Changes

On July 15, 2013, the council named Wayne Edwards as the interim District A member to succeed Cornelius. An African American, Edwards had been the runner-up to Cornelius in the 2010 primary election for city council.<ref>"Edwards named to city council", ''Minden Press-Herald'', July 15, 2013, p. 1.</ref> Prior to Cornelius, the seat had been held by Rodney Dale Seamster, who died in office in April 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lmbca.org/news_articles/pdf/Salute_Ms_Ruby_Bridges.pdf|title=Salute to Ms. Ruby Bridges - Civil Rights Littlest Heroine|publisher=lmbca.org|accessdate=September 12, 2013}}</ref> Edwards then won the council seat in the special election over the African-American Republican candidate, Darrell Morris, 86 to 14 percent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lasos.blob.core.windows.net/graphical-prod/rss/10192013_Parish.xml|title=Webster: Councilman, District A, City of Minden|publisher=lasos.blob.core.windows.net|accessdate=October 19, 2013}}</ref>

On July 15, 2013, the council named Wayne Edwards as the interim District A member to succeed Cornelius. An African American, Edwards had been the runner-up to Cornelius in the 2010 primary election for city council.<ref>"Edwards named to city council", ''Minden Press-Herald'', July 15, 2013, p. 1.</ref> Prior to Cornelius, the seat had been held by Rodney Dale Seamster, who died in office in April 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lmbca.org/news_articles/pdf/Salute_Ms_Ruby_Bridges.pdf|title=Salute to Ms. Ruby Bridges - Civil Rights Littlest Heroine|publisher=lmbca.org|accessdate=September 12, 2013}}</ref> Edwards then won the council seat in the special election over the African-American Republican candidate, Darrell Morris, 86 to 14 percent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lasos.blob.core.windows.net/graphical-prod/rss/10192013_Parish.xml|title=Webster: Councilman, District A, City of Minden|publisher=lasos.blob.core.windows.net|accessdate=October 19, 2013}}</ref>

Earlier from 1991 to 1995, Cornelius represented District B on the Minden City Council. He was initially elected, 59-41, percent in a runoff election held on November 6, 1990, over fellow Democrat Grace Kirk Richardson, who had held the seat on an interim basis after the death of her father, Joe Willie Kirk, the first African-American to have served on the city council.<ref>Marilyn Miller, "Brown takes mayoral oath", ''Minden Press-Herald'', December 5, 1989, p. 1.</ref><ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', November 7, 1990, p. 1.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/11061990/11061990_60.html|title=Louisiana election returns, November 6, 1990|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=September 12, 2013}}</ref>

Earlier from 1991 to 1995, Cornelius represented District B on the Minden City Council. He was initially elected, 59–41, percent in a runoff election held on November 6, 1990, over fellow Democrat Grace Kirk Richardson, who had held the seat on an interim basis after the death of her father, Joe Willie Kirk, the first African-American to have served on the city council.<ref>Marilyn Miller, "Brown takes mayoral oath", ''Minden Press-Herald'', December 5, 1989, p. 1.</ref><ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', November 7, 1990, p. 1.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/11061990/11061990_60.html|title=Louisiana election returns, November 6, 1990|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=September 12, 2013}}</ref>

In 1992, Cornelius claimed that the city had long neglected District B in regard to drainage, street lights and repairs, police patrols, and the large number of dilapidated houses. In calling for mass repairs to houses in the district, Cornelius clashed with both Mayor Robertson and District E council member Tyrus Lamar "Ty" Pendergrass (born 1955), a Republican and later [[Independent voter|Independent]]. Robertson accused Cornelius of "playing politics" on the housing issue.<ref>"Session heats up", ''Minden Press-Herald'', April 7, 1992, p. 1.</ref> In 1994, Cornelius led the move on the city council to rename Maiden Lane as Martin Luther King, Jr., Drive in honor of the [[civil rights]] figure.<ref>Pat Culverhouse, "Councilman responds to complaints", ''Minden Press-Herald'', January 13, 1994, p. 1.</ref>

In 1992, Cornelius claimed that the city had long neglected District B in regard to drainage, street lights and repairs, police patrols, and the large number of dilapidated houses. In calling for mass repairs to houses in the district, Cornelius clashed with both Mayor Robertson and District E council member Tyrus Lamar "Ty" Pendergrass (born 1955), a Republican and later [[Independent voter|Independent]]. Robertson accused Cornelius of "playing politics" on the housing issue.<ref>"Session heats up", ''Minden Press-Herald'', April 7, 1992, p. 1.</ref> In 1994, Cornelius led the move on the city council to rename Maiden Lane as Martin Luther King, Jr., Drive in honor of the [[civil rights]] figure.<ref>Pat Culverhouse, "Councilman responds to complaints", ''Minden Press-Herald'', January 13, 1994, p. 1.</ref>

Cornelius was unseated in his District C council position after a single term in 1995 by another African American, Fayrine Antoinette Kennon, now Fayrine Kennon-Gilbert (born c. 1967), widow of Verdis Gilbert (died 2013) and proprietor of her family's Kennon and Son Mortuary in Minden.<ref name=jcsr/> Cornelius drew 195 votes; Kennon, 210.<ref>"Two city councilmen fall to challenger: Kennon edges Cornelius, Quarles unseats Wilson, Webb wins second term", ''Minden Press-Herald'', April 3, 1995, p. 1.</ref> In 1998, Cornelius lost, 70 to 30 percent, in a bid to unseat councilwoman Kennon-Gilbert in District B.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10031998/10031998_60.html|title=Louisiana primary election returns, October 3, 1998|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=September 12, 2013}}</ref>

Cornelius was unseated in his District C council position after a single term in 1995 by another African American, Fayrine Antoinette Kennon, now Fayrine Kennon-Gilbert (born c. 1967), widow of Verdis Gilbert (died 2013) and proprietor of her family's Kennon and Son Mortuary in Minden.<ref name=jcsr/> Cornelius drew 195 votes; Kennon, 210.<ref>"Two city councilmen fall to challenger: Kennon edges Cornelius, Quarles unseats Wilson, Webb wins second term", ''Minden Press-Herald'', April 3, 1995, p. 1.</ref> In 1998, Cornelius lost, 70 to 30 percent, in a bid to unseat councilwoman Kennon-Gilbert in District B.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10031998/10031998_60.html|title=Louisiana primary election returns, October 3, 1998|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=September 12, 2013}}</ref>