As Larry Corso paints it, his politics are about his roots.
Roots in the same neighborhood that his grandparents called home. Roots in the Marine Corps. Roots in Syracuse’s Polish community.
“I went to school at Saint Lucy’s. I belong to the Pastime club on the North side of Syracuse. I belong to the Polish Home on the West side of Syracuse. And I worked in downtown Syracuse for 25 years. I’m born, bred, and raised as a Syracuse person,” said Corso.
Now, at age 77, Corso is the Republican candidate for the Onondaga County Legislature’s District 8 seat in the November election. His opponent is Democrat Chris Ryan, a Verizon worker and union leader. Both are seeking to succeed incumbent James Corbett, R-Geddes, who is retiring after 17 years in the county legislature.
Under recent redistricting, the newly designed District 8 includes the northernmost parts of Syracuse and borders Onondaga Lake. It has more than twice as many registered Democrats as Republicans. The election is Nov. 8.
In 2007, Corso ran for county legislator of District 17 but was defeated by Democrat Marty Masterpole. In this second run for the legislature, Corso stresses his deep community connections rather than specific policies. He is credited by neighbors, fellow Republicans and others in the Polish community with a deep commitment to neighborhood affairs.
For example, Corso worked with the Lakeside Tomorrow’s Neighborhoods Today civic group to persuade the city to name its Polish section “Maciejowa”, which literally means “where Matt lives.” According to members of the Sacred Heart Basilica in Syracuse, Matt was a well-known builder in the Polish neighborhood. Early Polish residents would refer to where they lived in relationship to where Matt lived. The neighborhood is located in the northernmost part of the Lakefront area in Syracuse. It’s officially identified on city maps by its Polish name.
Matt Olsczwski, a neighbor of Corso’s and vice president of the Polish Home, praised Corso for the neighborhood’s recognition. “it’s kind of nice that he got the Polish section some recognition. It’s part of the Polish history and heritage around here,” said Olsczwski. “Before Larry got it recognized on a map, Maciejowa never really got the acknowledgment it deserved.”
Corso is now continuing to work on raising Maciejowa’s profile in Syracuse by collaborating with a local builder to garner support and raise money for a large stone sign welcoming people to Maciejowa.
Corso’s other civic memberships include his Neighborhood Watch, the West End Republican Club and the Lincoln Republican Club. He is the GOP chairman for the city’s 2nd Ward and treasurer of the Syracuse Republican Committee.
His candidacy for District 8 in the county legislature is a by-product of his GOP roots, said Don Hamilton, the GOP town chair for Onondaga. Corso initially put his name in as the GOP candidate just to save a ballot line for the party in District 8. When no one else would take on the race, Corso decided to keep his name on the ballot and campaign for the seat.
“He decided to run rather than let it go by. He got up the courage and said, ‘I will be the candidate.’ He never was seeking it,” said Hamilton.
In 1953, after graduating from high school, Corso enlisted in the Marine Corps with four of his close friends from Syracuse. They were part of the Salt City Platoon, comprised mostly of men from Syracuse and the surrounding towns, recalled Corso. Being a Marine became a part of his identity, Corso said. For example, his business card still carries a Marine Corps quote: “The Corps — we love it, live it, and shall die for it. If you have never been in it, you shall never understand it.”
In the Marine Corps, Corso served in Italy, France, Turkey and Greece. After three years, he left the corps to return to Syracuse. He studied architecture and drawing at Onondaga Community College. He was a hairdresser for nine years. He was also an agent for the Teamsters Local Union.
At the age of 54, he attended Central New York Regional Academy for Police training at University College and became a licensed New York State guard. For 24 years, he was a security supervisor for apartment complexes, including Townsend Towers, Harrison House, and Clinton Plaza in downtown Syracuse.
Rick Golden worked with Corso 20 years ago when both were with the Teamsters union. Golden praised Corso as a straight-shooter. “He never had any hidden agendas. If you were sitting at a table with him, he would be upfront and open with you,” said Golden.
Of his campaign for the legislature, Corso said: “I’m talking about issues that affect the people and the people that I associate with and what they expect of me.”
(Kit Rodophele is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism.)
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