He becomes second to challenge Allaire for top city job
Matthew Godnick Seager, Rutland City resident, educator, small business owner and entrepreneur announced his candidacy for mayor of the City of Rutland on Dec. 30. He is the grandson of former Rutland City Mayor Gilbert “Gilly” Godnick who served as city mayor from 1973 to 1981.
He joins Alderman Chris Ettori in challenging Mayor David Allaire, who is seeking re-election.
“I decided to run for mayor because Rutland is a special place to me, a city I’ve always been proud to call my hometown, but frankly from a leadership standpoint I believe Rutland needs fresh ideas, new energy, and a Mayor that will work tirelessly to move the city forward,” said Seager. “I’ve spoken with hundreds of city residents, business leaders and key stakeholders in recent months and the resounding sentiments are that Rutland is economically-stagnant, people are tired of the status-quo, and residents are starved for progress. Instead of platitudes, residents want action, and I am committed to making things happen for the betterment of Rutland City.”
Among Seager’s key priorities are workforce development, job retention and creation, and a commitment to continuing Rutland’s war on drugs.
“Along with guiding the day to day operations of the city, its various departments, and the budget, I believe that Rutland’s Mayor should be a dogged, passionate and energetic facilitator of progress for the city,” said Seager. “Generally speaking, Rutland has experienced a declining population, shrinking tax base, loss of jobs and a continued challenge with drugs for over a decade. Not to mention, Rutland’s tax rate is among the highest in the state. To me, Rutland is at a cross
roads – bold work needs to happen now to ensure the future, long-term stability and success of the city.
“It was a privilege to grow up in Rutland, play in neighborhoods bustling with kids, attend the city day camps and experience the historic Rutland versus MSJ rivalry games,” added Seager. “We are a small city with an impressive history, and without a doubt Rutland’s chief asset is the great people who live here. I am eager to get my campaign started, look forward to engaging with more residents in the coming weeks, and am excited to roll out a number of action-based initiatives that are just a small sample of the work I intend to do for Rutland City.”
This is the first time Seager has run for public office.
Background
Seager, 37, was born and raised in Rutland and attended Christ the King School and Mt. St. Joseph Academy before continuing his education at Salisbury School, then St. Louis University- Madrid, Spain Campus, College of Charleston, and College of St. Joseph. Seager received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from College of Charleston in 2007, and his Masters of Business Administration at College of St. Joseph in 2019.
Since graduating from College of Charleston, Seager has held a variety of professional roles spanning the fields of business, education, and government including positions as an intern in the U.S. Senate and the Stennis Congressional Intern Program in Washington D.C., teacher, coach and dorm parent at Rumsey Hall School in Connecticut and Stratton Mountain School in Vermont, founder and program director of Go To Grow Abroad, LLC., private homeschool teacher, Assistant Program Director of Social Entrepreneurship for the Summerfuel Program at Stanford University, ELL tutor at Castleton University, graduate assistant, admissions officer, seminar instructor and advisor at College of St. Joseph, and Recruiter and Marketer for the U.S. Census Bureau in Vermont.
