Mayor Barry Cornish brings experience to Craig

Mayor Barry Cornish wearing his "mayoring clothes" went to the Plymouth County Courthouse Wednesday to check on some land assessments as part of his duties as mayor of the Town of Craig. Cornish is also a full-time farmer. [Click to enlarge]

Editor's note: This is the eighth story in a series of getting to know Plymouth County mayors

Craig Mayor Barry Cornish wears his "mayoring clothes" every day.

Cornish, a full-time farmer, calls his bib overalls his "professional attire."

Cornish brings experience to Craig as its mayor. He was elected mayor before in the 1990s. He has also been on the town council more than once.

As mayor of Craig, a town of 116 people, Cornish said he uses his experience to see to the town's future.

"We want to make sure our town can stay an individual," Cornish said.

The thriving small town still has a hair salon, a bank, a couple of repair shops, a bar and an elevator, which has been growing steadily in the last 30 years.

"That's our biggest business," Cornish said of the elevator. "I think it's a nice little town to live in."

As mayor, Craig attends town council meetings, travels to Le Mars to check on land assessments and ordinances at the courthouse and also picks up supplies in other cities. He's also on hand to fix residents' water or plumbing or electrical problems.

"I'm pretty well happy to help out as much as I can," Cornish said. "It give me something to do in my spare time."

Cornish said he is a "mobile mayor" meaning he is always on the go whether doing town business or farming the land that's been in his family more than 100 years.

He couldn't be mayor without the help of the town council, the city clerk and the area farmers, Cornish said.

"People help out with everything," he said.

Cornish said although small Craig is flourishing. Recently a shelterhouse was completed and in the next few years town officials will look into repairing streets, Cornish said.

He's also looking forward to 2011 and the 100th anniversary of Craig, which was started in 1911 when the now defunct railroad was built.

And traditionally the second Saturday in July the town's "Test Fest" is a good time for residents to get together to share a meal and have a parade, Cornish said.

"I really enjoy when the Test Fest goes on," he said. "There I try to help out where I can."

When Cornish isn't busy being mayor or farming, he might be seen rolling through town on his motorcycle on his way to Sturgis, S.D. for the bike rally each August.

In the winter, Cornish favors snowmobiles.

"We usually take eight or nine guys at a time," Cornish said of his winter sport. He recently returned from a trip to Jackson Hole, Wyo., just south of Yellowstone National Park.

Cornish said he's proud to be Craig's mayor and he will work hard to see to the town's needs.

"I want to just be able to answer people's questions, and to help people get along," Cornish said. "I don't try to take sides, but will try to work out problems."