Promotion of a friend

It has been an eventful few days around here.  Some good, some not so good, and a few tragic.  I received a email this evening, that a friend of mine from my so called day job had passed away this early afternoon.  He had been fighting cancer for a number of years, and had recently taken time away to fight the disease.  I knew he was in a hard fight, and that the odds were not good, but this came very sudden.  Over the 23 years I have known him, we have roomed together more than a few times on business trips.  Our value systems were very much alike, and our conversations ranged from " help find a part for my fire truck, to cows, customers, and many  long and details talks on various spiritual subjects.  He had NO doubt as to were he would be 30 seconds after he passed away,  and took great comfort in knowing that his Saviour had complete control of the problem.  I know that my life here on earth has been greatly enriched with the time we spent together, the conversations we had, and the fun we also had a few times.  He always would refer to himself as the "bald Dutchman".  Today, he was promoted to Glory, and the pain is gone.  May God comfort his wife, daughters and friends.   Will miss you greatly my Friend  

Had the unpleasant duty of meeting with our executive board to bring a charge against one of our firefighters. The board also heard from him as to way the things had happened and why they had progressed to the point of a disciplinary hearing.   After much discussion, reasoning, and compromises, it was decided to suspend him for 6 months, and than have him serve a 6 month probationary period.  This was to be coupled with a loss of seniority in the department.  I need to now pass this on to the Fire District Board for their approval.   Doubt they will change anything, but the final decision really rests with them,  They can modify, lessen or stiffen the action of the executive board.   Not sure a suspension and demotion will help,  I think this persons mind set is what needs to be changed.  But he see no problem with himself, it is those around him that are causing the problem.  

Hopefully we have the problems that we have been having with our Hurst Tools solved.  Moved the power unit to a more accessible place and changes some plumbing to solve the problem.   Also, got a new portable power unit for the tools.  They still haven't worked on the station wall, been almost a month with nothing done, check that nothing started, let alone done.  Have a lot of loose admin ends to tie-up this week before board meeting.  That plus a funeral to attend sometime middle of the week makes the coming next few days rather busy.