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The Star-Ledger 1992

Date: 1992/05/06 Wednesday Page: Section: NEWS Edition: FINAL Size: 0 words

CORVINO RUNNING FOR AT-LARGE SEAT
KEVIN C. DILWORTH


Former Orange Councilwoman Louise Corvino, who was recalled from office last month, said she is vying for a council-at-large seat Tuesday to give voters a chance to select someone who does not place politics above the needs of people. Three seats are being sought by 10 hopefuls in the nonpartisan council-at- large race. There also is a mayoral race. Councilman William R. Lewis, a retired AT&T engineering and financial manager, is trying to oust Robert L. Brown. ''I'm running because it's time to rid the city of greedy politicians who are capitalizing at the expense of the people for their own political and personal gain,'' said Corvino, ousted in the March 9 recall election.

Donald Page, a former school board member, defeated Corvino and won the remaining two years of Corvino's North Ward council post. Several council-at-large candidates running next week have expressed concern about improving the educational offerings to the city's public school children and increasing the number of services for senior citizens, Corvino conceded. Corvino said she advocates better discipline in the schools, providing recreational programs for children in all wards and doing something more for senior citizens than throwing them parties and using them as ''political pawns.''

Regarding public safety, Corvino noted, ''I have always supported fighting for the best equipment and enough men to meet the needs of the people.'' However, ''I resent the fact that these departments have become political through their directors,'' she said. ''Directors should remain neutral and concentrate on the welfare of the people in the city, and not what they can gain for themselves.''

Police Director Charles Cobbertt and Fire Director John Gamba disagreed with Corvino's assertions. Corvino had been a supporter of the police department up until the time ''I did not go to her (civic association's Oct. 28, 1989) affair and then she started voting against the police department,'' Cobbertt maintained. Gamba said, ''I don't see the fire department as being any more or less political than it has ever been. What I do see is a lot more proactive things happening in regards to increases in productivity, cross-training of employees and individuals coming forward and taking on additional responsibilities.''