OK, so I've looked everywhere for a tool to close a thread. I read the posting about 'un-checking the box that lets others post in this thread' - can't find that. Within the thread in question, under thread tools, there is only 'edit title' available.
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/firing-a-band-member.1084036/
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/firing-a-band-member.1084036/