Former mayors watch as new Cornelia mayor takes oath

CORNELIA – John Borrow was sworn in as the new mayor of Cornelia Tuesday night.

And it wasn’t without the support of former city leaders. Surviving former mayors Don Higgins and J.C. Irby attended and expressed support for Borrow.

Mayor Margaret Ballard died near the end of her first term in October 2011. She was running unopposed in November 2011.

Irby was elected following Ballard’s death and served through 2019.

Higgins served as mayor for more than two decades prior to Ballard’s election.

Borrow is the son of Sandy and the late David Borrow. The Borrows have lived in Cornelia since 1983, when they opened their first McDonald’s in Cornelia. They now operate seven McDonald’s restaurants across Northeast Georgia and employ more than 400 people.

A 1990 graduate of Habersham Central High School, Borrow began working in the family business when he was 10.

Borrow graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in electrical engineering in 1995, and he received his MBA from Vanderbilt in 1997. He and his wife Holly are graduates of Leadership Georgia in 2016.

Past President of the Habersham County Rotary Club, Borrow has served on the board of directors of the Habersham Chamber of Commerce, serves at his local church, and many other areas of service.

In addition to Borrow, Ward 1 Commissioner Wes Dodd and Ward 4 Commissioner Tony Cook were sworn in for their 2020-2023 terms.

Cornelia Mayor John Borrow prepares to shake hands with now-former Mayor J.C. Irby following the gavel presentation at Tuesday night's city commission meeting.

Cornelia Mayor John Borrow accepts his oath of office from City Attorney Steve Campbell.

Cornelia Mayor John Borrow, left, is shown with now-former Mayor J.C. Irby and past Mayor Don Higgins.

Cornelia Mayor John Borrow, right, presents a shadowbox to outgoing Mayor J.C. Irby during Tuesday night's city commission meeting.

Cornelia Ward 4 Commissioner Tony Cook, left, and Ward 1 Commissioner Wes Dodd accept their oaths of office from City Attorney Steve Campbell.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2020/1/865543/former-mayors-watch-as-new-cornelia-mayor-takes-oath