Peruse the latest edition of The Cornwall Democrat, collecting the local political news you need to make informed decisions and to support your local candidates.
Row "A" -- All the Way!
Are You Fired Up for Change?
In celebration of the Cornwall Democratic Committee’s annual Fired Up! Fundraiser we asked our candidates what they are Fired Up about. Here are their answers:
Anthony Grice, for County Clerk
“I’m Fired Up because we have an opportunity to make the Clerk and DMV services more accessible, efficient, and friendly to all of the residents of Orange County. For too many years, the previous administration has done the minimum, offering status quo services, that have not made anything better for most people in Orange County.”
Matt Rettig, for County Legislature, District 12
“I’m Fired Up to expose and fight corruption in the Orange County government. I’m Fired Up to shed daylight on the operations of the Orange County government. I’m Fired Up to champion renewable energy development; to prevent poorly sited, high-density housing from changing the character of Orange County forever.”
Joshua Wojehowski, for Cornwall Town Supervisor
“After a decisive victory in the Democratic Primary, I am Fired Up to take my winning message into the general election and bring new energy, and new leadership to create a solid vision for Cornwall’sfuture starting on January 1, 2022. Together we can keep Cornwall affordable, modernize government, revitalize Main Street and bring much needed transparency, accountability and oversight to local government.”
Virginia Scott, for Town Board
“As a Councilwoman and long-term volunteer on Main Street and Chadeayne Circle I am Fired Up about how the pieces are coming together for the beautification of our town and improvement of our Main Street! This project is a collaboration between the Town, County, and Senator Skoufis.”
Rokhsha Michael-Razi, for Town Board
“I’m Fired Up to bring back a vibrant Main Street. I’m Fired Up to see more activities for Cornwall’s youths, to give them a Cornwall they will be able to afford to live in, and a Cornwall that they will want to raise their children in.”
Laura Delacruz, for Town Clerk
“I am Fired Up about serving the people of Cornwall! I am fired up to give the people of Cornwall all of my attention and energy and to provide the service they want and deserve!”
Dina Ronsini, for Receiver of Taxes
“It is not easy to get Fired Up about paying your taxes. If elected, I will bring my 30 years of customer service experience in the foodservice industry and as a small business owner to the duties of Receiver of Taxes. I will treat the residents of Cornwall with the respect and consideration you deserve.”
Now, aren’t you Fired Up to elect the Democratic Team? Vote “Row A” all the Way October 23 - October 31 or on Election Day, November 2.
CDC Scholarship Applications Due May 30
Do you have a graduating CCHS senior in your life? Share the Cornwall Democratic Committee Scholarship application with them—$500 for school-related expenses.
https://www.cornwalldems.org/scholarship-application
CORNWALL DEMOCRATS ENDORSE TOWN CANDIDATES
-Three Community Leaders Recommended for November Election-
FEBRUARY 18, CORNWALL, NY—The Cornwall Democratic Committee has endorsed three candidates for Town of Cornwall offices on the November 2021 ballot: Councilman Joshua Wojehowski for Supervisor; Councilwoman Virginia Scott for re-election to the Town Council; and first-time candidate Rokhsha Michael-Razi for Town Council. The candidates offer a range of experience across government, small business ownership, education, recreation, and volunteer community service. [Since the endorsement meeting, two additional Democratic candidates have announced for Town positions: Laura Delacruz for Town Clerk, and Dina Ronsini for Receiver of Taxes.]
“As volunteer elected representatives of our Town’s registered Democrats, we Committee members are dedicated to lively debate, diverse opinions, and fairness,” commented Jon Chase, Chair of the Committee. “Our endorsement process reflects those values. Each endorsee has shown deep dedication to our community’s success, and their wide-ranging expertise can make us all confident that every Cornwall resident will be ably represented on the ballot both this June and in November.”
About the Candidates
Joshua Wojehowski is a current Town Councilman. He is liaison to the Cornwall Economic Development Advisory Committee with a focus on Main Street viability and revitalization. He is also Director of Development for Legal Aid of Rockland County, where he manages fundraising, communications, and government relations for the nonprofit. During his time on the Town Council, Josh has prioritized community engagement, advocacy for the Town’s small businesses, Main Street revitalization, and preserving future local opportunities for Cornwall residents—especially parents and families. He is also liaison to COVAC and the Town’s Purchasing and Lighting management.
Before serving as Councilman, Josh opened and ran Fresh restaurant on Main Street. A graduate of both the Culinary Institute of America and Pace University, he began his career as a program manager for New York City’s Human Resources Administration, and then became legislative and budget director for a New York City Council member, helping manage the agenda of the Council’s Economic Development Committee. Josh was then director of public affairs for the YMCA of Greater New York while also leading its grant management efforts, securing or renewing $30 million+ funding annually. Josh’s family has lived in Cornwall for generations, and he and his wife Heather have two children in the Cornwall schools.
Virginia Scott serves with distinction on the Cornwall Town Council. Ginny is Council liaison to the Cornwall Conservation Advisory Council, the Moodna Creek Intermunicipal Watershed Council, the Youth Committee, and the Town Water and Cable management. As Councilwoman, Ginny has elevated the voices of constituents, especially those of limited means or fixed incomes, and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all residents, including through a focus on public health.
Ginny is a life-long resident of Orange County, mostly in Cornwall with her husband Mark and two sons—the entire family are CCHS graduates. Ginny has taught science in Washingtonville for 27 years and has volunteered in the community for 28 years, where she has led work in the Cornwall Garden Club (as co-chair of Main Street Beautification), youth sports, women’s organizations, the Downing Park Planning Committee and Balmville Grange in Newburgh, and as a citizen advocate for fair taxes. Ginny believes that careful stewardship of our natural resources, especially our water supply and air quality, is integral to Cornwall’s affordable and livable future.
Rokhsha Michael-Razi has lived in Cornwall for 22 years with her husband; their daughter, an attorney, graduated from CCHS. As a USPTA-Certified Tennis instructor, Rokhsha has been lead instructor and coordinator for the Cornwall Jr. Tennis Club for the past 10 years, and is Head Tennis Coach of the boys and girls varsity team at Highland Falls High School. She has two decades experience teaching hundreds of local youth over the years. Dedicated to community health, Rokhsha has been instrumental in securing USTA grant funding for local tennis programs and the ongoing renovation of the Cornwall tennis courts. She is fluent in four languages and holds a black belt in Japanese Shorinji Kempo.
Rokhsha is also a passionate hiker who adores Cornwall's scenic beauty and miles of wonderful hiking trails. As a Town Board member she pledges to bring fresh perspectives and energy to advance veterans and youth services, expand walkability to support a healthy community, and find creative solutions to longstanding local challenges. She will come to the position with a broad perspective, a longstanding commitment to Cornwall, and a positive outlook—with a commitment to work collaboratively and promote transparency and accountability in local government.
NYT: Why Thousands of Republicans Are Leaving the Party
The Times reports: “Voting registration data indicates a stronger-than-usual flight from the G.O.P. since the Capitol riot, with an intensely fluid period in American politics now underway.”
Locally it’s trending true as well, as some regional politicians embrace conspiracy theories, militias, and insurrection while agitating for their right to spread Covid and worshipping a twice-impeached criminal grifter. Many local Republicans are changing their registrations.
Those who choose to register Democratic are welcome, and they can be sure that they’re affiliating with a movement that places country over party. This is our flag:
Get the News—it's the way to win
Are you a Democratic voter in Cornwall? Want to win races this year and every year? Never miss an important deadline or piece of information—free access to our periodic emails is just a couple clicks away!
Click here to receive event and election reminders.
Tonight! Orange County Democrats Virtual Inaugural Ball
Watch the Biden-Harris Inaugural
The New Yorker: Obituary for a Failed Presidency
Susan B. Glasser’s final New Yorker column of the Trump presidency takes a stab at an inventory of his and his enablers’ venality and evil. Never forget who enabled and cheered this on. Work to create a country that rejects trumpism in all its forms.
City & State New York: "NY Republicans surprised rioters believed their lies"
In the wake of today’s Trump-supporting terrorist assault at the heart of our democracy, this article highlights the way some of New York state’s duplicitous and unpatriotic Republicans fomented the outrage.
Help Ditch Mitch! Phone bank for Georgia Senate run-off
This post-election season gives Cornwall Democrats another chance to remove Mitch McConnell from power. The last day to vote in Georgia is next Tuesday, January 5, and the Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock campaigns are asking for phone banking volunteers every day until then. Click either campaign to help:
Cornwall Chooses Biden
With 7369 total votes for President in the Town of Cornwall (including Cornwall-on-Hudson), President-Elect Joseph R. Biden handily defeated his opponent, 3953 (53.6%) to 3416 (46.4%).
We’ll be publishing more results and post-election analysis in the coming days.
Closing Argument: Sarita Bhandarkar
Elections are always important but voting in 2020 has more meaning than ever. Hudson Valley families have heroically responded to our uniquely challenging times – from our front-line workers, to first responders that serve in our area and beyond, to parents who jumped in to new roles for their children, citizens of our community are fighting hard to keep us safe and productive. Tragically, for the last two years, the 99th District has been abandoned by an ineffective Assemblyman who doesn’t share that fight. He has spent his time pandering to the anti-voting, anti-woman, anti-immigrant extremes of his base, and left our communities without a seat at the table in the Assembly.
You deserve better. I’ve dedicated my career to ensuring that the people of Orange and Rockland counties get a fair shake, and on day one of my term, I’ll be bringing the fight back for our District. I will fight for access to affordable health care, lower property taxes and thoughtful development that benefits our citizens, not special interests. Working with the majority and colleagues across the aisle, I’ll create the effective, common-sense solutions that the people of our community deserve.
With your support, we can meet today’s challenges together and steer the Hudson Valley towards an even greater future.
Closing Argument: Judge Paul Trachte
For too long, we've been encumbered by conservative laws and jurisprudence. The good news is, and we know this, we've come very far and have passed laws that allow for better, more fair jurisprudence. The problem solving courts in NYS and, in particular, in Newburgh are doing good work to solve real time problems for real life people across our communities. But we must do better.
We must vote in judges who are willing to address systemic racism and unfairness in our institutions through these problem solving courts, who are willing to take into account people and their problems. And who are able to discern the difference between people who really should be in jail and those who deserve to be rehabilitated back into our communities.
Yes, I am committed to the rule of law, I am committed to justice, but I am also committed to the well-being of the people of our community. And if elected to Orange County Court, I will do my best to make sure that the people of our communities are cared for with respect and fairness.
