JOSH WOJEHOWSKI FOR TOWN SUPERVISOR

As a longtime Cornwall resident and graduate of Cornwall Central High School, class of 1999, Josh comes from a large family with deep roots in the community.  Following high school, Josh attended the Culinary Institute of America, graduating in 2001. He moved to New York City shortly before 9/11 and began working for high end caterers. During the aftermath of 9/11 Josh decided to enter public service and became a culinary instructor and program manager for the City’s Human Resources Administration, helping many New Yorker's on public assistance to receive a skill and ultimately obtain self-sufficiency for themselves.

While living in the City, Josh went back to school as an adult, continuing to work full-time and ultimately obtained a BA in History from Pace University, which led him further down the path of public service and into a career in politics and public affairs. He worked as legislative and budget director for New York City Council Member Thomas White Jr. While at the Council, Josh helped to manage the agenda of the Council’s Economic Development Committee to bring investment and jobs to every corner of the City, provide oversight of Mayor Bloomberg’s development projects, reform as of right development subsidies, and work on a plan to deal with the foreclosure crisis in the 5-boroughs. Josh also staffed the Council's Budget Negotiating Team and worked with Council Finance to negotiate 4 on-time, fiscally responsible budgets, two of which were during the financial crisis in 2008/2009, where tough decisions had to be made while ensuring that the most vulnerable were protected. 

Following his tenure at the Council, Josh became the director of public affairs for the YMCA of Greater New York where he successfully lobbied and advocated for millions in program and capital dollars for after school programs, and new community facilities. He also led the organizations grant management efforts, ensuring upwards of $30 million dollars in City, State and Federal funding was secured or renewed on an annual basis to serve New Yorker's.

After the birth of Josh’s first child, he and his wife decided it was time to focus their efforts on the community they chose to raise their family in and opened a café and catering company in 2013 on Main Street called Fresh Café & Catering. Over the next 5 years, they served breakfast & lunch, as well as catering to many Cornwall residents. As a small business owner, Josh and his Wife Heather gave many local kids there first jobs as well as local residents in need of work. Josh always felt that Main Street had the potential to come back from years of neglect by its elected officials. He joined the Greater Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, received an appointment to the Town's Economic Development Advisory Committee and became active in local politics.

These efforts led to the development of the Cornwall Rising proposal, as well as capital dollars from State Senator Skoufis to begin the process of transforming Cornwall's Main Street to a more business and pedestrian friendly place, capable of attracting public and private investments.

In November of 2018, Josh and Heather decided to sell the café to spend more time with family, but still run Fresh Catering. They decided to sell it to a family of immigrants and give them a chance at small business ownership while bringing great authentic Mexican food to Cornwall.

Josh was elected to the Cornwall Town Council in November of 2019, serving for two years during the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic.  During this time he successfully challenged an entrenched incumbent for Town Supervisor in order to bring badly needed change to Cornwall. Josh took office as Town Supervisor on January 1, 2022 where he focuses on smart economic development, Main Street revitalization, keeping taxes in check, protecting our natural resources, modernizing government and improving communication with residents.  His goal is to make every day count while in office for the next two years.

Josh and his wife Heather currently reside in the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson with their two children. He brings government, economic development and non-profit leadership experience to the table, as well as an understanding of a small business owner’s needs and deep family ties to the community.