Community members recently paid their final respects to Richmond Hill’s longest-serving mayor, William (Bill) Bell, who passed away July 28. Bell served as the town’s mayor from 1988 to 2006 and won six consecutive elections after an eight-year stint as the councillor for Ward 3.
Richmond Hill’s current mayor, Dave Barrow, said Bell was a man of integrity with strong values, who was attentive to the community’s financial well-being. Although the two mayors’ approach to their work differed, Barrow said Bell continues to inspire him to this day, particularly his approach to funding projects and how he would consider the financial impact on other things.
“From that perspective, I do think of his advice and his method of looking at financing projects,” Barrow said. He added that Bell was also always looking ahead. “When a town is growing as fast as we were during his term, there’s a lot of cash flow from development charges and things,” Barrow said. “It’s very easy to want to just spend it and not think of the future. Bill always thought of the future.”
Richmond Hill resident and community activist Karen Cilevitz said although she never worked with the former mayor, he was always welcoming. Bell did great things for the community, she said, and he leaves behind a legacy of being a dedicated public servant who worked in the best interests of local residents.
“Bill Bell was a true son of Richmond Hill and he will be sorely missed by everybody,” said Cilevitz, “but his legacy will continue and I have absolutely no doubt that the people of Richmond Hill will always remember him fondly.”