NORTH PROVIDENCE - Arthur J. Corvese is seeking his sixth term as District 55 state representative and is challenged in the upcoming Sept. 9 Democratic primary by Paula D. DiNucci.

Corvese is 52 and is a self-employed optometrist. DiNucci, 52, is a teacher in the Providence School Department.

Corvese lives at 234 Lexington Ave. with his wife Terry. The couple have two children.

Corvese has been self-employed for 27 years.

He is a graduate of North Providence High School. He earned a bachelor of science degree in biology at Providence College. He graduated from the New England College of optometry with a doctor of optometry degree.

Corvese previously held office as member of the North Providence School Committee, before running for and winning the state representative seat he now holds in 1998.

In announcing his campaign for re-election, Corvese said, "I will continue to be our community's voice for local concerns at the Statehouse, while keeping a watchful eye on the many larger state issues that affect all Rhode Islanders."

"On a daily basis, the newspapers report the many governmental and economic difficulties confronting the state of Rhode Island at this time in our history. These articles reflect the challenges, both external and internal, that face the Rhode Island House of Representatives," Corvese continued.

He states that during these times it is important to strike a fair and equitable balance between programs and pocketbooks.

"While we expect our state government to protect and improve our lives in some manner or fashion, common sense and the limits of our fiscal resources force us to realize that government cannot be all things to all people all the time," he said. "This common sense viewpoint was firmly in mind when I was only one of six democrats in the House to vote against, and work against, allowing day-care workers to become state workers."

DiNucci, who is single, lives at 12 Plymouth Road. She is a graduate of North Providence High School and she earned a bachelor of arts degree in secondary education and English.

When she announced her candidacy she said, "My decision to become politically involved is based on the obvious need for concerned citizenry to step up to the plate and take back our government."

"Let us not forget that government is 'of the people, for the people, and by the people.' Our voices are not being heard, or, if heard, then ignored."

DiNucci added, "You cannot open a newspaper without being confronted with one crisis after another. Our state is being taken in a direction that fosters unfavorable consequences for the hard-working middle class."

In a subsequent press release, DiNucci said, "Fiscal irresponsibility has brought about the budget dilemma.

"The last ditch effort to scapegoat state employees is the result of the state's failure to act responsibly and its failure to prosecute those who have deliberately defrauded the state. Therein lay the funds needed for a balanced budget.

"The selective remedy of 'balancing the budget' penalizes innocent workers for the state's lack of economic foresight and has brought about a long-term demoralizing effect."