Six handed keys to county

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

COEUR d'ALENE — With new political starts come new outlooks.

A standing-room-only crowd of nearly 200 packed into the meeting rooms of Kootenai County's Administration Building on Monday for the swearing-in ceremony of six Republican county officials who were elected to office during November's general election.

Judge Lansing Haynes read the oath of office to Clerk Jim Brannon, who then did the same for Commissioners Bill Brooks and Leslie Duncan, Assessor Rich Houser, Treasurer Steve Matheson and Coroner Warren Keene.

Matheson, Brannon and Keene were re-elected, while Houser has worked for the county for 27 years — including most recently as chief deputy assessor.

After the ceremony, Matheson said he spent his first term focusing on improving his department with chief deputy treasurer Laurie Thomas, who ran against him four years ago. He ran unopposed in both the primary and general elections in 2018.

"My first term I kept a low profile (to focus internal improvements)," Matheson said. "This next term, as a voter, I want to focus more on what people want such as effective government and efficient use of taxpayer dollars. I will push the other elected officials to focus on what the people want. We need to rise above petty differences and approach the next issue."

Two-thirds of the board of commissioners, which approves the budget, are new. Bill Brooks replaced Marc Eberlein and Leslie Duncan replaced Bob Bingham.

Brooks will serve a two-year term; Duncan a four-year term.

Brooks, who defeated Eberlein in the May primary and was unopposed in the general election, formerly wrote a consumer advice column for The Press. He also owns a real estate firm and is a disabled veteran.

Duncan defeated Bingham in the May primary and Democrat Ruben Miranda in the general election.

"I'm honored to serve the citizens of Kootenai County," Duncan said moments after being sworn in.

Duncan, who spent 10 years in law enforcement and 14 years in technical services for a live TV production, served on the local Aquifer Protection District board for four years.

The third county commissioner, Chris Fillios, is in the middle of a four-year term.

Houser replaces Mike McDowell as assessor after drawing no opponent in the elections.

"I know Rich will hit the ground running," said Brannon, who defeated unaffiliated challenger Dan Gookin during the general election to be re-elected.

Keene was re-elected as coroner after drawing no challengers.

"Thank you, citizens of Kootenai County, for voting for me and re-electing me. You are the only upright people I deal with," said Keene, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Keene said he has found ways to cut his department's budget every year and he'll continue that quest.

Keene said the community needs to continue to work together on the issue of suicides. There were 29 in Kootenai County in 2017, 42 in 2018 and two in the first seven days of this year.

Drug overdoses are another problem to tackle. He said 82 percent of the local overdoses are from opioid use.

Fillios said all of the county's elected officials will be dealing with the challenges presented by rapid growth. The county's population is about 158,000 and the fastest-growing segment of the population is those 60 and older.

"That presents unique challenges for not only our medical community but how we get younger people here," Fillios said. "We need to create jobs so that our kids and grandkids can work here. We're working rigorously trying to get employers in here."