Refugees on way to Rutland (Vermont) despite unanswered security, budget concerns

[Geee]

Watchdog.org:

Approval of a secret plan to make Rutland a refugee resettlement center has divided the community and left many unanswered questions about security and financial risks for the city.

 

One hundred mostly Syrian refugees are headed to Rutland as soon as December following notification from the State Department on Wednesday that the city of 16,000 residents is now a designated host community.

 

The approval comes in response to a 120-plus-page application Mayor Chris Louras filed earlier this year in collaboration with representatives of the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program. Louras kept the application secret to hide details of the plan and prevent public input.

 

The mayor’s actions have stoked suspicion and ignored legitimate security and financial questions, according to state and local leaders.

 

“I think they are questions that should be answered,” Lt. Gov. Phil Scott said at a gubernatorial debate Wednesday night in Rutland.