Gillis acclaimed as mayor of SWOX

Craig Gillis. (Contributed photo)

Debbie Kasman, Echo 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 a 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 about the biggest challenges facing SWOX over the next term, he pointed to the rising cost of infrastructure, equipment and projects, saying council will need to take a closer look at spending to ensure taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently.

“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,” he added.

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

As of Aug. 21, council is in a restricted or lame duck position. It is a temporary status when 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 Aug. 21 and before Election Day on Oct. 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.

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 of 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 Aug. 21. SWOX council adopted its Delegation of Powers and Duties Policy in May 2026, giving the CAO authority to make decisions under the policy when necessary.

Paul Buchner has been 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 boundary changes will take effect on the day the new council is organized after voting day on Oct. 26.