William Summers Mayo (Republican), Erin Smith (Independent), and Drew Stevens (Independent) are in the running to become the next alderman for Oxford’s Ward 1. 

The seat is currently held by Alderman Rick Addy, who has chosen not to seek re-election.

The general election will take place on Tuesday, June 3, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Oxford Conference Center. The candidate who receives the most votes will win—no runoff will be held.

Absentee voting is currently underway and must be completed by May 31. Ballots may be cast in person at the Lafayette County Circuit Clerk’s Office, which is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

To accommodate voters, the office will also be open for absentee voting on May 31 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The Oxford EAGLE reached out to the three candidates running for Ward 1 alderman and presented them with five questions to answer.

Their responses are listed below in alphabetical order for fairness.

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Dr. Bill Mayo

Age: 71

Occupation: recently retired ophthalmologist

Education: college Ole Miss, medical school Kansas City University; internship and ophthalmology residency, University of Mississippi Medical Center

Family: two sons- Brad (Kathleen) and Rush (Hannah); four grandchildren- Cait, William, Elliott and Mary

 

Why do you want to be an alderman and why do you feel you’re the best candidate for the job?

My family first moved here in 1900 for education and opportunity and they found it. For the last 35 years Cherri and I have been blessed to call Oxford our home.   We raised our family and built a business here. Our sons Brad and Rush graduated from Oxford High and Ole Miss. Our grandchildren are 6th  generation Oxonians. Oxford must continue to offer excellent education and opportunities for generations to come. That’s why I have been so involved in our Economic Development Foundation and led what’s now known as the Oxford School District Foundation. My background in leadership in these and other state, national, and international organizations has prepared me to best serve Oxford as Alderman for Ward 1.

 

How do you plan to balance new development with preserving the character of existing neighborhoods in Ward 1?

Oxford produces high end and second home housing at an amazing pace, and that’s positive growth, but if we want to remain the town everyone has come to love, we have to house our own as well.

It’s a common debate of how much local government should be involved in the housing market, but one thing we can all agree on is that our government doesn’t need to add obstacles and challenges to the already difficult proposition of providing affordable housing in a very unaffordable market such as ours.

 

What do you think are the city’s top infrastructure priorities and do you have any ideas on how to fix them?

Oxford is growing and vibrant but also almost 200 years old. There have been many capital improvements in the last few years including road additions and modifications, upgrades to water treatment plants, new water tanks, sewer improvements and extensions, and new lift stations, but there is still much to address. As the mayor has said “We are a small town with big city problems.” We regularly have 90,000 people a day here and on big football weekends we can approach 250,000. We need to continue the work that our city leadership has been doing so well.

 

How will you ensure residents feel heard and involved in local decisions?

While I cannot ensure someone’s feelings, I will be easily accessible and willing to listen.

 

Housing prices in Oxford have risen sharply. What policies would you support to increase affordable housing options for families and seniors?

Tax credit housing has been the most successful and universally supported housing effort in American history, and it has provided homes for hundreds of Oxonians who work here – and can now live here.

There are concrete ways we can promote more affordable housing: cut regulations for this type of housing; build more roads to access unused land; and look for unused city-owned land to consider for this purpose.

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Erin Smith 

Age: 41 

Occupation: CASA of North Mississippi, Founding Executive Director 

Education: University of Mississippi, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Louisiana State University, Masters of Science in Nonprofit Administration Family: Although I don’t have immediate family living in Oxford, this community is my family. The people here have supported, inspired, and shaped me over the years, and I’m proud to call Oxford home. It’s also home to my dog, Sipp — my loyal sidekick who’s probably met more neighbors than I have. 

 

Why do you want to be an alderman and why do you feel you’re the best candidate for the job?

I am running for Alderman of Ward 1 because I believe in the power of community-driven change and the importance of listening to every voice. Ward 1 is where I’ve built my life, and I care deeply about what happens here. With years of experience working alongside city leaders, advocating for others, and navigating complex systems, I know how to turn ideas into action.

 

How do you plan to balance new development with preserving the character of existing neighborhoods in Ward 1? 

Growth is inevitable, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of what makes our neighborhoods special. In Ward 1, that means protecting the integrity, charm, and livability of our established communities while making room for thoughtful development. I believe in working closely with residents, builders, and city planners to ensure new projects respect the scale and style of existing homes, traffic patterns, and infrastructure. Smart growth is possible — it just takes listening and leadership. 

 

What do you think are the city’s top infrastructure priorities and do you have any ideas on how to fix them? 

Oxford’s rapid growth brings both opportunity and responsibility. I believe key infrastructure priorities include easing traffic congestion through planned projects like the University Avenue-Commonwealth Boulevard connector and the widening of Highway 7. Expanding sidewalks, bike lanes, and the OUT transit system can improve mobility, while water and sewer upgrades are essential in growing areas. By implementing the Vision 2037 Comprehensive Plan and fostering public-private partnerships, we can ensure smart, sustainable infrastructure that meets Oxford’s evolving needs. 

 

How will you ensure residents feel heard and involved in local decisions? 

I believe the best ideas come from listening. I’ll ensure residents are heard by hosting regular community meetings, making city updates easy to access and understand, and creating more pathways for feedback. Whether that’s through surveys, listening sessions, or showing up in your neighborhood—I want every resident to feel like their voice matters, because it does. Local government should feel approachable and responsive, and I’ll work to make that our standard. 

 

Housing prices in Oxford have risen sharply. What policies would you support to increase affordable housing options for families and seniors? 

• Community Land Trusts: Establishing trusts can maintain long-term housing affordability by separating land ownership from housing ownership. 
• Incentivizing Affordable Developments: Offering tax breaks or expedited permitting processes to developers who include affordable units in their projects can encourage inclusive growth. 
• Expanding Housing Programs: Enhancing initiatives like the Oxford Housing Authority’s programs can provide more options for low-income families and seniors. By implementing these strategies, Oxford can ensure that all residents have access to safe and affordable housing, preserving the city’s diverse and vibrant community

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Drew Stevens

Age: 45 years old

Profession: residential real estate professional (formerly: John Currence’s City Grocery Restaurant Group, General Manager Snackbar)

Education: 12 years of primary and secondary Catholic education; University of Mississippi Bachelor’s Degree

Family; Married to Jill Miley Stevens for 18 years; daughter Miley (12) and son Jack (11) attending Oxford Public Schools. Our family of four, and our dog Archie have lived at the end of Combs Street since the mid-2000s,