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