By Curt Peterson
Killington Select Board ended a review and amendment process that began in August, signing an altered version of the Vermont Declaration of Inclusion at its Nov. 14 meeting.
Andy Salamon, who has acted as ambassador for the declaration, and Town Manager Chet Hagenbarth led a committee of volunteers charged with recommending changes meant to resolve possible conflicts regarding board authority, enforcement, and implementation.
The original proposed declaration reads:
“The Town of ____ condemns racism and welcomes all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, age, or disability, and wants everyone to feel safe and welcome in our community. ”
As a town, we formally condemn all discrimination in all of its forms, commit to fair and equal treatment of everyone in our community, and will strive to ensure all of our actions, policies and operation procedures reflect this commitment.
“The Town of ____ has [been] and will continue to be a place where individuals can live freely and express their opinions.”
The board questioned their authority to pass ordinances, and cited possible conflicts and/or duplication with the town’s existing employee handbook, which already addresses diversity and inclusion issues. The committee produced a version acceptable to the Select Board, and Select Board member Jim Haff read it into the record before he, Chair Steve Finneron and selectman Chris Karr signed it.
The November 14 Killington Declaration says: “The Town of Killington condemns racism and discrimination in all its forms and commits to fair and equal treatment of everyone in our community.
“Our town strives to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all citizens and visitors. The town of Killington continues to adhere to its existing Employment and Harassment Policy as it pertains to all town municipal employees.”
Al Wakefield, one of the founders of VTdeclarationofinclusion.org explained the board was assuming no specific obligations by adoption. The website lists displaying the Declaration on the town website, in economic marketing, employee manuals, police protocols and any newsletters, and to consider it when enacting any future ordinances.
According to the VTdeclarationofinclusion.org implementation of the Declaration should make Vermonters aware of unrecognized systemic racism in our culture, help us realize the social and economic value of diversity, inspire preparation of the future generation for diversity, enhance Vermont’s attractiveness to potential homesteaders, encourage including diversity and fairness when creating or amending protocols, policies, manuals and practices in the municipality, and imbue town employees with the spirit of the Declaration as well.
By signing the Declaration Killington became one of 83 Vermont towns — representing almost 56% of the state population — to adopt it.
Wakefield said he has read the adopted version of the Declaration and Killington will now be considered for listing as a participant in the program.
