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Title:  Hitler’s Germany?

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May 9th 2008

“Hitler’s Germany had very little left over us...”
-- George Cravenho

by Dan Sapir & Dennis Randall

(February 20, 2004) No George. You’re wrong. Nothing and no one in Kingston comes close. Not even even our worst foes.

Growing more agitated as his term in office draws toward an end, Selectman George Cravenho this month lashed out at fellow member Mark Beaton who had asked that the town become involved in the naming of the Pottle Street ballfield complex. Cravenho, with voice quaking and composure lost began a verbal assault against Beaton, the Kingston Observer and apparently anyone outside the Board who advocates a conflicting view. The final thought in his tirade drew comparisons between community activism and Nazi Germany making a reference to Adolph Hitler.

The most disturbing aspect of his words was the mindset it revealed. Hyperbole aside, George spoke the truth when he expressed dismay over agendas emanating from anywhere except the Selectmen’s Office. Therein lies the problem. In a democracy, agendas generally begin with the people who then turn to leaders to carry them out. The Selectmen have been collectively showing signs of a siege mentality.

We don’t want town fathers hunkered down in a bunker. We want to see leaders who can embrace the people’s agenda, and expand upon it. We have known George for over three decades and can find no explanation for his mindset over the past several years. His Hitler comments were disappointing for several reasons; it is a slur against the town, the Jewish ancestry of the object of his wrath, and anyone on the other side of the barbed wire.

We would hope, given the time to reflect on his words, that George would choose to end his term on a higher note… with an apology.

Join the Discussion: Cravenho Vs. Observer

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