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Woodstock Ingersoll Echo VOLUME 4 • ISSUE 5
FREE
JULY 31, 2026
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Several area municipal spots up for grabs with less than a month to file LEE GRIFFI Editor
There are plenty of seats up for grabs with just one month remaining for candidates to file nomination papers for the upcoming municipal elections. A Western University professor who specializes in municipal politics says several factors can discourage people from running for local office, including what he describes as the “incumbency advantage.” “Incumbents have a huge advantage at the polls, and it’s very substantial,” explained Martin Horak, Associate Professor and Director at the school’s Centre for Urban Policy and Local Governance. “In small places where we don’t have political parties, name recognition matters. A lot of people tend to vote for the folks who are familiar unless they are really unhappy with them,” he added. Horak said the situation often results in the same people remaining in office for long periods and discourages others from putting their names forward. He added that attracting candidates is already difficult, while the relatively low pay for municipal politicians can create another barrier to running for office. “They typically come with small honorariums, people have other things to do, and these days, politicians face a lot of public criticism and even abuse, and people know that. It can be really hard to get folks to run for that reason as well.” As of press time on Wednesday, Woodstock’s seven council seats will result in races as two candidates are running for the positions of mayor, deputy mayor/county councillor and city/ county councillor roles, with one in each role to be elected. Seven hopefuls have put their names in for four councillor positions. CONTINUED TO PAGE 5
HOMELESSNESS CENTRE PUBLIC MEETING
(LEE GRIFFI PHOTO)
Over 200 people attended the first public meeting following Oxford County’s decision to purchase Woodstock’s former YMCA as the site of a future homelessness centre. Story below.
No shortage of criticism and support after Oxford County’s homelessness centre public meeting LEE GRIFFI Editor
Over 200 people turned out on July 15 at Woodstock’s South Gate Centre to ask questions about the future Homelessness Support Centre (HSC) in Woodstock. Planning for the former YMCA on Dundas Street is in its infancy, meaning there were many more questions than answers.
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Residents could submit questions in advance or in writing during the meeting, but there was no live microphone for attendees. Vink Consulting facilitated the meeting at a cost of $4,500. “The purpose of this session is to share information about the county’s vision about the future (HSC), answer questions, hear concerns and considerations that may help inform the future development and operation,” said Jody Ball, the meeting’s lead facilitator. “ CONTINUED TO PAGE 2
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