Thomas Little believes there are opportunities for a new guy to shake things up a little at East Side Highway District.

Especially, Little said, in improving communication between the district and residents.

"I'm a good listener," said Little, who will be running for zone 3 highway commissioner in the May 17 elections. "You have to listen to people, what they're saying, what problems they're having. That's a huge concern."

He has no complaints about the district's service, the Harrison resident said, adding that staff and crew has been consistent in maintaining the roads where he lives.

But he hears concerns from his neighbors, he said, and wants to ensure that those messages are received.

"It's a safety issue for me, more than anything, creating safe roads for people to commute," Little said.

His background could help to facilitate that, the 58-year-old added.

Besides knowing the road system after living decades in the area, he said, he has several years of experience working with utilities for the city of Coeur d'Alene.

That included repairing and replacing water mains, he said.

"I understand what it takes to tear up a road and do all the utilities, upgrades, and repair the road system and bring it back up to standard," he said.

As commissioner, Little would ensure the completion of the Burma Road reconstruction, he said.

"It's just a crummy area for traffic," he said.

He has yet to take a position on the three local improvement districts the current commissioners have approved, he said.

He just needs to get into fact-finding mode and listen to what the public thinks, he said.

There are many other highway district issues to consider on top of that, he added.

"This election should not be about one particular thing," he said.

Little is no stranger to serving the public.

He currently serves as East Side Fire District commissioner, which he said has acquainted him with preparing budgets.

He has volunteered with the Citizens On Patrol program at the Kootenai County Sheriff's Department, and he volunteered at Camp Easton for about 30 years.

His past jobs include working as a heavy equipment mechanic and working construction and Forest Service projects, he said, adding that he is now retired.

Originally from New Jersey, Little has lived in North Idaho about 34 years.

He is married and has two children and one grandchild.

Hopefully Little can take the district in the right direction, he said.

"I just don't know that communication is excellent at this time, and I'm looking to change that," he said.