November 3, 2009

 

CORNING – In the city of Corning, there's once again a new mayor in town.
     Republican Councilman Richard Negri tops Democrat Frank Coccho by more than 400 votes.
     Coccho was looking to serve another term as mayor after his loss to Tom Reed two years ago, while it's Negri's first time running for the office.
      Everyone at Negri's campaign headquarters, at Captain Morgan's on Bridge Street, were in great spirits.  Negri is the winner and has a lot of plans for the City of Corning.
     Local politicians and community members say it's an exciting time for the Republican party.
     A few Corning residents say Negri is a gentleman who really knows what's best for the community.
     Negri says the first thing on his to do list is to forget partisan politics.  He's setting up a seminar to get all the city council members and other community leaders on the same page so they can work together.
     Then, Negri says he will concentrate on fixing what he calls some of the biggest problems in the city: the roads and infrastructure.
     Negri says he'll get to that soon, but on Tuesday night he was concentrating on celebrating the hard work of his campaign.
     “I think it's been a great campaign, we've done a terrific job,” Negri Said. “ I have a terrific team of people working with me, I've had some great endorsements and I really appreciate the help I have gotten from so many people and my thanks goes out to all of them.” We ran a terrific campaign..... out-q: i appreciate all the support from the city of corning,” Negri said.
     The win leaves his seat on the Corning City Council open which the city council will vote on to fill the position.
     Meantime, across the street in the crystal city, Frank Coccho supporters were disappointed as it became clear Coccho would not be their next mayor.
     However - Coccho's spirit's were still high at his campaign headquarters at Lando's.
     He gratefully thanked his supporters not only for their votes, but for coming out to support him after the polls closed.
     His wife, Betty Coccho, and their kids stood by him as he told everyone the results weren't looking good for his campaign.
     While he's sure he's not the projected winner - he says he thinks his campaign was the best it could be.
     “I think we did what we could, we ran a good campaign  It was a good message, obviously not good enough. I wish Rich all the best,” Coccho said.
     Coccho also says he's sure negri will do a good job in office.
     Although his supporters didn't want to hear it, he says he will not run for political office in Corning again.