Wilmington, DE – Governor Markell issued the following statement on findings and recommendations approved today by the Wilmington Public Safety Strategies Commission – a group established by House Joint Resolution No. 2, and supported by all members of the General Assembly, after the Governor called for a rapid, fact-based, intensive examination of public safety strategies for Wilmington in his State of the State address.

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“I commend the hard work of all of the members of the commission, including co-chairs Joe Bryant and Lew Schiliro, as well as the teams from the Police Foundation and Vigilant Resources International. All involved have displayed an extraordinary commitment to developing solutions to the violence plaguing Wilmington. Importantly, the findings and actionable recommendations presented today involved a thorough examination of data and current public safety practices, as well as a significant emphasis on community engagement to ensure Wilmingtonians had a strong voice in this report.

“This product, developed in such a short timeframe, would not have been possible without the full cooperation and active participation of Chief Bobby Cummings. I applaud his efforts, which include work to implement some of the recommendations over the past two months.

“This report can serve as a roadmap to implement successful and sustainable practices that would improve public safety in Wilmington. While we should all acknowledge the long-term efforts required to address social factors that affect crime, the Commission’s recommendations are filled with practices that, in the short-term, have worked elsewhere to reduce violence and save lives. The report makes clear that the Wilmington Police Department has the personnel, and access to the resources and partnerships necessary, to reverse current trends, but we know this work is not easy. I’m pleased the commission members will continue to meet to help move these efforts forward and to be available as a resource for the City.”

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(Smyrna) – The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and Delaware State Police will conduct a quarterly test of the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations Alert and notification system on Tuesday, April 7, 2015.  The sirens will sound between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM.

The 37 sirens located within ten miles of the Salem/Hope Creek (New Jersey) plants will be activated for three to five minutes.  The siren tests will be followed by a test message of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on local radio stations.

Sirens that will be tested are the same sirens that would alert the public in the event of an actual emergency at either the Salem or Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations.  In such an emergency, the public would be alerted by the sirens to tune radios to one of the local EAS stations for important emergency instructions.

Photos from the event

Dover, DE – Delaware companies exploring opportunities abroad will have access to support and resources from the State through an ambitious initiative announced today by Governor Markell. The initiative, announced during the Governor’s keynote address at the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce Spring Legislative Brunch and Manufacturing Conference, includes trade missions to key markets overseas, an experienced support team, and the development of an online community to facilitate the exchange of information among Delaware exporters and State officials. The State has also launched a new website to support export efforts, as well as promote foreign direct investment in Delaware and showcase the State’s unmatched corporate services.

“In a global economy with more than 95 percent of the world’s consumers living outside of the U.S., growing exports to ensuring access to international markets is critical to the prosperity of our businesses, our workforce, and our state,” Markell noted in his address. “With the right help and support, our local companies have opportunities to grow their business significantly.”

The initiative, dubbed the “Strategic Export Plan for the State,” was crafted using data gathered in a comprehensive study to determine where Delaware companies can have the most success overseas. The study, conducted by the Division of Corporate and International Development (DCID) in the Department of State, identified Canada, Mexico, Germany and South Korea as the countries with the most buying potential for the products and services that Delaware has to offer. The State will lead trade missions to those countries over the next 18 months to give Delaware business owners the chance to visit the market and meet personally with buyers and distributors.

“Companies involved in global trade are 20 percent more efficient, and do 25 percent more business than those who don’t,” said Markell. “We should do all we can to ensure that Delaware companies get their fair share – or more – of the business opportunities available to them around the world.

“But it’s not that easy, especially for small- and medium- sized companies. Less than one percent of American businesses export. Sixty percent of those that export trade with only one country. The result is a tremendous amount of lost business opportunities. However, when global trade is made easy, more companies take advantage of it. This is my goal for Delaware.”

As part of the initiative, the State has developed a comprehensive suite of services to assist companies with their export activities. Services include export counseling, market studies to identify the best countries for doing business, access to foreign buyers and distributors, one-on-one matchmaking business meetings, trade missions led by Delaware staff and in-country trade representatives, and financial assistance through grants for eligible export expenses.

In addition, the team has launched a network of online communities through LinkedIn Groups to facilitate discussion among new and experienced exporters. The groups, Delaware Ambassadors and Delaware Exporters, provide real-time forums for exchanging information, reviewing resources and support materials, as well as asking questions and finding advice about export issues and activities.

Global Delaware

At the event, the Governor also unveiled Global Delaware, a powerful online platform that promotes Delaware for international economic development. The website is visually engaging and user-friendly, and is organized into the three areas that are the focus of the DCID: Investing in Delaware, expanding markets, and forming corporations in the state. It also includes success stories that show ways local companies, like ANP Technologies, are benefitting from exports and working with the State.

The Expand area on the site provides businesses with information, links, and resources to explore options abroad. The site includes a comprehensive list of capital resources available for exporting activity from the State, federal government and other agencies and organizations, as well as a list of events happening in the Delaware region.

The site also features active social media components, with the ability to broadcast a wide array of Delaware news and events to followers.

“The State is committed to increasing business opportunities and jobs for our companies,” Markell said. “We are ready to work with them to expand their business globally, both in countries that they identify and in markets that our experts believe offer exceptional opportunities.”

For more information about Global Delaware, please contact global@delaware.gov, or Emma Cowdery at 302-353-0366.

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-John Dickinson Plantation, New Castle Court House and Zwaanendael Museum also closed on Good Friday, April 3, 2015-

 The six state museums administered by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs—the New Castle Court House Museum, the Johnson Victrola Museum, The Old State House, the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, the John Dickinson Plantation and the Zwaanendael Museum—will be closed on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015. The John Dickinson Plantation, New Castle Court House and Zwaanendael Museum will also be closed for the state holiday on Good Friday, April 3, 2015. The state’s museums located in downtown Dover—the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, The Old State House and the Johnson Victrola Museum—will be open during their regularly scheduled hours on Friday, April 3, 2015. All six of the museums will be open during their regularly scheduled hours on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

 -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

(DOVER, Del.—March 31, 2015)—The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be sponsoring 13 special programs during April 2015 at sites in downtown Dover, Del. including The Old State House, the Johnson Victrola Museum and the Dover Public Library. All programs are free and open to the public. For additional information, call 302-744-5055.

Highlights include four programs presented as part of the History Coffee-Hour Series that will be held between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. on selected Thursdays at The Old State House located at 25 The Green. Programs, in which complimentary coffee will be available for those in attendance, include “Play That Old-Time Country Music,” a musical presentation on Victor Records’ early recordings of country music on April 2; “The Exploits of Allen McLane,” a living-history theatrical performance by museum historical-interpreter Tom Welch portraying Delaware’s Revolutionary War hero Allen McLane on April 9; “The Doctor Is In,” a living-history theatrical performance by museum historical interpreter Dennis Fisher exploring the life and times of Dr. James Sykes, an 18th to 19th-century Dover physician, on April 16; and “Women’s Words: Delaware’s Civil War Diarists,” a presentation that will bring to life the Civil-War-era diaries of Delawareans Elizabeth Dorsey and Anna Ferris on April 23.

Additional April highlights include “ ‘Over There’: How Victor’s Musical Industry Influenced the Nation During World War I,” a two-part program on Friday, April 17 that begins at 7 p.m. with a lecture on the contributions of the Victor Talking Machine Company to the war effort to be presented at the Dover Public Library located at 35 Loockerman Plaza, followed by a presentation at the Johnson Victrola Museum on Victor’s World War I era recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines.

Finally, historical interpreters from the American Historical Theatre will perform at The Old State House on Sunday, April 26 at 1 p.m. when Robert Gleason portrays President Abraham Lincoln; and Thursday, April 30 at 7 p.m. when Pat Jordan portrays “Little Women” author Louisa May Alcott.

A complete listing of the division’s downtown Dover programs during April 2015 is provided below. All events are free and open to the public. For additional information, call 302-744-5055.

Division-sponsored programs in downtown Dover during April 2015

Thursday, April 2, 2015
“Play That Old-Time Country Music.” Musical program on Victor Records’ early recordings of country music, accompanied by 78-rpm recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines Part of the History Coffee-Hour Lecture Series. The Old State House, 25 The Green. 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 4, 2015
“1904 Fire at the Camden Plant.” Guided tours focus on the fire that devastated the Victor Talking Machine Company’s Camden, N.J. plant in 1904, and the changes in safety and manufacturing that resulted from the tragedy. Tours will also feature a special blend of vintage recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. First Saturday in the First State program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 4, 2014
“Delaware Poetry: JoAnn Balingit, Poet Laureate of Delaware.” In celebration of National Poetry Month, Delaware’s poet laureate will discuss her passion and read some of her poetry. The program will also feature poets Lucian Mattison and Linda Blaskey and a panel discussion entitled “Poetry: The Language of Home.” First Saturday in the First State program. The Old State House, 25 The Green. Program at 1 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 9, 2015
“Bells Across the Land: A Nation Remembers Appomattox.” Bells across Delaware including Dover’s Presbyterian and Wesley United Methodist churches, John Bell House (hand bell), Kent County Courthouse, Legislative Mall’s Liberty Bell and The Old State House will ring in commemoration of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox in 1865. 3:15 p.m.

Thursday, April 9, 2015
“Sharing Delaware History: The Exploits of Allen McLane.” Living-history theatrical performance by museum historical-interpreter Tom Welch portraying Delaware’s Revolutionary War hero Allen McLane who will discuss his many intelligence-gathering activities during the conflict. Part of the History Coffee-Hour Lecture Series. The Old State House, 25 The Green. 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 16, 2015
“The Doctor Is In.” Living-history theatrical performance by Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs historical interpreter Dennis Fisher exploring the life and times of Dr. James Sykes, an 18th to 19th-century Dover physician and statesman who served as Delaware’s governor for a short period. Part of the History Coffee-Hour Lecture Series. The Old State House, 25 The Green. 5:30 p.m.

Friday, April 17, 2015
“ ‘Over There’: How Victor’s Musical Industry Influenced the Nation During World War I.” Two-part program begins with a lecture on the contributions of the Victor Talking Machine Company to the war effort to be presented at the Dover Public Library, followed by a presentation at the Johnson Victrola Museum on Victor’s World War I era recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Partnership between the library and the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs. Program begins at 7 p.m. at the Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza.

Saturday, April 18, 2014
“The Spring Storm: A Celebration of  Spoken Word.” National Poetry Month program featuring Delaware’s own Spoken-Word artists—Amillion the Poet, SuiteFranchon, Gemele and the Twin Poets; plus a special presentation by Hannah Sturgis, Delaware’s winner of the 2015 Poetry Out Loud contest. The Spoken-Word genre utilizes performance-based poetry focusing on the aesthetics of word play and story-telling. Partnership between the divisions of the Arts, and Historical and Cultural Affairs. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Program at 1 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 302-744-5055.

Saturday, April 18, 2015
“The Story of Dinah.” Program explores the life and craft of Dinah Patten, an accomplished spinner and enslaved person owned by the John Dickinson family. A hands-on activity will accompany the program in which the audience learns how to prepare wool for spinning. Partnership between the Dover Public Library and the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs. Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza. 2 p.m.

Thursday, April 23, 2015
“Women’s Words: Delaware’s Civil War Diarists.” Lecture brings to life the Civil-War-era diaries of Delawareans Elizabeth Dorsey and Anna Ferris. Part of the History Coffee-Hour Lecture Series. The Old State House, 25 The Green. 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 26, 2015
“Abraham Lincoln.” Living-history performance in which Robert Gleason of the American Historical Theatre portrays President Abraham Lincoln. The Old State House, 25 The Green. Program at 1 p.m. Museum open 12:30–4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015
“Governor Ross of Delaware: Southern Sympathizer.” Claudia Leister, director of the Milford Museum will discuss the events and attitudes of the 19th-century Delaware governor. The Old State House, 25 The Green. 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 30, 2015
“Louisa May Alcott.” Living-history performance in which Pat Jordan of the American Historical Theatre portrays the American novelist Louisa May Alcott, best known for her book “Little Women.” Part of the Dover Days Festival. The Old State House, 25 The Green. 7 p.m.

 -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