Opinion - Paid managers prove costly

For months, the termination of Colfax Fire Chief Ralph Walter has absorbed Colfax. The fire chief was accused of not knowing even the very basics of his job. He was fired, and then he sued to get his job back.

Charges and counter charges swirled. City Manager Carl Thompson was accused of not following even the very basics of city policy and not doing even the very basics of his job. Some in the fire department declared they would not continue to serve if Walter stayed on the job. The mayor was accused of acting arbitrarily and being ill-informed. Citizens took sides. The city council was split...