E.J. Pipkin's Letter to the Editor: Tax Relief Falls on Deaf Ears

Arrogance. Despite the pleas of more than 150 citizens who showed up to protest in Charlestown on Tuesday evening, the Cecil County Commissioners voted for a 10-percent tax increase and an inflated county budget. I remain shocked at the display of raw arrogance we witnessed that evening.

Arrogance. As far as the commissioners were concerned, the packed room and dozens of citizens lined up outside may as well have been invisible. In fact, my request to move the meeting into a larger space to accommodate those made to wait outside was met with arrogant refusal. The commissioners showed no respect for those who came out to participate in government.

Arrogance. The evening was more like the actions of a power-thirsty monarchy than the actions of commissioners elected by and responsible to the people. In fact, rather than lower taxes or cut wasteful spending, the commissioners voted to spend more taxpayer money - an additional $300,000 in the blink of an eye. Last-minute spending increases instead of what the people asked for -- reductions and a lower tax rate -- while everyone watched. Clearly, they do not care.

Arrogance. These county commissioners do not care about the families in the county. People have to struggle every day to pay the price of gas, electricity and food, which have continued to skyrocket. Families, senior citizens and others on fixed incomes are forced to choose which basic necessities they can pay. Should it be medicine, rent, food, electric power, or gas for their car? The county commissioners' response is to tax people more! The people cannot afford a property tax increase. However, the Cecil County Commissioners are so arrogant, they might as well have said, "Let them eat cake."

Arrogance can be halted in its tracks. Tyrants have been stopped before. Tell the county commissioners that they should fix the budget and stop the tax hike.

Tell the commissioners you want them to call a special meeting to stop the tax hike and fix the budget.

Call the commissioners at 410-996-5202, or send letters to the County Administrative Building, 200 Chesapeake Blvd., Suite 2100, Elkton, MD 21921.