Motivation Man Is Still Positive

Whatever happened to Lou Tice and The Pacific Institute? Ten years ago, Tice and his wife, TPI cofounder Diane Tice, were constantly in the news, conducting motivational seminars for megabusinesses, sports teams (the Phoenix Suns) and even government agencies (NASA).

They hired notables like KOMO-TV news anchor Ruth Walsh, columnist Emmett Watson and Seattle School Superintendent and country-music singer Don Steele. They conducted training sessions for high-profile groups like the National Democratic Party. They added Betty Wright, wife of then U.S. Speaker of the House Jim Wright, to their payroll.

But, in the past 10 years, the Tices have maintained a low profile. They've scarcely made a ripple since a 1985 uproar over Lou's celebrating Diane's 50th birthday by blasting off fireworks at their Seward Park home at midnight.

What have they been doing since? Speaking by phone Friday, Tice said he's been expanding his focus. He's taken the institute to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and beyond.

This Wednesday he returns to home base to conduct his 16th annual conference. Some 400 participants are coming from 30 countries. Among the speakers is former HUD secretary Jack Kemp, sometimes mentioned as a Republican presidential contender.

But isn't Tice a Democrat? He says he never has been, despite Democratic fund-raisers held at his home and all those training sessions. He says, "I wouldn't want to say that the Democrats needed more help."

Any recent success stories? Tice laughingly mentions Pete Carroll, who was fired as coach of the New York Jets. Carroll jokingly told Tice, "Fine mentor you are."

But at The Pacific Institute, the font of positive thinking, there's barely a discouraging word. Business as usual.

Small world: Steilacoom town administrator David Moseley last week said he's leaving the South Sound town to become Ellensburg city manager. Moseley, who once headed Seattle's Department of Construction and Land Use, leaves Steilacoom Sept. 15.

And that's where the plot thickens. The Ellensburg job became vacant in April when City Manager Cynthia Curreri, once Seattle's deputy mayor, left to become Gov. Mike Lowry's deputy aide. Curreri took over after several women staffers left the governor's office.

One of those who left was Lowry's press secretary, Ann Fennessy, who - as it happens - is married to Moseley.

Fennessy said they're looking forward to living in Ellensburg, although she'll have to commute to her PR job in Seattle. She said, "They say the sunsets are like those in Tuscany."

Bean there: In a recent Science Digest, The Times ran a Reuters story about a bean biologist who studies flatulence. The guy's name? Colin Leakey. Editors failed to notice that Leakey has the right name for the job.

The following day, a reader called to point out the amazing aptness of the biologist's name. Could it be a hoax? A college prank? But no. A call to London confirms the facts. Yes, there really is a Colin Leakey. And, yes, he really does study flatulence.

Apprentice: A small Japanese-made car was spotted recently in Kirkland. The license frame read: "Porsche in Training."

Jean Godden's column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the Local News section of The Times. Her phone is 464-8300.