| October 28, 2008 A Message from the Governor Our Democratic Duty  On Tuesday, November 4, citizens in Maryland and around the nation will participate in one of freedom's greatest privileges, to vote for the next President of the United States and the direction of our nation in this critical time. In this historic election, much is at stake for Maryland and for our nation. State and local Board of Elections officials are preparing for the expected high voter turnout in Maryland, to ensure that no voter is unduly burdened while carrying out their democratic right to vote:
- Additional voting units and electronic poll books have been deployed to local boards of elections to meet the anticipated increase in voters, including strategic placement of additional equipment in areas with a large increase in registrations.
- All of the counties report that they are prepared with sufficient numbers of Election Judges for Election Day, to appropriately assist voters in need of help.
- The State Board of Elections has conducted additional oversight of the pre-election preparations of the local boards including careful review of equipment and supplies, registration system audits, and the development of an emergency management contact system should problems arise.
- MEMA's Joint Operations Center will be staffed with additional personnel on Election Day in the event of any problems, including weather-related emergencies, for the State Emergency Operations Center to be swiftly activated to coordinate the use of state resources to support local first responders.
Democracy is not merely procedural, however. It is better served by an informed electorate. Follow these simple tips as you prepare to vote: - Visit the State Board of Elections website for your polling location, registration status, and to print a sample ballot prior to Election Day. Or call 1-800-222-VOTE.
- Maryland polls are open November 4 from 7:00 am until 8:00 pm. To avoid delays, voters are encouraged to vote between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.
- Absentee ballots must be submitted by mail or fax by today, October 28 (4:30 pm by mail, midnight by fax).
Because of the challenges we face, we must commit together to protecting our shared priorities in order to expand opportunity to more Marylanders, rather than fewer. One way to ensure that our commitment to Maryland's future is fulfilled for years to come is by voting to approve Question two on November 4. This very limited, moderate, state-controlled proposal would pump more than $660 million in slots revenue into our schools, and renew our promise to Maryland's future even in difficult economic times. Elections matter. Be sure your voice is heard on November 4.
- Martin O'Malley, Governor
Oyster Project Helps Inmates Learn About Caring for Natural Resources Seven inmates at the Eastern Correctional Institution in Westover built 1,000 cages for the "Marylanders Grow Oysters Project," saving the State thousands of dollars while getting a lesson in the value of stewardship. Waterfront owners along the Tred Avon River in Talbot County are using the cages to care for thousands of young oysters until they grow big enough to survive on their own in a specially prepared habitat. The project is part of the state's ongoing effort to rebuild the Chesapeake Bay's native oyster population and is a partnership between the state, Talbot County, the Oyster Recovery Partnership, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and private citizens. Oysters play an important role in the bay's ecosystem, filtering water and building reefs that serve as habitat for several aquatic species. The partnership plans to expand the program to other tributaries next year. For more information about this exciting new project, visit the Marylanders Grow Oysters website, or read a full media account here.
Maryland-Asia Environmental Partnership The Maryland-Asia Environmental Partnership (MD-AEP) is a newly formed, private sector initiative that is mobilizing resources and expertise from corporations, Maryland universities, U.S. and Asian government agencies and multilateral banks to address Asia's massive energy and water resource needs. The unique opportunity to support economic development for Maryland businesses while also improving the Asian environment is a testament to the unique strengths of Maryland's scientific leadership and international stature. On Wednesday, October 23, the Maryland-Asia Environmental Partnership's (MD-AEP) hosted a forum entitled, "A Public-Private Dialogue: Galvanizing Maryland Resources to Meet Asia's Water Management and Technology Needs" at the Center Club in Baltimore. Panelists discussed their unique perspectives on applicable lessons-learned in water management, new technologies and financial resources, and sustainability efforts which could be mobilized to help address Asia's water management and technology needs. For more information about the conference and the Maryland-Asia Environmental Partnership, visit their website at www.mdaep.com.
|  In this Issue Oyster Project Helps Inmates Learn About Caring for Natural Resources
Maryland-Asia Environmental Partnership Maryland Events
Summer's Farm 11th annual Fall for All Festival
October 28 – 31, 3pm-6pm in Frederick. Festival includes pumpkin patches, hayrides, giant slides, eight-acre corn maze, farm animals, pony rides and concessions. Ghost Walks in Historic Savage Mill
October 31 – November 29, 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays in Savage, Maryland. Savage Mill: trendy, chic, great food and paranormal high jinx from mill workers who never left! Schooner Sultana's 7th Annual Downrigging Weekend
October 31 – November 2, times vary at Chestertown's Waterfront. On the first weekend of November each year, Sultana Projects, Inc. hosts a multi-day festival known as Downrigging Weekend to celebrate the close of the schooner Sultana's sailing season. This year's event will feature new ships and promises to be bigger and better than ever! American Indian Heritage Day
October 1, 11am-5pm at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum in St. Leonard. Honoring Maryland's Native Americans - visit the re-created Eastern Woodland Indian Village and surround yourself in the historical, cultural, and educational exhibits and demonstrations of traditional and contemporary Native American life. First Saturday Gallery Walk
November 1, 5pm-9pm at Shab Row.Everedy Square in Frederick. Luminaries, holiday entertainment, and more than 60 shops, galleries and restaurants in Downtown. Related Links Office of the Governor Office of Community Initiatives Read last week's One Maryland |
