Elections Database
University Place council position 4« Go back
Ken Grassi
Residence: UNIVERSITY PLACE
Contact: 253-627-7196
E-mail: grassisfg @aol.com
Website: N/A
Occupation: LOCAL FLORIST/RESTURANT OWNER

Experience: 14 Years U.P. City Council, two years as mayor pro tem, two years as mayor. Member of the finance committee, the homestead park committee, and active in city beautification projects. Current president of the downtown Tacoma merchants group. Deacon Life Center church board, church secretary.

Education: Graduate Wilson High School 1973. 1973-1975 Green River Community College, studied business management.

The Town Center project is on its fourth potential developer, and it has progressed in spurts. Should the city move forward with the project and if so, should it continue down the path it has taken?
Yes the city should move forward. Prior to purchasing property between 35th and 37th on Bridgeport Way, the entire tax revenue from all existing businesses was $41,000 annually. To sustain city services we must develop for maximum return. We are working with a real estate group with extensive experience in mixed-use centers. We will not be dependant on city staff, who are qualified in many areas but are not experts in town center developments.

With two national golf tournaments coming to Chambers Bay Golf Course - including the 2015 U.S. Open - how can the city capitalize on the visitors to University Place? How should the city prepare for the influx of people from a traffic and public works st
Our goal is to have hotel space both on the Chambers Creek property, and in Town Center open for the U.S. Open. It will be a challenge in today's market, we remain hopeful because of the interest from hotel groups that have toured the sites. The same applies to new restaurants, keeping visitors here as long as possible. Plans are well under way as to planning for traffic increase and strain on public works.

The City Council recently allowed volunteers to save the Curran Apple Orchard house. Do you agree with that decision, and what should the city do with its other historic properties that are endangered?
Yes I agree, I actually am a member of the CHIPS group. University Place has very few historical structures. I believe it is critical to preserve what we do have, especially for the younger generation to know and remember the pioneers who helped establish our roots. The Curran house will become a wonderful community asset now and for future generations.

Personal Statement:
I'm often asked if I regret becoming involved in city government. I would not trade this experience. I have enjoyed every aspect of it, and have learned a great deal. It has been very rewarding being part of a team that has started a city from the ground up. There is much yet to accomplish, and I care deeply for the community and its future. I would be honored to continue to serve on council.

Carl Mollnow
Residence: UNIVERSITY PLACE
Contact: 253-564-1481
E-mail: cmollnow741@comcast.net
Occupation: USAF OFFICER/PILOT/TEACHER/WING SAFETY

Experience: Sgt-at-arms Pierce County Republican Party 1996-2000 Republican Party very active volunteer 1994-present 7,000+hours Shut down four active drug selling houses (etc.) In U.P. After U.P. Police/Pierce County sheriff said it was "none of my business.1972/Present Identifying the problem with the U.P. Water system "no water pressure & tainted water in the system" & starting the fix. 1971/Present ?

Education: Tonawanda, N.Y. High School 1951-55 USAF enlisted aircraft maintenance person 1956-59 USAF pilot training/distinguished graduate 1959-1961 USAF select nuclear bomber pilot 1961-1965 USAF C-124 transport pilot 1965-1966 USAF C-141 transport pilot, flight/simulator/ground/nuclear safety/systems instructor, wing nuclear safety officer/instructor 1966-1977 3 1/2 Years college equivalency tests 1974 Advanced nuclear bomber/training pilot 1962 USAF advanced survival schools (winter, summer, water, "snake" jungle, physiological) 1961-1975 Worldwide "life's" education in/over/around every country/part of the entire world/worlds major history problems.

The Town Center project is on its fourth potential developer, and it has progressed in spurts. Should the city move forward with the project and if so, should it continue down the path it has taken?
This project was not viable since the start - A disingenuous pipe dream backed by "purchased studies by purchased professionals" with City Manager Bob Jean leading the City Council by their noses to what he deemed feasible backed by "preposterous Stories" dreamed-up by "The News Tribunes in the bag reporters led by David Zeeck". The foot print was/is too small/cramped/congested and the "closing down of main city thoroughfares" incompatible with "inter-modal transit facilities" bailout plan.

With two national golf tournaments coming to Chambers Bay Golf Course - including the 2015 U.S. Open - how can the city capitalize on the visitors to University Place? How should the city prepare for the influx of people from a traffic and public works st
The C.B.G.C. is incompatible with the need of/for great numbers of "visitors" to either of the two mentioned activities. The News Tribune mentioned "...65,000..." "Visitors". Just go to the back patio of the C.B.G.C. Restaurant and vision "that". "Hello !" I emailed the editor of the golf magazine that did that great C.B.G.C. story, the "traffic impediments" (roundabouts), "visitor conveniences", etc. - He said he did "...Not know of them..And !!! Big problems small undiscerning minds!

The City Council recently allowed volunteers to save the Curran Apple Orchard house. Do you agree with that decision, and what should the city do with its other historic properties that are endangered?
Yes I do ! Sell them to concerned citizens/volunteers/organizations that promise to preserve them - or - as the city and the school system did - do as they please violating any previous agreements and let Bird and Koslowski as "independent self monetized citizens" "care for them off the city $". Those $ can be used for "citizen services" not including "doggie runs and cat litter depositories". Ie "real city state/citizen envisioned pre-city idealized services."

Personal Statement:
City Council has led our "citizens city" down the path of spend, spend, spend with "absolutely no congruent, cogent, viable plan from the start". Roundabouts, middle of main thoroughfares, impeding traffic flow "as required by the use of monies to increase/speed the ease of flow.." So our citizens can get to their jobs via the freeways and main arterials (some citizens here are more than just uppity yuppies) they have to work, let's help them!