(Dover, DE) – In his weekly message, Governor Markell highlights ongoing efforts and initiatives for Delawareans to receive the skills they need to succeed in a global economy.

“We’re also making strides toward giving Delawareans who are struggling the most a better path
toward reaching their potential. Our budget improves and expands services available to combat
those suffering from the addiction epidemic. As a result of a new law and new state programs
started this year, we’re better supporting youth with disabilities in achieving successful careers
and financial security,” Gov. Markell said. “We have much more to do, but it’s clear that we
continue to make great progress. By continuing to focus on initiatives that provide more people
with the opportunities to gain the skills they need to get a good job and thrive in today’s
economy, we’ll 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/Eu8ExQnOKyw
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

Governor’s Weekly Message Transcript: Achieving Delaware Promise

In my State of the State address in January, I talked about the Delaware Promise. It boils down to
this: we strive to ensure every Delawarean receives the education and training to reach their
potential and compete successfully in our changing economy. The budget I signed this past week and
the initiatives established this year will bring us closer to fulfilling our promise. Our budget
invests in expanding individualized support for struggling students, better tracking our students’
progress, supporting coaching and mentorship for educators and school leaders, and growing our
successful efforts to increase access to college. We’re progressing toward improving our educator
compensation system to attract and retain more great teachers, while examining ways to change our
75-year-old school funding system to direct more resources where they are needed the most. After
decades of calls for change in Wilmington, we’re on a path toward giving the City community better
opportunities to engage in their children’s’ schools by redrawing district lines. And we’ve
launched programs that allow students to earn college credit and workplace experience in key
industries before they graduate. We’re also making strides toward giving Delawareans who are
struggling the most a better path toward reaching their potential. Our budget improves and expands
services available to combat those suffering from the addiction epidemic. As a result of a new law
and new state programs started this year, we’re better supporting youth with disabilities in
achieving successful careers and financial security.

Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign begins this weekend

Dover – Heading out for happy hour? Stopping off for a nightcap? Getting one last drink before last call? All those terms take on a whole new meaning when you get stopped for driving under the influence (DUI).  Happy hour is now sitting in jail waiting for bail, nightcap is now taking a breathalyzer test, and last call is your only call from jail.  Don’t let a DUI redefine your night.  The Delaware Office of Highway Safety along with law enforcement across the state are cracking down on impaired driving and launching the 15^th Annual Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign this holiday weekend.  Last year alcohol was involved in 54 percent of the 111 fatal crashes, which resulted in 67 individuals killed.

The first checkpoint of the season is scheduled for:

            Friday July 3rd – Newport – (NcCo DUI Task Force)

Sobriety checkpoints will be scheduled to take place each week during the six month long Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign along with DUI saturation patrols.  There will also be additional enforcement during peak holiday times including Labor Day, Halloween, and the month of December.

Fortunately Delaware has seen a decrease in the number of alcohol-related fatalities this year compared to this time last year.  Twenty (20) of this year’s 48 traffic deaths (43%) have been alcohol-related.  At this time last year there were 63 fatalities and 63% involved alcohol.

The New Castle County DUI Task Force will again be sworn in by the Delaware Attorney General to conduct sobriety checkpoints throughout the county during the campaign.  The swearing-in ceremony provides the legal justification necessary to allow police officers to make DUI arrests in towns outside their own jurisdiction.

Delaware State Police will participate and also conduct checkpoints in New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties. Dover PD will conduct checkpoints once a month in their town jurisdiction.

The campaign’s enforcement activities will be supplemented by an all new intense public awareness and education campaign that highlight the fact that a DUI can redefine your night and your life. Paid messages will be placed on T.V. and radio, billboards, print, online, Pandora, movie theater ads, and store floor clings. See website www.ArriveAliveDE.com/DriveSober.  Paid messages will also be included in Spanish print and radio ads.  OHS will continue to tally the total number of DUI arrests made each week in Delaware and display the total on billboards in New Castle County and Sussex County and on the website www.ArriveAliveDE.com/DriveSober.  OHS’s corporate partners will also receive flyers, posters, and table tents to display and help spread the message.

Those convicted of a first time DUI offense in Delaware may spend up to 1 year in prison, and will lose their license, attend an 8-week DUI treatment program and pay thousands of dollars in court, treatment, DMV, and lawyer’s fees (approximately $6,300).

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 is a six month long effort coordinated locally by the Delaware Office of Highway Safety and involves setting up weekly DUI checkpoints & patrols statewide.  Delaware had 4,086 DUI arrests statewide for 2014.

For a list of DUI checkpoints in your area text CHECKPOINT to 99000 or for a list of cabs text TAXI to 99000.  More information and resources on Checkpoint Strikeforce can be found at www.ohs.delaware.gov, www.DUIRealTime.com. Follow regular campaign updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DEHighwaySafe, Facebook www.facebook.com/ArriveAliveDE, and subscribe to YouTube channel DelawareOHS.

When/Where: Saturday, July 4th, 2015 @ 9:00 AM/ Kent Country Memorial Park

Let’s start the 4^th of July celebration with helping those who have served our beautiful country! Start the morning with a great work-out and have no guilt trips when you enjoy your cookouts!

The FREEDOM 5K Run/Walk/Roll will be held on Saturday, July 4, 2015, 9:00 AM, at the Kent County Memorial Park (near Kent County Administration building & Blue Hen Mall (rain or shine). Registration starts at 8:00 AM. You can also register online @ www.trisportsevents.com. All participants will receive a quality “Freedom 5K” tee shirt. Post-race festivities include free food and beverage. All proceeds will benefit the Delaware Veterans Trust Fund that provides assistance to Delaware’s veterans in financial crisis. Can’t make the race, but would still like to support this event! Register as a Silent Hero! Thank you all for your support!

Dover, Del. – On July 1, 2015, State Auditor R. Thomas Wagner, Jr. hosted American Legion Auxiliary Girls State Auditor, Governor, Lt. Governor, and Insurance Commissioner for the day.

Upcoming high school senior, Megan Reynolds, from Archmere Academy, was selected as the 2015 American Legion Auxiliary Girls State Auditor. State Auditor Wagner also hosted Emily Whaley, Girls State Governor, from Sussex Technical High School; Isabel Arellano, Girls State Lt. Governor, from Middletown High School; and Christine McNeill, Girls State Insurance Commissioner, from The Charter School of Wilmington. American Legion Auxiliary Girls State is an annual program that teaches high school students how government works and helps them to develop leadership skills.

After the selection process, the Girls State officials spent a day shadowing the Delaware State Auditor, where they learned about the duties and office of the Auditor of Accounts.

State Auditor Wagner stated, “I’ve participated in the Girls State program for 27 years as Delaware State Auditor. I look forward to it every year because I think it’s a great way to get young people involved in public service.”

Ms. Reynolds stated, “Girls State has been such a wonderful opportunity so far, and it’s been great to have a glimpse into our State Government and to spend the day with Mr. Wagner.”

Ms. Whaley added, “Girls State has given me the wonderful opportunity to learn about how the government works in the State of Delaware.”

Ms. Arellano commented, “Girls State has opened the doors to allow me to see the Delaware State Government…and the only Lt. Governor in ‘office’ currently.”

Ms. McNeill also stated, “My time here in Dover has allowed me to make lasting friendships, share many laughs, and learn abo

ut State Government. Thanks so much to Mr. Wagner for showing us around Legislative Mall. I will remember this experience for the rest of my life.”

For more information, please contact Kathleen Davies, CPA-PA, CISA, CGFM, CGAP, Chief Administrative Auditor, at 302-857-3919 or Kathleen.Davies@delaware.gov.