York Region Council bids chairperson Fisch a fond farewell

Yorkregion.com
Nov. 17, 2014
By Laura Finney

Regional chairperson and CEO Bill Fisch has lowered his gavel for the final time.

Thursday morning, he presided over his final regional council meeting and the final meeting of the 2010-2014 term.

Council quickly ran through the agenda, but before the meeting was adjourned, Fisch took a few moments to thank everyone.

“We’ve shown in the last four years and much beyond, that we have had some great teamwork, a dynamic team, we’ve done some great things,” he said. “I’m very proud once again of this council; you had great vision and you’ve achieved a great deal.”

He congratulated returning councillors and he personally acknowledged Mayor Robert Grossi, Regional Councillor Gordon Landon, Regional Councillor Deb Schulte and Mayor Wayne Emmerson, who will not return next term.

He then opened the floor to council members for comments.

Everyone took turns to congratulate returning councillors and pay tribute to the four councillors who are leaving.

They also all thanked and recognized Fisch for all the work he has done during his 26-year career in public service, including the past 17 years as regional chairperson and CEO.

There were some tears and a lot of laughs as each councillor spoke, but some of the most poignant words came from Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua.

“It’s really interesting when you go around the table and you begin to reflect on an individual’s contribution of his life - how we really focus our energies and go deep inside to really come to grips with how one person can do so much to improve the quality of life for so many,” he said.

Fisch is what public services is truly about, he added.

“The reason why you stand out is because of the great gift that you have to make everybody feel part of a team,” he said to Fisch, complimenting his leadership, reasoning, wisdom and experience.

But he also challenged him.

“I think there is a responsibility when a person chooses to do what I think is actually overrated and that is retire. There’s a responsibility to share all that wisdom,” he said. “I think you have to share that with as many people as you can.”

And he continued.

“Age really doesn’t matter. You’ve accumulated far too much knowledge to keep it to yourself.”

Fisch was modest about the praise and said he prefers to work behind the scenes.

“It feels good, it’s embarrassing, but it still feels good,” he said thanking everyone.

His plan now is to spend four months in Florida with his wife and he said he is looking forward to taking a break from public service.

But he also said he will probably still stay involved down the road.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to turn it off,” he said.