On Wednesday, January 8th, at the first Fleming Town Council Meeting of 2025, new council members were sworn in as three members' term limits came to an end.
New Council Members, Kamie Lambrecht and Milinda Hickey, are sworn into the Fleming Town Council by Town Clerk Michelle Asfeld at the Fleming Town Hall.
In past years, the Town of Fleming held its elections during the spring, which would result in new council members or mayors being sworn in during late spring or early summer. In November of 2022, residents of Fleming voted to move the timing of their elections to correspond better with state and federal elections, therefore Fleming Elections were moved to the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year. This was pursued by the Fleming Town Council to encourage more voter participation. The Town Council also decided it was best that after each election, the current council would remain until the end of the calendar year, with new members being sworn in in January of the following year. All of this information was a part of the 2022 ballot question. (You can find and read that ordinance changing election dates here.)
With last year being an election year, and Town Council Member term limits ending, this January we are welcoming in new council members and saying goodbye to those who have served over the past couple of years.
The three council members we are saying goodbye to are: Suzanne Wales, who's been serving for 2 years; Alex Gapter, who's been serving for 2 years; and Cathy Castillo, who's been serving for 2 years. These three have been faithfully serving the town of Fleming, Colorado in various ways, through committees dedicated to improving the town of Fleming and various events physically serving Fleming residents. Andrew Muller, who's been Mayor Pro-Tem and a Trustee for 2 years also resigned at the January 8th meeting, therefore resulting in his term ending as well. With these four council members stepping down, the council members that will remain from the current Town Council are: Bill Langridge, who's been serving for 2 years and whose term ends in 2026; and Bonnie Jackson, who's been serving for 2 years and whose term ends in 2026.
Former Town Council Members, Alexander Gapter, Suzanne Wales, and Cathy Castillo, were thanked for their service to the town by the remaining Town Council Members and Mayor Stefan Betley.
In September 2024, two petitions were filed to fill the three available spots, leaving one spot on the Town Council still open. The petitions were filed by Kamie Lambrecht, the current Fleming Town Librarian and a member of the Fleming School Board; and Milinda Hickey, whose husband Justin Hickey is a Fleming Town Maintenance Employee. Both Lambrecht and Hickey were sworn in on Wednesday, January 8th, 2025 to the current Fleming Town Council.
New Council Members, Kamie Lambrecht (left) and Milinda Hickey (right) being sworn in.
At that same meeting, the town council decided and agreed upon making Bill Langridge Mayor Pro Tem. This means 4 out of 6 spots are filled on the Town Council, with two vacancies. The Town of Fleming looks forward to seeing how this new Town Council will help better Fleming's community.
There are two trustee positions still available on the Town Council. If you would like to be part of the council, please call the Town Hall at 970-265-2692 for details or attend the January 8th council meeting at 6:30 PM at the Town Hall.