With Town Meeting Day one week away, the mayoral candidates in Rutland are working hard to connect with voters. This comes one month after Mayor Mike Doenges unexpectedly announced his early resignation, causing a write-in election to determine the city’s next mayor.Rutland voters heard from four people at a “Meet the candidates’ event” last week, including City Alderman Tom Donahue. Henry Heck, who ran against Doenges last year, was also there, as well as long-time Rutland residents Luigi Illiano and Robert Reynolds. Now, more candidates are joining the race. David Allaire, former Rutland Mayor and current Board of Aldermen President, recently announced his write-in campaign. Allaire said he wanted to take time to fully consider running after hearing Doenges’ resignation announcement. He said voters are looking for stability and transparency from the mayor’s office. “I know what the issues of the day are. I have served as mayor before. I can hit the ground running on day one. There’s not going to be any learning curve,” said Allaire. Allaire believes his relationship with the current Board of Aldermen and past leadership makes him qualified for the position. If elected, he plans to focus on housing, public safety and progressing city infrastructure. Harper W. Ennis also recently announced his campaign. Ennis has lived in the Rutland area for about two years and is an IT professional. He would like to help the area with addiction and homelessness and add underground infrastructure. “I have solutions for every legitimate complaint I’ve found with the city. There’s trillions of dollars in marble here. The wealth should be for the people of Rutland,” said Ennis. The write-in election has given candidates a short period of time to campaign compared to past years. “A mayoral campaign is usually 2 to 3 months long, there’s fundraising, there’s debate,” Allaire said. Many candidates are using social media to reach voters. “I’m promoting and speaking to as many people on foot as I can and there’s also the website and the videos,” said Ennis. One local Rutland business owner, Meshach Tourigny, said the last-minute election has been confusing for the community because there is no set ballot or list of candidates. “I bet it can be very confusing. Just people throwing their names in here and there, who’s actually running, who’s serious about it?” he said. Rutland voters will select their next mayor at Town Meeting Day on March 3. The individual elected will serve a one-year term.
With Town Meeting Day one week away, the mayoral candidates in Rutland are working hard to connect with voters. This comes one month after Mayor Mike Doenges unexpectedly announced his early resignation, causing a write-in election to determine the city’s next mayor.
Rutland voters heard from four people at a “Meet the candidates’ event” last week, including City Alderman Tom Donahue. Henry Heck, who ran against Doenges last year, was also there, as well as long-time Rutland residents Luigi Illiano and Robert Reynolds. Now, more candidates are joining the race.
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David Allaire, former Rutland Mayor and current Board of Aldermen President, recently announced his write-in campaign. Allaire said he wanted to take time to fully consider running after hearing Doenges’ resignation announcement. He said voters are looking for stability and transparency from the mayor’s office.
“I know what the issues of the day are. I have served as mayor before. I can hit the ground running on day one. There’s not going to be any learning curve,” said Allaire.
Allaire believes his relationship with the current Board of Aldermen and past leadership makes him qualified for the position. If elected, he plans to focus on housing, public safety and progressing city infrastructure.
Harper W. Ennis also recently announced his campaign. Ennis has lived in the Rutland area for about two years and is an IT professional. He would like to help the area with addiction and homelessness and add underground infrastructure.
“I have solutions for every legitimate complaint I’ve found with the city. There’s trillions of dollars in marble here. The wealth should be for the people of Rutland,” said Ennis.
The write-in election has given candidates a short period of time to campaign compared to past years.
“A mayoral campaign is usually 2 to 3 months long, there’s fundraising, there’s debate,” Allaire said.
Many candidates are using social media to reach voters.
“I’m promoting and speaking to as many people on foot as I can and there’s also the website and the videos,” said Ennis.
One local Rutland business owner, Meshach Tourigny, said the last-minute election has been confusing for the community because there is no set ballot or list of candidates.
“I bet it can be very confusing. Just people throwing their names in here and there, who’s actually running, who’s serious about it?” he said.
Rutland voters will select their next mayor at Town Meeting Day on March 3. The individual elected will serve a one-year term.
