Town Manager Fired After Saying Islam Isn't Compatible With West

JACKMAN, ME — The top administrator for the northern Maine town of Jackman has been fired after he expressed white separatist views and said he opposes Islam because it’s “not compatible with Western culture.” The town Select Board voted unanimously on Tuesday morning to fire Tom Kawczynski, less than a week after news broke that he also founded the pro-white group New Albion, which he says advocates for “monoculture."

New Albio says it is “defending the people and culture of New England" and that it's time to "admit America was built by white Christian men." The website also reportedly referred to Islam as “barbarism” and implied the U.S. would benefit if people of different races voluntarily separated.

Kawczynski, too, has previously bashed Islam and called for the preservation of white European heritage in the region.

“With respect to the comments that caused this that I made about Islam, I would only say I do have serious questions about that, and I hope what happens to me starts some conversation,” Kawczynski told reporters after his firing.

“I hate no race and I love all people. But I do love white people, and I love white people as white people, because it is my firm belief that we should have the same rights . . . as every other group out there in America today,” he said.

Kawczynski had served in town manager post since June. The position pays $49,000 a year, and he'll receive $30,000 in severance.

He told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he's unabashedly pro-white and feels his views have been mischaracterized. He pledged to continue actively supporting what he called "white civil rights."

"I, in conjunction with the Selectboard, agreed to a settlement to remove the good people of Jackman from the unwanted scrutiny, but I do not surrender my right to express my First Amendment rights," he said. "Including the right to have controversial opinions."

The town said in a statement that its selectmen and Kawczynski "agreed on the details" his termination and that officials plan to "move forward to do what is necessary to sustain a vibrant, welcoming tourist community such as Jackman."

Heidi Beirich, director of the Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project, said in a statement they are aware of the New Albion group.

"It’s unacceptable to see people in leadership positions espousing white nationalist views," she said. "The Jackman selectmen did the right thing by removing Tom Kawcynzki from his position as town manager."

Ibrahim Hooper, communications director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said in a statement that everyone has the right to their own views regardless of whether they're "intolerant or racist," but added "no one has the right to use public office to advance those bigoted and extremist views."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo credit: Courtesy Tom Kawczynski via AP