Governor’s Weekly Message: Working Hard to Grow Our Economy


(Wilmington, DE) In his weekly message, Governor Markell highlights the progress being made to grow the State’s economy and promotes the town hall events being held throughout the state.

“We must continue to reduce the costs of doing business, improve our transportation systems and make government more efficient,” said Governor Markell. “By positioning the First State as the right place to build and grow a business, we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.”

Every Friday, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

 

YouTube: http://youtu.be/cwQ42-czQcg

Delaware.Gov:  http://governor.delaware.gov/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

Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message: Working Hard to Grow Our Economy.


Governor’s Weekly Message Transcript: Working Hard to Grow Our Economy


Across our state, Delawareans are working hard to grow our economy – and we are making progress. New expansions by Kraft and ILC Dover are putting people back to work. Rent-free office space through our Project Pop-up Program is helping establish small businesses like Computers Fixed Today; 302Fitness; Royal Treatments; Milton Wellness Center of Delaware; and Milford Massage, Wellness and Yoga. And ongoing initiatives like Start it Up Delaware continue providing resources and mentorship to help new businesses get up and running. Yet, there is more to do. We must continue to reduce the costs of doing business, improve our transportation systems and make government more efficient. We are focused on positioning Delaware as the right place for businesses to build and grow, but we know they can only create quality jobs if they have access to talented employees. As we strive to give everyone in our state the opportunity to maximize their talents, we celebrated a program this week that is putting young people on the track to success. People like Master Corporal Kenneth Harriston. Corporal Harriston was one of the first students in Jobs for Delaware Graduates.  Since its founding by Governor duPont 35 years ago, the program became a model for 32 other states, leading to the establishment of Jobs for America’s Graduates, which helps keep students moving on towards education or employment. Great ideas often spur great opportunities, which is why I look forward to hearing more from you about strengthening our economy at our upcoming town hall meetings – October 3rd at Cape Henlopen High School and October 10th at Delcastle High School. By positioning the First State as the right place to build and grow a business, we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.


Shipwrecks, Storms and Science: Program at Lewes, Del.’s Zwaanendael Museum on Oct. 5, 2013

List of museum programs through Dec. 31, 2013 also included

Artistic rendition of the capsizing of the DeBraak by Peggy Kane, 1990.

Visitors to Lewes, Del. will have an opportunity to learn about the state’s fascinating maritime heritage in the program “Shipwrecks, Storms and Science” that will take place on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Zwaanendael Museum, located at 102 Kings Highway in Lewes, Del.

Held in conjunction with Lewes’ annual Boast the Coast Maritime Festival, “Shipwrecks, Storms and Science” will present maritime history and archaeology activities throughout the day including historical games such as “Crown and Anchor,” a dice game that originated in the 18th century which was played for gambling purposes by British sailors.

At 2 p.m., Zwaanendael Museum historic-site interpreter Elizabeth Gott will conduct a presentation on His Majesty’s Sloop of War DeBraak and the Roosevelt Inlet Shipwreck, two British ships that sank in separate incidents off Lewes in the late 18th century. Through extensive historical research and examination of artifacts recovered from these shipwrecks, historians have gained valuable insights into life in the late 1700s during the time of the American and French Revolutionary Wars.

Admission to “Shipwrecks, Storms and Science” is free and open to the public, but space is limited for the shipwreck presentation. For additional information, call 302-645-1148. For information on the Boast the Coast Maritime Festival, call the Lewes Chamber of Commerce at 877-465-3937.

His Majesty’s Sloop of War DeBraak was a British warship that was escorting and protecting a convoy of British and American merchant ships en route to the United States when it was capsized and lost off CapeHenlopen on May 25, 1798. The remains of the ship’s hull and associated artifact collection have been curated by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs since they were acquired by state of Delaware in 1992.

The Roosevelt Inlet Shipwreck is thought to be the remains of a British merchant ship loaded with cargo inbound for Philadelphia which ran aground and became stranded in the shallows off Lewes’ Roosevelt Inlet sometime between 1772 and 1800. The wreck was inadvertently discovered in 2004 during a beach replenishment project that mined sand from the floor of Delaware Bay. An underwater archaeological investigation located the shipwreck site in 2005, while a second investigation in 2006 recovered a wide range of artifacts representing the ship’s cargo. Recovered artifacts from the shipwreck are also curated by the division.

Zwaanendael Museum exhibits and presentations provide a showcase for Lewes-area maritime, military and social history. Current exhibits include “A Seaborne Citizenry: The DeBraak and Its Atlantic World” which tells the story of the vessel, its crew and the historical context within which it operated in the Atlantic World of the late 18th century; and “Delaware and the War of 1812” which examines the service and sacrifice of Delawareans of 1812 to 1815, and the important role that the state played in a conflict that helped shaped the development of the United States.

Following is a complete schedule of Zwaanendael Museum special events through the end of 2013:

Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013
“Nanticoke.” Lecture by Sterling Street, museum coordinator for the Nanticoke Indian Museum in Millsboro, Del., on the history of the Nanticoke tribe and its museum. Program at 2 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission.

Mondays, Sept. 30, Oct. 7 and Oct. 14, 2013
Lecture/tour of His Majesty’s Sloop DeBraak. Program includes a trip to the hull facility in nearby Cape Henlopen State Park for a curator-led tour of the surviving section of the ship’s hull. Programs at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Limited seating. Admission $10 in advance by reservation only at http://shop.delaware.gov/.

Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013
“Shipwrecks, Storms and Science.” Held in conjunction with Lewes’ annual Boast the Coast festival, the event will feature a day-long slate of historical games and maritime history and archaeology activities, plus a 2 p.m. presentation on the Roosevelt Inlet and DeBraak shipwrecks. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission but seating for the shipwreck presentation is limited due to space restrictions.

Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013
Colonial Scherenschnitte. Workshop to explore scherenschnitte—the art of papercutting design—with artist Kim Frey of Dagsboro, Del. Program at 2 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission.

Saturday Oct. 26, 2013
“Mysteries of History.” Walking tour explores the unusual tombstones of St. Peter’s cemetery in Lewes. Tour leaves from the museum at 2 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission.

Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013
“Delaware’s Decades—the 1930s: ‘Visually Recording a Legacy of Hope From Despair: Jack Lewis and the CCC.’ ” Lecture by Ann Baker Horsey, curator of collections for the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs. Part one of an eight-part series exploring decades in Delaware’s history. Program at 2 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission.

Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013
Dutch-American Heritage Day: “The Zwaanendael Settlement.” Program by Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs archaeologist Craig Lukezic on Delaware’s first European settlement established by the Dutch in 1631. Program at 2 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission.

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013
“Starry Hospitality Night.” Holiday-themed program featuring star-gazing, music, festive décor and refreshments. 6–9 p.m. Free admission.

Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013
“Tour Zwaanendael Museum.” Enjoy the museum’s festive holiday-décor. Event held in conjunction with the Lewes Historical Society’s Christmas Tour of Lewes. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free admission.

Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013
“Annie Jump Cannon.” Celebrate the birthday of the noted Delaware astronomer. Program at 2 p.m. Museum open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Free admission.

-End-

Contact:
Jim Yurasek
Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
Phone:  302-736-7413
E-mail:  Jim.Yurasek@delaware.gov
Web:   http://history.delaware.gov

 


DUI Checkpoint for September 28th

Dover –  During the most recent Checkpoint Strikeforce DUI checkpoint on Sept. 20th  a total of sixteen (16) people were arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcohol and/or drugs at two separate DUI checkpoints in Dover and Newark. Statewide, there have been over 3,000 DUI arrests made in Delaware this year.

In addition to the 16 DUI arrests, officers also apprehended 1 wanted person, made 1 drug arrest, and issued 23 citations for various other traffic violations.

One DUI checkpoint is scheduled to take place this weekend.

Saturday September 28 –  New Castle- (DSP & New Castle County DUI Task Force)- checkpoint

Checkpoint Strikeforce is a regional sobriety checkpoint campaign aimed at arresting DUI offenders, by using high visibility enforcement to deter those who would otherwise choose to drink and drive.  The campaign, a six month long effort running through New Year’s Eve, involves setting up weekly DUI checkpoints statewide.

For more information on Checkpoint Strikeforce visit www.ohs.delaware.gov, www.DUIRealTime.com and follow regular campaign updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DEHighwaySafe  and Facebook www.facebook.com/ArriveAliveDE.


Governor Markell and Lt. Governor Denn Join DE Children’s Dept. to Announce Recipients of Mini Grants for After School Programming

Dover – Governor Jack Markell, and Lt. Governor Matt Denn joined officials from the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF/The Children’s Dept.) to announce the names of 13 organizations that are receiving funding for targeted after school programming.  They made the announcement at South Dover Elementary School, one of the sites selected.  The initiative to support positive prevention activities for youth was part of Governor Jack Markell’s FY 14 Budget proposal.  In his State of the State in January, he specifically called for more opportunities for “after-school and summer activities that get kids off the streets and give them exposure to the arts, nature, and physical activity.” The General Assembly supported his budget request with $2.2 million as part of DSCYF’s budget for after school programs this session.

“Children engaged in positive activities outside of the classroom do better in school, at home, and in society,” said Governor Markell.  “These initiatives reduce drop-out rates, reduce depression, improve self-control and self-esteem, and prevent risky behaviors such as drug and alcohol use and juvenile crime. I’m pleased that my administration has been able to work with the General Assembly to give our community partners, non-profit organizations, and schools additional resources to help our children grow and thrive.”

Schools and other organizations were permitted to apply for up to $20,000 in short term funding that must be used by the end of December.  An RFP for larger funding amounts was issued at the end of August.  The deadline to respond to the RFP, which is linked to the Children’s Department home page (www.kids.delaware.gov) has been extended to Thursday, September 26th.

Programs selected for the initial round of funding cover a wide range of activities including anti-bullying, violence and suicide prevention, arts, theatre, skill and character building, health & fitness, tutoring, music, recreation, and more.

DSC_0006“These programs are addressing the overall well-being of children,” said Lt. Governor Matt Denn.  “They focus not only on their academic needs, but on their social, emotional and mental health needs as well. We’re taking a well-rounded approach to supporting our youth. ”

The selected program recipients will enter into contracts the Children’s Department’s Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services.  Four of the recipients are in Kent, four are in NcCo, and one is in Sussex County.  One program will operate in sites in both Kent and Sussex, and three more will operate in both Kent and NcCo. This initiative is partly an outgrowth of the initial recommendations by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the 2012 adolescent suicides in Kent County which pointed to a lack of after-school activities for youth in Kent and Sussex Counties.

“These after school programs will help to address the needs of children in all three Delaware counties.  We want to make sure that children statewide have the opportunity to participate in positive activities that some would not otherwise get to experience,” said DSYCF Secretary Jennifer Ranji.

The funding recipients are: Cab Calloway School of the Arts, Courageous Hearts Equine, Dover High School, Delaware State University, Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay, Inner City Cultural League, Jewish Family Services, Milford Boys & Girls Club, PAL of Delaware, PS DuPont Middle School, South Dover Elementary, and University of Delaware 4H at McLane Gardens in Smyrna and Knollwood Community Center in Claymont.

South Dover Elementary will use the funds to support two of its after school programs: the Kiva Anti-Bullying program and Girls on The Run, which is a national program aimed at building the self-esteem of young girls through physical fitness.  At today’s announcement, state officials, local legislators and Capital School District officials got to see the 12 young ladies who are participating in both programs practicing their skills.  For Girls on the Run, the young ladies are working up to a 5K walk/run to be held in Milford.

South Dover Elementary School Principal Michelle Duke says funding opportunities for after school programs are important as state and federal money is usually reserved for academic programs, and private grant opportunities are disappearing.

“While we hold high academic standards for our students, we also recognize that their physical and social/emotional development has a direct connection to their academic success.  In addition, the social/emotional health and self-image these young girls possess is very important to their success in life. I am extremely proud of the team of South Dover teachers who wrote the grant and are committed to building healthy relationships with these girls and modeling healthy habits.”

The Children’s Department provides services to children who have been abused, neglected, are dependent, have mental health or substance problems, have been adjudicated delinquent by the Courts, as well as prevention services targeted toward all youth. For more information, please visit www.kids.delaware.gov.