City seeks OK to raze burned Yakama house

Concerns have primarily centered around the possibility of youngsters playing in the unstable structure.

"No one has been injured to date that I am aware of, but that possibility is certainly a concern," explained City Council member Timi Keene.

On Oct. 3, the City Council voted 4-0 to send a letter to Lavina Washines, chair of the Yakama Nation Tribal Council urging the tribe to cooperate by allowing the city to raze the structure.

At the meeting, council member Brad Roberts said he thought sending the letter was a good move.

"It's an appropriate letter," Roberts explained before the vote.

"We wanted the public to know we are in the process of correcting the situation with the house," added Mayor Francis Gaddis.

The text of the message to the Yakamas explains the position the city finds itself in regarding the house and the safety concerns it poses.

"Our concern is that the remains of the dwelling are not secured in any substantial form from intrusion or trespass," it reads. "The windows and doors are now simply open casings. Rain enters the remains through the open roof and the structure is left to decay in a dangerous manner. Many children live in this neighborhood, and the burned remains of this house have the potential to be a very dangerous attraction to them. We know and understand that the Yakama Nation places a high value on youth, and we are appealing to this understanding of responsibility when we ask for your assistance to make this a safe neighborhood site."

The letter, written by the council, incorporated the comments of the city attorney as well as the concerns of White Salmon's fire chief.

To make clear that the Yakamas would not be financially obligated, the text of the letter explained that the city would bear any costs related to removing the decrepit house.

"We are prepared to provide for the full demolition of the remaining structure, courtesy of the White Salmon Fire Department and a local contractor, and with the appropriate consent from the Nation," the city's letter explained. "We look forward to working with the Yakama Nation to remedy this problem however best for both jurisdictions."

The letter was signed by Mayor Francis Gaddis.

As of Oct. 12, there had been no response from the Yakama Nation.

"This may be something they have to deal with at the Tribal Council level rather by the chair of the council," said Keene. "We're looking forward to a positive response from the Yakama Nation. Hopefully through cooperative efforts we will be able to clean up the site."