20061106 The Delmarva Farmer endorsement of Governor Ehrlich

Agriculture says Gov. Ehrlich deserves second term

Since most all of my roots are agriculture – I wish I had written this… But I didn’t and besides, Mr. Hostetter said it better...

http://www.americanfarm.com/TopStory10.31.06f.html

The Delmarva Farmer endorsement of Governor Ehrlich

Gov. Ehrlich deserves second term

VIEWPOINT

10.31.2006

By E. RALPH HOSTETTER
AFP Publisher

Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. is seeking his second term as governor of Maryland on Nov. 7.

Democrat Mayor of the City of Baltimore Martin O’Malley seeks to unseat the governor.

The Delmarva Farmer endorses Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich for re-election.

Gov. Ehrlich’s election in 2002 brought a much-needed return of respectability and a fiscally responsible government to Maryland’s State House.

After 16 years of big-city, big-county domination by Gov. William Donald Schaefer and Gov. Parris N. Glendening, rural Marylanders welcomed a governor not controlled by special interests and political activitists, one who would represent them. This was particularly true for the Eastern Shore and the agricultural community of Maryland.

Gov. Ehrlich has proved to be fiscally responsible. Inheriting a billion-dollar-plus deficit from the Glendening Administration, Gov. Ehrlich balanced the budget with a minimum of tax increases.

Gov. Ehrlich has been in the forefront of public education, providing a program for charter schools and more funding for kindergartens.

His contributions to agriculture are many. He is a leader in land preservation for farming and has provided funding for cover crops that make possible a workable nutrient management program.

In an endorsement by the Maryland Farm Bureau, Chuck Fry, vice president, said, “For the first time in eight years, farmers are being heard, and under Gov. Ehrlich’s leadership we actually feel like the state is listening. Maryland farmers are grateful for Bob Ehrlich in his success at saving our livelihoods and our land.”

Gov. Ehrlich kept a campaign promise to provide “a place at the table for Maryland agriculture.”

He did this admirably with his appointment of a Democrat, Lewis Riley, as Secretary of Agriculture.

Lew Riley, highly respected by Maryland farmers, had worked tirelessly in a previous administration not known as pro-agriculture.

The Washington Post has endorsed Gov. Ehrlich with the following words: “He has grown in the role to become a generally proficient, pragmatic governor. ... He has chalked up successes on transportation, the environment and education, among other things. For Mr. Ehrlich, the state’s first Republican governor in a generation, those are real achievements — particularly when weighed against the monolith of Democratic dominance in the state legislature.”

Gov. Ehrlich’s opponent, Martin O’Malley, represents the re-emergence of a former inner city political machine that once dominated a one-party system for years in Baltimore.

The Washington Post characterized the O’Malley campaign as “Baltimore-centric,” saying, “His campaign is seen by some of his own allies as insular — a worrisome trait in a governor.”

Prior to the administration of Gov. Ehrlich, rural Maryland and, in particular, Maryland agriculture went unrecognized through two administrations of Baltimore City and big county “centric, insular” government.

A vote for Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich will solve the problem.

In all fairness, Mayor O’Malley has made statements recently in support of Maryland agriculture.

The Maryland voter’s choice is between a political statement at election time and the demonstrated record of Gov. Ehrlich’s support for Maryland agriculture during his administration over the past four years.

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