O’Hara’s medical leave extended until end of term
File Photo
O’Hara’s medical leave extended until end of term
July 16, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent
Petrolia councillors have extended the medical leave of one of their own until at least November.
Ross O’Hara has been on medical leave since April, after attending only one meeting in 2026.
The Petrolia-born O’Hara was first elected as a councillor in 1986. He spent 18 years on town council, the last nine years as mayor, before deciding to take a break from politics in 2003.
When he stepped back from his plumbing business in 2014, O’Hara returned to politics, being elected to council in the 2022 vote.
In 2025, he was honoured by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs for 20 years of service.
Monday, after an in camera session, Director of Legal Services, Mandi Pearson, told council “Councillor O’Hara continues to work towards the return to health and being able to return to his seat on council.
“At this time, unfortunately, that recovery is taking longer than anticipated.”
Under the Ontario Municipal Act, a seat on council becomes vacant if a member is not present for meetings for three months. Council can then grant a leave of absence, which Petrolia council did in April 2025.
At Monday’s meeting, councillors agreed to extend the medical leave of absence until the end of the term in 2026.
The municipal election will be held Oct. 26 and new councillors are generally not sworn in until late November or early December.
The move means O’Hara will continue to receive his councillor’s pay and benefits during his medical absence.
Front Page
LCCVI athletes win at Legion provincials
July 16, 2026
Barry Wright/The Independent Kallee Elliott is getting used to standing at the top of the podium. The LCCVI student, competing for the Sarnia Athletics Southwest Track and Field Club, has won back-to-back gold medals in girls’ U16 high jump events over the past two weekends. She leaped 1.55 metres to capture first place at the Royal Canadian Legion provincial championships
Read More
Front Page
Cancellations and warnings as heavier smoke moves into Lambton Thursday
July 16, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent Lambton County’s skies are smokier Thursday as the wind shifts blowing smoke from wildfires in Northern Ontario to our region. The smoke moved into southern Ontario Wednesday, causing hazy skies and health concerns. Environment Canada has issued an Orange Air Quality Alert saying during heavy smoke conditions, everyone’s health is at risk regardless of their age or
Read More
Front Page
Petrolia aims chose builder for VPP reno this year
July 16, 2026
$2.5 million raised for elevator project Heather Wright/The Independent Petrolia council has given the green light to prepare to tender the $3.7 million additions to Victoria Hall. That could pave the way for construction on the first of two elevators and public washrooms possibly before the end of the year. In 2023, council gave Victoria Playhouse Petrolia approval to begin
Read More
Front Page
Sports Briefs: Rare Golf Albatross in St. Clair
July 16, 2026
Barry Wright/The Independent Tyler Coene recently completed one the most rare shots in golf. He used a nine-iron from 148 yards away to hole his second shot on the par 5, 18th hole at the St. Clair Parkway golf course in Mooretown. The PGA says the odds of an amateur player successfully holing a double eagle, or an albatross as
Read More