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Aberdeen signs criticize mayor; he gets support
LATEST ON THIS STORYRelated Topics: Aberdeen, Md.
Aberdeen, Md. (Map, News) - Opponents of Aberdeen Mayor S. Fred Simmons took their message on the road — with signs mounted on pickup trucks cruising through town.
“Tax and Spend Fred,” read one. “City Under Investigation,” said another, referring to a state probe of the city government that has yet to produce indictments.
A group calling itself Aberdeen Communities Together footed the $150 for each of the 4-by-3-foot signs.
Yet three of the four who made the signs and drive the trucks won’t vote in the city’s November election, and some in their group are exempt from the taxes they complain about — because they live outside the city’s limits.
Many in the group were drawn into local politics by last year’s attempt by the city to annex and develop 526 acres around the Wetlands Golf Course, which several members helped to overturn in a citywide election.
“Our group is seriously interested in the election,” said Chuck Doty, the only city resident to put a sign on his truck. “If we get the same results we got in the annexation, we’ll be pleased.”
Only about 15 of the group’s estimated 40 members are city residents, but all were interested in the election’s outcome because of the possibility of the city’s expansion, Doty said.
“It makes sense that if they felt threatened by the expansion of the town limits that they would do that,” said Avery Ward, a political science professor at Harford Community College. “But I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Simmons, however, said he’s not offended by the signs and that they are even bringing him more supporters unhappy about the negativity of the campaigning.
“Those signs are going around having the opposite effect,” Simmons said. “Every time they go out, I get 15 to 20 e-mails and phone calls saying, ‘How can I support you?’ ”
He said his political opponents lack a positive alternative to the current government, which he said raised taxes to balance the city’s budget.
msantoni@baltimoreexaminer.com
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1:41 PM MST on Fri., Apr. 11, 2008 re: "Police union honors ex-mayor"
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3:05 PM MST on Thu., Sep. 27, 2007
re: "Aberdeen signs criticize mayor; he gets support"
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Examiner Reader said:
How can society honor a crook and thief? A man in his position should of done more for the people and not for self.He gets a reward for stealing from the people now tell me what kind of message that sends to those who are trying to better their lives?
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Examiner Reader said:
I was trying to state that if the annexation went through he wouldhave gain financially because of the property he owned. (He would not even answer to the public/residents.)(he was asked if and how much he would gain personally from the annexation.) At any time would he honestly answer. If he had nothing to hide why didn't he state so. So this would be a personal financial gain, wouldn't it.
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Examiner Reader said:
The EXAMINER failed to report that Simmons was not the only person to receive an award from the FOP. The American Legion Post 128 was also awarded a plaque.
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Examiner Reader said:
Simmons didn't gain financially from being mayor, he didn't accept his salary for two years, he donated it. Simmons was about strengthening Aberdeen's infrastructure. Annexation would have brought in more tax money thus lowering the current resident's taxes or leveling them. The new residents would have been paying taxes to Aberdeen and new construction taxes would have gone to Aberdeen and were earmarked for water and public safety, something every Aberdeen resident would benefit from. Annexation was frowned upon because Helton wasn't involved. Other annexation has taken place with no problem and has resulted in commercial property development. Helton is a commercial developer, he wouldn't have benefited from Wetlands annexation.
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Examiner Reader said:
Then why was an investigation sought...... Need to look at the facts. Simmons was for himself and his own financial gain. He never answered when residents asked if he would personally gain finanacialy from annexation.
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Examiner Reader said:
Simmons did a great job, public safety was his promise and he delivered. The voters spoke and put him out of office. Bennett hasn't met with the police because Art Helton (the real behind the scenes mayor) hasn't allowed him. I wonder if those that voted Simmons out of office realize that they were putting Helton in charge. As for Wetlands, come on, they voted against annexation of Wetlands. That's HCSD response area. If you have a problem with police response complain to Sheriff Bane but stand in line behind the hundreds asking to get Edgewood under control. Aberdeen wouldn't become an Edgewood under Simmons, let's hope that the police are allowed to stay focused so that it doesn't become an Edgewood under Bennett. I'm glad that the police honored Simmons for letting them be police and do their jobs, maybe other politicians should take note.
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City Resident 21001 said:
It is obvious by the first post to this article that the person has no clue. Aberdeen PD does NOT cover The Wetlands area. Maybe if they had, all the damage to Mr. Smedley's property would have led to arrests.
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Examiner Reader said:
Aberdeen police do not have jurisdiction around Wetlands Golf Course, since it's not part of the city. Harford County Sheriff's Deputies responded the first time shots were reported but didn't get there before Smedley left.
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Examiner Reader said:
The Aberdeen police did absolutely nothing for the residents around the Wetlands Golf course, when Sam Smedley was shooting close to residents home. ( Smedley was a close friend to Simmons. Do they actually think that this gives them a good reputation in the big picture? The State police were the ones that caught Mr. Smedley in the act, with evidence in his personal vehicle. That's got to send up a negative message.
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Danille Moser said:
Ask him to produce those 20 calls. Just more lies.
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