SWOX Councillor Valerie Durston not seeking re-election in October 2026

Valerie Durston. (Contributed Photo)

Debbie Kasman, Echo Correspondent

On the heels of South West Oxford Township (SWOX) Mayor David Mayberry’s and Coun. Jim Pickard’s retirement announcements, Coun. Valerie Durston has confirmed she will not be seeking re-election.

Durston represents the Salford area (Ward 3) and is chair of the township’s Engage and Inform Committee and serves on the Salford Community Hall Board, Hilltop Park Mount Elgin, the Environment and Energy Innovation Committee, and the Tillsonburg Regional Airport Advisory Committee.

Durston is also presently the area director for Toastmasters for the Woodstock, Tillsonburg, and St. Thomas areas and spent most of her career as a developmental service worker and a criminal justice worker.

Durston has served two terms in office.

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

Council is holding two candidate information sessions to assist with the 2026 municipal election. These sessions will cover key topics such as eligibility requirements, the nomination process, important dates and deadlines, as well as the roles and responsibilities of elected officials.

These sessions will also provide staff, Mayberry, Pickard, and Durston with an opportunity to engage with members of the public who are interested in running for office and to offer insight into what is involved with serving as an elected official at the municipal level.

The sessions will be held on Wednesday, March 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the

Brownsville Fire Station and Monday, March 9 at the Beachville Fire Station. The

nomination period opens on May 1 and closes on Aug. 21.