ORANGE — The town’s Board of Selectmen has a new member.
James Cornwell unseated Kathy Reinig in her re-election bid, accumulating 572 votes to the incumbent’s 356. Town Clerk Nancy M. Blackmer won re-election, winning 735 votes to best challenger Michelle LeBlanc, who got 199.
Immediately after the results were read aloud Monday night, Reinig congratulated Cornwell, who thanked Reinig and told her she ran a great campaign.
“She’s not a good competitor — she’s an excellent competitor,” Cornwell said later. “I think it was a great day for the town of Orange.”
Cornwell said he expects to be sworn in to the three-year position today.
Cornwell ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility and accountability. He has said taxpayers have relayed concerns to him for the past few years. He said he wanted to thank all voters who went to the polls Monday. There were 943 ballots cast. Cornwell said town-only elections typically turn out much fewer voters.
Cornwell was born in Gardner and raised in Orange, graduating from Mahar Regional High School in 1960, making him something of an “old-school guy,” as he puts it. He said he has had various careers, including 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and working on the road with NASCAR race teams, before moving back to Orange in 2002. He is the chairman of the Trustees of the Soldiers’ Memorial and the vice chairman of the Orange Cemetery Commission.
Blackmer will continue in the job she has held since January 2000.
She has previously explained a town clerk’s duties include issuing licenses, certificates, notifications and handling elections.
Originally from Whately, Blackmer said she moved to Orange in 1977, when she got married. Before becoming town clerk, she worked as an elementary school aide.
You can reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com