I’ve known Supervisor Josh Wojehowski since he and I served together on the Town of Cornwall Economic Development Advisory Committee ten years ago. The Committee drafted the Cornwall Rising proposal, a set of recommended placemaking projects aligned with the then-current Comprehensive Plan and prior work by an earlier EDAC and the Chamber of Commerce. As a small business owner and municipal staffer with deep roots in the community, Josh was integral to the process.

Among the recommendations in the Cornwall Rising proposal were comprehensive improvements to Bridge Street, which had been an eyesore closed to foot traffic for some years by that point, and whose rehabilitation was sidelined by prior administrations. Wayfinding, pedestrian improvements, plantings, and pocket parks were all part of it, as well.

Speaking of the Chamber, I’ve known President Scott Teresi for about the same amount of time - first as a neighbor, and then as a dynamic force for celebrating and improving the profile of our local businesses. He’s helped the Chamber rebuild paid memberships after the pandemic to more than 100, and intensified public outreach and business networking.

Cornwall grows stronger and more resilient by encouraging visitors, attracting right-sized businesses, celebrating successes, making the Town attainable for new families at a controlled pace, updating amenities, protecting our carefully prioritized treasures, and supporting the Town workforce – thus creating stakeholders who will defend it wisely.

Many of the hard-won improvements we’ve seen in Cornwall over the past decade owe at least something to Josh and/or Scott. They’ve also articulated actual ideas for continued preservation and success. That’s why I am voting for them for Supervisor and Town Councilman, respectively, and I encourage my neighbors to do the same.