“State Senator Richard Colburn, R-37-Mid-Shore, announced at his 31st annual Fall Banquet that he will file for re-election to the 37th District state senate seat after the 2010 Maryland General Assembly concludes. Colburn will be seeking his fifth term in the Maryland Senate. Colburn, who represents Caroline, Talbot and Dorchester counties and part of Wicomico County, was first elected to the state senate in 1994. He previously served eight years in the House of Delegates. He was born and raised in Oxford and now lives in Dorchester County.

Colburn said he will continue to push for transportation projects, such as the long-delayed dualization of State Route 404 through Talbot, Queen Anne’s and Caroline counties. “”The American Automobile Association has identified Route 404 as one of the ten most dangerous highways in the United States, claiming about 80 lives since 1980,”” Colburn said. “”The Dover Bridge is 80 years old with lanes only ten feet wide, four feet short of national highway standards,”” Colburn said. “”This is a safety and public welfare issue for our citizens.””

Colburn said in Talbot County, he worked with County Councilman Thomas Duncan in a bipartisan effort to keep Memorial Hospital in or around the Easton area. “”Over the course of several months, we went to several town meetings to discuss the necessity of keeping the hospital in Easton and to obtain their support,”” Colburn said. “”This is a health and safety issue, with the so-called golden hour. Also, keeping the hospital in or near Easton retains 1,100 jobs in the immediate area.”” Colburn said he also will continue to work with Shore Health System toward building new health and diagnostic centers for Denton and Federalsburg.

In Dorchester County, Colburn said he worked to push a $500,000 bond bill for the new $3-million Dorchester General Hospital emergency department, which was recently opened. “”I worked with the Cambridge City Council to revitalize the downtown area,”” Colburn said. “”I realize the tremendous return on the tourism dollar, almost $29 to every $1 spent. We need to do everything possible to make Dorchester County a real tourist destination point.””

In Wicomico County, Colburn said he has worked hard to get answers and positive solutions from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Maryland Department of the Environment regarding the poultry industry. “”The Delmarva poultry industry is a $2-billion industry wholesale value, almost $400-million per year payroll and directly employs almost 15,000 people,”” Colburn said. “”The Delmarva Poultry Industry awarded me the Medal of Achievement Award in April for my hard work and dedication in promoting and preserving the Delmarva poultry industry.””
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