Gary Cloutier facts for kids
Gary Cloutier is a community leader who once served as the mayor of Vallejo, California. He was first elected on November 21, 2007, and officially took office on December 4, 2007. However, his time as mayor was very short. His opponent, Osby Davis, asked for a recount of the votes. The recount showed that Osby Davis had actually won the election, so Mr. Cloutier was replaced on December 7.
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Early Life and Education
Gary Cloutier grew up in Rhode Island. He went to Brown University and earned a degree in Political Science. This means he studied how governments work and how people get involved in politics. While at Brown, he was a talented football player, playing as a defensive tackle. He even won an award for his sports achievements.
Later, in 1991, he earned a law degree from Suffolk Law School. Before becoming a lawyer, Mr. Cloutier worked for a senator named Claiborne Pell from Rhode Island. He was a legislative aide, which means he helped the senator with his work in government.
Legal Work
Gary Cloutier has worked as a lawyer. He was once a partner with Paul Wotman, a lawyer known for his work in civil rights. Civil rights lawyers work to protect the rights and freedoms of all people.
Political Journey
Mr. Cloutier's journey in politics started in the city government of Vallejo, California. In 1999, he was first elected as a city councilman. A city councilman helps make decisions for the city. He served in this role, and also as vice-mayor, for eight years.
In 2007, he ran for mayor of Vallejo against Osby Davis, who was a real estate lawyer. The first count of the votes showed that Mr. Cloutier had won the election. He was elected on November 21, 2007, and became mayor on December 4, 2007. But then, Mr. Davis asked for a recount. The new count showed that Mr. Davis had won, so he became the mayor instead.
What Happened Next
After the mayoral election in Vallejo, Gary Cloutier moved to Miami Beach. There, he worked as an aide to the Mayor and Commissioner of the city.
In 2010, he wrote a book called Rough Point. This book shared his experiences as an athlete, a civil rights lawyer, and a politician. He also started a blog called "Among The Hogs." This blog is about how to live well in a country like the United States, where people have many freedoms.
In March 2012, he was honored by his old high school, Westerly High School, and was added to their Athletic Hall of Fame.
Community Work in Providence
In May 2012, Mr. Cloutier became the Executive Director of Groundwork Providence. This organization is in Providence, Rhode Island. It works to improve the environment and help communities grow. In January 2013, Groundwork Providence received a special award called the "Champions in Action" award from Citizens Bank. This award is given to the best non-profit organization in Rhode Island each year.
In August 2013, Gary Cloutier left Groundwork Providence. He returned to San Francisco to work as a lawyer again.
