Latest news with #Woodards
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tacoma mayor visited Israel. Here's what city's ethics board decided about that
The Tacoma Board of Ethics found that Mayor Victoria Woodards' choice to accept a week-long, all-expenses-paid trip to Israel in March did not violate the city's code of ethics, according to a ruling shared with The News Tribune on Tuesday. As previously reported by The News Tribune, Woodards attended a trip to Israel organized by the American Jewish Committee as part of its annual AJC Project Interchange with the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Woodards was the only mayor from Washington to attend the trip, which included round-trip airfare to and from Tel Aviv, luxury hotel accommodations, meals, historic tours, lectures on Israeli politics and society and a meeting with the families and survivors of the Oct. 7 terrorist attack. The timing of her trip drew scrutiny from some residents, including Rob Harrison, who filed an ethics complaint last month questioning if Woodards' acceptance of the trip and its perks was prohibited or an improper use of her position as mayor. While Woodards was in Israel on March 18, Israel launched airstrikes in Gaza that killed more than 400 Palestinians, breaking a ceasefire that had remained in place since January, as reported by the Associated Press. Since the Gaza-based terrorist group Hamas launched an attack on Israel Oct. 7, 2023, at least 53,939 people, including 16,500 children have been killed in Gaza, as reported by the BBC on Monday. About 1,200 people were killed and 251 Israelis were taken hostage by Hamas in 2023, according to the BBC. Fifty-seven people are still being held, about 20 of whom are assumed to be alive. According to a ruling dated May 23 that was sent to Harrison and shared with The News Tribune, the Tacoma Board of Ethics dismissed Harrison's complaint after discussing the case via email, said city spokesperson Maria Lee. Board of Ethics members said Woodards is on the advisory board of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and 'Elected officials and city employees routinely travel for work, for events such as conferences, educational workshops and meetings.' Board of Ethics members said Woodards did not violate the Tacoma Municipal Code 1.46.030 related to prohibited conduct of city employees, including the improper use of their position and acceptance of gifts. According to the conclusion, there was no evidence presented that supported the allegation that Woodards 'secured a special privilege, exemption, gain or benefit for herself' as other mayors were invited. Additionally, 'Attending conferences and related events, even on an international trip, is not an improper use of one's position at the City. This is true, even if there is some incidental personal gain (e.g. visiting a new state or country), as long as the travel, conference or similar is reasonably related to their work for the City.' City employees can attend hosted meals 'when it is provided in conjunction with a meeting directly related to the conduct of City business or where official attendance by the City officer or employee as a City representative is appropriate,' and 'any such travel does not meet the above definition of 'gift' as the trip to Israel was related to her duties as Mayor of Tacoma,' according to the ruling. 'A majority of the Board concurred with the initial opinion of the Deputy City Attorney that Complaint No. 2025-001 alleged facts which, even if true, would not constitute a violation of the Code of Ethics and that dismissal of Complaint 2025-001 was appropriate without further Board action,' the complaint said. The city's Board of Ethics consists of five regular members who are city residents recommended by the Government Performance and Finance Committee and formally appointed by a resolution of the City Council. Membership is three years. Those currently on the board are MarcusAntonio Gunn, Chelsea McElroy, Kashmiri Gavronski, Nelson Rascon and Diane Tilstra, according to the board's website. In an email to The News Tribune on Wednesday morning, Woodards said she acknowledged and appreciated 'the thorough review' conducted by the Board of Ethics. 'This process is a cornerstone of our commitment to transparency, providing a dedicated avenue for the community to raise questions and hold public officials accountable to our shared ethics code. The process has worked as intended, and the resulting report of findings brings greater clarity,' she said. 'Travel for conferences and education, undertaken on behalf of the City, is a standard and important part of my responsibilities as Mayor. This particular trip was instrumental in deepening my understanding of a complex and challenging issue from multiple perspectives. I emerged more confident that Tacoma's approach—working hand-in-hand with our Jewish and Muslim communities, as we demonstrated with our own ceasefire resolution—is the correct path forward. Our focus remains, as it should, on our Tacoma community members and their well-being.' In an email to The News Tribune on Tuesday, Harrison said he thanked the city for looking into the matter and updating him. 'I do have some questions, but I need some time to organize my thoughts,' he said. According to the Board of Ethics' website, the five-member board had planned to meet April 9 but that meeting was canceled. The next meeting is scheduled for July 9. The board met three times last year, according to the website. Upon receiving an ethics complaint, the legal advisor to the board (in this case deputy city attorney Debra Casparian, Lee said) 'shall make an initial review for legal sufficiency' and if, in their opinion, the complaint's allegations (even if true) would not constitute a violation of the code of ethics, or concerned matters in which the board has no jurisdiction, the legal advisor will issue an opinion via email to all board members saying dismissal appears appropriate, according to the administrative procedures. If a majority of a quorum of the board agrees within five business days after the email opinion was sent, that satisfies the requirement that the board meets to consider a complaint prior to dismissal, according to the procedures. In this case the board corresponded via email and there was no public hearing, Lee said.
The Age
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
Couple pays $1.22 million for inner west home after bidding war
Galea said the auction went 'well above expectations,' largely due to investors driving the price up. He would not disclose the reserve, but he said the sale price was 'some $200,000 above' it. 'Never in our wildest dreams we would have thought $1.221 million – we haven't seen investors spur along the market for some time here in Melbourne,' he said. The vendor was selling the investment property in addition to a hobby farm to free up equity for a bigger family home, Galea said. Across town in St Kilda East, a renovated, three-bedroom Victorian at 11 King Street passed in at auction. Bidding stopped at $1.69 million, but was sold in post-auction negotiations at $1.72 million. It was listed with a price guide of $1,600,000 to $1,700,000. Buxton Port Phillip agent David Seeber said the buyer, a professional athlete in her late 20s, was 'looking for something fully renovated for herself'. There was one underbidder, a young couple relocating from interstate. Seeber would not disclose the reserve, but said the sale price was just shy of it. This week's interest rate cut has 'spurred a lot more inquiries from people who are starting the process of researching,' he said. In nearby South Yarra, a professional woman in her 30s forked out $1.875 million for a single-storey Georgian home after it passed in at auction. The home at 27 Phoenix Street features three bedrooms, ornate fireplaces, a luxurious bathroom and a small backyard. Woodards South Yarra agent Cate Vesely listed the deceased estate for sale with a quoted price range of $1.7 million to $1.9 million. The reserve price was $1.85 million. The auction began with a vendor bid of $1.7 million, followed by a single bid of $1.725 million before passing in. Vesely said the buyer was the only registered bidder, and that she had fallen in love with the home 'the moment she saw it'. 'She's a young professional who just moved over from New Zealand and was looking to buy a place and live in it. She just fell in love with this one and has been with us from the start of the four-week campaign.' The underbidders were an older couple looking to upsize from their current large apartment, also in South Yarra, to a home in the area. In Footscray, four bidders fought over a rundown three-bedroom home at 39 Stafford Street that had stood vacant for years. Ray White Sunshine agent and auctioneer Marcus Fregonese listed the house for sale with a quoted price range of $600,000 to $660,000. The reserve price was $660,000. Fregonese said the winning bid, at $720,000, was offered by 'a young, local guy in the building game' who was looking to renovate it for his first home. The underbidders were young couples looking to knock it down. Loading The home's owners, an elderly couple who had once lived in the house but long since moved to the east of Melbourne, did not have 'the energy to renovate it', Fregonese said. After a starting bid of $600,000, the four traded bids of $10,000 increments until $680,000, after which they slowed to $5,000. 'It's unlivable and dilapidated, and actually had squatters in there. The guy who bought it is planning a full renovation,' Fregonese said.
Sydney Morning Herald
24-05-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Young professional woman pays $1.875m for South Yarra house
A professional woman in her 30s has forked out $1.875 million for a single-storey Georgian home in South Yarra after it passed in at auction. The reserve price was $1.85 million. The home at 27 Phoenix Street features three bedrooms, ornate fireplaces, a luxurious bathroom and a small backyard. Woodards South Yarra agent Cate Vesely listed the deceased estate for sale with a quoted price range of $1.7 million to $1.9 million. The reserve price was $1.85 million. The auction began with a vendor bid of $1.7 million, followed by a single bid of $1.725 million before passing in. Vesely said the buyer was the only registered bidder, and that she had fallen in love with the home 'the moment she saw it'. 'She's a young professional who just moved over from New Zealand and was looking to buy a place and live in it. She just fell in love with this one and has been with us from the start of the four-week campaign.' The underbidder were an older couple looking to upsize from their current large apartment, also in South Yarra, to a home in the area. In Footscray, four bidders fought over a rundown three-bedroom home at 39 Stafford Street that had stood vacant for years. Ray White Sunshine agent and auctioneer Marcus Fregonese listed the house for sale with a quoted price range of $600,000 to $660,000. The reserve price was $660,000.
The Age
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
Young professional woman pays $1.875m for South Yarra house
A professional woman in her 30s has forked out $1.875 million for a single-storey Georgian home in South Yarra after it passed in at auction. The reserve price was $1.85 million. The home at 27 Phoenix Street features three bedrooms, ornate fireplaces, a luxurious bathroom and a small backyard. Woodards South Yarra agent Cate Vesely listed the deceased estate for sale with a quoted price range of $1.7 million to $1.9 million. The reserve price was $1.85 million. The auction began with a vendor bid of $1.7 million, followed by a single bid of $1.725 million before passing in. Vesely said the buyer was the only registered bidder, and that she had fallen in love with the home 'the moment she saw it'. 'She's a young professional who just moved over from New Zealand and was looking to buy a place and live in it. She just fell in love with this one and has been with us from the start of the four-week campaign.' The underbidder were an older couple looking to upsize from their current large apartment, also in South Yarra, to a home in the area. In Footscray, four bidders fought over a rundown three-bedroom home at 39 Stafford Street that had stood vacant for years. Ray White Sunshine agent and auctioneer Marcus Fregonese listed the house for sale with a quoted price range of $600,000 to $660,000. The reserve price was $660,000.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tacoma receives ethics complaint about mayor's paid trip to Israel. What's next?
The city of Tacoma has received an ethics complaint about Mayor Victoria Woodards' all-expenses-paid trip to Israel last month. As previously reported by The News Tribune, Woodards traveled to Israel for seven days mid-March as part of a delegation of U.S. mayors organized by the American Jewish Committee in partnership with the U.S. Conference of Mayors. She was the only mayor from Washington to attend. The trip included round-trip airfare to and from Tel Aviv, luxury hotel accommodations, meals, historic tours, lectures on Israeli politics and society and a meeting with the families and survivors of the Oct. 7 terrorist attack. Woodards told The News Tribune when she returned from Israel that she went on the trip to better understand the Israel-Palestine conflict and for spiritual reasons as a Christian. Her choice to accept the trip has been criticized by some, including the local Jewish Voice for Peace chapter. One member told The News Tribune the trip 'flies in the face of not just the ceasefire resolution that Mayor Woodards signed onto [in May], but just every standard of human morality.' City spokesperson Maria Lee told The News Tribune the city's Board of Ethics was processing an ethics complaint about Woodards' trip and can't comment on the issue. She did not provide a timeline on when the public would know more. Lee said she was only aware of one complaint. Woodards declined to comment at this time. Longtime Tacoma resident Rob Harrison told The News Tribune he submitted the ethics complaint to the city on March 27. Harrison said he filed the complaint not to target Woodards personally but to get some clarity from the city about whether accepting the trip and its perks was prohibited or an improper use of her position as mayor. 'It's about upholding the principle that city employees should be free from any appearance of being influenced by gifts. As a citizen, I believe this is crucial for maintaining public trust. We citizens have limited power to influence city policies, primarily through our votes,' Harrison said in an email, noting he used AI to craft his message. 'I hope the city will demonstrate its commitment to ethical governance by clearly stating its position on this issue following my complaint.' In his complaint Harrison called attention to two sections of the city's Code of Ethics, which is expected to be upheld by all current and former city officers and employees, elected or not. The complaint was obtained by The News Tribune through a public record request. Under the 'prohibited conduct' 1.46.030 section, Harrison questioned whether Woodards violated Section H that bars city officials or employees from 'knowingly us[ing] his or her office or position to secure personal benefit, gain or profit, or use his or her position to secure special privileges or exceptions for himself, herself, or for the benefit, gain or profits of any other persons.' He also questioned if Woodards violated Section K that bars city officials and employees from 'directly or indirectly, giv[ing] or receiv[ing], or agree[ing] to give or receive, any compensation, gift, favor, reward or gratuity for a matter connected with or related to the City officer or employee's services with the City of Tacoma.' Harrison argued that part of the reason Woodards said she went on the trip was because of her personal beliefs as a Christian. The trip, then, offered her a 'personal benefit … even beyond the substantial monetary value,' he said. 'The trip itself was offered by the American Jewish Committee to United States mayors for the express purpose of affecting U.S. policy at the local level,' he wrote. 'And while politicians on the national level indeed command attention, state and local politics move forward at the same time, often at a quicker pace in terms of legislation and reaction to crises. Thus, Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards used her position as mayor to qualify for this trip. It is not offered to other Tacoma citizens.' In terms of accepting compensation or gifts, the ethics code notes city officials and employees can accept meals 'when it is provided in conjunction with a meeting directly related to the conduct of City business or where official attendance by the City officer or employee as a City representative is appropriate,' such as a public award ceremony or when they accept, 'Nominal promotional items including, but not limited to, items such as ball point pens, calendars, wearing apparel or food items which cannot reasonably be presumed to influence the vote, action or judgment of the City Official or be considered as part of a reward for action or inaction.' Harrison argued the AJC 'hopes to affect politics at the municipal level' and noted the city of Tacoma has conducted business to pass a ceasefire resolution in Gaza. 'Though resolutions are non-binding, any future business regarding Israel, Jewish people or Jewish religion could be perceived to be influenced by this weeklong trip. Indeed, that is the reason the American Jewish Committee offers this free trip,' Harrison said in the complaint. 'There has been City Council business regarding Israel. There may be future business regarding Israel and Jewish people to come before the City Council. It is a glaring gap that this ethics clause does not mention the perception of bias. It reflects badly on the City of Tacoma for a city leader to accept a gift in the thousands of dollars when that gift is obviously meant to influence them and that gift is not available to everyone.' The city's Board of Ethics will convene to discuss the issue, although Lee said the meeting scheduled for Wednesday has been canceled. The Board usually meets publicly every three months, and members are citizens who are formally appointed by the council although recommended by the Government Performance and Finance Committee, according to the city's website. According to procedures outlined online, upon receipt of an ethics complaint the board will send a copy of the complaint to the person it was filed against and the city attorney. The city attorney will serve as a legal advisor to the board and examine whether the facts of the complaint file the Code of Ethics. Then they will issue an opinion for board members to consider. Board members then will deliberate. The board may subpoena witnesses, take testimony under oath and compel the production of documents that relate to the complaint. The board might also appoint an independent investigator to investigate the facts of the complaint, who might be a city employee if that person is 'sufficiently removed' from the matter and is impartial. Neither the person who filed the complaint nor anyone else 'shall have special standing to participate or intervene in the investigation or consideration of the complaint by the Board,' according to the procedures outlined online. Upon reaching a conclusion, the board would issue findings of fact based on the evidence of record presented and conduct a hearing relaying that information. Hearings are open to the public, but deliberations will be conducted in closed session, according to the procedure.
