AIRPORT: You can go home again

A few years ago I made a significant decision that affected the lives of my small family. It was to move from this city to another city in the eastern United States. I went through all the logic to make this decision. I was confident that I could entice my adult children and one grandchild to follow, but after relocating there, it was apparent they would not. The prospect of that decision being a mistake and knowing how it caused a deep impact to their lives bothered me immensely. I had confidence in making this decision primarily because I had almost 30 years of management/decision making experience.

From the way it was presented in the previous Coeur d’Alene Press articles, Mr. Delavan was not fired “for cause,” rather he was fired because he did not agree with the management above him. However it most likely will be viewed that he was fired “for cause” by whomever he talks to about future employment. I do not know Mr. Delavan but I can only assume that he does not feel that being fired was fair and just. Maybe the conflicting issue(s) could have been mediated and resolved before reaching that point. I certainly don’t have all the facts, but firing someone is a very serious action to take.

I am asking the appropriate commissioners to reverse the decision to fire Mr. Delavan and give him the opportunity (and respect with it) to go back to work. By doing that, I believe it will strengthen the entire group. Throughout my management experience I made several mistakes but I was fortunate to be seen as a valued employee who consistently made positive contributions.

In regard to my decision of moving back east and the effect it had on my family, my cousin told me about the “wise man logic.” “A wise man can change his mind, whereas a fool cannot.” That made it easier for me to change my mind and return to Coeur d’Alene. Please give the man the opportunity to return to work and implement a process to resolve the issue(s).

WILLIAM COCHRAN

Post Falls