CORNWALL, NY July 21, 2022—The Cornwall Democratic Committee thanks Jonathan Chase, Esq., District 1 representative, for eight years of dedicated service as Chair (2014-2022) and Acting Chair and Secretary in prior years. During Jon’s Chairmanship the Committee grew to its full complement, Democratic registration rose town-wide to unprecedented levels, and the Town of Cornwall Council attained a Democratic majority—while the Committee contributed to Democratic election victories up the ballot. Mr. Chase serves as District 1 representative, as a Vice Chair of the Orange County Democratic Committee, and was elected in June as one of two Party Delegates to the New York State Democratic Committee from the 99th Assembly District. The Committee is grateful for his past, current, and ongoing expertise, judgment, and advocacy for Democratic candidates and principles.
The Committee welcomes new Chair Matthew Rettig (D13) for the new two-year term. Mr. Rettig, a commercial airline pilot, musician, union negotiator, Cornwall library board member, and past candidate for Assembly and County Legislature, joined the Committee in 2017 in a wave of new volunteerism. He has demonstrated tremendous energy in campaigning and articulating Democratic values at the local level, while serving the community as a volunteer. Matt’s vision for a vigorous, agile, and transparent Committee will be instrumental in November victories and beyond.
The Committee also welcomes Barbara Smith Gioia as the new Vice Chair. Ms. Gioia has served as District 5 representative since joining the Committee in 2017. Barbara is an artist, arts educator/administrator and community volunteer who over the course of her 30 years living in Cornwall has supported, and continues to support, many local non-profit institutions such as the Grail, the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, and Garrison Art Center. She was a member of the Cornwall Conservation Advisory Council and she currently serves on the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson Tree Conservation Committee. Ms. Gioia was nominated by outgoing Vice Chair (2018-2022) Bill Braine, a businessman and Cornwall-on-Hudson Village Trustee who joined the Committee in 2017 and whose communications and technological skill will continue to benefit Cornwall’s Democratic voters and candidates in his role as District 5 Representative and member of the Orange County Democratic Executive Committee.
Christian Brunelli was unanimously elected Secretary following the resignation of Cari Griffin (2020-2022). Ms. Griffin (D12) is a four-year veteran of the Committee who brings consummate attention to the order, procedures, timeliness and accurate recording of Committee business, which has been a foundation of the Committee’s success—skills honed during seven-plus years on staff at our largest community nonprofit. Mr. Brunelli, representing District 11, is a Business Teacher at Roy C. Ketcham High School in the Wappingers Central School District. He is a past volunteer with New Windsor Volunteer Ambulance, a successful high school debate coach, Eagle Scout, past associate of Harvard’s Center for International Affairs, and recipient of the U.S. Department of Education’s Robert C. Byrd Scholarship.
The Committee’s new Sergeant at Arms is Bill Clark (D8), a former educator and longtime Cornwall Democratic Committee stalwart, succeeding Edward Warren (D2). Claudia Depkin (Associate Member), a public library director and community volunteer, was unanimously re-elected Treasurer, rounding out a leadership team that will continue to represent Cornwall’s Democratic voters—and all of Cornwall—with respect, energy, and professionalism.
Summary
The Cornwall Democratic Committee elected the following officers during its July 21 reorganization meeting:
Chair: Matthew Rettig, D13
Vice Chair: Barbara Smith Gioia, D5
Secretary: Christian Brunelli, D11
Sergeant at Arms: Bill Clark, D8
Treasurer: Claudia Depkin (Associate Member)