(Newark, DE) As a guest host for the Governor’s weekly message, filmed at the Victoria Mews Community Building in Newark, Anas Ben-Addi, Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority, highlights the recent award of federal funding that will help people with disabilities live independently in the community.

“I believe our application was strong because of the established partnership between the Delaware State Housing Authority and the Department of Health and Social Services, said Director Ben-Addi. “Under Governor Markell’s leadership, we are all working together to better serve the needs of our state.”

Every Friday, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form.  Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message: Increasing Independence for Individuals with Disabilities. The message is available on:

YouTube: http://youtu.be/CoOYD7Ztfnk

Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/information/podcast_video.shtml

By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list

Facebook: www.facebook.com/governormarkell

Twitter: www.twitter.com/governormarkell

Hi, my name is Anas Ben Addi, Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority. As you know, Governor Markell has made serving people with disabilities the centerpiece of his policy work as Chair of the National Governors Association. I am speaking to you today because Delaware has been awarded $5.1 million from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development.

The purpose of the funding is to create opportunities for people with disabilities who have extremely low incomes. Delaware’s application was fully-funded and was among only 13 states awarded these funds.  I believe our application was strong because of the established partnership between the Delaware State Housing Authority and the Department of Health & Social Services.

Under Governor Markell’s leadership, we are all working together to better serve the needs of our state. The Section 811 Demonstration program will help people who require affordable housing and supportive services to live independently in the community.

Without this program, many would likely be homeless or in long-term care facilities — which will cost us more money and is certainly not the way they want to spend their lives.  Just like you and I, they should be able to live among friends, neighbors and family members. This is a matter of equality and justice.

Individuals with disabilities should have the same opportunities to live independently and safely in the community; to engage in productive employment; and to participate fully in life.  The new Section 811 program announced this week will get us closer to making this vision a reality. We ALL stand to benefit from increased independence of people with disabilities, that’s why we are working together to move Delaware forward.

Legislation requires criminal history checks in connection with virtually all gun sales

(Dover, DE)  Governor Markell issued the following statement after the passage of House Bill 35 in the Delaware House of Representatives:

“Delaware is a step closer to making our citizens safer by requiring a background check on nearly every gun purchase or transfer. The litany of tragic shootings in other states and in our own state should be all the impetus we need to do more to keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them. But this is also a common sense measure that is supported by an overwhelming 88 percent of Delawareans.  The changes that were made to the bill today show that Representative Valerie Longhurst and other legislators are listening to the concerns of the community and are willing to make reasonable accommodations. They also made clear that this bill is not about taking people’s guns or about gun registration. I appreciate and thank the legislators, law enforcement officers, and everyday Delawareans who supported HB 35.”

The bill was unveiled by the Governor during a news conference with former Congressman and Governor Mike Castle earlier this month.

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Governor Markell recently spoke about Delaware’s proposed gun safety legislation during an interview on MSNBC’s Morning Joe.

DOVER (March 28, 2013) – To achieve public compliance through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Enforcement agents made 597 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters and the general public, including 12 boating safety checks, in which all but one vessel operator was found to be in compliance. Agents also responded to 15 complaints and issued 5 citations between March 20 and 27.

Citations issued by violation type included the following, with the number of charges in parentheses:

Wildlife Conservation: Operating a motor vehicle at excessive speed in a state wildlife area (1), operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway in a state wildlife area (1), and dumping in a state wildlife area (1), New Castle County; Trespassing after hours in a state wildlife area (1), Kent County.

Boating Safety: Insufficient number of life jackets aboard vessel (1), Kent County.

Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Training
Fish and Wildlife agents Sr. Cpl. Casey Zolper and K-9 Warden attended a week of quarterly training in Maryland March 18-22, joining Maryland Department of Natural Resources dogs and handlers to practice their tracking, evidence recovery and wildlife detection skills. Sr. Cpl. Zolper trained K-9 Warden to alert on the scent of river herring to help in locating illegally caught herring. As of this spring, Zolper and Warden have been partners for seven years. Since Warden joined the Enforcement Section in 2006, he and Zolper have tracked missing people and evasive suspects, located key evidence in wildlife conservation and criminal cases, and represented the Delaware Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section in public demonstrations of Warden’s specialized skills.

Are you AWARE?
With signs of spring in the air, the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section and the Delaware Office of Boating Safety would like to remind early season boaters and anglers of the importance of life jackets. “Statistics show that not wearing life jackets is one of the leading causes of boating fatalities in the state of Delaware as well as nationwide, and that 80 percent of these fatalities could have been prevented by life jacket use,” said Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, Delaware Boating Safety Office. “Like seatbelts in automobiles, we know without question that life jackets save lives.”

In Delaware, life jackets also are the law – and the law requires that owners/operators of recreational vessels carry one readily accessible life jacket for each person aboard, and that children age 12 and younger wear a life jacket while underway in any vessel on Delaware waters. (Minimum fine for violations: $76.50)

“Vessel operators are responsible to make sure that children aboard their boat are wearing life jackets – and they can set the example by also wearing one,” Sgt. Rhodes said. “Although the law does not require ages 13 and older to wear a life jacket, we strongly recommend life jacket use by everyone aboard a vessel in Delaware waters, especially anyone with limited swimming skills. It’s a smart choice that can prevent an unnecessary tragedy.”

Even on days when the air is warm, boaters also should remember that water temperatures are still cold – currently 43 to 45 degrees, Sgt. Rhodes said, noting that immersion in cooler water can lead to hypothermia very quickly, in which the body instinctively protects its core by shutting down blood flow to limbs first. The Coast Guard recommends wearing layers for protection and warmth, including gloves and a hat. Recommended gear also includes a floatation coat or survival suit, which also acts a life jacket, or a dry suit, which keeps water out and, with thermal layers beneath, keeps warmth in. 

Sgt. Rhodes added these tips:

• If you fall overboard or capsize, stay with your boat for a better chance of being found sooner.
• Keep clothing on to help retain heat.
• Keep your cell phone in a secure pocket and sealed in a plastic bag.
• Carry a personal position locator beacon, a personal emergency locator light and/or flares, and a whistle to make noise and attract the attention of rescuers.
• Pack a set of dry clothing in a sealed plastic bag.
• File a “float plan” with a responsible friend or family member. Include a description of your boat, when you plan to head out, who is going with you, where you plan to go and when you plan to return.  

“Filing a float plan is always a good idea, because unforeseen circumstances can hit boaters in any season at any time, including a storm, engine problems, swamping, and injuries or other health issues,” Sgt. Rhodes said. “With your plans in hand, a friend or family member can call for help if you’re overdue and tell searchers where to begin looking for you, saving precious time.” 

For more information on safe boating practices in Delaware, including an easy-to-use float plan form, please visit www.fw.delaware.gov/Boating/BoatingSafety.htm.

 The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting and boating laws and regulations. Citizens are encouraged to report fish and wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Hunting/Pages/OpGameTheft.aspx .

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902, or Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, Division of Fish & Wildlife Enforcement, 302-542-6102. 

Vol. 43, No. 118

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DOVER (March 28, 2013) – In partnership with DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship’s rain barrels program, the Delaware Forest Service is inviting residents of Delaware communities within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed to “buy a rain barrel … get a free tree” through the Forest Service’s new “Trees for the Bay” program. 

For each purchase of a discounted rain barrel on Wednesday, April 17 in Kent County and Thursday, April 18 in Sussex County, Delaware residents who live in eligible zip codes will receive a voucher worth $125 toward the purchase of a qualifying tree(s) at participating nursery and garden centers. Additional rain barrel purchases to qualifying residents will be eligible for additional vouchers, while supplies last on a first-come, first-served basis.

Available through DNREC’s Nonpoint Source Program, the heavy-duty plastic rain barrels are for sale to Delaware residents at a discounted price of $59 each. Tree vouchers will be available to Chesapeake Bay Watershed residents when purchasing rain barrels at these pickup locations: 

• Kent County: Wednesday, April 17 between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or until all barrels are sold, at the DNREC State Fair Building, located off Route 13 in Harrington on the north end of the Delaware State Fairgrounds just past the Centre Ice Rink.
   
• Sussex County: Thursday, April 18 between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or until all barrels are sold, at the DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship’s Lewes Facility, next to the Lewes boat ramp, located at 901 Pilottown Road, Lewes. 

Vouchers are available only to those who reside in the following Delaware communities, which are located within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed:

Vouchers must be redeemed by Sunday, May 5 at these participating nurseries and garden centers:

• Bess Buds, 34593 Sussex Highway, Laurel, 302-875-2507
• Jeff’s Greenhouse and Gift Shop, 7781 Main Street, Bethel, 800-276-3420
• Barton’s Landscaping/Lawn Co., 20689 Sussex Highway, Seaford, 302-629-9645

Vouchers are not redeemable for the following tree species (which are not recommended and/or considered invasive species): ash, northern red oak, Leyland-cypress, hemlock, Japanese black pine, Australian pine, American elm, Norway maple, Tree of Heaven, Paulownia, mimosa, white mulberry, Chinese elm, any white-barked birch and any species or variety of pear.

The Delaware Forest Service and DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship both recognize the important role trees play in cleaning our air and water while enhancing the quality of life for Delaware residents. Trees reduce soil erosion and sedimentation, remove excess nutrients, and filter harmful pollutants before they make their way into the tributaries, streams and rivers within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

The Delaware Forest Service’s Trees for the Bay program is underwritten by federal funds designed to help communities meet the water quality goals outlined in the Chesapeake Bay’s Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP). For more details, visit
http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/swc/wa/Pages/Chesapeake_Wip.aspx.

For more information about the Forest Service’s Trees for the Bay program, please visit http://delawaretrees.com/trees-for-the-bay, or contact Kyle Hoyd, Delaware Forest Service, at 302-698-4578 or email kyle.hoyd@delaware.gov.

 For more information about DNREC’s discounted rain barrel program, please call Sharon Webb, Division of Watershed Stewardship, Nonpoint Source Program, at 302-739-9922, or email sharon.webb@delaware.gov.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902, or John Petersen, Delaware Forest Service, 302-698-4552.

Vol. 43, No. 117

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