As members of the Stand4Oxford team worked through Oxford County’s new Official Plan survey, one thing stood out: some questions require more thought than they first appear to. Planning decisions are complex, and the wording of a question matters. A response may seem straightforward, but the meaning behind that answer can depend on how the…
Oxford County is asking residents for feedback on proposed new water meters with cellular technology. The survey highlights features such as real-time water usage, leak alerts, service notifications, water-use comparisons, and more frequent data collection. Some of these features may provide value. Leak alerts, for example, could help homeowners identify problems quickly. However, residents should…
Oxford County is preparing a new Official Plan — the document that will guide how land is used and how our communities grow for decades to come. Future councils will look to this plan when making decisions about housing, businesses, infrastructure, farmland, natural heritage, and development across all eight local municipalities. In short, this isn’t…
Oxford County Council has approved a new Climate Action Plan for 2026–2030. While the plan outlines actions related to climate resilience, infrastructure, water protection, emergency preparedness, and community planning, it also establishes a long-term direction that could influence future budgets, policies, and municipal priorities. Stand4Oxford believes responsible stewardship of our communities, farmland, water resources, and…
Oxford County is inviting residents to “Meet your water meter” on July 28 as it prepares for a water meter replacement program beginning in Woodstock between 2027 and 2029. According to the County, existing residential water meters are nearing the end of their service life, and new technology will provide more accurate billing and help…
When should elected officials vote themselves a raise? Oxford County Council faced that question during its July 8 meeting, where members debated whether compensation for the next term of Council should increase to maintain salaries at the 60th percentile of comparable Ontario municipalities. Following a recorded vote, the motion carried 7-3. Councillors Tate, Gilvesy, and…
A recent decision by Oxford County Council regarding a proposed development on Wilson Avenue in Tillsonburg has raised an important question that reaches far beyond a single housing project. Who should have the strongest voice in decisions that shape a community? The proposal was unanimously opposed by Tillsonburg Council (timestamp 12:46). Residents attended meetings, shared…
Oxford County’s 2027 Budget Survey is open until August 31. This is one of the key ways residents and business owners can share input before budget decisions are set. The survey covers municipal services such as roads, emergency services, recreation, waste management, water, and long-term care, and helps shape priorities for the year ahead. A…
Oxford County has now confirmed it already approved moving forward with the purchase of 808 Dundas Street — the former Woodstock YMCA — for a homelessness support centre. Since then, staff have already begun feasibility work, layouts, budgeting, and design planning. Now council is being asked to approve a $250,000 single-source design contract at the…
As of May 1st, nominations are officially open for Ontario’s 2026 municipal and school board elections. That means residents across Oxford County can now file to run for mayor, council, or school board trustee ahead of the October 26th election. For many people, municipal politics can seem less important as compared with provincial or federal…