Governor’s Weekly Message: Building on success to position Delawareans for a promising 2017 and beyond

 

Wilmington, DE – In his weekly message, Governor Markell recalls the economic hardship and uncertainty many Delawareans faced at the beginning of his term and credits the collaborative efforts of many individuals who helped build a stronger state that today positions Delawareans for success in the new economy.

“One of the more powerful images from the time immediately after I took office in the midst of a recession that put tens of thousands of people out of work was observing construction workers throw their shoes in frustration at Legislative Hall,” Governor Markell said. “They were calling on their elected officials to walk in the shoes of those suffering from the financial crisis and imploring us to address the pain that so many were experiencing. As the last year of my administration ends, I am most proud of how our state came together to respond to that challenge and to recognize that global forces stronger than a recession were affecting our people in new ways. I am confident that Governor-elect Carney is assembling a team that’s ready to continue to identify new solutions to position Delawareans for success in a changing world – to walk in their shoes and understand their realities. We have much to celebrate from the past year, and I know that our people have a bright and hopeful 2017 in front of them. I wish all of you a happy, healthy, and fulfilling new year, as we continue to keep Delaware moving forward.”

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

YouTube: https://youtu.be/9sKDz8YVKKo
Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/governormarkell
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/governormarkell

Transcript of Governor Markell’s Weekly Message: Building on success to position Delawareans for a promising 2017 and beyond


Governor’s Weekly Message Transcript: Building on success to position Delawareans for a promising 2017 and beyond

One of the more powerful images from the time immediately after I took office in the midst of a recession that put tens of thousands of people out of work was observing construction workers throw their shoes in frustration at Legislative Hall. They were calling on their elected officials to walk in the shoes of those suffering from the financial crisis and imploring us to address the pain that so many were experiencing.

As the last year of my administration ends, I am most proud of how our state came together to respond to that challenge and to recognize that global forces stronger than a recession were affecting our people in new ways.

We live in a new economy that requires us to think differently about promoting individual and collective prosperity. As noted author Tom Friedman wrote about the new workforce: those with the imagination to invent smarter ways to do old jobs will thrive. Government must respond in smarter ways that reflect these new realities. It means training students and workers in skills to compete in growing industries – like IT and health care; making it possible for all people to contribute, including more people with disabilities, returning veterans, and ex-offenders. It means opening new export markets to small businesses; and, as we did this past year, revising our tax system to ensure our businesses can compete.

Combined with the hard work and determination of so many Delawareans, these efforts have resulted in the region’s best job growth. I am confident that Governor-elect Carney is assembling a team that’s ready to continue to identify new solutions to position Delawareans for success in a changing world – to walk in their shoes and understand their realities.

We have much to celebrate from the past year, and I know that our people have a bright and hopeful 2017 in front of them. I wish all of you a happy, healthy, and fulfilling new year, as we continue to keep Delaware moving forward.


Delaware State Government Diversity and Inclusion Study Released

Dover, DE – The Office of Management and Budget today released a report commissioned by Governor Jack Markell earlier this year in an ongoing effort to build a welcoming work environment across State government that fully embraces diversity and equal opportunity for all employees.

“I have been clear that my administration is committed to ensuring that we foster a healthy, supportive, and responsive work environment for all State employees,” Governor Markell said. “Reports we received from faith leaders and the NAACP that state employees experienced a lack of support from their supervisors and organizational leadership, and felt race contributed to limited promotional opportunities were of concern to me.”

The Governor responded by encouraging State employees to participate in state-wide hearings conducted by the Delaware Faith in Action Council and the NAACP, and this past September commissioned Ivy Planning Group to conduct an independent, comprehensive review of State policies, procedures, and organizational structure and to make recommendations to guide the State’s equity, diversity and inclusion efforts.

Ivy’s work throughout the fall was informed by site visits across state agencies, survey responses from nearly 6,000 state employees, 110 focus groups and 144 interviews it conducted with demographically diverse groups of state employees and external stakeholders, and an analysis of State employment data. Ivy’s Report, presented this week, noted that the State government’s workforce reflects the diversity and demographic trends of Delaware, though there are areas of under-representation and opportunities for improvement. The report recognized the State’s successful efforts to increase employment of people with disabilities and to extend employment protections and marriage equality to the LGBTQ community. It documented the need for improvement within the State’s human resources systems and administrative practices, and proposed more than 40 recommendations to help State government better support diversity and inclusion. These recommendations included enhancing recruitment to attract diverse candidates, new efforts to prepare employees for advancement, ensuring that a diverse cross-section of employees are considered for promotion, increasing the capacity of supervisors to address informal employee complaints, and implementing mediation efforts to address formal grievances.

“I appreciate the willingness of so many state employees to complete the survey and share their experiences through interviews and focus groups, and also thank the community groups who offered their perspectives” the Governor said. “We value everyone’s participation in this process, which has led to the meaningful recommendations in this blueprint for action moving forward. By fulfilling our obligation to ask hard questions and make needed reforms, we will strengthen State government’s place as an employer of choice for Delawareans seeking impactful careers, and build a welcoming work environment that values and supports the talents and abilities of all our people.”

“We appreciate Governor Markell for his demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion, and for supporting this study. His insight has been invaluable,” said Gary A. Smith of Ivy Planning Group. “Delaware’s challenges are similar to many other organizations we’ve worked with, and we are optimistic that the State is well positioned to be a best practice for diversity and inclusion as well as a model for how to move beyond its historical challenges to realize its future potential.”

The full report from Ivy Planning Group is available online at: http://omb.delaware.gov/documents/DiversityInclusionStudy.pdf

Contact: Bert Scoglietti
(302) 672 5103


Governor Markell Appoints Experienced Law Enforcement Member as New Castle County Sheriff

Samuel Pratcher, Jr. spent over two decades in uniformed service

Wilmington, DE – Governor Markell today announced the appointment of Samuel Pratcher, Jr., a former Wilmington Police Chief and U.S. Air Force veteran to the position of New Castle County Sheriff. Pratcher succeeds Trinidad Navarro, who won election as the next State Insurance Commissioner last month. Pratcher joined the Wilmington Police Department in 1972, and over his 25 years in uniform he served 12 years in supervisory roles, including as Commanding Officer of Internal Affairs and the Traffic Division, as Inspector with responsibility for all Uniformed Operations, and as Chief from 1993 to 1997. His most recent professional experience includes more than a decade in leadership positions in the City of Wilmington’s Department of Human Resources, as Deputy Director (2001-2011) and Director (2011-2013). While serving in the U.S. Air Force, Pratcher was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart.

“Sam has dedicated his life’s work to serving the residents of our community,” said Governor Markell. “His law enforcement and human resources experience not only gives him excellent qualifications to be County Sheriff, but also valuable insight into the ways he can help address the needs of the many Delawareans in vulnerable positions with whom he and his staff will interact each day.”

In addition to his professional roles, Pratcher has served the community as President of the Browns Boys and Girls Club, Board member of the Kingswood Community Center and Delaware Police Chiefs Foundation, and President of the Delaware Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).

“I would like to thank Governor Jack Markel for appointing me to fill this position,” Pratcher said. “I am grateful for the confidence that Governor Markell has in me, and I pledge to this position the best that is in me. I am fully aware of the duty I owe to the citizens of the State of Delaware and New Castle County and shall discharge that duty to the best of my ability.”

Pratcher received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management from Wilmington University.


Governor’s Weekly Message: Celebrating the Holiday Season While Staying Safe on Delaware’s Roadways

Wilmington, DE – In his weekly message, Governor Markell reminds Delawareans that with more people on the move this time of year the holiday season brings increased dangers of driving-related accidents from impaired and distracted driving, and he shares simple precautions everyone should take to stay safe on our roadways.

“As Delawareans observe the holidays and look ahead to a new year they have many reasons to celebrate, and zero reasons to drive distracted or to get behind the wheel after drinking,” Governor Markell said. “For many Delawareans, this is the most wonderful time of the year. So let’s keep it a safe time of the year by acting responsibly and taking simple precautions. Together, we can all act to ensure that our friends and neighbors enjoy a safe holiday season this year, and for many years to come. And that will keep Delaware moving forward.”

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

YouTube: https://youtu.be/orCRXby02wc
Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/governormarkell
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/governormarkell

Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message: Celebrating the Holiday Season While Staying Safe on Delaware’s Roadways