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