Slice of Yakima: Mattel may make Grandview famous

GRANDVIEW, Wash. -- If Mattel Inc. likes what it sees, this city may have a famous fire engine.

The toy giant is considering using the name and logo of Grandview on a miniature fire truck and selling it in stores throughout the world.

"Kind of fun for a change," said Fire Chief Pat Mason.

City leaders have agreed to allow Mason to send pictures of their fire apparatus logos to Mattel's designers, though nobody has promised to actually use the images. If it happens, Grandview will receive 100 free toy trucks as payment.

The agreement allows Mattel's toymakers to use the logo on pretty much whatever they wish as much as they wish, though the document mentions "die cast" replicas -- possibly a reference to the iconic Matchbox and Hot Wheels lines.

Why the world's largest toy manufacturer picked Grandview, a city of 9,100 residents, is a mystery, Mason said.

However, representatives told him when they first called -- "out of the blue" -- two months ago that the company has been known to use symbols from its employees' hometowns.

Mason and city workers couldn't think of a former resident who just might make Grandview a part of children's lives everywhere.