COEUR d'ALENE — An empty chair separated Kootenai County Commissioner David Stewart from fellow Commissioners Marc Eberlein and Dan Green.

But when it comes to their opinions on recently ousted Coeur d'Alene Airport General Manager Greg Delavan, that chair might as well have been Lake Coeur d'Alene.

At the last public meeting before next week's changing of the guard at the commissioner's office, the trio met Friday to confirm a decision made to terminate Delavan that came after two closed-door meetings on Wednesday. Before the meeting could even begin, Stewart made multiple accusations that the meeting itself was illegal, and should be delayed until incoming commissioners Bob Bingham and Chris Fillios are sworn in.

"We'll let the new board deal with this," Stewart said.

According to Stewart, the special meeting on Friday morning was not properly noticed to the public and no email notification of the meeting was provided to media outlets. In addition, Stewart claimed that "Employee 104," a reference to Delavan used in the agenda, "does not, and has never, existed" in county records.

"This is an illegal meeting," Stewart said.

A representative from the county's legal department, and the two other commissioners, did not buy Stewart's objections. They said the meeting was properly noticed.

Eberlein also clarified that the "Employee 104" moniker was created to reflect the date of the executive session, Jan. 4, and protect the privacy of Delavan.

When his attempts to have the meeting postponed failed, Stewart made a motion to allow the more than 40 members of the public gathered to offer input during a public comment period. However, Eberlein explained that since the agenda item was related to a personnel matter, Idaho law prevented any discussion of the issue in public.

"I personally wish some legislator had the brass to change the statute so we could discuss employee issues in public," Eberlein said. "But we can't, so what's the public comment for?"

"Why don't you ask them?" Stewart replied while motioning to the audience.

Without a second for his motion, the meeting proceeded as scheduled without public comment. Green immediately made a motion to "terminate Employee 104," which was seconded by Eberlein.

The motion passed on a 2-1 vote, with Stewart voting against terminating the longtime airport manager.

In a phone interview with The Press Friday, Delavan said there was no cause for his termination and that he has met goals given to him by county officials. The way the termination was conducted, he added, is troublesome to see from elected officials.

"It was a cheap trick," he said.

When asked if he’s hopeful that history will repeat itself and he will be rehired when new commissioners are sworn in, Delavan did not directly respond. He did state there were several things he would have liked to accomplish at the airport before he retired, adding that he likely would have retired in less than two years.

"I've been there for quite some time, and we have accomplished our goals. We are the envy of airports all over because of the success we've had," Delavan said. "I love this community and that's why I've dedicated 20 years of my life to the airport. I'll miss being part of that energy and I hope the airport doesn't suffer because of this."

Under the terms of his termination, Delavan will receive a three-month severance package, his regular insurance will continue through the end of the month, have vacation time paid back in cash, and have sick pay of 480 hours added to an account with the remaining balance paid in cash.