Silver Spring Declared “Capital for a Day”

Silver Spring joined the ranks of several Maryland cities, towns, and communities, in being named “Capital for a Day” on Thursday June 17th by Governor Martin O’Malley. The “Capital for a Day” program was launched in 2007 to “bring the State Capital to every corner of Maryland through a series of monthly events.”

Accompanying Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett in extending welcome to the municipality, were interim Montgomery College President Hercules Pinkney and several members of the Montgomery County Council and the Maryland State delegation. Governor O’Malley’s official Cabinet meeting was held in the early afternoon at the Montgomery College Performing Arts Centre, where members of the Executive Cabinet publicly briefed the Governor and Lieutenant Governor on their respective meetings with local counterparts throughout the day. Governor O’Malley declared, “Silver Spring is such a great example of the type of revitalization that is possible when we come together as One Maryland to rebuild and restore our economy, helping our businesses create and save jobs, and improving the conditions under which business can create or save jobs. That’s why strengthening our local partnerships is absolutely critical...”

During the Cabinet meeting, the County Executive emphasized the $900M plus gap that was recently closed for the FY11 budget, and appealed for respite from any further cuts from the State to County funding as they would significantly impact operations and cause greater difficulty in providing needed service to residents and the most vulnerable. Senator Jamie Raskin, who represents Silver Spring, joined Mr. Leggett in celebrating the visible changes and economic developments that have made Silver Spring an entertainment and cultural center destination, and noted that it was only possible because of the impetus and collaboration between the State and the County through supportive funding. An underlying message to the Cabinet was the dire need to fund and grow transportation infrastructure in Silver Spring and parts of Montgomery County; and for the inclusion of business owners, large and small, in the Governor’s recently created Commission on Small Business.

The Governor’s Cabinet Meeting for the Silver Spring’s “Capital for a Day” ended on two high notes: the first being an elaborate unveiling and demonstration of the Visit Maryland Interactive Map (www.visitmaryland.org)—which portrays Heritage Areas, Main Streets, Arts and Entertainment Districts, Civil War Trails, agri-tourism businesses, state and national parks, historical and cultural museums, interpretive signs along the Star-Spangled Banner Byway, and several other highlights under the banner of One Maryland—and the second was a Proclamation reading and plaque presentation. The Proclamation will hang at the Silver Spring Civic Building at One Veterans Plaza.

Saschane Stephenson and Alan Bowser represented Councilwoman Trachtenberg at the Governor’s Cabinet meeting in Silver Spring.

For more information highlighting state investments in Silver Spring, quotes, and the day’s activities, see the official press release Governor O’Malley Declares Silver Spring Maryland’s ‘Capital for a Day’ here.