Gio Falco News Today

A growing list of Vermont communities are adopting a new pledge that condemns racism and sends a message that they welcome all people.The city of Rutland joined the list this week, when its Board of Aldermen approved the Declaration of Inclusion in a unanimous vote.“I hope this sends a clear message to the community, to the rest of the state, and really to the country that Rutland is a place that is welcoming of everyone,” said Thomas Franco, a member of the Rutland Board of Aldermen. ...

Franco formally signed his name to the newly adopted document Wednesday, along those of his colleagues. The towns of Pittsford, Pittsfield, Franklin, Brandon, Waterbury, Middlebury and the village of Woodstock have similarly embraced the declaration, according to Al Wakefield, one of the members of a group promoting greater adoption of the Declaration of Inclusion. “Our vision is that the Declaration of Inclusion is really a challenge to move Rutland forward, to embrace and promote change, to...