Governor O'Malley Declares Ellicott City Maryland's 'Capital for a Day'
ELLICOTT CITY, MD (December 5, 2008) – Today, Governor Martin O’Malley, Lieutenant Governor Brown, and Maryland’s Executive Cabinet spent the day in Ellicott City, declaring it 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.
The Governor began the day with an official Cabinet meeting at the Ellicott City Volunteer Fire Department, where local leaders, including Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, Howard County Delegation Chair Guy Guzzone, and County Councilwoman Courtney Watson, who represents the Ellicott City area, discussed with the group the challenges and opportunities facing Ellicott City and surrounding areas.
Throughout the day, Governor O’Malley met with local elected, community, business, and faith leaders during this eighth in a series of “Capital for a Day” declarations across the State this year. The Governor’s activities, as well as those of his Executive Cabinet, focused on the ongoing local, county, and state partnerships necessary to achieve real and steady progress for the people of Howard County.
“I am proud to officially proclaim Ellicott City Maryland’s ‘Capital for a Day,’” said Governor O’Malley, making his announcement outside the Ellicott City Volunteer Fire House on Montgomery Road, joined by members of the Howard County Delegation of the Maryland General Assembly and other elected and community leaders. “Since the cornerstone of our progress is an ability to work beyond the confines of the State House with local partners throughout our One Maryland, we’re proud to bring the State Capital to the people of Maryland where they live and work. Strengthening our local partnerships where they already exist, and establishing those partnerships where they have lapsed, is absolutely critical to the progress of areas like Ellicott City.”
“I’m proud of the strong partnership that Governor O’Malley and I have with County Executive Ulman and the people of Howard County and I’m excited to be in Ellicott City for ‘Capital for a Day,’” Lt. Governor Brown said. “Howard County continues to show leadership in Maryland and the nation by standing up for affordable and accessible health coverage and quality schools for everyone. We look forward to working with Ken Ulman to build on the progress in Howard County and throughout Maryland.”
Even in difficult economic times, development and progress continues in many parts of Howard County, built on the foundation of a strong partnership with the State. Howard County has received over $41 million in school construction funding over the past two years, in addition to investments in Howard Community College, the Perkins Hospital Center, and the Miller Branch Library in Ellicott City. In addition to progress in education and infrastructure, the O’Malley-Brown Administration’s land conservation efforts have resulted in the acquisition of 12.9 acres located adjacent to the historic Ellicott City Colored School on Frederick Road using funds from the State’s Program Open Space.
“It’s always great to have the Governor in Howard County, and he couldn’t have chosen a better location for ‘Capital for a Day’ than Ellicott City,” said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman. “I am especially pleased that the O’Malley-Brown Administration has made their entire Cabinet available to their County counterparts today. This type of partnership is vital to bringing progress to all the citizens we serve.”
As part of the “Capital for a Day” declaration, Governor O’Malley toured by hybrid bus the proposed redevelopment of Columbia, a project that local officials say will build on the history of Columbia with a 21st century vision of recreation, arts and culture, and smart growth. County Executive Ulman lead the tour of the planned development sites, which concluded at Merriweather Post Pavilion.
The Governor later shared lunch with community leaders, local non-profit officials, and members of the faith community to discuss the need for community service programs during these difficult economic times, particularly as we approach the holidays. Presentations included information on local programs for seniors, working families, children, and communities. Governor O’Malley encouraged attendees to utilize the State’s new service-oriented webpage – www.problemsolver.maryland.gov – which provides access to state and federal resources during these challenging economic times.
Marylanders can go to www.problemsolver.maryland.gov to find information on a range of services from heating and energy assistance, to employment assistance – including job training and unemployment services – to services for seniors and those living with disabilities. The webpage also provides a link to an assistance eligibility calculator, which helps Marylanders determine what services they may qualify for, such as food stamps, the Temporary Cash Assistance program, Medical Assistance, the Maryland Energy Assistance Program, and the Electric Universal Service Program, among others.
In an ongoing effort to engage local jurisdictions and their State counterparts to improve public safety everywhere in Maryland, Governor O’Malley toured the James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center, where Howard County Police cadets demonstrated the emergency vehicle simulator, used by public safety officials to simulate a number of driving scenarios for training purposes. Later, Governor O’Malley met with state and local public safety officials to discuss the area’s progress in reducing crime. Howard County has experienced a 50 percent reduction in murders, a 21 percent reduction in rapes and a 3 percent reduction in motor vehicle thefts during the first half of 2008.
Governor O’Malley concluded the day with a kick-off to the holiday season on Main Street, Ellicott City. Outside the B&O Railroad Museum, Governor O’Malley led the crowd in counting down to the lighting of a Christmas tree, locally grown and donated by the Tridelphia Lake View Tree Farm in western Howard County. At the celebration, the Governor encouraged Marylanders to buy local this holiday season, including trees, food, and holiday gifts for friends and family.
The tree lighting served as the official kickoff for “Midnight Madness,” an annual event when Main Street shops will remain open until midnight to encourage people to shop. This tradition has been a mainstay in Ellicott City for over 30 years.
“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 2008 Capitals include Hagerstown, Chestertown, Leonardtown, the Port Towns of Prince George’s County, Cumberland, Pocomoke City, and Gaithersburg.
