Dave Allaire is Rutland's current mayor - who's related by marriage to his predecessor at city hall and to both of the Louras cousins who lost their lives - Nick and Chris. Cindy Seager. Share with Us. ((T.J. DONOVAN / D- VT Attorney General: 7:41: we consider this matter now closed.)) Da Capo Publishing, Inc. Agenda 21, as defined by the United Nations, is a strategy for sustainable development. Louras had cruised to reelection five times. Investigators have not yet identified a motive for the killing. While weve appreciated the suggestions and insights, the time has come to shut them down at least temporarily. The Vermont State Police responded to the scene to continue the investigation into the officer-involved shooting. He is the son of former Rutland Mayor Christopher Louras who served five two-year terms as the city's top elected official. Drugs are believed to be a factor in the Louras cousins deaths, as Gov. He reports on criminal justice issues for VTDigger. Life is fragile, and we need to hold our loved ones tight, Allaire said at Tuesdays news conference. We cover state elections, the Vermont Legislature, the governors office, state agencies and major political parties. And thats where I went.". It serves him well many times and gets in his way many times, and I think he knows it. Louras had a wife and kids by then, but the marriage broke up after the war. The younger Louras,. RUTLAND, Vt. . He lets himself dream of Syrians opening falafel shops and young people moving back to be part of the newfound diversity. The mayor and father of four stated firmly, "Refugee resettlement should not be a political issue.". Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, But it wasnt until late 2015, when former Governor Peter Shumlin announced Vermont would open its doors to Syrian refugees, that Louras saw an opportunity to act on his idea. If I had been brought in on the front end of this and had been given the information that apparently a select few of the elites had been given, I would have guaranteed the vetting process was thorough and there would be a program laid out about how these people would assimilate; I would have been at the front of the line welcoming them with open arms. As mayor, he definitely weathered his share of criticism. In prior years, Louras shaved his head, and rocked a Mohawk, for the same cause. VTDigger publishes stories about Vermont environmental issues, including water quality, toxic waste, climate change and biodiversity. At foreclosure auctions, some four-bedroom homes have sold for less than $20,000. Louras was the son of Rutlands former longtime mayor, also named Chris Louras. Separately, Chris Louras mother, Crystal King, told NBC5, that she and Chris grandmother, Mary, loved the young man dearly and miss him every day. This has been a tragic event for our community, and of course, personally for my family, said Mayor Dave Allaire, Rutlands current mayor, who is related by marriage to his predecessor at city hall and to both of the Louras cousins who died, Nick and Chris. Were not like the Kool-Aid drinkers in Burlington, he said. Louras thinks some of those who have settled into Chittenden County might decide to move south, where housing is cheaper. Louras makes $72,000 a year compared to Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger's $94,000. According to a press release . Former Rutland Mayor's Son Killed in Gunfight With Police Louras was the son of Rutland's former longtime mayor, also named Chris Louras. He said hes grateful to have the job. that is degrading to another person. Newly-released footage from a police cruiser's dash cam showing a chase through a popular shopping area's parking lot in downtown Rutland in October 2019. "There's not a successful, vibrant and growing community in the country that hasn't embraced New Americans.". Let's keep Rutland moving forward and build on the progress that we have made. I kid him about it. Those are the big ones with two rotors. ((ROSE KENNEDY / Rutland County State's Attorney: 11:47: for that, I am eternally grateful to these officers and thank them for their actions.)) A complete obituary will appear in a later edition of the herald. ((JACK THURSTON: The former mayor's late son is also suspected ((MAYOR DAVE ALLAIRE / Rutland, VT: 12:18: this has been a tragic event for our community, and of course, personally for my family.)) She was born in Rutland October 31, 1921, the daughter of Nicholas and Amalia (Alex An off-duty officer spotted the suspect car about an hour-and-a-half later, and a police chase ensued through the Rutland City Plaza. Lauzon's take on Louras: "When Chris believes in something, he goes at it. All content "You've never heard of Agenda 21?". In the possible homicide in Salisbury case, the body of a man was discovered early Tuesday afternoon off Route 53, also known as Lake Dunmore Road. Earlier that morning, police said, Louras fired multiple times into the front entrance of the citys police station before he was spotted about 90 minutes later and exchanged fire with the officers. ", "I would have preferred more advance notice. There will be no criminal charges filed against four Vermont police officers who shot and killed the son of Rutland's former mayor back in October, after he led them on a chase . Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. "Rutland has been addressing our issues, and, having turned our community around, this is the next logical step to embrace New Americans and enjoy the economic and cultural benefits that level of diversity will provide," Louras said in an earlier interview. A non-profit organization is restoring the properties, much to the delight of neighbors. Contributions may be made to the Mentor Connector, 110 Merchants Row, Rutland, VT 05701. The man killed in the officer involved shooting has been identified as Christopher Louras, 33, of Rutland. For that, I am eternally grateful to these officers and thank them for their actions, Kennedy said. Louras said he was trying to stick up for local agriculture. Police say the younger Louras is suspected of shooting twice into the Rutland City police headquarters. The Rutland City and Rutland Town police officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave. Whether its a short vacation or theyre jetting off to begin their career, show the future traveler you care with a meaningful graduation gift. He can be reached at mpolhamus@vtdigger.org. The city had become a defacto property manager, picking up the garbage and mowing lawns. death is still under investigation in Addison County, Donovan said. He bleeds Rutland.". 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Low 42F. A key part of the plan is allowing refugees from Syria and other Middle East countries to infiltrate America, confiscate land, and set up fundamentalist Islamic control. With so many employers promising jobs, Rutland became Merdzanovic's top choice. Police have said the deaths are linked, but have stopped short of calling the younger Christopher Louras a suspect in his cousins death. A French Private Equity Firm Owns Six Vermont Childcare Centers, a Possible Harbinger of Things to Come, Vermont Senate Backs Expansion of 'Death With Dignity' Law, Burlington Ballot Proposes Big Changes in City Election Rules, Burlington Considers Kicking Fossil Fuels to the Curb, A resident reading a flier about resettlement, by Mark Davis, Chelsea Edgar and Ken Picard. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. She warned of increasing costs for city schools. Vermont Wants an Equitable Cannabis Industry. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. That feels good. Many who know the former mayor say this was an especially tough blow, and one he took personally. Sister Valerie and brother Nico were also on the payroll. Show me the plan. Keep it Clean. Six years later, he tried again and coasted to victory over Democrat Ted Lindgren. Mr. Louras is survived by a brother, Gus Louras, of Rutland and a sister, Marie Louras, of Rutland. Need more info? "We feel really confident in being able to get folks placed on the ground down there," Vermont Department of Labor Commissioner Annie Noonan said. Nicolaos' son Gus Louras' dad managed to buy the grocery wholesale business where he was employed. Peter Shumlin was among the first to declare that his state would welcome the Syrians. If GE were to leave the city of Rutland, it would be solely due to a lack of workforce.. a mental health crisis when he shot seven times at officers, as well as at the anti-anything. However, Donovan wouldnt discuss that while the murder investigation is still underway in Addison County. The former mayors late son is also suspected of killing his own cousin, Nicholas Louras, before that shootout with police. Acting unilaterally, however, may have jeopardized his laudable gambit. A Rutland Welcomes Facebook page has 1,000 members. Following high school, he served in the US Air Force in the Korean War as an Airplane Mechanic. He told Notte and a few local business leaders about the refugees but left the rest of the board, along with the city's legislative delegation and his constituents, in the dark. Two Buildings That Straddle the Canadian Border Bedevil Tenants and a Health Inspector, 7. Other communities, large and small, rely on professional managers, hired and overseen by elected boards, to run city hall. 'For the Love of Rutland' Documents Public and Private Sides of the He traced it back to 2008 and 2009 during the sub-prime mortgage crisis, when out-of-state property owners began defaulting on multi-family homes in Rutland.