March 11 marks one-year anniversary of disaster in Miyagi

Videos from Governors Markell & Murai: delaware.gov/HelpMiyagi/

On March 11, 2011, Delaware’s sister state, Miyagi Prefecture, and other areas of the northeast coast of Japan were devastated by a massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami. One year later, Miyagi continues to rebuild and recover. Delaware Governor Jack Markell recorded a video message for the people of Miyagi on the anniversary of these tragic events to let them know Delawareans are thinking of them in this time of reflection and remembrance.

“It’s hard for us to imagine what you have been through, even though we have seen the pictures.  Our hearts have ached,” said Governor Markell. “We are so proud of the sister-state relationship that we have with you and we want to be with you in good times and in bad.”

In January, Miyagi Governor Yoshihiro Murai recorded a video message for Delawareans, which was shown during the recent Miyagi delegation visit to Delaware.

Visit Delaware’s website to see both videos: delaware.gov/HelpMiyagi/.

GREENWOOD, Del.- Delaware Electric Cooperative will soon break ground on a four megawatt solar park in Sussex County, Delaware. Twenty acres of solar panels will be installed near Georgetown, capable of producing enough energy to power 500 homes. The park could eventually be expanded to 40 acres with the ability to produce eight megawatts of power.

The solar park is being developed by SunEdison and will help DEC meet the state’s renewable energy portfolio standards, which require utilities to generate or purchase 25 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2025. The power generated by the facility will offset energy purchases from the wholesale market.

The construction of the solar project is expected to cost approximately $14 million and could be completed by early 2013. The project is not expected to have an immediate impact on member rates.

According to Bill Andrew, President and CEO of DEC, “We are dedicated to providing the highest value to our members while building the park at the lowest possible cost. The park will feed power directly to the Co-op’s electric distribution system.”

The Co-op is also proud to announce that Delaware labor and products manufactured in the First State will be used to build the solar park. The solar panels will be purchased from Motech Americas in Newark, Delaware and the construction of the facility will create 40 temporary jobs.

“We are pleased that DEC is supporting the renewable energy economy right here in Delaware by providing its members locally produced, renewable energy from a source that has been producing solar modules right here in Delaware for the last 20 years,” stated Derick Botha, Vice President of Motech Americas. “DEC is fostering green jobs in Delaware and giving back to the community by supporting the local economy and we are proud to be the provider of choice.”

“Delaware Electric Cooperative is committed to using Delaware workers and solar panels made in the state. This park will provide a much needed economic boost to Delaware,” said Andrew.

Governor Jack Markell has thrown his support behind the project, which promises to offer environmentally friendly energy to southern Delaware.

“The new solar park makes a smart investment in the community,” said Governor Jack Markell. “It puts people to work building and installing clean energy technology which provides jobs, benefits the environment and helps to grow the clean technology industry.”

Groundbreaking for the project is expected to be held this spring.

Delaware Electric Cooperative is a member-owned electric utility serving 84,000 member-owners in Kent and Sussex County, Delaware. For more information visit us on the web at www.delaware.coop or www.beatthepeak.coop or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

DOVER – In advance of the third annual Delaware Week of Service April 15-21, Gov. Markell joins first lady Carla Markell in calling on Delawareans to plan or find special volunteer projects, and for nonprofit organizations to register their volunteer needs at https://volunteer.delaware.gov

The Delaware Week of Service expands on a weekend of service that the Markells hosted in January 2009, in lieu of the traditional Inaugural Ball, and the Weeks of Service in 2010 and 2011. The 2012 Week of Service will coincide with National Volunteerism Week.

“It is always gratifying to me to see residents from every part of our state volunteer their time and talents in service to others,” Gov. Jack Markell said. “The positive difference made by Delawareans goes well beyond the specific service they provide. Their example also encourages others to take the first steps to finding the volunteer opportunity that will turn their own passion into action.”

As first lady, Carla Markell has made the promotion of volunteerism one of her priorities. She urges those interested in being involved with the Week of Service to visit the Volunteer Delaware website, https://volunteer.delaware.gov and to use the key words “Week of Service.” Individuals and groups can log on and choose a project from either one-time or ongoing volunteer opportunities. Organizations also can register their needs and volunteer opportunities.

“The website is a great way to track the progress we’re making as a state of dedicated volunteers,” Carla Markell said. “We’re so pleased that several Delaware organizations are joining the effort to engage our citizens in volunteer service during the Week of Service, including the State Office of Volunteerism, the Governor’s Commission for Community and Volunteer Service, and others. All of these efforts contribute to the powerful momentum we are building in Delaware.” For the first lady and her family, the idea of connectedness is a powerful one. “Thousands of volunteers in Delaware donate millions of hours of service each year and provide vital services to many of our residents,” she said. “To all of our hard-working volunteers, the Governor and I want to say a personal thank you for helping to make our communities safer, healthier, stronger and more emotionally satisfying.”

Events for the Week of Service include a teen volunteer fair at the Hockessin Library, a teen volunteer presentation at the Kent County Library, and more. The Delaware Week of Service will conclude with a volunteer fair at the Kent County Library from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, April 21. At the fair, the week’s successes will be celebrated and information about ongoing volunteer opportunities will be available.

Rita Landgraf, secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services, which oversees the State Office of Volunteerism, praised Delaware’s volunteers for making a difference in so many people’s lives. “We honor these selfless volunteers of all ages who reach out in support of friends, neighbors and other individuals who are vulnerable. They remind us that every single person matters and that everyone can help. Through their shared spirit of volunteerism, Delawareans show us how powerful actions and ideas can be when they are carried out in the service of others.”

For information about Week of Service events, to list your events or to find ways to get involved, visit https://volunteer.delaware.gov

For more information about the Delaware Week of Service or Volunteer Delaware, go to https://volunteer.delaware.gov, or contact Carrie Hart, Volunteer Service Administrator, at (302) 857-5006.

Over the years, Newport Chief of Police Michael Capriglione has become known as a leader for local police agencies statewide and a champion for DUI enforcement in New Castle County.

Today, Governor Jack A. Markell presented Chief Capriglione with a tribute highlighting his years of service as chair of the Delaware Police Chiefs’ Council and his unwavering dedication and commitment to the State’s law enforcement community.

“Chief Capriglione has served unselfishly the police community and the public good for many years,” said Governor Jack Markell. “His dedication is a testament to his love of police work and commitment toward protecting the community. We recognize and appreciate the many ways in which Chief Capriglione helps people work together for a better Delaware.”

Chief Capriglione has been a member of the Delaware Police Chiefs’ Council since 1981 when he was named head of the Newport Police Department.

“Chief Capriglione is a valued member of our law enforcement community. Under his leadership, law enforcement agencies statewide have partnered on a number of projects which have had a direct impact on enhancing public safety in our State,” said Lewis D. Schiliro, Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security. “I am honored to have worked with the Chief and commend him for his years of service to the citizens of the State. He is truly a Cops Cop.”

During his tenure with the Council, Chief Capriglione served as Secretary, Chairman of the Legislative Committee, and 1st Vice Chairman before ascending to the position of Chairman for the past 11 years.

“He is the longest tenured Police Chief in the State and served as the Chairman of the Delaware Police Chiefs’ Council longer than any of his predecessors, said New Castle City Chief of Police Kevin McDerby. “He is not only respected within the law enforcement community but within all branches of government and by the fourth estate—news media.”

While serving as Chair, Chief Capriglione formed a partnership with the Office of Highway Safety to broaden the reach of its Checkpoint Strikeforce Campaign. The goal of Checkpoint Strikeforce is to stop impaired driving throughout the State through roadside checkpoints. With his support, OHS formed the New Castle County DUI Task Force enabling municipal officers to work together to conduct checkpoints.

“For the last ten years, Chief Capriglione’s leadership of the New Castle County Checkpoint Strikeforce Taskforce has led to unprecedented arrests for Driving Under the Influence (DUI). His commitment to highway safety and to reducing the incidence of drinking and driving on Delaware roadways has led to countless numbers of lives saved and we congratulate him for this recognition for a job very well done,” said OHS Director Jana Simpler.

At the suggestion of the Delaware Black Caucus, Gov. Markell is expanding his order regarding Delaware flags being lowered to honor The Rev. Maurice J. Moyer so that it will apply statewide.

“We know that the Governor had great respect for Rev. Moyer and that’s why the unique honor of lowering the state flags was granted,” said state Sen. Margaret Rose Henry, a member of the black caucus who made the original suggestion Tuesday to the Governor the flags be lowered. “Our suggestion today was that, like the influence of Rev. Moyer which began locally and expanded beyond, the honor of the flags could do likewise.”

The original order to fly Delaware flags at half-staff in Wilmington and New Castle County was consistent with past practice of lowering the Delaware flag in limited areas, but Gov. Markell said he was responding to the suggestion that Rev. Moyer’s impact was felt well beyond his immediate community.

“Flying the Delaware flag at half-staff is a sign of deepest respect rarely given and doing it statewide is even more so,” Gov. Markell said.

Flags will remain at half-staff through the end of the day Friday, the day of services for Rev. Moyer.