Commissioner Hodge Told Voters He Would "Hold the Line on Taxes" During the Campaign.
Since the Commissioners are at the point where they will soon make a decision on whether they are going to raise taxes, I have gone back to check on some of the campaign pledges from the fall of 2008. While Commissioner Hodge was out seeking votes in the competitive 5th district race, he always made it clear to people that he would “hold the line on taxes” and make sure their voices were heard. His advertisements in the Whig (image below) last campaign season, emphasized his promise as he also assured citizens that he would “protect our rural character.”
His web site (image above), which he still maintains on the World Wide Web at http://hodge2008.com/issues.html outlines his platform with more detail and contains statements he made to a variety of groups while he was out on the campaign trail asking for votes. Here are a few of those promises made to get elected:
- Cecil County Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum – “Today’s economic challenges mean the citizens of Cecil County have to make tough decisions every day about how to spend their hard earned dollars. The County Commissioners have to step up to the plate and make those same tough decisions and be good stewards of your tax dollars. . . . We have an obligation to hold the line on taxes for the hardworking families of our community. I am committed to work hard every day to do so.”
- Cecil County Voters Guide – “Like many of us, I’ve been frustrated at the lack of action by the County Commissioners over the years in many areas – including increasing taxes, keeping growth out of our rural areas, increasing crime and gangs, etc. I have the education, background and successful business leadership that will enable me to be ready on day 1 to hit the grounding running as your county commissioner.”
- Cecil County 21st century Republican Forum – County Commissioners have to prioritize the many competing needs and wants of our citizens, and make tough decisions while being excellent stewards of your tax dollars. . . . This will be especially important in Cecil County’s immediate future because we face decreasing real estate tax assessments, increases in costs for expenditures previously paid by the State, and reduced tax revenues due to the current economic conditions. . . . “
Typical politican. Quick with promoises while campaigning. I expected more of Hodge
i’M SURE HE WILL KEEP HIS WORD AND VOTE NO TO INCREASING TAXES.
Frankly, I find it hard to believe that Commissioner Hodge has fallen so far from the campaign promises he made in order to win last years election. Which side of the fence is he on? Is he really willing to hold the line on taxes or were these just the words that were necessary to win the election? It’s time to put up or shut up!
I know I’m not alone when I say I always take campaign promises with a grain of salt. The view from the outside is vastly different from the view on the inside. What were good intentions are almost always overcome by events once you’re making the decisions.
I was working my own budget last night and thinking that I had a far higher standard of living in 1986 when I was making 1/4 the salary I make today. I was able to save more dollars, too. A dollar was far more valuable compared to my 1986 salary than when compared to today’s.
As for the county budget, perhaps we need to see a prioritized list of the must-funds vs. the want-to-funds. The latter should be the ones that suffer when you have to consider just how thin you can slice the loaf before you give up bread altogether. Some things the County has to fund. To preserve the rest, you have to raise taxes.
Those who make those decisions under such scrutiny have my sympathy.
Me to Chris. He was real clear when he was out asking me and others Republicans to vote for him. Now that he is on that board and can keep his word to hold the line of taxes he is out that proposing we spend even more. i read that one thing in the Whig where Commissioner Demmler voted against that last minute edition of a new building in the budget after Hodge added it to the budget at the last minute. At least Demmler voted against Hodge’s project.
Janet I disagree. We got to start holding politcians accountable for what they say. How else am I going to decide how to vote for someone but by being able to listen to what they promise they are going to do and then expecting them to do exactly that.
I remember when Sharon and Hodge were out asking me and others to vote for them while campaigning. When asked about taxes Hodge always said he would hold the line, no ifs ands or buts. When the Whig asked Sharon about taxes she would say I will do my best to not raise taxes.
Remember how long it took to decide that race, took them officals for ever to count all the ballots since the race was so tight. I believe a lot of peopple voted for Hodge based on the promise he gave us. Cost the other one votes. Then you toss in Tom McWilliams that was it for that race where then it took the absentee ballots to decide and they counted them several times since it was neck and neck.
As one voter, I am holding all politicians accountable for what they promise. That is the way we decide on which one we vote for. Sure its different inside but Hodge said he was the experienced one that knew about this types of thing. Maybe Sharon understand how different things are when you are in charge and wanted to be able to keep her word.
I agree with you regarding promises of no new taxes. As for higher taxes, one person cannot stop the rise in the cost of virtually everything that we are seeing. That was the reason for my comment about my personal budget; I no longer have what could be considered disposable income. I assume the county’s discretionary funds are suffering, as well.
We also agree in expecting our elected commissioners to be responsible. They should be forced to work the county budget the way responsible citizens work their own. I don’t know about you, but, if I walked into my supervisor’s office and demanded a raise I’d be putting my job at risk. I believe that is exactly the position in which the commissioners put themselves when they raise taxes. We can, indeed, fire them in the next election.
To return to the budget, we need to examine proposed projects. If they are not related to public safety, table them. No equivocating. To avoid higher taxes the question becomes what current services do we eliminate and how do we prioritize that elimination.
Janet lot of people voted for Hodge because he said he wouldnot raise taxes. That woman opponet of his wouldnot promose the same so I went with him. So did others. Sure he can’t do it alone but he could vote no. But what did he do but add another big project and then vote for a bigger increase.
Got to hold politicans accountable for what they say. Don’t say it if you don’t mean it.
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