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May 1, 2007

Mayor John E. McCormac and Municipal Council President Brenda Yori Velasco today announced that Thomas Cornell, long-time Woodbridge resident and community volunteer, has been unanimously selected as the recipient of the 2007 Jack Fay Civic Award for dedicated public service. Mr. Cornell received the annual Jack Fay Civic Award, along with a Proclamation from Mayor McCormac, at the Township Council meeting on Tues., May 1.

The Jack Fay Civic Award annually honors and recognizes a Woodbridge Township resident who embodies the best qualities of public service and civic involvement. The honoree must have lived in Woodbridge Township for at least ten years, have held elected or appointed office, and served as a volunteer in community and social activities.

"Tom Cornell represents the very best of Woodbridge Township,” said Mayor McCormac. “His commitment and dedication to the public mission and community spirit stands as a model for all of us to emulate. Whether serving as a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, or volunteering his time and energy to community and civic associations, or aiding the congregation of his church for over fifty years, Tom Cornell stands as a stellar example of what civic spirit is about."

Council President Velasco, who created and implemented the Jack Fay Civic Award program in 2000, said “it is very important to recognize those individuals who give unselfishly to this community. The Jack Fay Civic Award honors people to whom civic activity is a way of life. I am proud to present the 2007 Jack Fay Civic Award to Tom Cornell for his life-long commitment to the betterment of Woodbridge Township.”

According to Council President Velasco, Thomas Cornell served on the Zoning Board of Adjustment for more than 13 years – seven years as Secretary of the Board – and currently represents Woodbridge Township as a member of the Middlesex County Transportation Coordinating Committee.

Mr. Cornell’s commitment and participation in community service includes nearly 20 years as a member and officer of the Rotary Club of Woodbridge-Perth Amboy, including serving as Club Secretary from 1995 -1998 and receipt of the Paul Harris Fellow Award in 1993. In 2004, Mr. Cornell, along with former Mayor Frank Pelzman, served as co-chairman of the committee to erect the Town Clock located outside Town Hall on Main Street.

Mr. Cornell, a life-long member with, and role model for, the Boy Scouts of America, has served in nearly every leadership position available in scouting, including: Pack 44 Cub Master (1963); Troop 44 Scout Master (1966); District Commissioner, Raritan Bay Council (1968); District Committee Member (1991); District Chairman (1997 and 2004); James West Fellow (1995); Silver Beaver Award (1997); and the prestigious St. George Episcopal Scouting Award (1999).

Mr. Cornell’s other civic roles include serving as a member of the Board of Directors for the Camp Kiddie Keep Well Program, volunteering one Sunday a month as a history guide at the Cornelius Low House and Middlesex County Museum, and service to the congregation of the Trinity Episcopal Church of Cranford for more than fifty years.

The Jack Fay Civic Award is named after the late Jack Fay who held numerous elected and appointed offices in Woodbridge Township and Middlesex County, including Councilman, Freeholder, Assemblyman and State Senator. Jack Fay also served as a volunteer with numerous civic and social organizations, including The Center of Hope Hospice House, Emmaus House, and the New Jersey State Commission on Cancer Research.

Past recipients of the Jack Fay Civic Award include: Terry Glinn (2001), Pastor Jack Dunlap (2002), Jack Hila (2003), Robert Sobieski (2004), Ernest Neal (2005), and Diane Pitz (2006).

John R. Hagerty
Mayor’s Office of Communications
732-602-6039

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