Governor O'Malley Declares Laurel Maryland's 'Capital for a Day'
LAUREL, MD (October 26, 2009) –Today, Governor Martin O’Malley, Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown and Maryland’s Executive Cabinet joined Laurel Mayor Craig Moe, County Councilman Tom Dernoga, State Senator James Rosapepe, Delegates Barbara Frush, Benjamin Barnes, and Joseline Pena-Melnyk, other local officials and area residents to declare Laurel Maryland’s “Capital for a Day.” The monthly program brings the State Capital to every corner of Maryland through a series of events across a diverse selection of Maryland cities, towns and communities.
“I want to thank the people of Laurel for their hospitality today. I’m proud to bring members of our Cabinet to this beautiful area of our State, as we officially proclaim it Maryland’s ‘Capital for a Day,’” said Governor O’Malley, making his announcement during a Cabinet Meeting held in Laurel Riverfront Park at the site of the old mill in Laurel’s Riverfront Park. “Strengthening our local partnerships is absolutely critical to the progress of areas like Laurel. It’s important for families across our One Maryland to know that their government is working for them – putting families first and fighting to expand the safety net for working families during these difficult economic times.”
“Governor O’Malley and I strive to protect the partnerships we have made during these difficult times, and our partnerships here in Laurel will continue to expand and outlive the difficult decisions we make to protect our neighbors,” Lt. Governor Brown said. “I thank the residents of Laurel and Prince George’s County for inviting their state government officials into their growing community and look forward to continuing our shared efforts to expand opportunity and improve the quality of life for the people of Laurel and the State of Maryland.”
Even in difficult economic times, development and progress continues in many parts of Laurel, built on the foundation of a strong partnership with the State. State funded capital projects this year in the Laurel area include renovations at the Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services Facility, the Laurel Boys and Girls Club, and new water rescue equipment for the Laurel Volunteer Rescue Squad.
“We’re honored to have Governor O’Malley and his cabinet to Laurel, so we can share our City with them for the day and continue our ongoing dialogue with the state,” said Laurel Mayor Craig Moe. “The opportunities for local and state partnerships are endless, and we’re excited to discuss these opportunities and share with the Governor the results of many of those initiatives we’ve already embarked on.”
Governor O’Malley began the day joining graduates and students of the Citizens Police Academy, Laurel and County police officials and state public safety officials to discuss public safety initiatives and opportunities for further state and local partnership. The Governor highlighted that, due to unprecedented information-sharing and cross-border collaboration, homicides in the Washington/Maryland metro region have decline by 25 percent. In addition, Governor O’Malley followed through on a commitment to support new police officers made possible through the federal COPS program and funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Governor O’Malley committed to supporting new officers funded through this program by matching the grants with up to $10,000 per new officer in additional funds for equipment, uniforms, and other things that the federal grants don’t cover, thus eliminating additional cost burdens on local law enforcement agencies.
The Governor then joined local officials and environmental advocates and officials to launch the “Going Green Downtown: A Sustainability Guide for Maryland’s Main Streets,” a guide for local business providing suggestions for activities and initiatives that can help Maryland’s downtown and main street business districts achieve a more sustainable future. The Guide stresses the inherent link between environmental initiatives and preservation, economic development, and community revitalization. Governor O’Malley personally delivered the guide to several local businesses along Main Street, including Minute Man Press, a local printing company owned by Bob Mignon, and Rainbow Florists & Delectables owners Sid and Debbie Zook.
Governor O’Malley then travelled to Laurel Riverfront Park where he joined local school children for lunch and a hayride to promote Maryland’s Children in Nature initiative. At the park, Governor O’Malley announced the State’s short-term Children in Nature Action plan, already heralded as a national model thanks to close collaboration between federal, state, and local stakeholders. Governor O’Malley created the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature by Executive Order in April of 2008 to increase outdoor experiences and environmental literacy for Maryland Children.
The Governor concluded his official day in Laurel by hosting a Cabinet Meeting, where the members of the state’s Executive Cabinet, Lt. Governor Brown and Governor O’Malley heard from local officials, including Mayor Moe, County Councilman Dernoga and Senator Rosapepe, on issues important to Laurel residents and opportunities for continued partnership with the State.
“Capital for a Day,” a program launched by Governor O’Malley in 2007, brings the State Capital to every corner of Maryland through a series of monthly events across a diverse selection of Maryland cities, towns and communities. Previous “Capitals” have included Frederick, Cecil County, Calvert County, Westminster, Hagerstown, Chestertown, Leonardtown, the Port Towns of Prince George’s County, Cumberland, Pocomoke City, Gaithersburg and Ellicott City.
