Former Cambridge Mayor Cleveland Rippons fires back against Dorchester County Government

DORCHESTER COUNTY, Md. – Dorchester County Council is chipping away at its budget. They hosted a meeting on Tuesday, that turned into a tense standing room only event. Residents of both Hurlock and Cambridge are worried about potential tax increases.

Cleveland Rippons, served as the former Mayor of Cambridge from 2000 to 2008. He was the person who originally put the tax differential in place for the city. Rippons and other leaders from said removing the tax differential doesn’t make sense.

County leaders suggested the potential move, in an effort to address the $6.2 million deficit. However, Rippons told WMDT it’s inequitable to have municipal taxpayers pay the bill.

“In one breath, they tell the state how bad they are, and in the next breath, they are doing it to the city of Cambridge. They’re putting down mandates for services that the city residents do not get, but now they want us to pay for.”

At the meeting, several leaders suggested alternatives. Hurlock Town Manager, John Avery, suggested keeping the tax differentials in place, and instead imposing higher taxes across the county.

Cambridge Mayor, Lajan Cephas proposed the county chip into their restricted fund. She said over $29 million remains in that fund, and suggested a cut back on road paving projects.

Hurlock Mayor, Charles Cephas, has threatened legal action against the county. Cephas said if county leaders remove the tax differential – he will take them to court.

Through all this, Dorchester County Council President Lenny Pfeffer has remained unchanged. He feels he and the council are hard tied with current state funding issues.

Rippons doesn’t agree.

“The county is saying we are in poor financial straits, and this is our easy way out. There is no such thing as an easy way out, there needs to be a logical progression. Everybody should know and everybody should pay for what they’re getting.”