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Joe Grandanette: Des Moines mayoral candidate

The Des Moines Register

Former Des Moines Public Schools teacher Joe Grandanette is one of three challengers taking on incumbent Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie.

Grandanette was born and raised in Des Moines and taught physical education at Windsor Elementary before retiring in 2015.

He has run for U.S. Congress three times and once ran for the Iowa House of Representatives.

His fellow challengers are Jack Hatch and Chase Holm.

The election is Nov. 5.

Joe Grandanette

Age: 65

Place of birth: Des Moines

Grew up: Des Moines

Current home: Des Moines

Education: Drake University, bachelor's degree, 1987; Grand View Junior College, 2-year degree, 1974; Dowling High School, 1972

Work history: St. Anthony before and after school program and stay at home dad, 2015-2019; Say Hello to Joes, owner, 1999-2013; Des Moines Public Schools, physical education teacher, 1988-2015; Bernies Deli, manager, 1978-1984

Political experience: United States House of Representatives, Iowa District 3, candidate, 2018, 2016 and 2014; Iowa House of Representatives, District 61 candidate, 2004; Steve Forbes presidential campaign volunteer; Tommy Thompson presidential campaign volunteer

Civic involvement: Des Moines Park and Recreation board member, two years; Des Moines Semi-Pro Baseball League, coach, 25 years

Religious affiliation: Catholic

Twitter: @joegrandanette

Facebook: @Misterg2018

List your top three priorities for the city and how you would address them.

Fix the streets, sewers, and potholes: "For too many years those small but vital street improvements needed in the neighborhoods throughout our city didn’t get done.” That quote was from our public works director. Under my leadership the city will have a plan. We will find out where we can save money and spend it on the streets. Our city has 40-60% nontaxable property. Everyone needs to share in the expenses of the city. We will share ideas with all officials from the city, school, county and state. Our streets and sewers need to be fixed now. The taxpayers of Des Moines are waiting.

Des Moines needs to keep all citizens safe: With the increase in crime in our neighborhoods Des Moines needs up to 40 new officers. Our officers need to walk the beat, get on horseback, and show their presence all over the city. I will propose all officers to sponsor one elementary school and visit there once a month to get to know everyone personally in their school of choice. This way the officers can start a rapport with the young people in their school. Under my leadership I will visit all schools and talk about civic duty and being a good citizen of Des Moines. Young people need to have good role models and it starts from the top. As a former educator and dad of a 6-year-old I know what it means to be a good role model which is why I am running for mayor of Des Moines.

The mayor has to show leadership qualities: Leaders do this by strong positive actions. The mayor should be the peacekeeper, not the source of animosity between neighborhoods and businesses. This has been an ongoing problem in Des Moines and I intend to fix it. I grew up here, and because of that I have been able to keep a pulse of the city. We will show support to all people of Des Moines. This will include families in need, homeless and people of all socio-economical backgrounds. This is the city I grew up in, and love. We can do this if we work together. You can count on me to support the people of this city.

Do you support efforts to create a regional water utility serving central Iowa?

No, I do not support a regional water utility. What’s in it for Des Moines? If necessary, we could put this to a vote and leave it up to the citizens of Des Moines.