SWOX Mayor David Mayberry not seeking re-election in October 2026

SWOX Mayor David Mayberry. (Contributed Photo)

Debbie Kasman, Tillsonburg Post Correspondent

At its regular council meeting on Jan. 6, South West Oxford Township (SWOX) Mayor David Mayberry confirmed he will not be seeking re-election in the 2026 Municipal Election.

Mayberry emphasized that the election is fast approaching and the township needs to proactively consider who in the community may be interested in running for municipal office. He stressed that a deliberate effort is required to ensure good governance.

Mayberry began serving as a SWOX Councillor in 1994 and was elected mayor in 2006. He also served as warden for Oxford County between 2015 and 2018. Mayberry is a sixth-generation farmer, born and raised on Sweaburg Road. He graduated from the University of Guelph in 1974 with a degree in agriculture, and later became involved with the Canadian Food Grains program in 1983 as a volunteer and donor, helping to bag corn at a local elevator. Mayberry also job shared the position of Ontario Resource Coordinator of the Canadian Food Grains program for 17.5 years with his wife Catherine. He was a director of Oxford Mutual Insurance for 12 years and was involved with Scouts as a leader for 20 years in Salford and Sweaburg.

SWOX 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. The changes were made to ensure that each ward has a proportionate number of residents and so that every resident’s vote carries equal weight. Each councillor will represent a reasonably equal number of constituents as well.

Councillor Pickard echoed Mayor Mayberry's comments and questioned what the 2027 council will look like. He stressed the importance of actively encouraging community members to engage in local government, noting that change is inevitable and strong leadership, particularly from the next mayor, is critical.

Councillor Gillis highlighted the need to better educate the public on municipal roles and responsibilities, including the distinction between municipal and county governance, and suggested public engagement as a key tool.

In response, council is considering holding two information sessions in the township in March in order to address low interest in previous municipal election cycles and to encourage greater participation in running for municipal office within the township.

These sessions will cover key topics such as eligibility requirements, the nomination process, important dates and deadlines, and the roles and responsibilities of election officials. The sessions will engage local residents early, ahead of the nomination period, which opens on May 1.

More details will follow.