Meet the candidates: Cornwall

Voting day for 2023 municipal elections is Nov. 7. Cornwall’s polling station will be at Town Hall, 24 Pine Street from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting tabulators will be used. Absentee ballots will be counted at the polls. Absentee ballots will be available on Oct.6 from the Town Clerk.

Cornwall’s Board of Selectmen is composed of a first selectman and two additional selectmen. The first selectman is town chief elected official who administers town business on a day to day basis, the Board of Selectmen is responsible for superintending the town’s affairs subject to control of town meetings.

Selectmen in Cornwall are elected to two-year terms. They are seated on the board two weeks after election day. The annual salary of the first selectman is $64,301, and the annual salary of each other selectman is $4,676.

The candidate for first selectman that receives the most votes will become first selectman through 2025. The remaining first selectman candidate then drops into the pool with the candidates for selectman. 

The top two vote getters in the pool will become selectmen through 2025 (subject to state law on minority representation).

Get to know the selectman candidates ahead of the 2023 municipal election. In Cornwall, there are two candidates for first selectman and three candidates for selectman vying for a seat on the town board. Below, each candidate offered information about themselves and their goals for the town.

Gordon M. Ridgway

Democratic Nominee for First Selectman

Currently First Selectman (16 terms), member CVFD, works on family farm with wife Jayne and son Ian. Daughters Elizabeth and Rebecca also live in Cornwall. Cornwall Consolidated School graduate. 

Why do you want to be selectman?
There’s a lot going on in town. We have a good team in place at Town Hall. I’d like to continue helping move Cornwall forward in meeting today’s challenges. I am the only member of the current Board of Selectmen seeking reelection. It does not make sense to have a completely new Board of Selectmen. Experience and knowing who to contact to make things happen and solve problems is a big part of being first selectmen.  

If elected, what are your top priorities?
1) Make it easier for people to live and work here. 

2) Support the many volunteer efforts that define our quality of life. 

3) Complete the West Cornwall Wastewater Project. 

4) Decrease the Town’s electric bill with solar cells. 

5) Maintain Cornwall’s Social Safety net. 

6) Work to keep Sharon hospital full service. 

7) Compost. 

8) Maintain Town infrastructure. 

9) Prepare for more extreme weather. 

10) Teamwork.

How would you improve the town?

Welcome new families to town. Tap their talents into contributions that enhance life here. Continue to encourage events that bring residence together to have fun. 

Anything to add?
I have enjoyed being the First Selectmen for quite a while. I look forward to sharing my knowledge of Cornwall Town government with the next set of future leaders. There are complicated projects underway that would benefit from continuity.

Kenneth C. Baird

Republican Nominee for First Selectman

Have served on the Board of Selectmen for 12 years and at least that amount of time on the Board of Finance

Why do you want to be  selectman?
As First Selectman my top priority is to serve the citizens of Cornwall.  The Board of Selectmen along with all boards and commissions will work as one to enhance the quality of life in the Town of Cornwall.

If elected, what are your top priorities?
Current issues waste water project in West Cornwall, bridge damage caused by this summer’s rain and housing.  Although all these items are being addressed and committees are working hard on their tasks,  there’s so much more that can be done in town.  Let’s get to work!

How would you improve the town?
Economic, infrastructure and housing are issues that need improvement in Cornwall.  As well, development and nurturing our future leadership in Cornwall is vital for our town.  As First Selectman many decisions will be made.  If the outcome is not favorable for our town I will admit making a mistake and fix the problem.  After all, we are all in this together.  Unifying, listening, and being accessible are in my opinion part of the job description.

Anything to add?
I would be honored to serve as Cornwall’s First Selectman.

Rocco Botto

Democratic Nominee for Selectman

I moved to Cornwall with my partner, Iris Hermann, 15 years ago to raise our three kids. I have served on the Fire Department, Park & Rec, and coached baseball for the CCS team. I worked with the Little Guild to bring a 5k road race to town and was the principal developer of the new Cornwall Town website. I currently serve on the Board of Finance, Cornwall Housing Corporation, and the Cornwall Web Committee.

Why do you want to be selectman?
I have been committed to public service and moving Cornwall forward for many years now. I feel called to make a difference in the lives of people in our town and the future generations that will call Cornwall home.  

If elected, what are your top priorities?
If elected, I will focus my efforts on several key areas including:

— Affordable Housing: Finding creative & sustainable solutions

— Local Healthcare: Advocating for a strong Sharon Hospital & local options  

— West Cornwall Septic Project: Completing this key project for the future health and prosperity of our town 

— Small Business: Attracting & supporting local businesses 

— Environment: Ensuring we are doing our part 

How would you improve the town?
— Bringing Cornwall into the digital age and fostering better communication

— Enhancing our town’s capacity for recreational opportunities 

— Attracting more small businesses, families, and young people to town

Anything to add?
My day job is as a digital marketing manager and I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in information science from Hartwick College. I have also worked with many local businesses and nonprofits in the area on a freelance basis. 

John F. Brown

Republican Nominee for Selectman

I have lived in the Northwest Corner my entire life and I have lived in Cornwall for almost 10 years, my family both past and present have had the privilege of calling Cornwall home. I was raised on the ideals of always be a good person and help those that need it. I have four children all who have gone to CCS, with my oldest currently a Sophomore at Housatonic Valley Regional High School. My political experience stems from my two terms as member on the Board of Finance and CRTC Treasurer.

Why do you want to be selectman?
The position to me is that of a public servant, an individual must be willing to put the needs of the public over their own feelings or wants, they must be able to be able to listen to those that they represent and not only one side of the argument, but to all constituents. I see the position as the best way to help people in town, not only in the present but the future and should be Neighbors helping Neighbors. In my talks with members of the community many people feel that change is needed.

If elected, what are your top priorities?
I have three areas that I focused on, the first was talking and listening to everyone, to help make sure that their voices are heard and not buried. Second is Affordable Housing, having lived in Affordable Housing for most of my life, I have seen and see the benefits of this type of housing especially in today’s economic times. Lastly, I support small business initiatives, small businesses are the backbone of small towns and are required for towns to thrive.

How would you improve the town?
I want to return the position to that of a public servant who will stand for those that feel like they are voiceless. I believe that giving people a person that they can reach out to be listened to, not simple heard is important. I want to see Cornwall move into the future in a uniquely Cornwall way, while not falling into the traps that plague small towns. In the same line, the town can’t keep doing the same thing and expecting different results while trying to move forward.

Anything to add?
Being a lifelong resident of the Northwest Corner, I see the increasing issue of people raised here are not able to live here, with housing and jobs limited. I hope that I can help lead Cornwall into a future where this isn’t the norm.

Jennifer Hurlburt Markow

Unafilliated Candidate for Selectman

My family has been part of Cornwall since it was settled in 1740.  I have been the town’s Park and Recreation Director for the past 7 years.  I have been involved in and organized flu and covid vaccination clinics and assisted community member of all ages to register for vaccines. Planned and supervised numerous town-wide community and family gatherings.  Expanded town activities and field trips for Cornwall seniors.

Why do you want to be selectman?
I am passionate about improving and sustaining relationships among all stakeholder of the Cornwall community and helping to make Cornwall thrive!

If elected, what are your top priorities?
Improve communication between selectman, town commissions, and town folks.

Develop a community center for activities, music events, essential community-based services (flu/covid clinics).

Implement infrastructure that will enable better planning the maintenance of roads, facilities, and services.

Extend the use of the town bus for a variety of events and activities that all members of the community.

How would you improve the town?
See above at the top priorities.

Anything to add?
I am running as an unaffiliated candidate. I feel that it is more important to focus on what’s best for our town and what it needs to thrive.

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