Each month, Assemblyman Colin Schmitt visits a different town in his district and selects a business to honor. He was in Cornwall in June. And he’s focusing on the Town of Highlands in July.
It’s an informal procedure. There’s no election. People make recommendations once they know the Assemblyman is coming to their town. They may be influenced by the quality of the product, the helpfulness of the staff, and the business’s role in the community.
In Cornwall, the nod went to Jones Farm on Angola Road — a business that’s been in the same family for more than 100 years. Mr. Schmitt had no problem explaining the choice. “We heard a lot about Jones Farm,” he said, “as soon as people knew we were coming to Cornwall.”
But the Assemblyman didn’t need their testimony, because he’s a customer himself. It doesn’t show, since he’s tall and slim, but he’s a fan of the Jones Farm baked goods. When he’s not in Albany, he and his wife Nikki will stop in for a snack. They’re partial to the apple cake. “Not the apple pie,” Mr. Schmitt emphasizes, “but the apple cake.”
David Clearwater, of Jones Farm, found their preference mildly amusing.– admitting that the recipe came from one of his customers. Mr. Clearwater is the fourth generation to work on the farm. His daughter Catherine is the fifth, and his parents (Doris and Belding) are the third. Five years ago, the elder Clearwaters were the grand marshals of the Independence Day parade.
The business has grown since it was founded in 1914. It’s still a working farm, but besides the bakery there’s a gift shop, an art gallery and a cafe. Young families like to visit just to see the farm animals.
The assemblyman was on the premises on June 28 to make his business of the month proclamation. The president of the Greater Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, Joseph Dvash, came with him.
Town Supervisor Richard Randazzo couldn’t join them because he had another commitment. He agreed, however, that the selection was well deserved. “Jones Farm has been a staple of the community for over 100 years,” he said. “It’s become synonymous with the Town of Cornwall and a perfect example of a family run business.”
