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 aboutthe 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.
