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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spokane Valley

Tie one on with Arne Woodard

Having a Ball: Spokane Valley Deputy Mayor Arne Woodard breaks out in laughter Wednesday as he displays his tie that pays tribute to comic actress Lucille Ball’s fictitious elixir Vitameatavegamin on the “I Love Lucy” television show from 1951 after Spokane Valley Mayor Dean Grafos’ State of the City address Wednesday. Woodard is known for his variety of neckwear and says he never wears the same tie twice in the same year. (Dan Pelle)
Having a Ball: Spokane Valley Deputy Mayor Arne Woodard breaks out in laughter Wednesday as he displays his tie that pays tribute to comic actress Lucille Ball’s fictitious elixir Vitameatavegamin on the “I Love Lucy” television show from 1951 after Spokane Valley Mayor Dean Grafos’ State of the City address Wednesday. Woodard is known for his variety of neckwear and says he never wears the same tie twice in the same year. (Dan Pelle)

Spokane Valley Deputy Mayor Arne Woodard doesn't really like to wear a tie, but he feels Valley residents deserve the respect a tie brings to the city council dais so he puts one on for the council meetings. Over the years, he has collected hundreds of ties and on Wednesday, at the Mayor's state of the city address at Spokane Valley Mall he was sporting 1950s TV star Lucille Ball and her fictitious elixir Vitameatavegamin.

"The ties sometimes reflect how I feel," Woodard said. "If I think I'm going to have a dog kind'a day, then I may wear a Snoopy tie." His colorful neck wear is often an icebreaker with constituents and he's determined to grow the collection.

"I'd love to add some Jerry Garcia ties," Woodard said, "I don't have any of those."



Pia Hallenberg
Pia Hallenberg joined The Spokesman-Review in 2004. She is currently a reporter for the City Desk covering Spokane Valley city hall and community news. She also writes news features about people and events.

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