Laughter and tears at Kelowna council含羞草研究社檚 regular meeting on Feb. 26, as it was publicly announced that City Clerk Stephen flemin is retiring.
含羞草研究社淗e含羞草研究社檚 been a mentor, a leader and a friend to many people in this organization,含羞草研究社� said City Manager Doug Gilchrist in a tribute to flemin.
Fleming has spent nearly 21 years at city hall, starting as the deputy city clerk in 2003, acting city clerk from 2004 to 2005 and then being named to the position in July 2008.
含羞草研究社淎 lot of mixed emotions, a lot of time in this room (council chambers),含羞草研究社� Fleming noted. 含羞草研究社淚 wasn含羞草研究社檛 sure what today was going to be like, but it含羞草研究社檚 been a very nice day.含羞草研究社�
Several city staff gathered in chambers to recognize Fleming and hear the many accolades from councillors.
Rick Webber noted that flemin was of tremendous assistance to him before and after the 2023 municipal election.
含羞草研究社淎nybody looking for help will find a very human person giving them human advice,含羞草研究社� said an emotional Webber.含羞草研究社淭he place won含羞草研究社檛 be the same without you.含羞草研究社�
含羞草研究社淗e含羞草研究社檚 always been that steady Eddie含羞草研究社alanced, never political and always with the best intentions for the citizens of Kelowna,含羞草研究社� Loyal Wooldridge said.
含羞草研究社淚 will miss your unique demeanour, your calmness含羞草研究社ense of humour and wealth of knowledge,含羞草研究社� Maxine DeHart added through tears.
含羞草研究社淪tephen has always been there, his wisdom has always been there,含羞草研究社� said Charlie Hodge.
含羞草研究社淔or me, you含羞草研究社檝e always been one of the pillars of our city,含羞草研究社� Luke Stack said. 含羞草研究社淲e lean upon you, you hold us up. I think all of us owe you a great debt of gratitude.含羞草研究社�
Mayor Tom Dyas praised Fleming for his leadership when he first took office.
含羞草研究社淗e was always there for me when I had a question含羞草研究社nd led me down the right path. I cannot thank you enough for everything you含羞草研究社檝e done for me.含羞草研究社�
Fleming said he has seen a lot over his more than two decades at city hall and that he will miss the daily interactions that his job affords him.
含羞草研究社淵ou never know what含羞草研究社檚 going to happen, you含羞草研究社檙e not doing the same thing all the time, there is a lot of variety.含羞草研究社�
He added he is not ready to fully retire.
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檒l continue teaching courses in local government through Capilano University and we含羞草研究社檙e going to take a couple of months off, Rachel (his wife) and I, and figure out what I want to do next.含羞草研究社�
Fleming drew laughter from staff members and councillors with a short but heartfelt speech.
含羞草研究社淚 want to thank everyone for coming out, particularly those of you who are playing hooky from your other places of gainful employment to make the effort to be here this afternoon. There are far too many people to thank, we含羞草研究社檇 be here for an awful long time, so I含羞草研究社檒l just thank Rachel.含羞草研究社�
Fleming will retire from his position at the end of March.
Current Deputy City Clerk Laura Bentley will be Kelowna含羞草研究社檚 new city clerk.
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