Lakes Highway District: Old or new?

COEUR d’ALENE — Voters in the Lakes Highway District will determine this month whether to bring a fresh face to the highway district’s board of commissioners, or stick with an incumbent who has a decade of experience.

Commissioner Rod Twete, who represents Sub District 1 and has been a member of the three-person board for 10 years, is being challenged by Laurin Scarcello. Lakes Highway District maintains approximately 262 road miles in the Bayview, Dalton, Hayden, Hayden Lake, Avondale, Twin Lakes and Spirit Lake areas.

Twete, 67, has been a resident of the district for 57 years, is a graduate of Lakeland High School, and has served as the chairman of the board for four years. For 33 years, Twete said, he worked as an equipment operator.

“I know the business of roads,” Twete said. “I have helped Lakes Highway District be the best district in the state for 43 years. I am proud of what I have helped accomplish and know that I have more to give.”

Scarcello, 57, is a lifetime resident of the district and graduated from North Idaho College’s millwright program. He said he runs a welding business working on on-road and off-road equipment, as well as overseeing the daily activities on his family’s ranch on Scarcello Road.

“I have watched the district’s actions for years and feel I have a lot to offer,” Scarcello said. “You can’t write common sense into a law, but you can vote common sense into office. I will represent the taxpayer and be receptive to all comments and concerns.”

If he’s re-elected, Twete said he will keep taxes low by continuing to obtain federal grants, maintaining in-house engineering, and continuing to provide quality management of crews for “more work with less staffing.”

Twete added other issues he would like to address include having motorists and other users of public roads pay a larger portion of the district’s overall funding, which he said will result in a reduction of taxpayer contribution.

Maintaining the current pavement management program, which Twete said includes quality paving, pothole remediation, and prompt snowplowing, is also on his agenda should he be re-elected.

Fiscal responsibility is the top issue Scarcello identified when asked for the top three issues he plans on addressing.

“This was a tough year on roads throughout the county,” he said. “We need to manage the budget wisely to ensure proper maintenance of roads while allowing for future needs.”

Scarcello also stressed he will bring better communication with the workforce and taxpayer.

“I will represent the taxpayer by being transparent and open by listening to all concerns and working to get them resolved,” he added.

Finally, Scarcello said he will ensure the district has the right tools to do their job, while keeping a close eye on taxpayer dollars and getting the most from the current equipment.

The Press also asked Scarcello to respond to any concerns or questions voters might have in regard to being removed from the position of Watermaster by the Idaho Department of Water Resources. Scarcello responded by stating the agency itself told him to respond with the following should any concern arise: “I did not receive the time, training, or resources necessary for me to do my job as Watermaster,” Scarcello said.

When asked what makes him the best candidate for the commissioner position, Twete referred to his record with the commission.

“I voted to not take the allowed 3 percent tax increase, thus keeping taxes lower for my constituents,” he said. “I voted to create an in-house engineer position to dramatically reduce engineering costs.”

Twete added he also helped to obtain $12 million in federal grants for road projects, and said he helped reduce gravel roads in the district from 40 miles in 2007 to 8 miles today.

Scarcello said he’s the best candidate for the commissioner’s seat because it is time for a change in leadership at the district.

“This is the first time in 10 years that voters have a choice,” he added. “Change is always good, it brings in new ideas. I have a lot of support behind me which reinforces the fact that change is warranted. I am committed to my community and feel that I can represent the taxpayer by being fiscally responsible and transparent.”