As recently reported by Granthaven, Councillor Jim Pickard will not be seeking re-election after 15 years of service, and Mayor David Mayberry has also announced he will be stepping aside. Their departures open key leadership roles at the SWOX council table — roles that will help shape decisions affecting our roads, services, budgets, and growth for years to come.
Municipal government is the level of government closest to daily life. Council decisions influence infrastructure, policing, planning, taxation, and the long-term direction of our community. The people who sit around that table matter.
So the question becomes a simple one: would you consider running? Or is there someone you know — thoughtful, steady, community-minded — who should?
To help residents explore that possibility, South-West Oxford is hosting open-house style Candidate Information Sessions, as covered by Heart FM News in “SWOX Host Municipal Candidate Information Sessions.” The sessions are scheduled for:
- Wednesday, March 4, 6:30–7:30 p.m. – Brownsville Fire Station
- Monday, March 9, 6:30–7:30 p.m. – Beachville Fire Station
These sessions walk prospective candidates through eligibility requirements, the nomination process, key dates, and what serving on council really entails. They offer a practical opportunity to ask questions and better understand the commitment involved.
Oxford County is also hosting a county-wide Candidate Information Session on Thursday, March 26 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Oxford County Administration Building, with an option to attend online. The session will include guidance from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and a municipal governance consultant. Details were reported by Heart FM in “News Poll: Municipal Election Campaign 2026.”
The nomination period runs from May 1 to August 21, with Election Day set for October 26, 2026.
Strong communities don’t happen by accident. They are built carefully by residents willing to serve — not for recognition, but out of a desire to steward what has been entrusted to them. At Stand4Oxford, we believe local leadership works best when it is steady, transparent, community-rooted, and attentive to long-term community wellbeing.
Open seats mean new voices will help shape Oxford County’s future. If you have ever found yourself thinking, “Someone should step up,” this may be the moment to consider whether that someone could be you — or someone you encourage.
Leadership at the municipal level is practical, grounded, and deeply local. If you’re considering it, attend a session, ask questions, and take the first step. Our community’s future depends on residents willing to serve.
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