Lewiston ‘Krampus’ event sets off debate [Video]

LEWISTON — Who is the infamous half-goat, half-demon folklore figure known for scaring children into behaving?

If you were thinking the answer was Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline, you’d be wrong. But, judging from some online reaction to Sheline’s  promotion of a holiday “Krampus” event this weekend at a downtown bookstore, the mayor might as well be his right-hand man.

On Dec. 1, when Sheline posted a photo of the horned Krampus — wide-eyed with a long tongue hanging out — to the popular Lewiston Rocks community Facebook page, it was met with some unexpected outcry. “Pure evil,” “disgusting,” and “disturbing” were just some of the reactions.

One commenter, Debbie Chabot, said Sheline’s post was “promoting evil,” and that he should be ashamed of himself. Another, from Kathy White, said the event is “a horrible idea for the children.”

Dottie Perham-Whittier, the former longtime communications manager for Lewiston, also weighed in, …