Martin elected as new Oxford County deputy warden

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Woodstock City Councillor Bernia Martin has been elected buy her peers as Oxford County’s new Deputy Warden, replacing Ingersoll Mayor Brian Petrie.

The role is up for grabs each year, unlike the warden, who serves a four-year term. Martin ran against Woodstock Mayor Jerry Acchione but won the vote by a 7-3 count. Martin elected not to address council following a six-plus hour budget meeting last week, but she did give the Echo a written statement.

“You may recall that in 2023 during the first year of this term of council, my surname was Wheaton. In October of that year a friend and I were discussing the role of Deputy Warden and the upcoming election for the 2024 year. She asked me if I had aspirations of running for the seat someday and I indicated that I would love to have the experience should my peers choose to elect me as their representative. Deputy Warden Wheaton, my friend said aloud.”

Martin said in the moment of hearing those words their eyes met and they laughed because they heard the exact same childhood rhyme.

“Without skipping a beat I added, ‘one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish.’ And then in unison we said, ‘Deputy Warden Wheaton hears a Who!’”

She said it was in that moment she knew it was time to change her surname back to Martin because she knew she’d never be able to be serious at a council meeting if elected as Deputy Warden Wheaton.

“Thanks Dr. Seuss. In all seriousness and with rhyming aside, I am delighted to have been nominated by my peers and I am humbled to have been elected to this position.”

Martin said she has learned much from her fellow councillors and looks forward to a year of ongoing discussions, meeting preparations, and debate.

“I am very fortunate as a first-term councillor to have gained experience as the Chair of SCOR (South Central Ontario Region of the Economic Development Corporation) and as Chair of Southwest Public Health. These responsibilities have prepared me should the opportunity arise to sit in for Warden Ryan in his absence.”

Outgoing deputy warden and Ingersoll Mayor Brian Petrie said it was an honour to serve in the role.

“I want to thank my colleagues at council for this amazing opportunity. It was a true pleasure to work with Warden Marcus Ryan. He made the role very easy, as he is a true professional who works tirelessly in his role for the residents of Oxford.”

He added the time went extremely fast, but he will take many memories away.

“From chairing a couple of meetings to attending events representing Oxford, it was a great experience that allowed me to see more of this great County and meet more of the amazing residents that call it home. I gained further insight into what truly makes Oxford a place we are lucky to call home.”