Former South Windsor Republican Toby Lewis has resigned from the South Windsor Town Council Committee as town council liaison, and he was immediately replaced by lifelong-South Windsor resident Republican, Steven Cordeiro. Both have opened up on how these transitions in their lives have brought them many opportunities and goals to look forward to.
Toby Lewis has been a resident of South Windsor for two decades, involving himself in many community organizations. He was a town council member since November of 2003, and an active member of the Board of Appeals.
When asked about his decision to leave his position on the Council, Lewis explained his reasons.
“I stepped down as a town councilor because my wife and I decided to move out of town,” he told The Prowl. “In fact, we’re actually moving out of state.”
Upon stepping down from the committee, Lewis acknowledged that there were conflicting perspectives regarding the best path forward for the town. He noted that the political dynamic within the body made it difficult to align on common priorities.
“My hope was that, coming out in the council where I had an ex-mayor, an ex-deputy mayor, an experienced councilor, and our current mayor, that we’d be able to collaborate and work really well, knocking the ball out of the park,” Lewis told The Prowl. “But that wasn’t the case, because the device of politics got in the way.”
Lewis shared his discontent with the experience as a town councilor, he believes that he should’ve been able to accomplish more.
“I’m not satisfied,” Lewis said. “There’s a lot more to be done, but it’s not getting done, because there’s too much division and not enough cooperation.”
While Mr. Lewis’s perception of the collaboration in the political community was a key factor of his dissatisfaction, he clarifies that there was no external pressure to make his decision to move out of the town.
“It just made sense that I needed to step out of the way to allow somebody else to fill the gap and to have a chance to grow,” Lewis told the Prowl. “So it was a practical decision.”
The town of South Windsor will always remember Lewis’s excellent contributions to the community and how he was always so engaged and worked so hard for the better good of our families.
However, now South Windsor enters a new era, with Steven Cordeiro being a town council member for the past month and half. He is running for town council this year as well from the Republican Party, and he looks forward to working towards many goals and developments he has for our town.
Currently the Chairman of the Republican Party in South Windsor, lifelong-resident Steven Cordeiro shares his opinions on obtaining this new role.
“Ever since I was five years old, I have never left South Windsor, so I want to work towards the absolute best for my hometown,” he told The Prowl.
Cordeiro’s life has been wholly devoted to volunteering in various different community services and organizations. Retiring from the South Windsor Police Department after 22 years as a 911 dispatcher, to being a volunteer firefighter for South Windsor for over 15 years, to even working with Manchester’s ambulances while being an EMS provider for 30 years, Cordeiro has quite literally done it all.
“I’m trenched into this community,” Cordeiro said. “And I really like to get involved in these aspects of efforts towards helping our people. So I’m one of those people who worked in town, retired from town, and I’m just very engaged in South Windsor and what we can do to make all of our resident’s lives more enjoyable.”
Cordeiro explains how his enthusiasm for entering politics stems from relating to every family in town because of shared experiences. Going through every phase of life here has helped Cordeiro develop valuable, empathetic emotions towards all of our residents.
“So, I’m one of those people who worked in town, started a family in town, and retired from town,” Cordeiro told The Prowl. “And I’m just very engaged in South Windsor and what we can do to make all of our resident’s lives more enjoyable. Whether you’re a senior in high school or starting your own family, I’ve been through it all, and it’s been great growing here over the years.”
Town Council elections are taking place this November 4. Cordeiro has many objectives laid out for this town, and he hopes to maintain his work on the Council to properly be able to work towards these goals.
However, there’s one specific aspect of our economy that Cordeiro emphasizes above all others.
“My biggest thing would be, however cliche it may sound, but I really want to be affordable for everyone in town; I just want this town to be affordable for everyone,” Cordeiro said.
He explains how important it is for everyone in town to be able to properly afford everything they need, and how the government needs to balance its spending.
“While some people in town can afford taxes and increases, others can’t,” Cordeiro said. “We just have to find a balance for everything, what’s affordable for all families in town. That’s my passion, that’s what I want to make true.”
Cordeiro also touched upon how with his experience of spending his whole life in South Windsor, and the various ways that he has been engaged in the community, give him the advantage of offering a fresh perspective on how to develop South Windsor while keeping families on the forefront of his decisions.
One way that Cordeiro’s familiarity with this town helps him is his experience with the Area of Route 5. Route 5, as he explains, is an industrial business area; Cordeiro explains how he wants to introduce the idea of moving more businesses to this part of town for many reasons.
“Everyone knows about Buckland Rd., how wonderful it is, which is fantastic,” Cordeiro said. “But Route 5 offers a lot more potential. We can try to bring small businesses here and lower the tax base a bit. Also, Route 5 has a lot of roads that are not in the destroy area, and small businesses can either store their warehouses or their equipment to run their businesses.”
Cordeiro emphasized the importance of local businesses, and encouraged rising entrepreneurs in the community.
“Route 5 gives a lot of space for small businesses to thrive,” Cordeiro said. “Of course, this area will not be intended for big businesses, but more like family run operations, like electricians and welding, we should promote more of those in town. I know that’s what all politicians do, but it’s just my personal goal, to bring more businesses to this town and encourage our town’s entrepreneurs.”
Cordeiro also shared his vast experience on the committees in town: inland wetlands commission, charter revision commission, social justice commission and water pollution comission.
“Working with people from all the parties, I have the experience to work with the many people in these various commissions,” Cordeiro said. “I’m familiar with them, and they all know me as well. I generally have worked with people across-the-board with independence, and that’s helped me get to know so many great people in our town.”
Cordeiro shares how his experiences of collaborating with so many different people hasn’t only helped him with his position as a town councilor, but it’s also showed him the benefits of getting involved with your town; it benefits the whole town overall, and it gives you the satisfaction of being an active member in your community.
“I always encourage people to get involved,” Cordeiro told The Prowl. “It doesn’t have to be political, or even with the parks and rec. Even just volunteering with the local kids teams, they would love some help, or volunteering at the community center with the seniors. It makes everybody’s experience better. There are so many great opportunities here in town.”
As South Windsor turns this page in its ongoing story, the town carries forward the dedication of leaders like Toby Lewis, whose efforts laid the foundation for growth and community spirit.
And with Steven Cordeiro stepping in, bringing a lifetime of experience and a heart rooted in this town, South Windsor seems poised to write its next chapter with collaboration, opportunity, and care for every family.
“The more people that get involved in helping each other around the community, the more benefits to our town. It just makes a better community,” Cordeiro told The Prowl.
