Refugee plan looms over Rutland mayoral race

MONTPELIER - The mayor of Rutland, seeking his sixth two-year term Tuesday on Town Meeting Day, would like to focus his race against three challengers on his response to the issues facing the city, including drug use and joblessness, but his plan to bring up to 100 Syrian refugees to the city overshadows everything.

Mayor Christopher Louras said that under his leadership, Rutland has made great strides in confronting the heroin use that put the city of about 16,500 in the national news, and that it would be a mistake to change leadership while progress is being made.

He said he is also working to create jobs and make Rutland a more attractive place for young people to live and raise their families. Louras points to statistics that show crime is down, says people in Rutland feel safer than they did four years ago, and says the city’s Project Vision has become a national model for confronting drugs.

“The greatest threat is a change of leadership at the top,” Louras said.

Read more: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2017/03/04/refugee-plan-looms-rutland-mayoral-race/98717242/