“When it comes down to my people, I’m ready to fight,” Yolanda Vessell, 2630 Hovey Ave., told the Baker City Council at its Sept. 28 meeting.

Accompanied by neighbors and relatives, Vessell spoke loud and long concerning mobile homes in the Leland Park area, opposing any effort to remove or relocate them, no matter their condition or use.

Part of the discussion centered around the meaning of grandfathering in certain mobile homes.

Outside mobile-home parks, the city has provisions for mobile homes in cases of medical hardship only.

Mayor Harold Rideau pounded the gavel, called for order and finally asked Police Chief Mike “Snapper” Knaps for assistance in quieting the group.

The matter was tabled for further discussion.

In other business, the council voted to hold a work session at 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 11, to discuss regulations on keeping horses in the city.

At issue is a 3.5 acre pasture owned by Mazie Toussaint Roberson, 4506 Jefferson St., who leased it for the use of five horses.

A city ordinance allows only one horse on three acres, according to officials, but Attorney Baron Roberson, the owner’s son, found the ordinance confusing and requested clarification.

In the interim, Mazie Roberson voided the lease and the horses have been removed.

Riding horses after dark on McHugh Road is a problem, City Attorney Ron Wall said, and neighbors have complained of horseflies and droppings in the street and on lawns.

On another matter, Dr. Monteic Sizer, vice chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, suggested plans must be developed for the city’s growth.

“We need a vision for Baker,” Sizer said.

Council members agreed to bring residents’ ideas to the next P&Z meeting.

Education, public safety and recreation are the main concerns of residents, Mayor Rideau said.

Councilman Charles Vincent called for more green spaces and underground utilities.

Also, the council recognized Greater First Church-Baptist and the Rev. Anthony Kelley for their work in the Ready4Life Work Program for Youth in At-Risk Situations and for the Reclamation and Restoration Ministries, a mentoring and volunteer organization.

A fund-raiser planned by EBR Council on Aging will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 30, Jeremy Theriot, editor of the Platinum Record, announced.

Hot Dogs for Seniors will be sold at Piggly Wiggly, 280 Main Street, by the fire department, and on the corner of Main and Coolidge streets, across from Baker Texaco, by the police department.

Fire and police departments are challenging each other to see who can make the most money during this fund-raiser.

The $5 charge covers a fully dressed hot dog, chips and cold Coca-Cola with proceeds going to the Meals on Wheels program.

With a waiting list of about 1,300 eligible seniors, the EBRCOA hopes to be able to include more seniors with funds generated by this first-ever fundraiser, Theriot said.

The council voted to set Halloween trick-or-treat hours from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 31, with Vincent voting against it without comment.

The next council meeting will be 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 12.