by Kym Byrnes, photography by Nikola Tzenov
Before Kevin Cornick became mayor of New Windsor, he had already spent decades doing the work that builds a community from the inside out — coaching, volunteering, mentoring young people, serving on town boards and showing up for his neighbors.
Cornick moved to the New Windsor area in 1995 and has lived in town since 2000, building deep roots through the West Carroll Rec Council, the New Windsor Planning Commission, the New Windsor Town Council and his work as a mentor to at-risk youth through the Carroll Youth Service Bureau.
After a long career in sales, operations and management, Cornick found a new calling as a permanent substitute teacher at West Middle School. With family at the center of his life, Cornick brings to the mayor’s office a belief shaped by faith and lived experience: Leadership begins with listening, relationships matter, and communities are strongest when people work together for the greater good.
What first brought you to the New Windsor area? What made you decide to put down roots here?
My wife grew up just outside of New Windsor, and when we decided to put down roots, we came here. I grew up in Baltimore City and attended what was then known as Towson State University. My wife has been in education for 32 years, and both my kids work in education.
When my company closed four years ago, I decided I wanted to work with kids. I started substitute teaching with the intention of serving as a role model. I thought I’d work in high school, but I found my calling in middle school. I thought those kids needed to see someone like me to diffuse some of the stereotypes they see. I want them to see someone who talks about values, goals and achievement of goals and ideas.
How would you introduce yourself beyond the title of mayor?
Most importantly, I’m a husband, a father and soon-to-be grandfather. I’ve been married for 30 years and have two adult kids. I’m semi-retired and currently a permanent substitute teacher, which is completely different from my professional career as a regional general manager for an international manufacturer. Before that, I worked in commercial construction sales. I have always cared about the community and advocating for kids. I consider myself spiritual, and faith supports everything I do.
What first attracted you to community service?
I grew up in northeast Baltimore in the 1970s. There was a lot of community involvement, and families were committed to building their communities. It was an environment where we watched moms and dads volunteer their time in rec programs, Scouts and clubs, and these were people who made a commitment to their communities.
At that time in Baltimore City, especially in my neighborhood, we had so many parent volunteers and a strong PTA. Every year, we had a school bazaar funded and supported by parents and community. We were latchkey kids, raised by a collective of neighborhood parents to keep each other safe. Everyone knew one another, and if you ever needed anything, you just turned to your neighbors.
Was there a person, experience or moment that made you think, “I should run for mayor”?
I always wanted to be a mayor. Even in the 1970s, growing up in Baltimore, I wanted to be mayor of Baltimore City; I even had a plan. I thought we had a great mayor, William Donald Schaefer. He was incredibly accessible; I would see him around places. He came to my school once, and I just kept thinking, “I can do this.” Then he spoke at my high school graduation in 1984, and I thought, “This is a sign; I’m on my way.”
I had friends who were involved in the political process through campaigning, and I was committed to civic duty and volunteerism, so I got involved when I was 10. I was a safety patrolman, and I thought that was all part of my resume. Then I grew up and realized I actually didn’t want to be mayor of Baltimore City. But I always had a desire to do something meaningful for the community. I enjoyed watching people come together for the collective good.
“I always had a desire to do something meaningful for the community. I enjoyed watching people come together for the collective good.” — Kevin Cornick, Mayor of New Windsor
How has your professional background in sales, operations and management shaped the way you approach public service?
When I was young, I worked with my uncle, and he gave me a lot of responsibility early. My biggest thing is being fair to people and making sure people are heard. We can’t always do things for people who come to us with a complaint, but it’s important to listen. I learned to be prepared with information for the projects I’m working on. It’s important to understand as much as you can before making a decision.
When I was in sales, I met a lot of people and came to understand the importance of relationships and the value of seeing the good in people. I think there’s a lot more good than bad, a lot more good than we’re led to believe sometimes. We have a lot in common; there is more that joins us than divides us.
When you talk with residents, what do you hear most often about what they love and worry about in New Windsor?
Mostly, I hear they love the small-town feel of community; people like the quiet, the peace. I think people in this community value history and the simplicity of life. It’s an escape in some ways, at least for me, because I used to travel to Washington, D.C., and other major cities. I would always get home and feel relieved, at peace here.
Like most Americans, people are concerned about the price of things and financial challenges. People talk about the expense of taxes, water and sewer bills, and property taxes. I experience those same challenges, so I’m not insulated from any decisions we make, and I don’t cast a vote on anything. I advocate.
We set a path for things, and the council determines whether ideas are viable or not. I hear the voices of people who are struggling with things — mortgages, taxes and everyday bills.
We’re consistent in that we try to govern from a place of the greater good for everybody. There are expenses we have to incur in the long run, which, in my opinion, is the most responsible way to govern.
What are the biggest opportunities for New Windsor?
Our community is transitioning. There used to be a number of gas stations and businesses along Main Street, and I think there are opportunities to bring some of them back. We’re working on things that help sustain the family lifestyle our community appreciates — expanding parks and playgrounds and putting in a basketball court.
We want the town to be more walking-friendly. We’re seeing more families move in with babies, and they want safe spaces to walk with their strollers and young children. We have a streetscape project that will expand walking paths and eventually connect some of the developments. We are also continuing to modernize our wastewater and water systems, so 30 years from now, folks can be thankful that we made the decisions to provide systems that will serve for years to come.
What else would you like people to know about your work in New Windsor?
We’re doing a project with an eye toward workforce development and affordable housing. We’re looking to renovate an old building and use it for housing for volunteer firefighters. I bring that up because, if it’s successful, it’s the epitome of what I’d like to do as mayor.
I want to renovate existing buildings and use them to add value and capacity to our town. There are other buildings we’re looking at, like The Dielman Inn. I’d love to find a business owner who could hire young people, train them and put them to work, like a bakery apprenticeship program. That would be a dream come true for me.
