OXFORD – Oxford residents will see plenty of familiar names on the ballot next week, as the town’s supervisor, clerk and one councilman seek reelection unopposed. The only exception is a new candidate, also running unchallenged, who is seeking the second vacant council spot.
Oxford Supervisor Lawrence Wilcox is seeking his sixth two-year term, for which he is running unopposed.
During his tenure in the town’s top leadership position, the Republican said he has prided himself on ensuring the municipality’s financial stability.
“I think we are providing the services the town needs without going overboard,” Wilcox said.
As a board, he and the town council have worked to keep tax increases at a minimum each year, he explained, while steadily building the town’s capital reserves. Because of these reserves, the town was able to “pay cash” for a $197,000 piece of highway equipment earlier this year, he reported. “I think that speaks very well for the town board.”
According to Wilcox, area unemployment and the problems facing the agriculture industry, particularly dairy farmers, are among the town’s biggest concerns.
“We probably aren’t looking at any growth,” he said, but neither is the town, whose population is growing, experiencing a decline. “We’re holding steady.”
While the long-time supervisor is not ruling out a re-assessment at some point, he said there are no plans to do so until the real estate market has stabilized. The town’s assessor has “striven diligently to keep values” in line. And while there may be some inequalities, he described the overall assessment as “very fair.” Currently, the Oxford’s equalization rate is 59 percent.
Town Clerk James Hemstrought, Jr., a Democrat, and Republican Councilman John Hofmann are also seeking reelection, each for their third two-year term in their respective office.
Democratic newcomer Larry A. Beckwith is seeking election to the remaining town council seat being vacated by Councilman Patrick Ryan. Ryan is not seeking reelection.