Today on the Inland Journal podcast, correspondent John Vlahovich introduces us to a familiar face on the Spokane Valley city council, Arne Woodard. Woodard is challenged by CPA and political newcomer Lance Gurel, from whom we heard in last Friday’s podcast.
Woodard was appointed to the council in April 2011. He won re-election later that year and again in 2015. He’s looking for a third full term.
Woodard is a retired real estate broker and native of Spokane Valley. He has worked in construction and, at one time, owned a bakery and sold bread-making equipment.
He says that after serving for more than eight years on the city council he has not lost his - quote - passion for making this the best place in the state to live.
Woodard calls himself a fiscal conservative. He opposes proposals to use the city’s reserve funds to establish a long-term street maintenance fund within the city budget. He’s open to imposing a utility tax to come up with money for street maintenance, but considers the property tax an unfair method of funding streets.
We’ve posted most of John’s interviews with Spokane Valley candidates on the Spokane Public Radio website. The next two, Brandi Peetz and Michelle Rasmussen, will be the guests on our next two podcasts.