COEUR d'ALENE - Dr. Warren Keene says he has always had his eye on the coroner's job. It's something he has always wanted to do.

Keene, a physician who works in the emergency room at Kootenai Health, said he decided it was time to step up and seek election after reading newspaper articles about the county coroner's office.

"I read about how poorly managed it is. The person's not a doctor," Keene said. "I have the talents and abilities to do that. I thought, it's time I give something back."

Deb Wilkey is seeking re-election to the position she won in 2010. This is Keene's first run for an elected office.

During his 33-year career in medicine, Keene said he also gained administrative experience.

He began his medical career as a family medicine physician, and ran a family practice for many years. He worked in Minot, North Dakota for 20 years, and served as assistant dean of the University of North Dakota Medical School.

"I know how to run a budget," Keene said. If elected, Keene said choosing a good chief deputy will be a priority, someone to work with him "for the long haul."

Another issue he plans to tackle is reducing the budget. He said the discretionary budget has increased by $80,000 in recent years, a 50 percent hike.

Keene said the expenditure increase doesn't correlate to a jump in murders or suicides, but stems from costs incurred for autopsies and medical tests stemming from unattended deaths.

"With my knowledge and expertise, I can rein that in," Keene said. "I'd like to bring it down, and if I can save the taxpayers some money, then that's what I'll do."

Disaster preparedness involving mass casualties is another area Keene plans to focus on if elected. Working in the emergency room, he said he is aware of areas where improvements can be made.

He said he will resolve the budget situation and other issues that crop up by making himself available to everyone he works with as coroner.

"We have a lot of talented people in the county," he said.

Profile:

Dr. Warren Keene

Age: 58

Profession: Board-certified family physician now working in emergency room medicine.

Educational background: Bachelor's degree, biology, Carroll College, Helena, Montana; Medical degree, University of Washington; internship and residency, Minot Family Practice Center, University of North Dakota School of Medicine.

How many years a resident of your city? Post Falls,12 years.

Marital status: Divorced and widowed

Family: Two daughters and a granddaughter

Hobbies: Flying planes, gardening, landscaping, cooking and barbecuing, wine-making

Political affiliation: Republican