Wirth
To many, Coach Ray or Coach U was not only a coach,
tal in their spiritual upbringing. She diligently shared
September 24, 1956 - January 26, 2022
but a mentor and a friend. Being a coach in Baker City
with them the love of Jesus, and often transported them
Fisherman, hunter and jokester
did not limit his influence. Throughout the years at dif-
to church and VBS where she nurtured them and other
Walter
Bradley
Wirth’s
love
of
life
ferent track meets he would offer a helping hand and
young people with the word of God as a Sunday school
didn’t
come
to
an
end
with
his
death.
show a few pointers to neighboring athletes.
teacher. When her own children were in their teens, she
On
Jan.
26,
2022,
Brad
passed
away
He was devoted to the community, the kids and
became the youth pastor at their church where she was
at home in Portland, Oregon, at the
their future. He went back to school in the late 1990s
dedicated to reaching young people for Christ while
age of 65, after a courageous battle
and received an Associate’s Degree from Eastern Or-
making it exciting and adventurous. Her grandchildren
with
cancer.
Comforted
and
sur-
egon University. In the 2000s, Raimundo and his third
experienced the same devotion, as Wanda attended
rounded
by
his
wife,
Jill,
and
all
his
wife, Tamara, moved to Ontario, Oregon. Even with the
nearly every major event in their lives, including every
children, who will continue to hon-
move, Raimundo continued to give back to the Baker
sporting event possible.
or
his
legacy
by
living
their
lives
Bulldogs’ sports program. He would travel back and
Wanda and Dell freely offered their home to any-
with laughter.
forth from Ontario to Baker City to give what he could
one in need - family, friends and strangers giving them
His belly laugh entered this world on Sept. 24, 1956.
and instill in each and every athlete his daily mantra:
food, clothing, money, or place to sleep. They would
Brad graduated from Albany High, class of 1975. Fol-
Have fun, strive for a PR (personal record) and make
often tow travelers whose cars had broken down, to
lowing graduation, he served with the U.S. Air Force.
a new friend. He believed in these life goals as well as
their home where Wanda would feed and entertain them
He married Joannie (Houston) and they had four chil-
his family and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Even a
(and share the Gospel) while Dell repaired their car. Af-
dren. Brad began a career with Pacific Power and
2005 cancer diagnosis could not deter his faith or deter-
ter Dell passed away in 1985, Wanda graduated from
Light, coached many Little League teams and dug a
mination and he overcame it.
La Grande College of Business and started her career
few clams. Next up in life ushered in a joining of fami-
In 2017, he moved to Adrian, Oregon, where he con-
as a medical receptionist. She worked for Dr. James
lies when Brad and Jill married in 2005. Together, they
tinued
coaching football, track, wrestling and recently
Kopp for many years before retiring in 2002. She al-
enjoyed celebrating all their kids and grandkids. Brad
started
coaching basketball again. He was able to enjoy
ways considered the people she worked with her family.
loved spending time outdoors by hunting, hiking, fish-
time with family who mostly resided in Boise. Fami-
She continued spreading the Gospel to people in need
ing, and camping. His other joys included watching his
ly, friends, his athletes, his animals and Jesus were the
and began a Bible study for widows and divorced sin-
children and grandchildren play their favorite sports,
most important things to Raimundo. These were his
gle women which she eventually opened to all women
pickling everything from cucumbers to eggs with his
reasons for living. He worked hard and played hard, he
in need. She made many lifelong friends through this
wife Jill, and of course, raiding every huckleberry bush
loved card games and making up songs, listening to The
ministry.
he could find.
Beatles, helping his family with projects or spending
Wanda was preceded in death by her husband, Dell
Brad is survived by his parents, Deloris and Albert
time at Basque dinners.
G. Lowe, parents, John R. and Rosemary L. Mitchell;
Wirth. He left behind all four of his children: Jennifer,
He is preceded in death by his parents. As he jour-
sisters, Anna Munsell, Myrnie Koontz, Nedra Scott and
Lyndsey, Kimberly, Mitchell and their families. Brad
neys to heaven he leaves behind his half brother Fausti-
granddaughter, Marisa Dell Lowe.
left his beloved wife, Jill and his three stepchildren. He
no (Mari), his sister Maria, his children Ramey (Paula),
Wanda waits in heaven for her children, Darrell Lowe
preceded his brothers Bryan and Greg and their fami-
Joshua (Itxaso), Amber (Jesse), Marisssa (AJ); grand-
(wife Darla), Wendy (Lowe) Ball (husband Reed), and
lies. Brad wasn’t shy in sharing his jokes and immense
children Morgan, (Jake), Tucker and Melia; his niece
Brent Lowe; six grandchildren, Ben, Miah (wife Katie)
love for his 11 grandchildren. The fishermen tales will
Deshaunna, nephew Ryan, and his many athletes and
and David Lowe; Marri (Ball) Dahir (husband Adam),
live on through all those that have crossed paths at some
friends. Have fun, strive for a PR and make a new
Derek Ball (wife Willow), Felishia (Lowe) Alexander
point with Brad, but when you tell the story, don’t forget
friend, while enjoying a Kalimotxa in heaven.
(husband Eric). Wanda had seven great-grandchildren:
the infamous belly laugh.
Guk gure zeuri asko (His way of “I love you” in
Aiden, Asher, Emerson (David Lowe), Logan, Mika,
A short graveside ceremony will be held on Friday,
Basque). A Go Fund Me has been set up at https://go-
Nash (Miah Lowe) and Sterling (Felishia Alexander).
March 11 at 1:30 p.m. at Willamette National Cemetery,
fund.me/957902aa
intendent search. The
closing date for the
job announcement
was Jan. 28, 2022.
The tentative plan
calls for the new su-
perintendent to start
work at the beginning
of the 2022-23 school
year, said Lindsey
McDowell, the school
district’s public infor-
mation and commu-
nications coordinator.
Witty would work
with the new superin-
tendent to start, and
then transition later
in the school year to
an enterprise director
role at a time agreed
on by the new super-
intendent and the
school board.
Information about
the three finalists:
assistant charter adminis-
trator for Vision Charter
School in Caldwell.
followed by a reception.