Brunswick swears in first African-American mayor

Cornell Harvey was city commissioner for 10 years

BRUNSWICK, Fla. – It was a historic night on Wednesday for the city of Brunswick as they swore in their first ever African-American mayor.

Cornell Harvey is no stranger to Brunswick politics. He's been a city commissioner for ten years, which is likely a big reason why he won the mayor's election with an overwhelming percentage of the vote.

Several people who either know, or have worked with Harvey, showed up to offer their support for the man they have no doubt can do the job.

Barbara Smith said Harvey hired her three years ago.

"Knowing him as I know him, working with him," Smith said, "he will make Brunswick a super mayor."

Dianne Wynn was on hand as well. She served with Harvey in the Air Force.

"He's going to do excellent," Wynn said. "He's going to do very well for the city of Brunswick."

To focus fully on the job of mayor, the 60-year-old man is retiring as head of human services for the Jeckyll Island Authority. He said he has big plans to move the city forward in the coming years.

"I've earned my stripes," said Harvey. "I've seen the city go from where it is, and where it needs to go to. I'm ready to be at the helm now, to steer it through and go to the top. We're planting the seed, the seed of growth, and we know thew city of Brunswick is poised to do some great things."