By Phaedra Roli '03

There is nothing Peter Clavelle would rather be than mayor of Burlington, Vermont. A 1971 Saint Anselm graduate, Clavelle recently was elected to serve his seventh term—more terms than any other mayor in the history of Burlington. He takes great pride in his position and strives to make a difference in Vermont's largest city (dubbed its "Queen City") each day.

Much of his passion comes from family roots. Ancestors on both sides of his family worked in the area's mills and brickyards, and he grew up helping out at the family store in Burlington. But he is also inspired by the city's unique character. "Burlington is a city where people are actively engaged. People in this community really come together and work toward building a more sustainable community," Clavelle said. "I have great satisfaction in my job and love to see the results of my work, whether that be helping to have jobs with livable wage or helping meet the needs of working families."

Clavelle earned a bachelor's degree in urban studies, a major that focused on city planning and administration. He went on to earn a master's degree in public administration at Syracuse University, after which he became manager of the small western Vermont town of Castleton. Four years later, he became manager of his own hometown: Winooski, a revitalized mill town just over the hill from Burlington.

Clavelle's involvement in the Mayor's Office in Burlington began with volunteer work for then-mayor Bernie Sanders. He worked as Burlington's personnel director and director of community and economic development before launching his first mayoral campaign in April 1989.

Looking back at his college years, Clavelle recalls enjoying Saint Anselm's tight-knit community. "The friendships that I made are really one of my fondest memories. Saint Anselm was like one big family," Clavelle said. His cousin, Fr. Richard Clavelle, O.S.B., was a member of the Saint Anselm monastic community until his death in 1999. Fr. Jude, Clavelle's former dorm advisor, remembers him well and looks forward to catching up with Clavelle at Saint Anselm/Saint Michael's basketball games. (Saint Michael's College is in Winooski.)

"Peter is a very unassuming young man who does not like to be praised or complimented for his work with the poor," Fr. Jude said. "But he deserves great kudos for his unselfishness. I am proud to say he is a wonderful alumnus and my very good friend." Fellow classmate Fr. Mark Cooper, O.S.B., also saw his potential for success as a community leader: "He approached everyone the same way, with respect and friendliness," Fr. Mark said.

Clavelle now lives in Burlington with his wife, Betsy Fierres, and three teenage children. When he is away from the Mayor's Office, Clavelle enjoys traveling, cross-country skiing, and indulging his love for cooking Cajun food.

During Clavelle's tenure, Burlington has revitalized its waterfront and become a lively arts community. Clavelle strives to continue to improve the city by focusing on livable-wage jobs and affordable housing. He also plans to focus on the nighttime conduct of Vermont college students, a job that he finds especially ironic since he remembers being "quite the partier" during his four years at Saint Anselm.

Clavelle is proud of Burlington's most recent accolades, including being named "The #1 City to Have It All" and "One of the Most Livable Cities," and receiving the "Great American Main Street" award. He looks forward to making additional strides for Burlington, a city where his heart and strong dedication truly lie.