Governor O'Malley Declares Westminster 'Capital for a Day'; Signs Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Agreement with U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack
A copy of Secretary Vilsack's letter about CREP can be found here: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.viewpoint14may14,0,2334378.story
WESTMINSTER, MD (April 24, 2009) – Today, Governor Martin O’Malley and Maryland’s Executive Cabinet spent the day in Westminster, 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.
“I am proud to officially proclaim Westminster Maryland’s ‘Capital for a Day,’” said Governor O’Malley, making his announcement at McDaniel College following an official Cabinet Meeting and presentation by local officials. “It’s important, particularly during these tough times, that we work together to strengthen state and local partnerships. It’s equally important for families across Maryland to know they their government is working for them – putting families first and fighting to expand the safety net for working families during these difficult economic times. Strengthening our local partnerships is absolutely critical to the progress of areas like Westminster.”
Even in difficult economic times, development and progress continues in many parts of Carroll County, built on the foundation of a strong partnership with the State. Carroll County has received over $29 million in school construction funding over the past three years, representing a 41 percent increase over school construction funding in the same time period under the previous administration. In addition, Carroll Community College received more than $8.5 million, an increase of over eight percent over the previous administration.
“We welcome Governor O’Malley and his cabinet to Carroll County as part of his Capital for a Day initiative,” Commission President Julia W. Gouge. “His visit provides us a unique opportunity to meet face to face, and talk about issues that affect Carroll County and its residents. The budget - state and local - the elements of our comprehensive plan and our commitment to develop water resources and maintain water quality will be key discussion points.”
In addition to progress in education and infrastructure, the O’Malley-Brown Administration’s land conservation efforts have resulted in the acquisition of 232 acres in Carroll County using funds from the State’s Program Open Space and the preservation of 534 acres of land through the Rural Legacy Program.
“It is a genuine honor and privilege to have Governor O’Malley visit Westminster and Carroll County for his ‘Capital for a Day’ initiative,” said Westminster Mayor Tom Ferguson. “By coming to local jurisdictions, the Governor and his Cabinet gain valuable insights into local issues, and it provides local elected officials the opportunity to meet with the Governor for an open and candid discussion about our issues and concerns. This visit demonstrates the Governor’s commitment to shared responsibility between the State and its local jurisdictions.”
The Governor began the day with US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to sign a revised agreement to encourage enrollment in Maryland’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) by streamlining the program and increasing incentives. Maryland’s CREP is designed to protect soil and water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries by offering financial incentives to farmers and ranchers. The goal is for them to take voluntary environmental conservation actions that buffer farmland from streams and to undertake other measures to protect streams and rivers from nutrient runoff. Since the inception of CREP, Maryland farmers, ranchers and landowners have enrolled more than 74,000 acres toward a goal of 100,000 acres and removed sensitive cropland and marginal pastureland out of production. Instead of tilling these acres, they have used program incentives to plant streamside buffers, establish wetlands, protect highly erodible land and create wildlife habitat.
Following this official agreement which took place at the farm of Richard Soper, Jr. and family, Governor O’Malley continued his day in Westminster by walking through Main Street, greeting citizens and merchants along the way. The Governor stopped in to several Main Street businesses, including Coffee Music, which received $325,000 under the Neighborhood BusinessWorks Loan Program, administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. The funds were used for the acquisition and renovation of the former Mathers Department Store into a music store.
Following the Governor’s walk on Main Street, he conducted an official Cabinet Meeting with members of this Executive Cabinet who had been meeting with their local counterparts throughout the day. At the Cabinet Meeting, Carroll County Commission President Julia W. Gouge and Westminster Mayor Tom Ferguson presented local challenges and opportunities for state partnership.
“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. 2008 Capitals included Hagerstown, Chestertown, Leonardtown, the Port Towns of Prince George’s County, Cumberland, Pocomoke City, Gaithersburg and Ellicott City.
