Laughter and tears at Kelowna council害羞草研究所檚 regular meeting on Feb. 26, as it was publicly announced that City Clerk Stephen flemin is retiring.
害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 been a mentor, a leader and a friend to many people in this organization,害羞草研究所� 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.
害羞草研究所淎 lot of mixed emotions, a lot of time in this room (council chambers),害羞草研究所� Fleming noted. 害羞草研究所淚 wasn害羞草研究所檛 sure what today was going to be like, but it害羞草研究所檚 been a very nice day.害羞草研究所�
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.
害羞草研究所淎nybody looking for help will find a very human person giving them human advice,害羞草研究所� said an emotional Webber.害羞草研究所淭he place won害羞草研究所檛 be the same without you.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 always been that steady Eddie害羞草研究所alanced, never political and always with the best intentions for the citizens of Kelowna,害羞草研究所� Loyal Wooldridge said.
害羞草研究所淚 will miss your unique demeanour, your calmness害羞草研究所ense of humour and wealth of knowledge,害羞草研究所� Maxine DeHart added through tears.
害羞草研究所淪tephen has always been there, his wisdom has always been there,害羞草研究所� said Charlie Hodge.
害羞草研究所淔or me, you害羞草研究所檝e always been one of the pillars of our city,害羞草研究所� Luke Stack said. 害羞草研究所淲e lean upon you, you hold us up. I think all of us owe you a great debt of gratitude.害羞草研究所�
Mayor Tom Dyas praised Fleming for his leadership when he first took office.
害羞草研究所淗e was always there for me when I had a question害羞草研究所nd led me down the right path. I cannot thank you enough for everything you害羞草研究所檝e done for me.害羞草研究所�
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.
害羞草研究所淵ou never know what害羞草研究所檚 going to happen, you害羞草研究所檙e not doing the same thing all the time, there is a lot of variety.害羞草研究所�
He added he is not ready to fully retire.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檒l continue teaching courses in local government through Capilano University and we害羞草研究所檙e going to take a couple of months off, Rachel (his wife) and I, and figure out what I want to do next.害羞草研究所�
Fleming drew laughter from staff members and councillors with a short but heartfelt speech.
害羞草研究所淚 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害羞草研究所檇 be here for an awful long time, so I害羞草研究所檒l just thank Rachel.害羞草研究所�
Fleming will retire from his position at the end of March.
Current Deputy City Clerk Laura Bentley will be Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 new city clerk.
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