City Council Candidate Profile: Glenn Ellerbe Jr.

Editor’s Note: The Oxford Free Press is publishing one City Council Candidate Profile per week until polls open. All candidates were contacted for an interview and asked similar questions. Each profile highlights experience, policy and goals for the Oxford community. 

Glenn Ellerbe Jr. isn’t new to Oxford, or even the City Council, where he served from 2015 to 2023. Now, two years later, he hopes to return to council to finish what he started and take on new issues facing the community.

Ellerbe Jr. believes that his trust and experience with the political process makes him a good candidate for the Oxford City Council. 

“There are a lot of people that play checkers – I’m definitely playing chess,” said Ellerbe Jr. “I have this goal, and here are the layers, the steps and different options.”

Ellerbe Jr. grew up interested in politics, following the political process while in Washington, D.C. He went on to attend Miami University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in finance/management and information systems. After trying out work in the banking industry, he returned to Miami to pursue his MBA and never left Oxford. 

Ellerbe Jr. is currently the vice chairman of the Oxford Chamber of Commerce, where he actively attempts to improve both Oxford and Miami life for residents and students. He has also been an IT guy in enrollment management for the university for over 13 years.

Ellerbe Jr. explained that the “town and gown” relationship between Oxford and Miami is important, stating that the university is the largest employer in Butler County.

Ellerbe Jr. believes that Oxford’s role in cultivating this relationship is important.

“If you just walk out and interact with Oxford, you will more than likely have a story to tell the next day,” he said. “This is one of the best residential college experiences in the world, but there are still some things that could be improved.”

Ellerbe Jr. expressed concern for Oxford’s water situation, claiming that in comparison to the water in nearby communities like Hamilton, Oxford has some of the hardest water in the country.

During his time on the Oxford City Council, Ellerbe Jr. advocated for installing new water systems for Oxford. For eight years, Ellerbe Jr. defended the project’s funding.

“I am municipal-focused,” he said. “The stuff I want to do, like my pet projects, help everyone in town.” 

Ellerbe Jr. is focused on “raising awareness to things in Oxford that aren’t Miami University.” 

“We are striving to become a 12-month economy,” he said.

Ellerbe Jr. suggested the idea of Oxford becoming a “bee-conomy.”

This includes presenting Oxford as a “day trip” city. Ellerbe Jr. gave the examples of  adding public restrooms near the Uptown parks, having various forms of transportation for visitors and new ways to provide parking.

The idea is rounded out by showcasing Oxford’s history with honey bees around the city as a symbol for visitors to associate with Oxford. According to Ellerbe Jr., these honey bees could include plaques around the city sharing bee-related facts, bee-focused key chains and other bee-centric content.

“We have created an opportunity for entertainment, education and a reason to show up here,” he said. 

Another idea that Ellerbe Jr. hopes to focus on if elected is addressing Oxford’s housing problem, which he believes is active on all income levels. 

“There are still people that make significant levels of income that are still trying to find places to live here that suit them,” he said. “I don’t want to neglect them.”

Ellerbe Jr. believes that raising awareness of Oxford as a city and improving infrastructure will create avenues for visitors to become community members, staying for work or to grow their businesses.

“(Oxford) is one of those places where you go, ‘I can’t believe that I’m living the kind of life I am living in this place,’” he said. “I want to make sure that everybody feels the same way.”