Port commission should walk a mile in fired manager's shoes

To The Eagle:

What a shock to read the headlines recently in The Eagle that Steve McClain had been fired!

Apparently, according to the port sources I called, the port manager serves at the pleasure of the port commission and if "they" need to terminate their relationship with the manager, they may without warning! This gives enormous power to the publicly elected, three-man commission in control of this position.

I hope the commission fully understands what this position entails--it can be far too easy to "manage" but not "know" the responsibilities and challenges of a job until you have experienced it yourself. In a new television show called Undercover Boss, each "boss" tries out the "lower" jobs in their company and to date the bosses have been shocked at what they didn't know about each of the positions and had to change many of their previous policies to reflect what they learned during the field experiences. It sure substantiates the meaning of the old adage, "until you've walked a mile in my shoes...don't criticize the way I walk."

I know in my profession that training new people is expensive and time consuming. I have heard, and believe that it takes around five to seven years to become a master in most professional fields. I fear that Steve's 28 years of wisdom and experience may be lost and that his vacant position will be difficult to fill, especially after reading the responsibilities /duties listed on the vacancy notice for his previous position, (in the same edition that announced his dismissal.)

My grandparents managed a campground for two years, (that was all they could take), so I understand in a very small way what it takes to run a park and seriously don't know how Steve did it for as long as he did. Many campers and community members know--and are now talking about again--the time, effort and physical labor it took on Steve's part to bring yurts to Skamokawa Vista Park. The park will not be the same without Steve and his dedication.

I want to thank Steve for being willing to substitute at our local schools on his days off--I know he often subbed because he felt badly due to our low availability of subs. I also want to thank Steve for all of the community support and assistance he voluntarily continues to give on a consistent basis--coaching, announcing during ballgames, setting up and serving food, hauling and setting up for community events, helping students out in many, many ways, etc. It is commitment and loyalty like his that keeps small towns wonderful places to live and raise families.

There is a bright side to most issues, and I guess that one bright side to his being "fired" is that Steve will be able to enjoy summers with his family as well as the freedom to go places without feeling anxious about what's going on at the park--just think, no more 80 hour work weeks during the summer!

Finally, in my opinion, a new policy needs to be developed by the port that will provide more checks and balances so that when emotions run high or personality challenges occur that conflict resolution can take place instead of a "firing." I hope that professional mediation and non-biased methods/strategies were used and taken into account related to Steve's dismissal as small towns simply can't afford to lose valuable community members.

Karas Pillar

Cathlamet