1977-1978: Kenneth Peers
Kenneth Peers, Norwich
Henry Kenneth Peers was born in East Oxford Township, where he was a lifelong resident and farmer. He also raised Springer Spaniels and later in life, Canadienne cattle as part of rare breed programme.
He was active in municipal politics, beginning his career as an East Oxford Township Councillor. During that time, he authored the political restructuring of Oxford County. Later, he would serve as Mayor of Norwich Township and was elected Warden on January 12, 1977 on the 2nd ballot for the term 1977-1978. He was also an active member of the Oxford Liberal Party for many years.
After the 1979 Tornado, Ken chaired the Disaster Relief Fund and helped raise and disburse private and governmental donations to those in need. During his life, he also served as chair of the Board of Trust of the Woodstock General Hospital and chair of the Board of Directors of the Otter Dorchester Insurance Company. In addition, he served as an elder for 31 years at Knox Presbyterian Church in Woodstock.
Keenly interested in local history, he served as chair of the Oxford Museum and was a honourary member of the Oxford Historical Society. He also wrote the History of East Oxford Township as his centennial project in 1967.
In addition, he was active in a number of reforestation projects and was one of the founding members and chair of the Men of Trees, a group dedicated to reforestation projects throughout the County. He also served as Oxford County’s representative to the Grand River Conservation Authority.
Ken Peers passed away on November 9, 2008.