By Russell Flannery

Rutlanders will pick the next mayor of one of Vermont’s largest cities in an unusual write-in vote on Tuesday, March 3, following the surprise resignation of Mike Doenges in a letter last month.  The Vermont Daily Chronicle exchanged this week with declared write-in candidates Tom Donahue and Robert Reynolds through written questions that focused on growth and taxes.

Donahue, a current member of the Board of Alderman with a long service record in the city who has been endorsed by Vermont Governor Phil Scott, noted on taxes: “Right now most Rutland residents can’t afford their taxes. Increasing revenue through tax increases is not sustainable.” Donahue said he’d work to attract new investment and do more to address blighted properties in Rutland. 

Reynolds, an electrician and founder of Infinity Solutions, addressed the city budget submitted for approval to voters on Tuesday; its increase from a year ago is twice the U.S. inflation rate.   “If municipal spending consistently outpaces economic growth over time, that model is not sustainable,” Reynolds said. “Budget growth should be tied to measurable outcomes, efficiency improvements, and long-term fiscal discipline. Taxpayers deserve to see clear connections between spending and results.” 

We also reached declared candidates Dave Allaire and Henry Heck, who were unable to respond before our deadline. 

The full exchange with Donahue is immediately below, followed by Reynolds.

Robert Reynolds (left), Tom Donahue, among the write-in candidates for the Rutland City mayoral election. VDC reached out with the same questions to write-in candidates Henry Heck and David Allaire but did not receive responses.

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VDC: You’d have only one year in office if elected to the current mayoral vacancy.   Looking ahead a year from now, what is one thing you think you’d be able to say you accomplished during that short time if elected?

Donahue:  Since I would only have one year guaranteed in the Office of Mayor, if elected, the one thing I would be able to say I accomplished during that time is simple. We got Rutland winning again! I am confident that with my proven experience and leadership there are a number of large and small initiatives that I intend to complete and celebrate year one. Rutland residents and even those in surrounding towns are anxious to see Rutland back on top.

VDC: Walmart will reportedly move out of the Rutland Plaza in 2028, and there has already been a steady increase in vacancies there in the past year. The Plaza is a big part of downtown Rutland and a source of tax revenue.  Is the city addressing this looming loss adequately? What do you see as the future of the space there?  

Donahue:  I fully support Walmart building a supercenter in Rutland Town. This store will draw people to our region, and we all want the addition of this shopping in our area. This presents great and exciting opportunity for the available space in the plaza. In my recent conversation with a Brixmor vice president (Brixmor owns the Rutland Plaza), he indicated they intend to fill that space with one or two new retails stores. I will work with their team to accomplish just that. I will not look to a new library or housing for that space. It must be new retail. In addition to more shopping for Rutland, it will continue the revenue stream we now enjoy created by the 1% option tax.  

VDC: Do you expect the planned hotel in downtown Rutland along Center Street to eventually be completed?  If so, in what year (pick one) do you expect it to actually open for business? 

Donahue: If elected, I will assist the developers in getting this project under construction in 2026 and completed in 2028. In the meantime, we will celebrate many great accomplishments along the way including major improvements to infrastructure, streets and sidewalks. During that time, we will begin to promote Rutland as a destination for skiing, shopping, dining and taking in a show with a place to stay. All in walking distance from Amtrak. 

VDC: Has the city been vigorous enough in addressing the problem of blighted buildings in Rutland？If not, what should be done?

Donahue: The City can do much more to address our blighted buildings. As one example, I take great issue with the vacant building at the premier corner of US 4 & 7. This is a gateway to our city and it has been an eyesore for decades. Beautifying this corner and seeking investment in a new business there will be a year one initiative if I am elected Mayor.

VDC: Property tax reassessments now under way may lead to sharply higher tax bills soon for many Rutlanders. As we all know, Vermonters already bear some of the highest tax burdens in the nation. What can the city do in advance to help taxpayers learn about the potential impact of the reassessment on their income and manage its effect?  

Donahue: With the property tax reassessment being completed in 2028 we will see our valuation of property more in line with the real value because currently it is drastically low at about 53%. With all city property assessments going up together, in theory it should spread the tax burden out equitably avoiding a sharp increase in most assessments. It is very important that we clearly communicate with taxpayers every step of the way so that no one is surprised with any part of the process or conclusion once complete. Additionally, we must communicate the avenues for appeal which start with the City Assessor and can appeal to the Board of Civil Authority which I have served on for over 20 years. 

VDC: The city’s proposed budget increase on the ballot next week is at a rate two times the national rate of inflation.  Is that sustainable? 

Donahue: The city’s proposed budget on the ballot will increase taxes in July. Right now most Rutland residents can’t afford their taxes. Increasing revenue through tax increases is not sustainable. We must find alternative revenue sources to relief the burden on home and business owners. Among other efforts I will work to grow the grand list with additional economic development investment in the city thus providing the opportunity to relieve the burden currently experienced by taxpayers. Accomplishing this is paramount. 

VDC:  Five years after the outbreak of Covid, how do you feel about Rutland hotels built for tourism still being used to house the homeless?  

Donahue: The hotel and motel program as we know it today should have been discontinued after the pandemic was declared over by the President. It accomplished the critical goal of keeping the virus from spreading through congregate shelter. However, the current arrangement does not provide the supports people need to move forward post pandemic and is often exacerbating their situation. Shelter models now being stood up provide for case work and support teams to move people into sustainable housing and helps address other critical needs. The hotels in Rutland must be restored to providing lodging for our tourists, visitors and business travelers so that Rutland can become an attractive destination again. All of our area businesses will benefit.                         

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VDC: You’d have only one year in office if elected to the current mayoral vacancy.   Looking ahead a year from now, what is one thing you think you’d be able to say you accomplished during that short time if elected?

Reynolds: If elected to complete the remaining year of the mayoral term, I understand that time will be limited. One year is not enough to overhaul a city, but it is enough to tighten systems, increase accountability, and establish measurable direction. If I could point to one accomplishment after a year, it would be this: implementing a structured workforce and stabilization framework that directly connects local employers with residents who are capable of working but currently disconnected from opportunity. Rutland has employers who need workers, and we have residents who need stability. Those systems are not aligned efficiently. Public assistance should be structured to move capable individuals toward employment and long-term independence, with clear benchmarks and measurable outcomes. In one year, we can formalize employer partnerships, reduce duplication between agencies, and establish reporting standards so taxpayers can see what is working.   I believe Rutland needs steady, systems-focused leadership rooted in measurable progress – not ideology, not rhetoric but disciplined coordination, transparent governance and long-term stability. In one year, we may not solve every challenge but we can absolutely improve how the city operates, strengthen fiscal discipline, and set a direction built on accountability and results.

VDC: Walmart will reportedly move out of the Rutland Plaza in 2028, and there has already been a steady increase in vacancies there in the past year. The Plaza is a big part of downtown Rutland and a source of tax revenue.  Is the city addressing this looming loss adequately? What do you see as the future of the space there?  

Reynolds: The potential departure of Walmart from Rutland Plaza is not just about one retailer — it highlights economic concentration risk. When a commercial area depends heavily on a single anchor tenant, the city becomes vulnerable. The responsible response is proactive diversification. We should be conducting impact assessments now and engaging developers early to explore mixed-use redevelopment options. Rutland should not rely on replacing one large retailer with another identical model. Long-term resilience comes from diversified commercial strategy that balances retail, service, and other viable uses based on market reality. 

VDC: Do you expect the planned hotel in downtown Rutland along Center Street to eventually be completed?  If so, in what year (pick one) do you expect it to actually open for business? 

Reynolds: Regarding the planned downtown hotel, I was not involved in its planning or financing, and I want to be careful not to overstate influence. Completion is possible, but dependent on stable funding and execution. Based on typical development timelines, 2027 would be a realistic estimate at the earliest. If elected, my role would be to ensure transparency, regulatory clarity, and predictable municipal processes. The city’s responsibility is not to control private development, but to ensure professionalism and consistency in how projects are handled. 

VDC:  Has the city been vigorous enough in addressing the problem of blighted buildings in Rutland? If not, what should be done? 

Reynolds: Blighted buildings affect property values, safety, and overall community morale. While progress has been made, enforcement must be consistent and structured. Clear timelines, defined escalation procedures, and follow-through matter. At the same time, not every neglected property is the result of bad intent. Some owners lack the capital to rehabilitate structures. The city should pair enforcement with pathways to compliance, incentives where appropriate, and strategic intervention when necessary. The goal is not punishment — it is restoration of standards and neighborhood stability. 

VDC: Property tax reassessments now under way may lead to sharply higher tax bills soon for many Rutlanders. As we all know, Vermonters already bear some of the highest tax burdens in the nation. What can the city do in advance to help taxpayers learn about the potential impact of the reassessment on their income and manage its effect?  

Reynolds: Property tax reassessments are understandably creating concern. It is important to clarify that reassessment does not automatically increase total municipal revenue; it redistributes tax burden based on updated property values. That distinction must be communicated clearly before bills arrive. The city should hold informational sessions, provide transparent breakdowns separating municipal, school, and state components, and offer accessible tools that help residents estimate potential impact. When communication is proactive and clear, anxiety decreases and trust increases. 

VDC: The city’s proposed budget increase on the ballot next week is at a rate two times the national rate of inflation.  Is that sustainable? 

Reynolds: The proposed budget increase at twice the rate of inflation deserves serious examination. The key question is whether the increase reflects temporary adjustments or structural spending growth. If municipal spending consistently outpaces economic growth over time, that model is not sustainable. Budget growth should be tied to measurable outcomes, efficiency improvements, and long-term fiscal discipline. Taxpayers deserve to see clear connections between spending and results. 

VDC: Five years after the outbreak of Covid, how do you feel about Rutland hotels built for tourism still being used to house the homeless?  

Reynolds: The continued use of hotels to house individuals experiencing homelessness five years after the outbreak of Covid reflects a temporary solution that has extended beyond its intended scope.  Emergency responses were necessary.  However, long-term reliance on hotel housing is costly and does not create stable pathways forward. Rutland should prioritize transitions into housing solutions paired with employment pathways where appropriate. Compassion and accountability are not opposite; durable stability requires both.

Russell Flannery is a former long-time senior editor at Forbes.