Craig Gillis acclaimed as mayor of SWOX

Craig Gillis. (Contributed Photo)

Debbie Kasman, Tillsonburg Post Correspondent

With the nomination period for this October’s municipal election now closed, Ward 4 Councillor Craig Gillis has been acclaimed as mayor of South-West Oxford (SWOX) Township.

Gillis began working as a herdsperson for Wilmarlea Farms Ltd. in Embro after graduating from the University of Guelph in 2002. He moved to Beachville shortly after and married his wife, Tanya, in 2006. In 2009, he joined the SWOX Fire Department at the Beachville Station. He was elected Beachville Fire Association President in 2011, and Ward 6 councillor in 2018.

When asked why he decided to run for mayor, Gillis said, “Why not?”

“I feel I’ve learned a lot about the municipal process over the past two terms and I’m capable of taking on a larger role,” he added. “I’ve always enjoyed working with others as a team and hearing about their perspective on things.”

There are several projects Gillis wants to see to completion. “Finishing our broadband-Internet project” so that it’s available “to every premise in SWOX will be satisfying when completed,” he said. “Not just business needs quality Internet service anymore. People working from home, school and education programs, agriculture, and many more need steady Internet connection in today’s world.”

Gillis is most proud of his work on the Beachville Museum Board. “Getting our museum more noticed and used for community events and engagement within the area has been great to see. A small museum doing big things is a great mantra they have.”

When asked what he thinks the big issues or challenges facing SWOX will be over the next term, he answered, “Financial costs for infrastructure, equipment and projects will have to be looked at more carefully to be sure we are using funds the most efficient way. Also the ever-changing provincial goals and policies, i.e. building and the conservation authorities, will have to be navigated over the next few years.”.

When asked if there any decisions he has made on council that he regrets, he says there are none. “I feel I’ve been confident in the choices that I’ve made in the past.”

As of August 21, council is now in a restricted, or lame duck, position. A restricted or lame duck position is a temporary status where an outgoing municipal council loses the power to make major financial, property or staffing decisions.

A lame duck position can occur at two points during a municipal election process: after nomination day on August 21 and before Election Day on October 26 if fewer than 75 per cent of the members of the outgoing council are candidates for the new council and/or if fewer than 75 per cent of the members of the outgoing council are elected to the new council.

It was determined on August 21, that fewer than 75 per cent of the members of the outgoing SWOX council are candidates for the new council.

Council is no longer allowed to appoint or remove any officer of the municipality, hire or dismiss any employee of the municipality, dispose of any real or personal property of the municipality which has a value exceeding $50,000 at the time or disposal, or make any expenditures or incur any other liability which exceeds $50,000 until after the election.

Exceptions are allowed if the disposition or liability was included in the most recent budget adopted by council before August 21.

SWOX council adopted the Delegation of Powers and Duties Policy in May 2026, which provides delegated authority to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to make decisions associated with these provisions should the need arise.

Paul Buchner was also acclaimed as Councillor of Ward 1. Buchner grew up in the Brownsville area and farmed alongside his brother. He also served on the SWOX Fire Service for 20 years and currently serves on the Gay Lea Co-Operative Ltd. Delegate Advisory Board.

All other wards have more than one candidate running.

The township approved new ward boundaries last July, which will impact the upcoming election. These boundaries changes will take effect on the day the new council is organized after voting day on Oct. 26.