Over 10,000 books were recently removed from the library at H.B. Beal Secondary School in London, Ontario, slashing the collection from roughly 18,000 titles to just 8,300, as reported by the London Free Press. Among the removed works were history texts, Holocaust literature, and classic novels — the kinds of books that help students understand…
Woodstock is planning to introduce online voting in hopes of increasing municipal election turnout, as reported by the London Free Press. While low participation is a real concern, it’s important that any changes to how we vote prioritize trust, transparency, and security — and that’s where paper ballots continue to shine. Online voting may seem…
As a new year begins, many people are understandably ready for a pause. After months of budget discussions, delegations, and difficult conversations, it’s natural to want to step back and take a breath. January is a good time for that. It’s also a good time to remember something important: democracy isn’t seasonal. Civic engagement doesn’t…
As 2025 comes to a close, many organizations are taking time to reflect on what community-driven advocacy can achieve. This year-end reflection from Maggie Braun and the team at KICLEI Canada looks back on key wins, acknowledges ongoing challenges, and underscores the role local voices and municipal leaders play in advancing transparency, accountability, and meaningful…
As discussions around large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) continue across Oxford County, it’s important to recognize when local governments pause, ask hard questions, and ultimately decide not to move forward. Recently, Tillsonburg Town Council voted to reject a proposed battery energy storage facility planned for the Van Norman Innovation Park. The $70-million project would…
As we approach this special season, all of us at Stand4Oxford want to wish our friends, families, and supporters a blessed and joyful Christmas. Christmas reminds us of the gift of hope that Christ’s birth brings to the world—a hope that inspires us to care for our neighbours and support one another. In our community,…
At Oxford County’s recent budget meeting, residents and delegations including Stand4Oxford (S4O) saw the final property tax levy come in slightly higher than earlier projections. While council initially worked with figures indicating a 5.0% property tax increase for Woodstock residents and 5.1% for residents elsewhere in Oxford County, the final approved budget reflected a 5.2%…
Stand4Oxford (S4O) was recently featured in a Woodstock-Ingersoll Echo news article following Oxford County’s 2026 budget meeting. The article highlights S4O’s delegation to council, where members spoke on behalf of residents about affordability and the importance of fiscal responsibility. It also reflects the growing public interest in how county budget decisions are made. We appreciate…
At Stand4Oxford, we believe residents deserve a council that leads with integrity, transparency, and respect — especially during budget deliberations that directly affect household finances. The December 10 budget meeting, which lasted more than six hours, raised serious concerns about how debate was conducted, how consequences were framed, and whether leadership held itself to the…
Oxford County, we need to talk. Once again, Oxford County Council has approved a bloated budget—prioritizing increased spending over meaningful relief for taxpayers. Instead of exercising restraint during uncertain economic times, the majority of Council chose higher costs, additional consultants, and increased pressure on families, seniors, and local businesses who are already feeling stretched. A…