From 1961: Independents to Offer 27 For October Election

The following article is from 50 years ago today, published in the Hartford Courant on July 24th, 1961.

Max Corvo decided less than a week later to withdraw from the municipal election, saying he was unable to find a candidate with sufficient experience for the position of mayor.
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The Voters Independent Party will circulate petitions this week for 27 candidates for city office in the October election.

Max Corvo, local publisher and a leader of the VIP, said 25 party members will circulate the petitions for submission to the town clerk on Friday.

By law, each candidate must have a petition signed by one-half of one per cent of the total number of eligible voters at the time of the last city election.

Corvo, publisher of the weekly Middletown Bulletin and the VIP party candidate for mayor three years ago, said that he did not expect canvassers would have much trouble securing the names required in the petitions.

Three years ago, the VIP secured well over 200 names for the ticket headed by Corvo.

Names not Revealed
Corvo, now residing in Cromwell, but active in the Voters Independent Party, said the identity of the candidates will not be revealed until the petitions are properly filed. He has indicated that the nominee for mayor will be a "surprise".

Corvo's party has already invited residents interested in serving on the Board of Education to file their names with the party. Tonight the VIP will hold a meeting at which candidates will be present to discuss campaign strategy and other party affairs.

City Treasurer
In announcing the fact that candidates' petitions will be circulated this week, Corvo said his party may not file a candidate for city treasurer inasmuch as the incumbent, Theodore A. Kowaleski, Democrat, has been endorsed by the Republicans.

The independent party slate must be filed 65 days from the date of the city election, which is Oct. 2, and the filing of the petitions on Friday will be within the legal limit.