If Warden Marcus Ryan is unavailable in 2026, Bernia Martin will step in as the Deputy Warden of Oxford County.
OXFORD - Oxford County Council has selected its Deputy Warden for 2026.
Woodstock City-County Councillor Bernia Martin was appointed to the position with a 7-3 vote during last Wednesday's council meeting.
She says the Deputy Warden participates in pre-council meetings to look at the agenda and highlights, but that's not all.
"Really the most important piece is if the Warden is unavailable to chair a meeting or hold a delegation, the Deputy Warden will step in in the Warden's place and take that role of representing the County and being their voice."
She says her experience as the Chair of the Southwestern Public Health Board and her past experience as the Chair of the South Central Ontario Economic Development Corporation (SCOR EDC) will be an asset in this position.
"Those two experiences have prepared me for this. I am very fortunate to have had those opportunities so now I feel that should the Warden not be available, I have the experience to step into the chair and lead a meeting."
Ingersoll Mayor Brian Petrie was the Deputy Warden for 2025. Blandford-Blenheim Mayor Mark Peterson served as Deputy Warden in 2024, and Woodstock Mayor Jerry Acchione was the Deputy Warden for 2023.

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