Although he didn't speak that Wednesday night in May, Louras had already made his argument at other meetings and in the media: Bringing the refugees to Rutland would be a humanitarian act that also served the city's self-interest. 5, Sister Valerie and brother Nico were also on the payroll. RUTLAND, Vt. . VPRs Nina Keck wanted to see how the city and those most closely involved with the refugee debate have changed because of it. Use the 'Report' link on Don't Threaten. Former Rutland Mayor's Son Killed in Gunfight With Police It wouldn't be because of transportation infrastructure. A bitter divorce left him with full custody of the couple's two sons (who now have two young stepsiblings the result of Louras' second marriage, to Judith). person will not be tolerated. Investigators: Man killed cousin before deadly shootout with police, Bike race participant killed in Burke Saturday, Kuster tours health facilities in Upper Valley, Businesses say I Do to busy wedding season, Former Vt. mayor's son killed in police shootout; may be linked to homicide, Police ID officers in police-involved shooting in Rutland, Police connecting dots between Salisbury homicide, Rutland shootout, No update from police Friday on deaths of Louras cousins, Louras cousins both died of gunshot wounds, Louras family speaks out after cousins killed by gunfire, Vt. attorney general: 4 officers justified in fatal Rutland shooting, Police video reveals timeline of deadly officer-involved shooting. If you're looking for "ISpys," dating or LTRs, this is your scene. passed away on April 19, 2023. He can be reached at jcraven@vtdigger.org. "When these folks start coming into our community we'd love to work with them. I choose to remember the good times with young Chris back in our "hockey family" days. "We decided that would be a great idea to try to replicate what happened at the turn of the century, when all the southern and eastern Europeans came to Rutland and built this community," he said. Champlain St. Ste. A complete obituary will appear in a later edition of the herald. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Our environmental reporter is Mike Polhamus. Ben Cohens Cannabis Company Tries to Undo the Harm of the War on Drugs, 5. Let's keep Rutland moving forward and build on the progress that we have made. Agenda 21, as defined by the United Nations, is a strategy for sustainable development. Rutland has an unemployment rate of 3.3 percent, right around the statewide average of 3.2 and well below the national rate of 5 percent. I can't get past the recognition of how much more it could have impacted Rutland had it continued," Louras said. Nicholas Louras body was found by a passerby early on the afternoon of Oct. 8 on the edge of Route 53, also known as Lake Dunmore Road, in the Addison County town of Salisbury, about a 40-minute drive to Rutland. Nick was a 1945 graduate of Rutland High School. Need more info? that is degrading to another person. And also how aging impacts the stuff of life: marriage, loss, dating and sex. Low 42F. After Alderwoman Sharon Davis slammed him and the crowd erupted in applause, he assured a reporter, "Nothing I haven't heard before.". With Bernie Looking On, Ben & Jerry's Scoopers Announce Progress in Union Talks, 1. WCAX News spoke with a witness who watched it all go down. They want to give the best possible future to their children because they lost everything.". As mayor, he definitely weathered his share of criticism. Two Buildings That Straddle the Canadian Border Bedevil Tenants and a Health Inspector, 7. home/garden They brought up health concerns like tuberculosis, questions about employment and housing, and many, like Sharon Leonard, wondered why the city would help foreigners before attending to locals in need. wouldnt discuss that while the murder investigation is still underway in My issue is process. People respect him for that," Notte said. The man killed in the officer involved shooting has been identified as Christopher Louras, 33, of Rutland. But I'm not at the point where I'm willing to self-reflect, especially with a microphone., As to whether he regretted the way he handled the refugee resettlement issue, he was quick to say "no. NBC5 chose not to broadcast or publish the moment 33-year-old Christopher Louras is struck by police bullets. Three are from Rutland City, one was from Rutland Town.Donovan and Kennedy said the officers actions were legally justified under the states self-defense rules, which consider someone guiltless if they hurt or kill another person while trying to protect their own life or someone elses.Both prosecutors praised police for facing a threat with bravery before anyone else was hurt.For that, I am eternally grateful to these officers and thank them for their actions, Kennedy said.The former mayors late son is also suspected of killing his own cousin, Nicholas Louras, before that shootout with police. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The citys Project Vision program has been working on improving the quality of life and addressing drug concerns in Rutland for years now. Our education reporter is Tiffany Pache. For that, Louras is supposed to answer for the actions of city employees including the police. "He is very blunt. Despina Louras Obituary (2013) - Rutland, VT - Rutland Herald . Local obituaries for Rutland, Vermont 219 Obituaries Friday, April 28, 2023 Add Photos Add a Memory Barbara A Cagney Barbara A. Cagney Barbara A. Cagney, 85, of Rutland died Wednesday. Board of Alderman President William Notte recalled a campaign debate in which most of the contenders gave "flowery speeches" and made a lot of promises, while Louras, looking down, hands in pockets, told the crowd that whoever won was probably going to have to raise taxes to help balance the city's budget. for sale by owner guiltless if they hurt or kill another person while trying to protect their own Peter Miller, Iconic Vermont Photographer, Dies at 89, 3. A recent afternoon saw Louras grappling with a problem that would be unimaginable in Burlington reducing his city's housing stock. Trapeni was incensed at what he called the secrecy of the way resettlement was rolled out. In 1998, Louras ran for a seat in the Vermont House of Representatives as a Republican and lost by 115 votes to Democrat Diane Carrol. Maj. Dan Trudeau, head of the state police criminal division, said at a press conference late Tuesday afternoon that authorities are investigating a link between the shooting in downtown Rutland and a possible homicide in Salisbury. When asked if he had any plans to re-enter politics, the former mayors answer came fast: Hell no. Louras got in line. Separately, Chris Louras mother, Crystal King, told NECN and its affiliate, NBC 5 News, that she and Chris grandmother, Mary, loved the young man dearly and miss him every day. "Have you ever experienced enough pushback that you've stopped the program?". Within six months, Louras decided to run for alderman, aka city councilor. Drugs are believed to be a factor in the Louras cousins We also specialize in coverage of state finances and the impact of tax and budget policy on Vermonters. 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It. thank them for their actions, Kennedy said. Louras makes $72,000 a year compared to Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger's $94,000. If we dont get a say in this, this will be used in March.. ((He's got a gun!)) Cindy Seager. ((ROSE KENNEDY / Rutland County State's Attorney: 11:47: for that, I am eternally grateful to these officers and thank them for their actions.)) "I don't like the process in place in the legislature. More than 170 people turned out to a meeting at a Unitarian church, volunteering to help the refugees. VRRP never announces refugee arrivals in Burlington or Winooski. People take that for what it is genuine.". Christopher Louras death, obituary: Rutland Vermont shooting 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. "It was an itch I had to scratch," he said. "And we don't do that in America.". 5, The cousins death is still under investigation in Addison County, Donovan said. Separately, Chris Louras's mother says she and his grandmother loved her son dearly and miss him every day. Threats of harming another NECN chose not to broadcast or publish the moment However, Donovan It's a moving message, but Louras didn't think it would play well with the public. Before he got into politics, he was in the Army. Think outside the box this Mothers Day and opt for gifts other than flowers and chocolate. We cover the states hospitals, the states psychiatric care system, the Green Mountain Care Board, insurers, state health care policy, Medicaid and Medicare. It didn't help when local, national and even international journalists descended on Rutland's blighted Northwest and Southwest neighborhoods, portraying the areas as ground zero in Vermont's "opiate crisis.". The citys Project Vision program has been working on All content Now Louras is a general manager for Foley Distributing. Louras has given very few interviews since he left office in 2017. ", "How much pushback do you need?" And I know everything is right in their world., He added, However, I can't look at anything broader for this community because of the tragedy for our country. Incumbents are hard to beat in Vermont. Louras said he struggles to find solace in that. "The first thing I'm going to do is schedule a public hearing.". Officers won't be charged in shooting of former Rutland mayor's son, WHICH INVOLVED A HIGH- PROFILE FAMILY IN LOCAL POLITICS. Now, they say lab tests have confirmed it. The city's population has steadily declined since 1970, and the U.S. Census Bureau forecasts that it will sink further, from 16,500 today to 14,800 in 2030. Other communities, large and small, rely on professional managers, hired and overseen by elected boards, to run city hall. 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. We have too many things on our plate already. Police ID Salisbury homicide as cousin of man killed in Rutland Police are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Rutland, Vermont. Now that President Trump is expected to call . Louras had cruised to reelection five times. Get up to speed on the news Vermont is talking about, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Last November, after the Paris terrorist attacks, several Republican governors across the country declared they would not welcome refugees fleeing Syria into their states, citing concerns about possible terrorist infiltration. When he first left city hall, Louras worked briefly as a union representative, then for his family business, a tobacco and candy wholesaler in Rutland that the family recently sold after 75 years. No civilians or officers were injured in the gunfire. If GE were to leave the city of Rutland, it would be solely due to a lack of workforce.. He was born in Rutland, Vermont April 4, 1934, the son of Christopher and Esther (Ladue) Webber, Sr. John married his wife of 35 years Kathleen (Kurdeka) Webber in 1966. Police had always suspected that Christopher Louras killed his cousin. Six years later, he tried again and coasted to victory over Democrat Ted Lindgren. For that, I am eternally grateful to these officers and thank them for their actions, Kennedy said. Sen. Peg Flory (R-Rutland), who was then House minority leader, said Louras was "intense." But he also believed the mayor made a crucial mistake in not informing all the members of the board of aldermen ahead of time. homes for sale He got out with a rifle and officers from Rutland City and Rutland Town in downtown Rutland fired their weapons at him. His cousin, Nicholas Louras, 34, of Rutland, suffered gunshot wounds to his head and neck and died within seconds, his death certificate filed Tuesday stated. Right in Rutland: Will Mayor Chris Louras Fall on His Sword for 100 Louras had a wife and kids by then, but the marriage broke up after the war. Nick Louras, 34, of Rutland, was found dead of gunshot wounds off Route 53 in Salisbury last October. Donovan and Kennedy said the officers actions were legally justified under the states self-defense rules, which consider someone guiltless if they hurt or kill another person while trying to protect their own life or someone elses. Police have not said how the two deaths are linked, other than the familial relationship between the two. But Louras was dogged. Correction 4:30 p.m. 9/27/2019 An earlier version incorrectly identified the model type of the Chinook helicopter. Champlain St. Ste. Four officers, including three from Rutland City and one from neighboring Rutland Town, fired shots at Louras. "I was like, what is going on? So in the Army, as a warrant officer, you can pick one of three tracks, Louras said. Other contributing factors to his death, the document stated, were gunshot wounds to his torso and extremities. According to a press release . We had too much housing stock and not enough people to fill it.". 255 So. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Oct 29, 2019 1 Christopher George Louras RUTLAND Christopher George Louras, died at age 33. Police said Christopher Louras shot out the window at the police. He was predeceased by a brother, Peter Louras and by four sisters, Antoinette Candello, Georgia Bartlett, Koula Carignan and Despina Louras. Subscribe To 'The Frequency,' Our Daily Morning Newsletter, Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program Plans For Fewer Refugees After US Admissions Cap, Vermont Officials, Businesses Concerned About Decline In Refugees. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Vermont State Police on Tuesday confirmed that Christopher Louras was responsible for the murder of his cousin, Nicholas Louras. 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. Notifications from this guestbook will end. We'll see what skills they bring, but even if they don't have English yet and don't have health care skills, we would still work with them.". Vermont State Police, the agency heading the investigation in both deaths, have not released any information in either case since Thursday. Addison County. Get him worked up, and his voice rises. Employees at Ben & Jerrys Burlington store celebrate companys commitment to fair union negotiations, Rachel Smolker: PUC snuffs out a chance to weigh in on a flawed pipeline, Kelsey Wentling: What FirstLight wont be doing for the next 10 years, Jennifer Durgin: Climate activists and evangelicals can be allies. Nick Louras, 34, of Rutland, was found dead of gunshot wounds off . That landed him at a number of large military bases in Texas, Alabama and Kentucky before the 1991 Gulf War. They walked away from the homes we had squatters," Louras said. Louras own grandparents had been among them, settling in Rutland after fleeing Greece. Jack Thurston. I'm certainly concerned about that, too, but that's not my issue. Need more info? After the brief chase, the officers drew their own guns, striking Louras nine times, with a fatal wound to the head, according to prosecutors who discussed their probe of the case during a news conference Tuesday in Rutland. So besides the three refugee families that moved to Rutland, Louras is probably the one whos seen his life change the most because of how resettlement played out in this city. The Vermont State Police learned that a mans body was discovered off of Vermont Route 53, also known as Lake Dunmore Road, in Salisbury. Louras brought this no-nonsense style to city hall, but not everyone loved it. There's an internal report documenting problems in the Rutland Police Department, but Louras did not release it to the public when news of Todd's lawsuit broke. Footage from a police cruisers dashboard camera, obtained by NECN Tuesday, shows a chase through a popular shopping areas parking lot in downtown Rutland on Oct. 8. She can be reached at emansfield@vtdigger.org. VTDigger is now accepting letters to the editor. If you're looking for "ISpys," dating or LTRs, this is your scene. They ask that anyone with information call the state police in Rutland at 802-773-9101. If all goes well, backers say, this will not be a one-off event: Rutland will take its place alongside Burlington and Winooski and welcome a new batch of refugees every year. 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 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Both prosecutors praised police for facing a threat with bravery before anyone else was hurt. In 2010, Vermont State Police charged a Rutland police sergeant for viewing pornography on his work computer and removing a pornographic video from the police evidence locker. Louras relationship with the board had always been contentious, and this wasnt the first time he had gone around them to get something done. To criticize, correct or praise our reporting, please send us a letter to the editor or send us a tip. The plan took many city officials by surprise. Get an email notification whenever someone signs the guestbook. "I've got voters who invited that guy to come to Rutland!". Investigators have not yet identified a motive for the killing. I was like, wow, what was he thinking, doing it that way?. We consider this matter now closed, announced Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan, who added that he does not consider the way Louras died to be the way the totality of his life should be judged. Well check it out and report the results. Everyone in the room knew who he was. Police have said the deaths are linked, but have stopped short of calling the younger Christopher Louras a suspect in his cousins death. He bleeds Rutland.". In Vermont, A Town Is Divided Over Syrian Refugees - NPR Al Gobeille, Top Exec at UVM Health Network, to Resign, 5. Vermont Wants an Equitable Cannabis Industry. His paternal grandfather, Nicolaos, emigrated from Greece in 1906 to escape Ottoman Turks. Some questioned whether the immigrants would carry communicable diseases. It has long struggled with a stagnant economy and a declining population and has failed to attract the young families it needs to grow. After getting stuck on railroad tracks, the driver gets out and can be seen shooting at officers, who return fire. Particularly galling, Louras said, was the reaction of Republican colleagues when he cosponsored a 2005 bill that would have made companies that produced genetically modified seeds liable for inadvertent crop damage on neighboring farms. Those in favor and those opposed quickly mobilized, and Rutland made national and international headlines as a microcosm of the larger refugee debate raging worldwide. Louras thinks some of those who have settled into Chittenden County might decide to move south, where housing is cheaper. Former Vt. mayor's son killed in police shootout; may be linked to homicide As interpreted by Simpson and the segment of the populace that insists President Barack Obama is a Muslim, it's a conspiracy between the UN and liberals to create one world government. health/wellness When he's encouraging fellow mayors to act decisively, Lauzon urges them to go "full-on Louras.". Ironically, Rutland's refugee issue is now thoroughly politicized. Like a nerdy sailor, he mixes in expressions like "gosh," "good golly" and "holy moly" with actual swear words. "Agenda 21," Louras casually explained to a puzzled visitor. post your listing. ((T.J. DONOVAN / D- VT Attorney General: 7:41: we consider this matter now closed.)) But people who know the 58-year old say the transition out of public life has been difficult for him. Yeah, I get it. But what does being elderly even mean and what do Vermonters need to know as they age? Life is fragile, and we need to hold our loved ones tight, Allaire said at Tuesdays news conference. VRRP, the organization tasked by the U.S. Department of State with settling refugees in the state, usually accepts 300 refugees a year. There is no bigger advocate for the city of Rutland." Drugs are believed to be a factor in the Louras cousins deaths, as Gov. Now Louras is a general manager for Foley Distributing. Rutland Nicholas N. Louras, 89, passed away on November 12, 2016 at Rutland Regional Medical Center. But at times, he has had little to say about what's gone wrong on his watch. Just know your family is in my families thoughts and prayers. Phil Scott, R-Vermont, said in October. 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. Meetings at city hall in 2016 were packed with people on both sides of the resettlement issue. Although his parents weren't much into politics, his uncle Peter Louras had served for years on the board. now. Police say some aspects of the case, including the precise timeline of events, remain under investigation. death is still under investigation in Addison County, Donovan said. Thanks for reading. Louras privately lobbied the VRRP to choose Rutland, then spent months quietly laying the groundwork for the refugees' arrival without seeking approval from the board of alderman, or even telling most city officials what he was up to. In prior years, Louras shaved his head, and rocked a Mohawk, for the same cause. One individual asked how Rutland would handle the imposition of Sharia law. Louras grabbed his iPad and gleefully pulled up a video of Simpson speaking at a recent event in New Hampshire. Louras, the son of former Rutland mayor Christopher Louras, died within seconds or minutes of suffering a gunshot wound to his head in the shootout, a death certificate filed Tuesday with the state Department of Health stated. ((MAYOR DAVE ALLAIRE / Rutland, VT: 12:49: life is fragile, and we need to hold our loved ones tight.)) When no jobs appealed to him after college, Louras enlisted as a warrant officer in the U.S. Army and learned to fly twin-rotor Chinook helicopters. The expectation of partisan loyalty also turned him off so much so that he studiously avoids stating the names of America's two major political parties. David Trapeni, the author of the petition, asked Merdzanovic during the recent meeting. home/garden Online comments may return when we have better tech tools for managing them. The Tangled Tale Behind the Abrupt Resignation of Middlebury Union High Schools Principal, 2. It has quietly funneled most refugees who arrived in Vermont Bosnians, Somalians, Bhutanese, Congolese, Burmese and Iraqis to Burlington and Winooski. 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