York Region colleagues pay tribute to retiring chairperson, CEO

YorkRegion.com
Nov. 20, 2014
By Laura Finney

Bill Fisch might be leaving his post as CEO and chairperson, but his name will remain a part of York Region.

York Regional Police will name their new headquarters and the region will name the new forest stewardship and education program after him.

“I was just shocked by that and very gratified,” said Fisch.

Those two announcements were made during his retirement dinner in Vaughan last week.

Friends, family, colleagues and other notable York Region residents came out and paid tribute to the soon-to-be-retired York Region leader.

“I was overwhelmed,” he said, admitting he was a little embarrassed but grateful for the kind words. “They honoured me so incredibly well. I was so humbled by it.”

Dec. 11, Fisch will officially pass the chain of office to the next chairperson, who will be selected by council.

“I can walk off the dais at that moment, and all of the issues from the last 17 years will fall upon the next person,” he said with a laugh.

Retirement comes with mixed emotions, Fisch said, adding council has done some good work over the last 20 years.

“I think we’ve set the base for the future. I think there is a very strong foundation that we built, and I think the region will be in very good hands, whoever is elected,” he said. “We have a very strong staff and a very strong management team and I’m quite confident the citizens of the Region of York will be very well served.”

While Fisch was hesitant to give advice to his successor, he is confident council will pick the right person.

“Whoever is chosen will be excellent, because they are being chosen by people that know them, both their failings and their strengths,” he said. “When you have that information and knowledge, you can choose someone who can really do the job for you.”

Fisch will be heading to Florida with his wife for four months and while he has had some inquiries and offers about what he will do with his time after retirement, he said he is waiting until he returns from his trip to decide.

“When I do get back, I will think about what it is I want to do in the next chapter of my life, but I suspect I will be involved in some fashion,” he said.