LOCAL
Housing
Continued from Page A1
The money for the home
purchases does not come from
the $4 million property tax
levy that district voters ap-
proved in May 2021. The dis-
trict is combining that money
with a $4 million state grant,
and $4 million from the dis-
trict’s capital projects fund,
for a variety of projects, in-
cluding new heating, cooling
and ventilation systems at all
district schools, and building
a 5,000-square-foot cafeteria/
kitchen/multipurpose building
at Baker Middle School.
Board member Jessica
Dougherty said she believes
the International School pro-
gram, which is slated to bring
22 to 30 foreign students to
Baker City this fall, “can be
such an amazing thing for
our community.”
Dougherty said the In-
ternational School will ex-
pose Baker students to a
variety of cultures, as well
as make it more affordable,
through scholarships, for lo-
cal students to travel to other
countries either for shorter
visits or to study abroad
for a semester or an entire
school year.
“They get an experience
that is so important to their
life,” Dougherty said.
Dougherty is also one of
the five board members for
the International School.
They were appointed by the
Baker School Board.
The other members of the
board for the International
School are Mark Witty, the
Baker schools superinten-
dent who is retiring June 30
but will work one-third time
as the International School’s
director, Andrew Bryan, who
like Dougherty is a Baker
school board member, Katie
Lamb and Claire Hobson.
During the public partic-
ipation portion of Tuesday’s
meeting, the Baker School
Zone
Continued from Page A1
Engineers still have the dis-
cretion to use their whistles in
an emergency.
The Council voted 4-3 on
Jan. 25 of this year to apply for
a quiet zone.
But the roster of councilors
has changed since then.
Heather Sells, one of four
councilors who voted in favor
of applying for a quiet zone on
Jan. 25, resigned March 1 be-
cause she was moving outside
the city.
Councilors appointed Ken-
yon Damschen to replace Sells.
Damschen, who was sworn in
at the start of Tuesday’s meet-
ing, voted in favor of Dixon’s
motion to put the issue on the
Nov. 8 ballot.
The other yes votes were
from Dixon, Mayor Kerry Mc-
Quisten and Councilor Johnny
Waggoner Sr., all of whom
voted against the Jan. 25 mo-
tion to apply for a quiet zone.
Councilors Jason Spriet and
Shane Alderson, who both
supported the quiet zone ap-
plication motion in January,
voted against Dixon’s mo-
tion Tuesday.
Councilor Dean Guyer, who
also supported the quiet zone
application in January, was ab-
sent Tuesday.
Guyer’s vote was the deciding
factor in the Jan. 25 motion.
Last fall, when the Council
was down to six members, sep-
arate motions — one to apply
2022
I
BAKER CITY HERALD • THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2022 A3
the district will likely need an
additional 12 to 14 families to
host students in their homes.
He said the district is re-
cruiting host families.
Thomas Joseph, who is
principal for the International
School, told board members
that the district will have to
turn down some applying stu-
dents because there is more
interest than the district has
space for in the first year.
Witty said the district will
have students from multiple
countries, including Spain,
Italy, France and, poten-
Jayson Jacoby/Baker City Herald
Jayson Jacoby/Baker City Herald tially, Ukraine.
The Baker School District bought this historic home, at 1706
The Baker School Board voted on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, to buy
The district created the In-
ternational School program
Washington Ave., for $295,000 in March 2022 as housing for
this historic home at 1503 Second St. for $490,000. District officials
more than four years ago, but
visiting students attending Baker High School through the district’s
estimate it will cost another $35,000 for renovations to use the home
the pandemic curtailed prog-
International School program.
to house foreign students studying at Baker High School.
ress for the past two years,
Board heard from Heather
staffing shortages, building
at $865,000. That includes the Witty said.
that offers dual high school
Dallstream of Baker City.
and equipment maintenance and college credits.
purchase prices and $40,000
The board, as part of the
Dallstream, who is the par- to name a few.”
in remodeling for the Wash-
Bryan said the district has
projected budget, reviewed
ent of a student in the district,
She called for a “full and
staff costs for the International
ington Avenue home, and
added those programs and
read from written remarks she complete audit of the 5J School kept the district in a sound fi- $35,000 to remodel the Second School, including:
submitted to the board.
District and every single dol- nancial position even as many Street home.
• Joseph, as principal and
She criticized the board for lar spent. There are too many districts statewide have had to
Each home will accommo- the only full-time employee,
failing to adequately explain
closed door deals happening
total personnel costs, includ-
date at least six international
cut teachers and other staff.
the International School plans benefiting administrators and
students. A family will live in ing salary and benefits, of
He said he’s confident that
to district residents, noting
not our students.”
$164,227 for the first year.
each home as well.
the financial projections for
that she learned only on April
During the meeting, board the International School are
• Witty, one-third time, per-
In response to a question
1 of this year that the district
member Julie Huntington said conservative and that the pro- from board member Travis
sonnel costs of $53,300.
had bought the first house.
the board and district officials gram will add to, rather than
• Communications, one-
Cook, Witty said the district
Dallstream urged the board are always looking for ways “to reduce, the academic offerings expects to host 22 to 30 for-
tenth time, $10,275.
to reject the plan to buy the
enhance what we offer, to give to local students.
• Business management,
eign students for the 2022-23
second home “until the tax-
our students more.”
0.05, $5,000.
The district estimates the
school year.
payers and community receive
The International School,
• Technical, 0.05 time,
total upfront cost to provide
With both district-owned
full information and give the
with its opportunities for local housing for visiting students
$3,782.
houses available, Witty said
board our consent.”
students both to meet teenag-
In a phone interview after
ers from other countries and
the board meeting, Dallstream cultures, and to study abroad
Mardelle LaDorise Webb Allen Ebell
said she “sees value” in the In- themselves, “is one of the
November 30, 1921 - April 3, 2022
ternational School program.
ways, and we’re excited about
But she objects to spend-
the opportunity,” Hunting-
By 1963, their marriage was headed
Mardelle LaDorise Webb Allen Ebell,
ing money from the district
ton said.
toward
divorce. Mardelle made a brave
100,
departed
for
glory
April
3,
2022,
budget on something that she
Board member Andrew
after an eight-month battle with breast move to San Diego to make a new life
believes will benefit compara- Bryan touted the International
for herself and her children.
cancer. A service celebrating
tively few students compared School as the latest example
She initially sold cemetery
Mardelle’s
life
will
be
held
with other possible uses of
of the district’s innovative and
property, then taught music
at Pine Valley Presbyterian
the dollars.
enterprising approach, also
at a private school before
Church Saturday, April 16,
“Currently there are so
citing the Baker Technical In-
becoming a social worker.
2022,
at
2
in
the
afternoon.
many deficiencies in the dis- stitute and the district’s other
She was active in the La
Interment will follow at Pine
trict that these funds could
charter schools.
Jolla Presbyterian Church
Haven Cemetery followed
immediately address,” Dall-
Baker Charter Schools in-
stream told the board during cludes both the Baker Web
and the San Diego music
by a reception and time
the meeting. “Out of date
Academy, a statewide online
community. She continued
to share memories at the
learning materials, school
high school, and Baker Early
to
pursue
adventure,
Pine Valley Presbyterian
supply shortages, food quality, College, a public high school
vacationing in Mexico and
Fellowship Hall.
Hawaii and loved attending
Although her life ended
the Torrey Pines Golf
only one hundred miles from
for a quiet zone, one to take the City Herald in response to the
Tournaments in La Jolla. She
her birthplace, global travel,
matter to voters — each failed Council’s vote Tuesday:
shared Sheila’s moment on
multiple occupations, and
by 3-3 votes. Dixon, Waggoner
“This is about safer schools
the stage of the Met Opera in
many social worlds came
and McQuisten favored the
for our kids, safer railroad
in between. She lived life to the fullest, New York as a finalist in the Met’s national
voter proposal, and Alderson, crossings, and everyone’s right
loving the company of family and friends, competition, and frequently bragged about
Spriet and Sells supported hav- to sleep in their own home.
and pursuing her interests with zest and an meeting with King Baudouin and Queen
ing the city applying for the
We are grateful that two past
Fabiola of Belgium in 1978, when she
indomitable will.
quiet zone.
Baker City councils voted to
attended the Queen Elisabeth International
Mardelle
was
born
in
New
Plymouth,
That deadlock was broken
pursue the quiet zone in 2019
Piano Competition in Brussels, where
Idaho,
to
Elton
and
Gussie
Mae
Kelley
after the Council appointed
and January 2022. This proj-
Webb November 30, 1921. The family Greg was awarded second prize.
Guyer on Dec. 14, 2021. About ect will relieve our commu-
The homecoming chapter of Mardelle’s
moved to Pine Valley the following year,
six weeks later Guyer joined Al- nity of a harmful federal regu-
life
began in 1985 when she returned to
living
in
several
places
before
taking
derson, Spriet and Sells in vot- lation that imposes train horn
ownership of the gas station on the site of Pine Valley to care for her mother, who
ing for the motion to apply for noise day and night. The horn
the present Tri-Color Building in Halfway passed away in 1993 at the age of 102.
a quiet zone.
has been measured at 110
in 1928. When Elton and Gussie divorced Mardelle was an Elder of Pine Valley
Spriet asked Dixon during
decibels on the playground of
Tuesday’s meeting “why are we South Baker School, which is
in 1929, Gussie ran Webb’s Service Station Presbyterian Church, took part in the
backing away?” from what the a level proven harmful to kids
alone; quite a feat for a single mother in calling of two ministers, and even preached
Council decided less than three and adults.”
as a lay minister. On April Fool’s Day 1992
the 1920s.
months ago.
Fargo pointed out that the
Mardelle’s education began at the she married longtime family friend Chuck
“In my opinion this is a deci- motion the Council approved
Jimtown School, continuing at Halfway Ebell with Rev. Bill Shields walking
sion the council made already,” Jan. 25 stated that the city
Elementary and later at the Sunny Dell her down the aisle and officiating at the
Spriet said.
would not spend any money
School. In 1932, Gussie married Edward ceremony. Chuck and Mardelle shared
Dixon said she continues to on the physical upgrades to
Mehlhorn, a homesteader and president seven happy years, making their home in
believe, as she did when she
five public crossings required
of the Mehlhorn Lumber Company. She Baker City and traveling to Hawaii and
voted against the Jan. 25 mo-
to qualify for a quiet zone.
was deeply fond of her stepfather and had across the country for family visits.
tion to apply for a quiet zone,
Those upgrades, which could
As a widow, she continued to manage
happy memories of growing up on what is
that voters should make the fi- include concrete dividers or
the
Mehlhorn farm as well as Chuck’s ranch
now
the
Mehlhorn
Century
Farm
on
Sunny
nal decision on the issue.
similar impediments, are de-
and
cattle. She remained active in AAUW
Dell
Lane,
working
hard
milking
cows,
In a post on her Facebook
signed to make it more diffi-
and
Baker Community Concerts, the
tending
chickens,
and
feeding
hogs.
She
page Wednesday morning,
cult for a vehicle to get to the
Literary
Lunch Bunch, and card clubs (she
was
valedictorian
of
her
1939
high
school
April 13, McQuisten, refer-
tracks when a train is passing.
class, of which she was the last living could be a formidable pinochle player!).
ring to the decision to put the
The group that Fargo be-
She supported classical music endeavors
member.
quiet zone issue on the Nov. 8
longs to is raising money to
Music was central to Mardelle’s life in the area and revisited Japan on a Sister
ballot, wrote: “Why did we do redo the crossings, and he said
from an early age. She began studying Cities trip. As her vision declined, she made
this? We aren’t tone-deaf to our the group, in the past three
piano with Edith Grimm, adding violin, and the hard but voluntary decision to quit
community and bending to a
months, has raised nearly
later traveling to Baker for voice lessons. driving. During her last year, she enjoyed
vocal special interest group.
half the estimated $150,000
That’s why. People deserve a
needed. That includes $25,000
During high school, she often earned $15 visits from all her great-grandchildren and
voice on this issue, whichever
from the Baker School District.
playing violin for dances in Cornucopia. the presence and support of her children.
way they decide.”
“This is not about politics,”
Aided by a scholarship and the farm cream Her love of music never diminished; at
Peter Fargo, a member of the Fargo wrote to the Herald. “It’s
check, she attended Willamette University 99 she went to the piano, slowly picked
group that has promoted the
just about doing the right thing
for two years as a music major; it was out and then managed to play a portion of
quiet zone and encouraged the for our kids and community.
there that she met Hiram (“Hewie”) Allen, her favorite piano piece, Rustle of Spring,
City Council to apply for the
That’s why we are going to
for her great-granddaughters. In her final
whom she married in 1942.
designation, wrote to the Baker keep at it.”
Hewie became a bandmaster in the months she sang favorite hymns and Irish
US Air Force, and Mardelle’s life as an songs around the house and during rides
Air Force wife and mother began. After around Baker Valley. She passed in her
her marriage, she completed her Music living room facing her beloved Eagle Cap
Education degree at the University of mountains with her daughters near.
Mardelle is survived by her three
Oregon, graduating in 1944 shortly before
the birth of their first daughter, Sheila, in children: Sheila Allen Yeomans and
Chico, California. Son Gregory was born husband David, Gregory Allen and husband
while Hewie was stationed in Cheyenne, Robert Warren; and Cynthia Thayer;
Wyoming. During that time, Mardelle took granddaughter Sheryl Yeomans Jordan and
Sheila to Denver to attend a concert by the husband Peter; grandson Matthew Thayer
legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini and and wife Jane; and great-grandchildren
Edith and Anne Jordan and Doris and
the NBC Symphony.
Although frequent relocations created Sawyer Thayer; step-son Myron Ebell,
hardships, the experience of two years wife Tory and children Julia, Charles,
in Japan was one of the highlights of Gemma, and Thomas. She was preceded
Mardelle’s life. She taught kindergarten in death by Charles Ebell, Hiram Allen,
at the American School in Tokyo and and her sister Helen Moseley. Mardelle
climbed Mount Fujiyama with 8-year-old often expressed gratitude to the caretakers
Sheila. The next Air Force assignment that allowed her to remain in her home.
was in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, where She and her family are deeply thankful for
daughter Cynthia was born. Hewie’s most the faithful and loving care provided by
prestigious post was as conductor of the Theresa Johnson, Carrie Cummings, and
NORAD Band in Colorado Springs, where Brenda Fisher, especially during her final
Mardelle taught piano in the home and months.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be
participated in church and community
choruses. She made sure that her children made to the Pine Valley Presbyterian
heard a piano recital by Van Cliburn shortly Church, the Hilary Bonn Benevolent Fund,
after he won the First Tchaikovsky Piano Pine Valley Rural Fire Protection District,
Competition at the height of the Cold War. or Crossroads Center for the Arts through
When Hewie had posts overseas where Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O.
family housing was not available, Mardelle Box 543, Halfway, Oregon 97834. Online
and the children would return to Oregon - condolences may be shared at www.
tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com.
Halfway was always the home base.
Northeast Oregon
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