Meet your Council
Born and raised in Oxford County, on Sweaburg Road, David is a 6th generation farmer with his son now taking over the operation (7th generation). David and Catherine have 4 grown children and 7 grandchildren.
David graduated from University of Guelph in 1974 with a degree in Agriculture. He later became involved with the Canadian Food Grains program in 1983 as a volunteer and donor, helping to bag corn at a local elevator. David also job shared with his wife Catherine the position of Ontario Resource Coordinator of the Canadian Food Grains program for 17.5 years.
David was also a director of Oxford Mutual Insurance for 12 years, and was involved with Scouts as a leader for 20 years in Salford which then formed a club in Sweaburg.
David has travelled to Kenya, Ethiopia, Nicaragua, and Honduras as well as North Korea, and led the Canadian Youth Tour to Nicaragua and Honduras.
In 1994, David began serving as a South-West Oxford Township Councillor and then was elected Mayor in 2006, followed by serving as the Warden for the County of Oxford for 4 years between 2014 and 2018. David proudly drives an electric car and is very supportive of renewable energy.
Contact Mayor Mayberry
484006 Sweaburg Road, Ingersoll, ON, N5C 3J7
Phone: (519) 532-2917
Email
Paul was born and grew up in the Brownsville area. After graduating from the University of Guelph, he returned home to pursue his love of working in agriculture. In partnership with his brother Chris, and their families, they have grown Elmwold Farms Ltd. to 470 head of Holsteins and 850 acres. Paul and his wife Ruth now reside in Delmer, having moved in 2017 from the farm to make room for the next generation. Since stepping down from the SWOX Fire Service after twenty five years, Paul spends his time serving on the Gay Lea Co-Operative Ltd. Delegate Advisory Board and Chair of Zone Two. He is also involved with Avondale United Church Council and enjoys pursuing his hobbies of golf, curling, bee-keeping, and amateur theatre. He continues to be involved with the farm but is working on spending more time with grandchildren and traveling.
Contact Councillor Buchner
Phone: 519-550-2138
Pete was born in St. Catharines, Ontario. A move in 1974 brought him within a mile of South-West Oxford Township on Maple Dell Road, and a second move in 1985 made him a full-time resident of the Township. A year after graduating from Fanshawe College with a Farm Business Management diploma, in 1990, he and Charlena married and took over the family pig farm at Ostrander Road and Culloden Line. There they have raised their 5 children: Catherine, Brandon, Brittany, Megan, and Matthew.
A 20-year tenure with the Brownsville Fire Department began in 1996. During those years, Pete also volunteered his time on the board of the Christian Elementary School the children attended in Aylmer for 2 terms, and at Tillsonburg Christian Reformed Church where he continues to be actively involved with Charlena and the children who are still at home.
A decision was made in 2009 to convert the family farm from pigs to chickens, and the Ypma’s have been producing hatching eggs on the edge of Culloden ever since. When not working or volunteering, Pete can occasionally be found riding his motorcycle, dabbling in woodworking, or watching football on TV.
“God has blessed our family richly over the years, and I thank Him for giving me the opportunity to serve in the role of Councillor. I look forward to working with the rest of Council, staff, and the residents of South-West Oxford to make this Township the best that it can be.” – Pete Ypma
Contact Councillor Ypma
292624 Culloden Line, Brownsville, ON, N0L 1C0
Phone: 519-550-5652
Email
Hello, I'm George Way, Ward 4 Councillor for the Township of South-West Oxford. I have been a resident of SWOX, and the former West Oxford, for 58 of my 59 years. Married to my wife Tammy, we are the parents of two sons; Brady and Brian.
I grew up on the family dairy farm south of Ingersoll. I am 1 of 6 children. My parents were Currie and Dorothy Way. I attended Grade 1 at SS No. 2 in West Oxford. Grades 2-6 were at Folden's Public School, and Grades 7-8 were at Victory Memorial Public School in Ingersoll. Grades 9-12 were at Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute in Ingersoll. I am a graduate of Fanshawe College where I received my diploma as a motor vehicle mechanic.
After graduating from Fanshawe, I worked at Fred Wilford's Garage in Salford for six years before coming home to farm with one of my brothers. My brother and I bought the family farm from our parents and started Dairy Way Farms Ltd. in 1984. We farmed together for 25 years and, in 2009, we sold the cows and the quota. We currently rent out the farmland and the buildings.
I keep busy these days going to car shows throughout Southwestern Ontario in my 1931 Model "A" Ford. Tammy and I enjoy spending time together going to antique shows, memorabilia and nostalgia shows, and at least a couple of weeks in Florida during the winter.
Other interests I have are attending Sprint Car Races in Ohsweken, Ontario and Ransomville, New York. Back yard BBQs and pool parties with family and friends is another way of spending my time in retirement.
Another interest I have, according to Tammy and "the boys", is my backroad tours in the truck with my dog, Berta, and a cup of Tim Horton's coffee. Oh well, life is short! Make the best of it doing things you enjoy!
Contact Councillor Way
523866 Curry Road, Ingersoll, ON, N5C 3J7
Phone: (226) 970-2104
Email
Jim represents the Sweaburg area and lives in the village of Sweaburg with his wife Janet. He is a member of Sweaburg Parks and Recreation Committee. Jim has retired from Farm Credit Canada, and currently is the chair of the Township's Environment and Energy Innovation Committee. Jim also represents the Township of South-West Oxford on the Rural Economic Development Corporation and is a member of the Sweaburg Lions.
Contact Councillor Pickard
20 Wilkins Drive, Woodstock, ON, N4S 7V6
Phone:(519)-456-3425
Email
After graduating from the University of Guelph in 2002, Craig began working as herdsperson for Wilmarlea Farms Ltd., in Embro, in 2004. The farm today milks 160 Holsteins three times a day, and is recognized for its high production and management score yearly.
Craig moved to Beachville shortly after starting at the farm in 2004 and married his wife, Tanya, in 2006. The couple have two young children which keep life busy and always interesting. Craig has coached and helped with the kids' sports teams in the past, trying to encourage the love of sports he has in them.
In 2009, Craig joined the South-West Oxford Fire Department out of the Beachville Station. It has been very rewarding to him to help the community in this role. He is active at community events the Fire Department is involved in. Craig was elected Beachville Fire Association President, in 2011, and still holds that role today.
Craig knows he is opening up to a new challenge as a Councillor, and is happy to represent Ward 6 and South-West Oxford to the best of his abilities.
Contact Councillor Gillis
10 Oak Street, Beachville, ON, N0J 1A0
Phone: 519-533-9433
Email