Wide margin gives Allaire confidence heading into third term
By Katy Savage
Rutland City Mayor David Allaire won his third term in office on Town Meeting Day, March 2, 2021.
The incumbent earned 1,356 votes, beating Board of Aldermen members Chris Ettori, who had 1,018 votes and Sam Gorruso, who had 561 votes. Allaire also beat Matthew Seager, the grandson of former Rutland City Mayor Gilbert Godnick, who garnered 481 votes.
Three other challengers — Kathleen Krevetski, Kam Johnston and Marge Johnston — earned less than 100 votes each.
“I was extremely pleased,” Allaire said. “With the tension around the country, it was hard to know how it was going to turn out.”
Allaire said there was work he still wanted to address as mayor, highlighting leadership changes and major upcoming economic projects. Voters approved a $1.45 million bond in November to buy the former College of St. Joseph’s sports complex. A closing is scheduled March 31. Meanwhile, Heartland Communities of America, based in Florida, is planning to convert the rest of the former college campus into a 178-unit assisted living facility — a $30-$50 million project.
“That is huge and I would like to see that through,” Allaire siad.
There are also changes in the office that Allaire wanted to oversee. In addition to new faces on the Board of Aldermen, Rutland City Commissioner of Public Works Jeff Wenneberg retired in January, Zoning Administrator Tara Kelly is preparing to leave her position and City Assessor Brian Keefe retired. Katie Langlois was elected March 2 to fill Keefe’s position while the city is accepting applications for the other positions.
“There were some things that I wanted to finish that I hadn’t had time to get to,” Allaire said. “I was very concerned about the city coming out of the last year of Covid and some of the challenges we face.”
Allaire, who underwent surgery for esophageal cancer over the summer, returned to work last fall. He said he’s prepared for the years ahead.
I’m feeling great, strong and ready to tackle the issues,” Allaire said. “I’m excited for the next two years.”
Chris Ettori, who had been on the Board of Aldermen for six years, was Allaire’s closest challenger. Ettori vacated his seat to run for mayor.
“The mayor’s been doing this a long time and had a lot of support,” Ettori said. “I really thought I could have won so I didn’t bother to run for the Board of Aldermen. I don’t know what’s next.”
Matt Seager, a political newcomer, was also unsure what his future in politics would look like.
“I was a little disappointed but it wasn’t entirely unexpected that I finished fourth,” he said. “There were three really well-established candidates.”
Seager ran on a platform to improve economic development. He said the challenges of campaigning in the pandemic may have hindered his success.
“I’m still reflecting on the whole experience,” Seager said. “I really enjoyed it. I learned a lot about Rutland. I think I’ll probably be back.”
