The vast majority of good-paying jobs require education or training beyond high school. So we must take note of clear evidence showing that students who take a college course in high school have more success in post-secondary education. It’s why we are working with our school districts and colleges to make more of these classes available and, earlier this year, we committed to ensuring no student will be denied the chance to take a college course because of the cost. We’re seeing great progress. More than 1500 high school students are taking classes that can count toward high school graduation and college credits, either at their high school or on a college campus. That’s up from about 600 in the last school year. Twenty-five high schools across the state are offering more than 100 dual-enrollment courses – like a Wilmington University English class here at Howard, a Del State writing course at Lake Forest, and Del Tech’s statistics class at Dickinson. The total number of courses and schools has doubled from just a year ago. Dual enrollment, along with more Advanced Placement class offerings, is one important part of preparing students for life after graduation. We must also remove financial and other barriers to continuing their education. Last year, every college-ready senior in Delaware applied to college following an intensive outreach campaign that included help filling out applications and assistance with financial aid. By challenging our students in the classroom and removing obstacles to educational opportunities, we’ll ensure they’re ready to thrive in today’s economy. And that will keep Delaware moving forward.

(Wilmington, DE) – In his weekly message, filmed at Howard High School, Governor Markell discusses the importance of challenging our students in the classroom and highlights the statewide increase in dual enrollment courses to better prepare students for college.
“Dual enrollment, along with more Advanced Placement class offerings, is one important part of preparing students for life after graduation,” said Governor Markell. “By challenging our students in the classroom and removing obstacles to educational opportunities, we’ll ensure they’re ready to thrive in today’s economy, 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: http://youtu.be/IwcZeDY-mJU
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

You can view the Governor’s Weekly Message Transcript: Challenging Our Students to Realize Greater Success

(DOVER, Del.—Dec. 22, 2014)—The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be sponsoring six free programs during January 2015 at sites in downtown Dover, Del. including The Old State House, the Johnson Victrola Museum and the Dover Public Library.

Highlights of the month include “Lost By One Vote,” a program in which division historical-interpreters Tom Welch and Dennis Fisher take on the personas of prominent Delaware congressmen Nathaniel B. Smithers and James A. Bayard Jr. as they debate Abraham Lincoln’s Compensated Emancipation Plan of 1862 that would have abolished slavery in Delaware. The program, which will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10 at the Dover Public Library, located at 35 Loockerman Plaza, is presented in conjunction with the grand opening of “Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863 and the March on Washington, 1963,” a traveling exhibit that will be on display at the library from Jan. 10 to Feb. 20, 2015.

On Saturday, Jan. 3, between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., The Old State House, located at 25 The Green, will present “Delaware’s Heroes of the Forgotten War,” guided tours exploring how three of Delaware’s military figures—Commodore Thomas Macdonough, Col. Allen McLane and Commodore Jacob Jones—helped keep the young country safe during the War of 1812, and how a Delaware statesman, James A. Bayard Sr., helped negotiate the Treaty of Ghent which ended the conflict.

Also on Jan. 3, between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., the Johnson Victrola Museum, located at 375 S. New St., will present “The Star Spangled Banner: Then and Now,” guided tours that will examine the development of America’s national anthem through time with original recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines.

A complete listing of the division’s downtown Dover programs during January 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 January 2015

Friday, Jan. 2, 2015
Civil-War-era folk music. Performed by Covered Bridge. Presented in partnership with the Delaware Friends of Folk. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Program at 7:30 p.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015
“Delaware’s Heroes of the Forgotten War.” Guided tours explore how three of Delaware’s military figures kept the young country safe during the War of 1812, and how a Delaware statesman helped in negotiating the Treaty of Ghent which ended the conflict. First Saturday in the First State program. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015
“The Star Spangled Banner: Then and Now.” Guided tours examine the development of America’s national anthem through time with original recordings played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. First Saturday in the First State program. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New St., Dover. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015
“Follow the Drinking Gourd.” Interactive children’s program focuses on Delaware’s involvement in the Underground Railroad and its many heroes who helped slaves escape to freedom. First Saturday in the First State program. The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Program at 11 a.m. Museum open 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015
“Lost By One Vote.” Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs historical interpreters Tom Welch and Dennis Fisher take on the personas of prominent Delaware congressmen Nathaniel B. Smithers and James A. Bayard Jr. as they debate Abraham Lincoln’s Compensated Emancipation Plan of 1862 that would have abolished slavery in Delaware. Partnership between the Dover Public Library and the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs. Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover. 11 a.m. 302-736-7030.

Monday, Jan. 19, 2015
“Local Profiles of Courage for the Struggle for Freedom.” Three-part program beginning with a lecture at the Dover Public Library on the Underground Railroad in Delaware, followed by the “Tales of Slavery and Freedom” walking tour, and ending with a “Freedom Tour” at The Old State House that highlights the lives of James Summers and Samuel D. Burris. Partnership between the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the Dover Public Library and the First State Heritage Park. Programs begin at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover. 302-736-7030.

-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

Wilmington, DE – Governor Markell brought together state NAACP and law enforcement leaders Friday to discuss issues around the relationship between the police and the African-American community and ways to help ensure safety and opportunity for all Delawareans. The meeting specifically addressed future use of body cameras by law enforcement, with agreement that use of the cameras are inevitable and a positive step, but that some key questions must be resolved before they are deployed to ensure their success. Attending the meeting with the Governor were Department of Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Lew Schiliro and State Police Colonel Nate McQueen, along with State NAACP President Richard “Mouse” Smith, who was joined by Jane Hovington, President of the Lower Sussex Branch of the NAACP, and Fay Blake, Economic Development Chair of the Lower Sussex Branch.

They released the following statements about the discussion:

“I thank the leaders of the State NAACP for all of their efforts to advance civil rights in our state,” said Markell. “We had an important discussion laying out the issues that need to be resolved to responsibly introduce body cameras in our state. Just as importantly, we talked about the need to continue to have an open dialogue about the issues facing our African-American community and to help build trust between their community and our law enforcement.”

“The State NAACP had a very positive meeting with Governor Markell, Secretary Schiliro and Colonel McQueen,” said Smith. “This is part of an important process of bringing together the community and law enforcement to introduce these cameras in the right way. We want the benefits of the cameras, but also to ensure that the rights of the citizens and the police are recognized, respected, and protected. We thank the Governor and State Police for agreeing that this is an important issue and that we need to move forward to meet the concerns of the citizens of Delaware.”

“We know the use of body cameras is inevitable and we view these cameras as a positive step that can help protect the rights of citizens and the police,” said Lew Schiliro, Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. “We will need to address privacy, procedural, and technical issues and look forward to continuing to work with NAACP and other organizations to get our policies right around these cameras.”

“I appreciated the opportunity to take part in this constructive dialogue with the NAACP and ensure we are addressing these issues together,” said State Police Colonel Nate McQueen. “I look forward to continuing the dialogue.”

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MILFORD, Del. (Dec. 22, 2014) – Something tasty just popped up in downtown Milford.

City, state and other local officials celebrated the arrival of Patty Cakes, a participant in this year’s Project Pop-Up program, with a ribbon cutting on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014 at the business, which is at 22 S. Walnut St., Milford.

Patty Cakes, owned by Latricia Vicks, offers one-of-a-kind custom wedding cakes and cakes for other events; as well as an assortment of sweets baked on premises, from scratch, including cookies, cupcakes, brownies, cake truffles and other dessert items. The business is the second Milford-based Project Pop-Up participant – following Delaware Branding Company at 19 NW Front Street – to celebrate a grand opening this year.

Project Pop-Up, a joint effort between the Delaware Economic Development Office and Downtown Delaware, provides three months of rent-free commercial space during the holiday season along with the assistance of a business advisor to help launch and grow the business. The program has grown from three participating businesses in 2012 to 15 this year, including nine businesses in an incubator in Wilmington.

“We are proud to once again partner with the City of Milford to bring another promising business to the downtown area. Historic towns like Milford serve as the backbone of our state, and we need vibrant businesses like Patty Cakes to breathe new life into their main streets,” said Alan Levin, Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office. “Every large, successful business started somewhere, and we aim to nurture small businesses to put them on that path to prosperity. It appears that Ms. Vicks is well on her way.”

Vicks said she discovered Project Pop-Up at the perfect time, just as she was looking to move her showroom from Dover to a larger location.

“It has been absolutely amazing. The property has been a perfect fit for what we wanted to do. It’s a beautiful space,” Vicks said. “The partnership with DEDO has been wonderful. They’ve set me up with a number of networking opportunities. It’s given us a lot of exposure and press, which has been phenomenal. We have this anticipation of us opening the shop, and I hope we can live up to it.”

Diane Laird, State Coordinator of Downtown Delaware, said Vicks’ business and its line of sweets should do especially well in the heart of Milford.

“Latricia’s product is so unique that people will travel for it. It is these kinds of destination businesses that enlarge the customer base of our small towns,” Laird said. “They bring in people from the broader region which, in turn, increases foot traffic and helps all the businesses downtown.”

Last year, Milford’s Project Pop-Up participant, Milford Massage, Wellness and Yoga, saw business quadruple just months after opening, necessitating a move to a larger facility, where owner Paige Deiner now offers massage, Reiki, yoga and self-development classes.

The openings of Patty Cakes and Delaware Branding Company back an arts-related retail strategy in Milford that includes culinary arts, art galleries, and performing arts.

“From our very first meeting, we knew Patty Cakes and its talented business owner Latricia Vicks was a viable Project Pop-Up candidate,” said Ken Anderson Director, Entrepreneurial and Small Business Support for the Delaware Economic Development Office. “As we continued to vet her business model, review her unique and eloquently designed products, and gaged her long-term commitment to her business, we knew she would be a great addition to all the exciting entrepreneurial activity in the town of Milford. Patty Cakes will be very successful.”

About the Delaware Economic Development Office
The Delaware Economic Development Office is an executive state agency responsible for attracting new investors and businesses to the state, promoting the expansion of existing industry, assisting small and minority-owned businesses, promoting and developing tourism and creating new and improved employment opportunities for all citizens of the State. Visit dedo.delaware.gov.

About Downtown Delaware
Downtown Delaware, a program of the Delaware Economic Development Office, provides Delaware’s historic downtowns, communities, and small businesses with tools to revitalize their commercial districts, increase entrepreneurial opportunity, and enhance quality of place. To learn more about the Main Street program, visit www.delawaremainstreet.com.

Contact: 
Peter Bothum
Delaware Economic Development Office
Office: 302-672-6857
Cell: 302-632-6665
Peter.Bothum@delaware.gov