In a quiet election, two contested offices filled

CORNWALL — It was a quiet election year, but not one of complacency. Seats for various town offices, boards and committees were filled Nov. 3 with many familiar faces, and a smattering of new ones.

There is a feeling in town that Cornwall’s future is looking brighter, and it seems to be creating an enthusiasm among town residents to serve. Businesses seem poised to bounce back from the recent economic downturn, and an influx of grant funding has allowed many to make improvements. An effort to attract tourists is about to get underway. More money is coming into town for roads and solar energy systems.

What does all this have to do with the election?

Perhaps elected incumbent Selectman Richard Bramley said it best when he talked about why he wanted to run for another term. It’s just not possible, he said, to make plans and follow through with them in a two-year term.

There has been momentum building on a number of projects, with a well-functioning board that also includes First Selectman Gordon Ridgway and Selectman K.C. Baird. All ran uncontested, with Ridgway endorsed by both parties.

While posing for a group photo a few weeks prior to election day, they gathered around a table covered with the work they will dive back into now that campaign season (such as it was) has ended. For them, the election’s sure outcome is a morale booster that provides new energy for the new term.

The only two contested offices in this election were Board of Finance (incumbents Earl Brecher and John LaPorta were returned, John Paul Camp was unsuccessful in his bid); and Zoning Board of Appeals (incumbent Nancy Calhoun and new candidate Betty Spence were elected, but Marsha Bobalik Smith was unsuccessful).