Letter to the Editor - Commissioner Robert Hodge

Response to Pipkin Robo Call and Mailer

Letter to the Editor - Commissioner Robert Hodge


It has come to my attention that Senator E. J. Pipkin has authorized and funded numerous “robo-calls,” as well as multiple post-card mailers that attempt to connect Commissioner Tari Moore and myself to the political actions of Governor Martin O’Malley and his administration. Presenting this patently false and distorted impression of my record and political views to further his own political agenda for our County is disappointing, to say the least. Ordinarily such silly and foolish efforts ought not to warrant any response. But Mr. Pipkin’s efforts to influence the outcome of the Republican Councilman and County Executive Primary races could have a very detrimental effect on the citizens of Cecil County, and for that reason should not go completely unchallenged. Furthermore, Pipkin’s false accusations and deliberate distortion of Tari Moore’s voting record is appalling. Commissioner Moore works tirelessly to find ways to cut spending and fights hard against unfunded mandates that come from Annapolis.

Anyone who knows me or my record in office understands that just about the only thing that our Governor and I have in common is that we both live in the same state. I have adamantly spoken out against the Governor’s taxing, spending and power-grabbing initiatives. My record on fiscal responsibility in County government speaks for itself. And anyone who’d think otherwise, or cast a vote in the upcoming election based on a fifteen second robo-call or a mailer from Senator Pipkin, will end up getting more of the same dysfunctional county government.

And that prompts this thought: our current predicament here in Cecil County – and the dysfunction, the obstruction and the lack of leadership, direction and real progress from the current County Commissioners that have been supported by Senator Pipkin – is due in no small part to Senator Pipkin’s efforts in the previous elections. Apparently he was pretty pleased with his efforts and looks for a repeat performance.

If you want a puppet government manipulated by E. J. Pipkin, then vote for the candidates that he supports. If, on the other hand, the citizens of Cecil County want an effective transition to charter government, and one that is responsive to its citizens, and efficient and truthful, then the way to get that is to cast a vote for Tari Moore for County Executive, and for Robert Hodge and Alan McCarthy for County Council. The good Senator will find that none of these candidates come with strings for him to manipulate.