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NEWS RELEASE

December 5, 2008

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Governor O’Malley Declares Ellicott City Maryland’s “Capital for a Day”

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – County Executive Ken Ulman and his Cabinet welcomed Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Lieutenant Governor Brown and Maryland’s Executive Cabinet this morning to Howard County where the Governor declared Ellicott City “Capital for a Day.”

“I am proud to officially proclaim Ellicott City, Maryland’s ‘Capital for a Day,’” said Governor O’Malley. “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.”

The day began with state and local officials meeting together for a joint cabinet meeting at the Ellicott City Volunteer Fire Department. County Executive Ulman, Delegate Guy Guzzone and Councilwoman Courtney Watson, who represents the Ellicott City district, each spoke about the challenges and opportunities facing Ellicott City and Howard County.

“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,’” said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman. “I am especially pleased that the O’Malley-Brown Administration has made their entire Cabinet available today to their counterparts here in Howard County. This type of partnership is vital to bringing progress to all the citizens we serve.”

Following the special cabinet session, Executive Ulman, the Governor and cabinet members boarded a new Howard Transit hybrid bus for a tour of downtown Columbia to give the Governor a first-hand look at the area that is proposed for revitalization and redevelopment. Executive Ulman led the tour which concluded at Merriweather Post Pavilion, the vision’s proposed cultural and arts center.

Other events throughout the day included a lunch at the Shrine of St. Anthony’s in Ellicott City where community and faith leaders discussed human service programs to aid those in need during these challenging economic times. Howard County officials talked about the Maryland Access Point (MAP) program which provides a user-friendly, consumer-oriented single point of entry for information about services for seniors and those living with disabilities.

Governor O’Malley talked about the State’s new website – www.problemsolver.maryland.gov – and encouraged guests to visit the site to learn more about the range of services available to citizens including heating and energy assistance, job training, unemployment services and services to seniors. The site also provides links to services and programs provided by local governments.

The Governor and Executive Ulman went on to tour the James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center. At a briefing following the tour, officials discussed partnerships between State and local jurisdictions to work together to reduce crime and improve public safety statewide. In the first half of 2008, Howard County experienced a 50 percent reduction in murders, a 21 percent reduction in rapes and a three percent reduction in motor vehicle thefts.

“Capital for a Day” concluded in historic Ellicott City where the Governor and Executive Ulman joined the Ellicott City Business Association in front of the B&O Railroad Museum, Ellicott City Station, for a tree lighting and kickoff of the town’s 31st annual “Midnight Madness.” The celebration, which promotes local Main Street merchants, features shopping and dining until midnight and encourages visitors to support local businesses.

The “Capital for a Day” 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, Cumberland, Pocomoke City and Gaithersburg.