AUSTIN: Best for Eastside

As a resident of the Eastside Highway District, I would encourage the support of John F. Austin for Highway Commissioner on May 16.

His goals for the district are simple and reflect his many years serving as finance director for the city of Coeur d’Alene: increase the funding for roads, without raising property taxes. He has been able to work with elected officials to do this over the years, including the widening of Ramsey and Government Way to four lanes, and improvements to Northwest Boulevard, East Sherman, Kathleen and Neider.

All of these projects were completed without raising property taxes. He encouraged the City Council to use funding already in place from the state of Idaho and from local utility companies who use the city’s rights-of-way. He also implemented a plan to triple the funding for re-paving roads in the city.

He believes Eastside should work with the county to impose impact fees on new development, so growth pays for itself. He lobbied for the right of cities to have this authority in the mid-1990s, and helped Coeur d’Alene to be the first city in the state to impose them. He also encourages the acquisition of Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive from the state, so local officials can have a voice in how that important roadway is maintained.

With his 30 years of experience working with local governments, please join me in supporting John for Eastside Commissioner on May 16.

STEVE WIDMYER

Coeur d’Alene