From the Desk of John R. Griffin

Governor O’Malley today released the 21 reports prepared by the Administration’s Transition Team and its work groups. At a press conference this morning, the Governor called the collective report “the foundation for making our State government work again for the people of Maryland,” and thanked the more than 1,000 volunteers who “contributed their time, energy and expertise to move our State forward.”

The Governor also set a timeline of 45 days for working with his cabinet to the review the reports’ recommendations and develop a plan for implementation. I have already asked DNR’s leadership team to begin working with you on this assessment; more details will follow.

In the meantime, as you review the reports, please bear in mind that they are not the end of the process, but the beginning. Nothing is set in stone and no final decisions have yet been made. What lies before us is an incredible opportunity to help guide our own future and that of the resources we hold dear.

As co-chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Work Group, and on the behalf of our members, I offer my sincere personal thanks to all of you who worked with us -- under tight deadlines and during the holiday season -- to provide the new Administration with an accurate picture of our resources, our agency, and the challenges we are facing.

The Governor’s press release and links to the reports can be found at http://www.gov.state.md.us/pressreleases/070222.html

Regards,
John