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Governor O’Malley Names Maryland Park Advisory Commission Members
Governor Appoints Four New Commissioners, Re-appoints Five to Statewide Panel
Annapolis, Md. — Governor Martin O’Malley has appointed four new members to Maryland’s Park Advisory Commission and re-appointed five sitting commissioners to new terms on the nine-member panel.
The Park Advisory Commission is charged with developing recommendations on an ongoing basis for the Governor and Department of Natural Resources Secretary as well as proposing new or enhanced management strategies to improve and promote Maryland state parks.
“Through our parks, we protect important wildlife habitat while preserving the natural beauty of some of our state’s most awe-inspiring landscapes,” Governor O’Malley said. “The recreational opportunities that are available in our parks are an important part of the quality of life that we hold so dear in Maryland and we are pleased to work with the advisory commission to ensure that future generations are able to enjoy those public lands as much as we enjoy them today.”
The Park Advisory Commission members are:The commission’s next meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. at the Tawes State Office Building, first floor conference room in Annapolis.
- Chairman Timothy J. Casey, Phoenix resident and former President of the Friends of Maryland State Forests and Parks (New member.)
- Gabriel I. Albornoz, Kensington resident and Director of Montgomery County’s Department of Recreation (New Member.)
- Deborah L. Carter, Earleville resident and Executive Director of the Maryland Association of Campgrounds (New Member.)
- Alice (Ajax) W. Eastman, Baltimore resident and professional volunteer.
- Carroll H. Hynson, Jr., Annapolis resident and President of Image Power, Inc.
- Sandy Maruchi-Turner, North East resident and Director of Cecil County’s Office of Tourism (New Member.).
- J. Mel Poole, Thurmont resident and Superintendent of the National Park Service’s Catoctin Mountain Park.
- Gregory D. Purnell, Sr., Ocean City resident and town arborist.
- Philip Van Werkhoven, Dickerson resident and Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiast member.
By hosting more than 11 million visitors annually, the 65 state parks managed by the Department of Natural Resources’ Maryland Park Service enable people of all ages and walks of life to learn about nature and enjoy the outdoors. The Maryland Park Service is a leader implementer of Governor O’Malley’s Children in Nature Initiative, with environmental education programs and activities at local schools and state parks, Park Quest adventures, the Maryland Conservation Corps, and the Civic Justice Corps - a green summer jobs opportunity for at-risk youth. State parks serve as models of sustainability and green living by providing examples to visitors of how they can reduce their impact on our environment. To further improve and expand outdoor recreation opportunities and environmental conservation, last year Governor O’Malley secured an enhancement of more than $4 million for the Maryland Park Service’s fiscal year 2009 budget.
November 7, 2008 Contact: Olivia Campbell
410-260-8016 office I 410-507-7525 cell
ocampbell@dnr.state.md.usMaryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov.