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Some residents back out of property tax lawsuit
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Related Topics: Aberdeen, Md.
Aberdeen, Md. (Map, News) - The unity of an Aberdeen citizens’ group fighting a legal battle with the city over a 33 percent property tax increase was dealt a blow earlier this week after 16 of the 23 residents backed out of the lawsuit.
One of those residents who withdrew said that he, along with 15 others, felt they could no longer fight city hall and win.
“We felt we could not win without a lawyer,” said John Feroli, who has been one of the more outspoken members of the group, calling the City Council’s June 12 decision to raise residential property tax from 55 cents per $100 of assessed value to 73.5 cents “outrageous.”
Feroli said that some in the group, which banded together to fight the tax increase in court shortly after it was passed, felt that if they were to win, the city would appeal, dragging out the legal battle.
“If that had happened, we certainly would have needed a lawyer ... and given the financial burden we are already under [from the tax increase], many of us would not be able to afford one.”
For the residents who remain part of the fight, “The lawsuit is still on,” according to resident Barbara Kreamer, one of the organizers of the group. Kreamer had little to say about 16 of her fellow petitioners backing out of the lawsuit. “Some people wanted to withdraw ... for various reasons.”
A court hearing on the legal battle is still scheduled for April 16.
Aberdeen Mayor S. Fred Simmons said Wednesday he knew the lawsuit “had zero chance of success,” but he also wished federal law would allow him to counter-sue the residents involved.
“We should be able to chase these people down to recover our attorney fees because it was a frivolous lawsuit,” he said, adding that the city has spent about $80,000 fighting the lawsuit.
“What these people don’t realize is that they added one cent to the tax rate,” he said.
“It was going to cost the city a lot of money to continue fighting us,” Feroli conceded, but he blamed Simmons for fighting the residents to begin with.
mplum@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
8:22 PM MST on Tue., Apr. 15, 2008 re: "Post offices stay open late for tax procrastinators"
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5:30 PM MST on Tue., Apr. 15, 2008
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4:39 AM MST on Mon., Mar. 31, 2008
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5:22 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 30, 2007
re: "‘No new taxes:’ Md. groups rally against O’Malley’s tax hike plan"
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5:14 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 30, 2007
re: "Republicans say poll a sneaky way to increase taxes"
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4:42 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 30, 2007
re: "‘No new taxes:’ Md. groups rally against O’Malley’s tax hike plan"
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4:12 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 30, 2007
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4:06 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 30, 2007
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3:05 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 30, 2007
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12:24 PM MST on Tue., Aug. 7, 2007
re: "Republicans say poll a sneaky way to increase taxes"
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4:40 PM MST on Fri., Aug. 3, 2007
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2:28 PM MST on Fri., Aug. 3, 2007
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10:43 AM MST on Mon., Jun. 18, 2007
re: "Thousands of city properties on the market in tax auction"
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Examiner Reader said:
What post offices are open today later than 7:30 p.m.?
7 agree | 7 disagree
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Gizmo said:
It's pay day in the congress and Ted Kennedy is waiting for my check, it's his turn to buy a round at the Senate Bar.
7 agree | 8 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
This article should have been written in January... Better late than never...
6 agree | 7 disagree
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Martin O'Malley said:
Stop criticizing me, you'd do the same thing if you were in my position. I'm the governor, I have the right to have more power and control over money. And the best way to do that is take it from the rich. They have the most of it, and besides, they don't protest and complain because they're too busy working.
158 agree | 151 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The poll was done by "Alliance for Tax Fairness, a coalition of liberal advocacy groups". I'm sure that wasn't biased at all... What really cracks me up are these far left groups that throw "Progressive" in their title. Progressive to who/what, other than your socialist agenda? Is huge government "progress"? I don't think so, anyway.
151 agree | 150 disagree
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reader said:
I think the politicians should stand and say to O'Malley, make the cuts and see where that lying, sack of crap will lay the blame then. Oh I forgot he can always blame Bob Ehrlich, even for the BGE lies he told us.
156 agree | 164 disagree
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VJC College Republican said:
If Thomas Jefferson thought taxation without representation was bad, he should see it with representation!
168 agree | 170 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Thanks Baltimore City and Prince Georges county for electing this tax and spend Democtat. You deserve all the taxes this wimp can impose
200 agree | 162 disagree
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Sven said:
Makes no never mind. O'Malley has got them where he wants them. Don't give him his tax increases and he will cut the funds to your county, teachers retirement, green programs and anything else to blackmail the legislators. M.O. WINS!
180 agree | 187 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Tax fairness” lol. How is it fair the I might be taxed more just because I happen to be successful? Am I using more State resources then someone who is less successful? I've got two kids in college but I don't qualify for any state aid on tuition because I've committed a sin against liberal sensibilities by making to much money. A lower income citizens kid gets the State tuition aid my kids are denied how’s that for fair. The 4% state tax on a $200,000 salary equates to a bigger contribution to the state coffers the 4% with held from a $35,000 salary so don't talk to me about fair taxation.
223 agree | 211 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Simple solutions to taxes, No Taxes except on purchases.... The rich would then pay and the poor would save. No employment tax!!
212 agree | 193 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Why is it that the folks who conduct these polls never speak with anybody I know?
208 agree | 186 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I've searched everywhere for the list, including the Times for the list of properties. It has not yet made it to the OTR website. Anyone know where you can find this other than the original newspaper ad?
265 agree | 227 disagree
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