Water is a fundamental part of everything we do. It’s the foundation of our tourism industry. It’s critical to the success of agriculture and manufacturing. And, of course, it’s essential to our health.

Yet a century of pollution has impaired nearly every river, lake and pond in our state. We can’t eat our fish or swim in our bays, and toxic pollutants contaminate our rivers. It’s embarrassing and unacceptable. Fortunately, this problem is solvable. We know the science – how to upgrade wastewater and drinking water plants, and improve stormwater infrastructure so we limit flooding and prevent pollutants from running into our streams. We’re making progress, but at this rate, it will take many decades to make substantial progress.

I propose the Clean Water for Delaware’s Future initiative to clean up our waterways within a generation. Some much faster than that. It calls on all of us to take responsibility for the quality of our water. It will cost the average household less than a dollar a week, with owners of commercial sites and other large properties paying more based on how much they own. That will double our clean water funds. But the deal is better than that. Every dollar of this investment brings in two more dollars through federal grants and private funding. And the projects we pay for — removing toxic substances from our streams, improving industrial sites or protecting our drinking water – will support thousands of jobs.That work will revitalize communities across the state and make Delaware a healthier and safer place to live for years to come. I hope you’ll join me in supporting this vital effort to keep Delaware moving forward.

Wilmington – In his weekly message, Governor Markell explains the importance of investing in Clean Water for Delaware’s Future and the positive impact the investments would have on the State’s economy.

“Every dollar of this investment brings in two more dollars through federal grants and private funding,” said Governor Markell. “And the projects we pay for — removing toxic substances from our streams, improving industrial sites or protecting our drinking water – will support thousands of jobs.”

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/PnnsWPQ9bC8
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: Investing in Clean Water for Delaware’s Future

Dover –   Do you buckle up every time you get in a vehicle?  92% of Delawareans do, every trip every time.  The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) and law enforcement officials are reminding the other 8% to buckle up.  OHS will coordinate overtime seat belt enforcement with our law enforcement partners from March 8th to 16th.  Participating law enforcement agencies include Milford PD, New Castle County PD, Newark PD, Wilmington PD, Wyoming PD, and Delaware State Police.

OHS will be combining enforcement with paid media, education & outreach that will get the message to buckle up to the individuals in need of hearing the message.  Posters, informational flyers, and newsletters have been distributed to traffic safety partners, schools, and businesses that highlight the importance of seat belt use.  In addition, OHS is sponsoring the DIAA Boys Basketball tournament on March 6 and 8 at the UD Bob Carpenter Sports building and will have a Buckle Up Photo Booth, seat belt informational table, seat belt public service announcements, and halftime shooting contest to win NASCAR tickets to Dover International Speedway.  The shooting contest contestants will be chosen from those who visit the seat belt informational table and participants of the Buckle Up Photo Booth.

Paid media will accompany the enforcement with ads on tv, online, and Pandora.  In the new ads, individuals give their reasons why they wear a seat belt: “I do it for protection,” “I do it because, I like the way it makes me feel,” “I do it because my girlfriend prefers it”, yet 8% of Delawareans still don’t buckle up.

Delaware’s seat belt law requires all vehicle occupants, even back seat passengers, to be “properly” buckled up.  “Properly” means that both lap and shoulder belts must be worn.  In particular, the shoulder belt must be worn across the chest.  Anyone who puts the shoulder belt under their arm, or behind their back is in violation of state law and is putting themselves at greater risk for being seriously injured in a crash.

The law allows officers to pull over a driver if he/she sees any person in the vehicle not wearing a safety belt.  Officers will issue citations for seat belt violations as part of a zero-tolerance policy.  The ticket, which goes to the driver no matter who is unbuckled in the vehicle, is a $25.00 fine plus court administrative fees.

In addition, Delaware’s child restraint law says that the driver is responsible for making sure all children in the vehicle are properly buckled up.  All children under the age of 8 years or 65lbs must be in the appropriate child restraint seat (an infant, toddler or booster seat).  Children who are 8 or at least 65lbs in weight, whichever comes first, must be restrained in a seat belt.  Children under the age of 12 must ride in the back seat when front seat passenger air bags are present.  Child restraint violations are also $25.00 plus court administrative fees.

More waves of seat belt enforcement will take place in May, June, and July.    Delaware’s current seat belt use rate of 92% exceeds the latest 2012 national seat belt use rate of 86%.

For more information on Delaware’s seat belt law or enforcement campaigns, please visit the Office of Highway Safety’s website at www.ohs.delaware.gov, Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ArriveAliveDE, or Follow us on Twitter @DEHighwaySafe.  For information on the latest national seat belt use rate by states (2012) visit http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811809.pdf.

Event photos and video available.

Proposal to help more high schoolers take a college course before graduation has shown to help them succeed in higher education

 Camden, DE – Citing evidence that the opportunity to take a college-level class in high school helps students succeed in higher education, Governor Markell today outlined his proposal to ensure every senior with college potential has that chance before they graduate.

Markell joined Secretary of Education Mark Murphy at Caesar Rodney High School to announce details of a scholarship fund that makes college courses accessible to all high school seniors who have demonstrated college readiness, no matter their financial circumstances. Representatives from the state’s colleges and universities attended the event to show their support.

“Cost shouldn’t be an obstacle for our students who are stepping up and challenging themselves to prepare for a better future and we’re going to make sure it’s not,” said Markell to a group of students gathered in the school library.

“We have two main purposes in establishing this program. First, experiencing college-level work while still in high school, whether it’s on a campus or within these walls, will help you transition to meeting the more rigorous academic expectations of higher education classes. Second, we can help you afford not only the expenses of earning college credit before you leave here, but also the high cost of college overall.”

According to the U.S. Department of Education, students who complete college credit while in high school require less remediation, have higher Grade Point Averages, and earn more credits in college. Starting next school year, the state Department of Education will provide funding for high school students from low-income backgrounds to take courses through one of Delaware’s colleges or universities at no cost.

“The research is clear that students taking college courses in high school graduate college at a higher rate than their peers,” said Secretary Murphy. “Through this program, and with the support of our institutions of higher education, we can build on the commitment that our teachers and administrators are making to raise the bar for our students, recognizing that they deserve the chance to acquire the skills necessary to succeed in college and career.”

The Department will work with districts to identify college-ready students who would benefit from taking a dual enrollment course through one of our state’s higher education institutions. Dual enrollment courses will enable students to receive credit both on their high school transcript and college credit. By focusing on general education courses such as math, English, history, and science, students will receive college credit that is highly transferrable. Students can then enroll in college having accumulated credits without any financial burden, thus making college more affordable and increasing the likelihood they will graduate on time.

The state will reimburse districts to offer dual enrollment courses in their schools or support individual students taking a class at an institute of higher education. Funding will be prioritized for students from families of low economic status. The Governor’s proposed budget includes $300,000 to ensure this opportunity is available to every college-ready student who may not be able to afford the cost.

“We’re determined to ensure our students can get all of the experiences that will help them graduate and achieve their potential moving forward,” said Caesar Rodney Principal Elvina Knight. “The chance to complete college-level coursework could benefit many of our students with a wide range of backgrounds and abilities, but the cost of even one college class can be a burden. We appreciate the Governor stepping up to make this important opportunity available to all of our young people.”

The scholarship program builds on recent progress Delaware has made to better prepare more students for college. Across the state, more than 2,500 of last year’s graduates took an Advanced Placement exam during high school, more than twice the number of students who took an AP test a decade ago. In addition, the state has partnered with the College Board to send all college-ready seniors application and financial aid resources, including application fee waivers to eligible students. Students then receive help in school filling out their applications and financial aid forms.

###

NEW CASTLE – Because of the extreme weather conditions, Sussex County Code Purple shelter organizers announced Monday that people in need of overnight sanctuary will remain at Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach.

Beginning Tuesday and continuing through Thursday, the shelter location is expected to be moved to Faith United Methodist Church, 37439 Oyster House Road, Rehoboth Beach. The shelter was expected to be moved to Faith United beginning on Monday night.

At both locations, doors open at 5:30 p.m. The facility does not have the capacity to house families; only single individuals can be hosted at this time.

For more information, call Nan Ruhl, director of Immanuel Shelter, at (302) 604-2619. Ruhl said the overnight sanctuary will take individuals who are homeless in Kent County or elsewhere who can get to the shelter.

CENTRALIZED INTAKE: HOMELESS PREVENTION RESPONSE SYSTEM

Centralized Intake is a statewide program that provides an efficient and effective process for assessing individuals and families who are experiencing a housing crisis, identifying the most appropriate housing intervention needed to end their episode of homelessness, and referring them to crisis services and/or shelter to meet their immediate needs.

Anyone experiencing a housing crisis is urged to call 2-1-1.  The operator will ask a few questions to determine if they would benefit from prevention services in the community or if they need to be assessed by a housing specialist.   

 ###