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NEWS RELEASE

June 23, 2008

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Executive Ulman Announces Agreement to Add More Parking at County Park & Ride Lot

ELLICOTT CITY-- Howard County Executive Ken Ulman today announced that his Administration has reached an agreement with state officials to move forward with expansion of park and ride lot capacity in the county. Plans for temporary parking relief at the overcrowded Park & Ride lot on Snowden River Parkway have already been submitted; the county is working with state transportation and environmental offices on these plans.

“I am thrilled and appreciative that Governor O’Malley was willing to act quickly when we called,” said Executive Ulman. “With gas prices soaring and protecting the environment a main concern for all of us, we are doing all we can to encourage people to use public transportation. These crowded lots are a sign that citizens are doing their part to conserve; now government needs to do our part to adjust to these changing habits.” Governor Martin O’Malley adds, “Citizens saw the need and made their voices heard, and government is acting quickly. I applaud Executive Ulman and his staff for drafting a solution that makes sense.”

This month, County Executive Ulman and the State received a petition signed by more than 140 citizens who use the Park & Ride lot at Snowden River Parkway to commute to work. According to the petition a parking solution was “urgently needed.” Two days after seeing the petition County Executive Ulman visited the lot himself and realized that a short-term solution seemed viable, and a long term solution necessary. County engineers were dispatched and they quickly devised a proposal to present to the State. Within days Ulman’s office had spoken with state leaders and an agreement was in place to devise both a short and long term parking solution at this location.