Cortez – sidelined by a
heart attack
NEWBURGH – Newburgh City Manager Michael Ciaravino appointed Lt. Aaron Weaver officer in charge of the police department after Lt. Joseph Cortez suffered a mild heart attack.
Ciaravino named Cortez, 49, to the post after Lt. Richard Carrion retired earlier this year. The city manager continues his search for a permanent police chief.
“We wish Joe Cortez all the best,” Ciaravino said Tuesday
evening. “He did a wonderful job leading the Newburgh Police Department
after Lt. Carrion’s retirement. At this time, though, given the
confidential medical information that has been shared with me, I believe
that this is the most prudent course forward. It will allow Lt. Cortez
to recuperate and will enable us in the Newburgh Police Department not
to miss a beat with our leadership,”
Two candidates who passed the most recent civil service test for police chief have expressed interest in the job and Ciaravino is considering offering it to one of them. One candidate is from Orange County, the other is from Binghamton.
