The qualifying period for city elections ended on Friday.

In June, there will be only one contested race—for Ward 1 alderman—since Alderman Rick Addy chose not to seek re-election.

All six other wards, as well as the mayor’s office, were uncontested. No one tossed their hat into the election ring.

What does that say about Oxford?

Most would infer that Oxford residents are generally satisfied with how things are being run. Sure, some may not be, but they aren’t the “running for office” type. Perhaps some wanted to run but felt they couldn’t defeat an incumbent. Incumbents often remain in office because they haven’t done a poor enough job to motivate people to vote them out.

And looking around Oxford, that’s understandable. It’s a great town—beautiful, lively, and rich in cultural events. We have theater productions, film festivals, fantastic music, and numerous art shows. There’s even a Fiber Arts Festival and a Nerd Convention. What’s not to love?

Of course, there are growing pains, but city leaders seem to be managing them well. They have invested heavily in our fire and police departments. We’re getting a new pool, and the city is conducting a comprehensive study of our parks and bike paths to identify areas lacking recreational opportunities.

The biggest challenge remains affordability—Oxford is becoming increasingly expensive for working families.

This isn’t a new issue. The rise of vacation rentals has driven up real estate prices, as has the growth of Ole Miss, fueled by its increasingly successful sports programs (and not just football).

In Ward 1, Erin Smith, Drew Stevens, and William Summers Mayo are running to replace Addy on the Board of Aldermen. They are three strong candidates, each with a track record of love for Oxford and a commitment to service.

We hope that alongside road projects, roundabouts, parks, and beautification efforts, city leaders continue to focus on the affordable housing issue. It’s not an easy problem to solve, but progress has been made. The establishment of the Affordable Housing Commission has helped city planners develop incentives for builders. The commission is also working on creating a fund to assist residents with down payments and emergency housing needs.

Congratulations to Mayor Tannehill and Aldermen Mary Martha Crowe, Brian Hyneman, Mark Huelse, Kesha Howell Atkinson, Preston Taylor, and Jason Bailey on their uncontested re-elections. And good luck to William Summers Mayo, Erin Smith, and Drew Stevens in June.