Incumbent Republican 7th Ward Corning City Councilperson Mark ReSue will face Democratic candidate Rodi Rovner in the upcoming Nov. 4 general election.
Their race is the only contested position in the City of Corning this election season.
Democrats Diane Telehany (1st Ward) and Jeff Clark (3rd Ward) are running unopposed, as is Republican George Bacalles in the 5th Ward. Democrat Pam Walker is the only mayoral candidate appearing on the ballot, while Democrat Hilda Lando is running unopposed to represent the city on the Steuben County Legislature.
Here’s a profile of what ReSue and Rovner are bringing to voters in the 7th Ward.
ReSue seeks fiscal strength, job growth in Corning
ReSue, who is running for his third term on the Corning City Council, said he made the decision to run for re-election because he has enjoyed serving the people of the 7th Ward.
“I would like to continue working towards keeping the city of Corning a great place to live,” ReSue said. “I have proven in my last two terms that I have no problem using my voice to ask the hard questions and advocate for my constituents. I believe this is the most important part of the job representing the people that vote to elect you.”
ReSue, who has been endorsed by Crystal City PBA, said his goal is to work on continuing infrastructure improvements while also promoting future job growth in the area.
“As we’ve seen an increase in crime and homelessness, I believe these are also important issues the city faces that need real solutions,” ReSue said.
ReSue said he believes that as long as the city can stay fiscally sound with its new coming comprehensive plan, it will allow Corning the ability to make the infrastructure improvements needed to meet the long-term goals that keep the city moving in the right direction.
“One key factor to keeping the city fiscally sound is promoting the job market and bringing new businesses to the area that will contribute to our tax base,” ReSue said.
Rovner seeks ‘Middle Ground’, housing in Corning
Rovner called running for the city council position an amazing opportunity to make needed changes in Corning.
“A lot of people are frustrated with the amount of divisiveness between Democrats and Republicans,” Rovner said. “To me, the whole point of democracy is that we have different opinions. I feel like everything is getting so divisive that people can’t just talk to each other. They just get angry with each other, and that climate needs to change.”
Rovner said she is running in the general election as a Democratic candidate and under a party she created called Middle Ground.
“Middle Ground creates a new platform,” Rovner said. “When I went around with the petition to run, people seemed to respond. Let’s talk with each other, listen to each other, and not just yell at each other. If we have different opinions, I welcome that. We need to work together.”
Rovner said she wants to be an advocate for the constituents of 7th Ward and the city as a whole.
“Running a business for so many years as the owner of Hands-on Glass, I’ve gone through a lot of hurdles and obstacles,” Rovner said. “If something comes up, you have to deal with it and move forward with it positively.”
Rovner said she feels helping people find affordable housing in the city of Corning is a key issue.
“The price of buying a home or apartment in the city of Corning is difficult for a lot of people,” Rovner said. “I’m interested in what the redevelopment of the former St. Vincent de Paul Church site into housing will have on the ward and the city. We need to find additional projects that address our housing needs.”
This article originally appeared on The Leader: ReSue to face Rovner for Corning City Council 7th Ward seat. What to know about the race
Reporting by Jeff Smith, Corning Leader / The Leader
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