| From the Secretary Home |
Our Future
Dear Colleagues –-I am writing in the hope that I can allay some of the concerns that may have been raised among you by Candus Thompson’s Baltimore Sun column yesterday, The future is drifting away from DNR.
First, a clarification: The confidential transition report cited by Ms. Thompson is a pre-decisional document that was prepared by DNR leadership in mid-November. Its purpose was to give the new Administration a clear picture of DNR’s situation at that time, and a prognosis of what could happen if the agency’s budget deficiencies are not addressed. It was provided to the O’Malley-Brown Transition Team’s Environmental and Natural Resources Work Group, of which I am co-chair, and reviewed and considered only as part of the vast amount of information we used to compile our final report to the Governor, being submitted this week.
That said, most of you are already aware of the many critical issues facing our agency and our state. And while Governor O’Malley has made it clear that our natural resources and our environment will be a priority in his Administration, some tough decisions will no doubt be forthcoming -– statewide -- to responsibly address the projected structural deficit.
It is far too early to know how things will play out in the weeks and months ahead. But I can assure you that there are currently no plans to lay off employees or close facilities. I believe that by working together -- internally to find efficiencies and with our Governor, the Legislature and our external partners to develop new ways of doing business including new funding sources –- we can and will rebuild our agency. And we will come away stronger and more resilient for having met the challenge.
After all, we are a department which, more than most, serves Maryland’s working families and preserves our quality of life.
On behalf of Governor O’Malley and myself, I again ask for your patience, trust, and most of all your help, as we move forward to serve the people of Maryland, and protect and restore our resources.
John
PS Many thanks to all of you for your kind messages of welcome and support. While I’ve not had time to respond to each of you personally, I am finding great comfort, strength and inspiration in your words. I only hope that I can meet your expectations…
January 27, 2007