Laughter and tears at Kelowna councilsa国际传媒檚 regular meeting on Feb. 26, as it was publicly announced that City Clerk Stephen flemin is retiring.
sa国际传媒淗esa国际传媒檚 been a mentor, a leader and a friend to many people in this organization,sa国际传媒� 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.
sa国际传媒淎 lot of mixed emotions, a lot of time in this room (council chambers),sa国际传媒� Fleming noted. sa国际传媒淚 wasnsa国际传媒檛 sure what today was going to be like, but itsa国际传媒檚 been a very nice day.sa国际传媒�
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.
sa国际传媒淎nybody looking for help will find a very human person giving them human advice,sa国际传媒� said an emotional Webber.sa国际传媒淭he place wonsa国际传媒檛 be the same without you.sa国际传媒�
sa国际传媒淗esa国际传媒檚 always been that steady Eddiesa国际传媒alanced, never political and always with the best intentions for the citizens of Kelowna,sa国际传媒� Loyal Wooldridge said.
sa国际传媒淚 will miss your unique demeanour, your calmnesssa国际传媒ense of humour and wealth of knowledge,sa国际传媒� Maxine DeHart added through tears.
sa国际传媒淪tephen has always been there, his wisdom has always been there,sa国际传媒� said Charlie Hodge.
sa国际传媒淔or me, yousa国际传媒檝e always been one of the pillars of our city,sa国际传媒� Luke Stack said. sa国际传媒淲e lean upon you, you hold us up. I think all of us owe you a great debt of gratitude.sa国际传媒�
Mayor Tom Dyas praised Fleming for his leadership when he first took office.
sa国际传媒淗e was always there for me when I had a questionsa国际传媒nd led me down the right path. I cannot thank you enough for everything yousa国际传媒檝e done for me.sa国际传媒�
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.
sa国际传媒淵ou never know whatsa国际传媒檚 going to happen, yousa国际传媒檙e not doing the same thing all the time, there is a lot of variety.sa国际传媒�
He added he is not ready to fully retire.
sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檒l continue teaching courses in local government through Capilano University and wesa国际传媒檙e going to take a couple of months off, Rachel (his wife) and I, and figure out what I want to do next.sa国际传媒�
Fleming drew laughter from staff members and councillors with a short but heartfelt speech.
sa国际传媒淚 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, wesa国际传媒檇 be here for an awful long time, so Isa国际传媒檒l just thank Rachel.sa国际传媒�
Fleming will retire from his position at the end of March.
Current Deputy City Clerk Laura Bentley will be Kelownasa国际传媒檚 new city clerk.
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