Recognizing State Employees

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State of Delaware Employees – Never Hide Your Talent!

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

Guest Post from Delaware Secretary of State Jeff Bullock:

I see the creativity of Delaware’s state employees in the workplace on a daily basis. Outside of the workplace, our employees pursue a variety of creative interests from singing in choirs to participating in community theatre to taking photographs of Delaware’s beautiful landscapes.

The key ingredients for success in the arts – inspiration, creativity, and hard work – are traits that are beneficial in the workplace.

The Delaware Division of the Arts is organizing a new exhibition with support from the National Arts Program to showcase and celebrate the talents of the visual artists among our fellow state employees and their families.

The Division of the Arts is hosting the first-ever employee art exhibition in January 2012. This opportunity is designed for state employee artists (and members of their immediate families) at all skill levels. The deadline to register and submit entries is coming up on December 9, so please help us spread the word!

Artwork in a variety of medium categories — including painting, work on paper, photography, sculpture, craft, and mixed media — can be entered. Participation is open to state employees and their children. Artwork will be judged by professional Delaware artists and visual art professionals in Amateur, Intermediate, Professional and Youth classifications, with seven prizes to be awarded.

There will be a public exhibition in the Mezzanine Gallery from January 6-27, 2012 in the Carvel Building. A reception and Awards Ceremony will be held January 6 from 5-8 PM in the Gallery and Mezzanine Auditorium.

The exhibition is organized in partnership with The National Arts Program which includes 89 exhibition venues in 42 states and provides the money for the awards.

Don’t miss this chance to show your creativity and talent! For more information about the program or to register, click here. Or visit the Delaware Division of the Arts at www.artsdel.org

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Delaware State Fair: Celebrating Agriculture and Communities

Saturday, July 23rd, 2011

I’m looking forward to this year’s Delaware State Fair! Here’s a guest post by Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee.

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July in Delaware means it is State Fair time.

The Fair means a lot of different things to different people, but there is no doubt that celebrating our agriculture is the major theme. After all, Delaware agriculture is based on 2,500 farmers and generates $1.2 billion in sales every year, which expands to $8 billion worth of economic activity in the state.

Our state ranks 9^th nationwide in the percentage of land area devoted to cropland. Thirty-five percent of Delaware’s land mass is devoted to cropland, 42% of our land is in farms. When cropland (35%) is combined with forestlands (31%), 65% of Delaware is open space.

The livestock competitions, the 4-H and FFA youth exhibits and contests, the produce and crop-judging contests and the incredible display of farm equipment illustrate that Delaware agriculture is alive and well.

In the Department of Agriculture’s Commodity and Education Buildings, virtually all of Delaware’s agricultural commodities will be on display. The building will be full of farmers and producers to explain, demonstrate, and promote the farm products they depend upon to make a living.

All of this activity reflects the diversity of our agriculture. We also have a great new display that illustrates Delaware Agriculture’s 300-year history and celebrates its critically important role for our state.

The Fair, to me, and I am sure to hundreds of others, is about people and the memories of being with those great people over the years.

I’ve kissed a pig, cleaned the stalls and laughed so hard my ribs hurt. Most of my best fair memories revolve around my great friend and former colleague Dave Woodward and all the other University of Delaware Extension workers and Department of Ag riculture staff who have been dedicated to the fair and what it stands for. Of course, we were all there for the farmers and the youth, which is a great and continuing reason to be at the Fair.

I also must reveal my favorite Fair foods: The Grange chicken platters; the Farm Bureau cheeseburgers and milkshakes, and a long-gone lemonade stand sponsored by the Red Clay Lions Club. Just thinking of those treats, brings back a flood of memories of fun and fellowship with a wide array of friends at the fair.

Tags: 4H, agriculture, Delaware, ed kee, FFA, Governor, Jack Markell, state fair
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$tand by Me: Helping Delawareans Achieve Financial Goals

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011

As we keep our focus on putting Delawareans to work and improving our state’s future, we’re working to provide tools that can enable individuals to improve financial responsibility and save up for college, to buy a new home or achieve other financial goals.

I’m particularly excited about a new effort called $tand By Me DE—the Delaware Financial Empowerment partnership. This brings together state employees, the United Way, major banks, non-profits—dozens of groups who are volunteering their time, resources and talents to make a real difference in our community.

(Interested in joining with us to volunteer?)

Here are some of the services offered through $tand By Me^TM available to all Delawareans:

One-on-one coaching, sticking with you as you work towards goals
Help with creating a budget and understanding credit
Advice for college and financial aid applications
Access to consumer loans and savings accounts
Referrals for additional resources if needed

We’ve been hearing some tremendously positive feedback about $tand By Me^TM.

One participant told us: “This is exactly what I need—a place that does not tell me what I have to do, but lets me tell the coach what I want to work on and what I think I need to do first. It’s great to have someone to listen to my concerns and help me sort out what I can do next.”

At the $tand By Me^TM website, you can set up a meeting with a coach, find a wide assortment of resources designed to help manage your finances, or volunteer to help grow the program. Initially, sessions will be held at the first $tand By Me^TM Financial Empowerment Center in the Hudson State Service Center in Newark, with these efforts later spreading to public agencies, businesses, and non-profit organizations around the state—free help will not be far away.

Financial literacy and responsibility are keys to economic growth and personal stability, and we hope you’ll take advantage of the resources that $tand By Me^TM has to offer.

Visit standbyme.org to learn how they help you or sign up to volunteer!

Tags: budget, credit cards, Delaware, finance, financial empowerment, financial responsibility, fiscal responsibility, Governor, Jack Markell, loans, United Way, volunteers
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Thank You, Governor Peterson

Friday, February 25th, 2011

Last week, I was fortunate to have one more opportunity to visit Governor Russ Peterson at home. Even at age 94, he still had stories left to tell.

We flipped through Kevin Fleming’s most recent book of Delaware photography. We sat by the window and enjoyed the birds outside, listening as they said farewell to another winter. Russ’s appreciation for what makes Delaware special was as deep and as fresh as the day I first met him.

Our state mourns the passing of a true legend, and I mourn the passing of mentor and a friend. Russ Peterson lived the kind of life that leaves multiple legacies, each making a profound and positive difference. He changed policy, but more importantly, he changed people.

Russ gave us so much, and his accomplishments continue to give back to Delaware. I hope that we’ll let him give us this moment to look back at his life to see our state through his eyes, to be inspired by his passions, his conviction, and the difference that one man can make.

For more on Governor Peterson’s career, visit Delawareonline.com.

Tags: Delaware, Governor Peterson, Russ Peterson
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Welcome to the First State Heritage Park!

Friday, December 10th, 2010

Guest post by Delaware Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock

Ribbon cutting ceremonies are usually held when a new building has been constructed – a school, a library, a hospital, etc. I have attended many of these and enjoy the excitement that comes along with a new facility with new possibilities.

Sometimes, though, ribbon cuttings can be held to mark the beginning of a new era for an existing building. And these can be just as exciting. We celebrated one such event on Delaware Day, December 7, when I joined Governor Markell, Secretary O’Mara, and many others in marking the grand opening of the new First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries.

The Welcome Center is located in the Delaware Public Archives, next to Legislative Hall in Dover. Though certainly not a new institution, the Archives building itself had a bit of a rebirth 10 years ago, when it was expanded beyond the original Hall of Records.

Now, part of the building is entering yet another new phase in its service to the people of Delaware. Since the Welcome Center moved from the first floor of the Biggs Museum to the Archives last year – partly as a cost-cutting measure, and partly to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its function – we have been making some changes which we think will increase the number of people who visit Dover and Kent County and will help them enjoy their experience here more.

Visitors to the Welcome Center will be able to pick up lots of information on what to see and do in the area and will enjoy a comfortable atmosphere in which to watch a video highlighting nearby sites of interest.

The Welcome Center serves as the home base for the First State Heritage Park — a “park without borders” — which exists as a partnership between the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs in my department and the Delaware State Parks under the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. It also includes the City of Dover and private organizations.

As the Secretary of State, one of my responsibilities is to preserve, protect, and promote our historical and cultural treasures. This includes buildings such as the Old State House and the Old New Castle Court House.

It also includes official and personal documents, photos, and other objects that tell the history of Delaware and its people. The galleries in the new Welcome Center will hold rotating exhibits and displays showing off some of these fascinating objects.

Right now, visitors can see two displays at the Welcome Center and Galleries. One of these, entitled “USS Delaware: An American Battleship,” uses objects, photographs, and ceremonial silver to tell the story of the largest of eight American warships bearing the name “Delaware.”

The other, which just opened this week, is entitled “The Civil War: Five Delaware Soldiers’ Stories.” The display was planned to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, which will be observed in 2011.

Whether you are a Delawarean or a visitor to our state, I encourage you to visit the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center and Galleries, maybe take a tour, and discover some of what makes Delaware unique.

Tags: Delaware, Dover, First State, History, Legislative Hall
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Behind the Scenes at DOL: Improving Service & Saving Money

Friday, September 24th, 2010

I invited Secretary John McMahon to give us a behind-the-scenes look at how the Department of Labor (DOL) is working to become more efficient and effective. The system he describes below is a great example of an effort that saves taxpayer money, reduces costs for employers, and improves services to individuals who need it.

Thanks for reading,

Jack Markell

***

Secretary John McMahon

The Workers’ Compensation Health Care Payment System (HCPS) went into effect as the result of a reform effort in 2008; however, the results of this new system have been clearly realized in the two years since. The system was designed to provide quality care to injured workers while controlling costs. HCPS contains five major provisions: Fee Schedule, Practice Guidelines, Utilization Review, Medical Provider Certification and Employer/Provider Forms.

Since implementation began, the Office of Workers’ Compensation (OWC) has been working hard to lower the overall costs of claims and improve the quality of care. This translates into lower premiums for Delaware employers, making it a bit easier to keep Delawareans working and bring on new employees. The reduction of costs across the board has been realized by both the public and private sector, including the State.

The HCPS has been a veritable “one-two punch,” containing costs via the Fee Schedule while maintaining quality care via the Practice Guidelines. The Fee Schedule establishes maximum reimbursement rates for all nationally recognized medical procedure codes. The Practice Guidelines were developed by medical providers using the most current, well-documented scientific research and provide parameters for carpal tunnel, chronic pain, cumulative trauma, lower back, shoulder and cervical treatment.

The Delaware Compensation Rating Bureau, Inc. (DCRB) is the independent authority that collects and analyzes workers’ compensation insurance data and recommends rates to the Insurance Commissioner. According to the DCRB, voluntary and residual market rates have been markedly reduced as a direct result of HCPS. In fact, the DCRB has announced the 6th straight reduction in workers’ compensation premiums.

Through the success of the Health Care Payment System, the OWC expects to see further reductions in costs and premium rates. Through collaboration with the DCRB, we will soon start to see results from a data collection effort that will result in even more accurate and fair pricing within our Fee Schedule.

We invite you to visit the Department of Labor website at Delawareworks.com. We have more information there about workers’ compensation, as well as job opportunities, labor law enforcement, training, and Delaware’s One Stop Business Registration and Licensing System.

If you have questions, please get in touch with the Department of Labor office nearest you.

We’re happy to help!

Deputy Director John Kirk, Tonia Muncey, Karen Benjamin, Rashanda Kennedy, and Director James Cagle. Not pictured: Donna Forrest, Medical Component Manager

Tags: Delaware, DOL, Governor, insurance, Jack Markell, Labor, workers' comp
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Happy birthday, Delaware National Guard!

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

Guest post by Major General Frank Vavala, Adjutant General of the Delaware National Guard:

Three hundred fifty-five years ago, the first Swedish settlers living in the city of Wilmington, then called Fort Christina, banded together forming a militia to defend their homes against the invading Dutch. This was the birth of our Delaware National Guard.

From those humble beginnings to today, the men and women of our Delaware National Guard have always answered the call to duty in support of our state and nation. The members of our Delaware National Guard have served in all major conflicts from our colonial origins through our present day overseas contingency operations.

Today, in its fourth century of service, the Delaware National Guard continues to answer the call. The Delaware National Guard asks only for the opportunity to carry out its mission. In peacetime it is at the service of the Governor whenever emergency, natural disaster, civil unrest, or terrorism threaten the lives and property of our citizens. In times of war or national emergency, it is trained and ready to assume the honorable position in the nation’s first line of defense. As we celebrate, our colleagues are deployed throughout the world.

So, happy 355th to the Delaware National Guard and its citizen soldiers and airmen around the world. Protecting the nation, serving the First State, we are your hometown force, the Delaware National Guard.

Brig. Gen. Hugh Broomall, Cmd Sgt Maj Rosemarie Williams, Maj Gen Frank Vavala, and Command Chief Mast Sgt Holly Morris share the cake cutting duties

Tags: Delaware, National Guard, Vavala
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“The Signal State” with Trinidad & Tobago

Monday, July 5th, 2010

Guest Post from Major General Frank Vavala, Delaware National Guard:

We continue to develop our State Partnership with the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago. Established in 2005, the program is designed to exchange ideas between military, government and economic leaders.

In June, a team of communications soldiers from T&T visited our Bethany Beach Training Site to learn how we communicate during natural disasters. We taught them about some of the unique capabilities and equipment here in Delaware that lets us talk among emergency responders when normal communications are down. This is the first meeting for this group and the next step is to discuss how we can build on the exchange.

The Delaware National Guard is known as “The Signal State” because of our history and expertise in communications.

Our training site hosts a number of courses that are attended by Soldiers from all over the United States. As a result of this exchange, one of the new tasks will be for the Soldiers in Bethany Beach to establish a communications line with the Soldiers in Trinidad. Its great training for both the U.S. military and the Trinidad & Tobago troops.

Through sharing best practices and lessons learned, we agree communication is one of the most critical aspects in disaster response and management. As part of the State Partnership Program we are working with our partners again next month as we participate in a regional disaster management exercise and conference with civilian emergency responders.

For news on the Delaware National Guard, please visit us on Facebook or Twitter.

Tags: Delaware, Delaware National Guard, Tobago, Trinidad, Vavala
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Sixth Annual Miles for Minutes Motorcycle Ride

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

Guest Post from Major General Frank Vavala, Delaware National Guard:

First Sergeant Kemberly Hines-Fairfax sings the National Anthem

I was honored to kick off the Sixth Annual Miles for Minutes motorcycle ride, a fantastic event hosted by Clear Channel Media, WDSD radio, and the Delaware National Guard. The event raises money for the purchase of phone cards through the USO that are sent to Delaware servicemen around the world. The Delaware Guard has about 250 Soldiers and Airmen deployed, but countless other Delaware residents are serving as well.

What a great day it was! The weather couldn’t have been nicer and the smiles were as bright as the sun. The event has become a “base-to-base” operation, with the rally starting and ending at military facilities. This year it started at the Delaware Army National Guard’s River Road Training Site in New Castle. The ride takes the biker-patriots along scenic Route 9 and ends at Dover Air Force Base’s Air Mobility Command Museum.

There were almost 700 motorcycles and nearly 1000 participants in this year’s event. It speaks volumes about how the Delaware community supports our troops. I couldn’t be more proud to be a First Stater than on a day like this.

The riders raised enough money to buy almost 750,000 minutes this year. That’s right, almost a quarter of a million minutes! That’s a lot of talking, and I am sure the men and women in the Armed Forces serving around the world will be glad to have a free opportunity to call their loved ones.

I want to personally thank Eric Fendt from WDSD for the tireless work he and his team do in putting this event together. Also, thanks to Joan Cote from USO Delaware for getting these cards to our troops. But most of all, thanks to all the riders who registered and rode to make this event such a success.

For news on the Delaware National Guard, please visit us on Facebook or Twitter.

Nearly 1,000 Delawareans participated in Miles for Minutes 6!

Tags: Delaware, motorcycle, National Guard, Vavala
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New Law Makes Strangulation a Crime

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Senate Majority Leader Patricia Blevins (7th Senatorial District) has been a strong leader against domestic violence. I invited her to write a guest post to help raise awareness about a serious issue and highlight the excellent initiative shown by two of our State Troopers.

*****

Senator Patricia Blevins

Strangulation is a dangerous crime that can be hard to spot and that, until now, often flew under the radar in the criminal justice system.

While the popular view of strangulation is that of killers, like the Boston Strangler, the truth’s different – and a lot more chilling. Strangling is also used as a way to control a victim and make them submit to their attacker.

Without proper training, the signs of this crime can be hard to spot and sometimes they don’t show up immediately. In some cases, strangulation can be fatal a day or more after an attack.

But thanks to two dedicated state troopers, Master Cpl. Carol Parton and Cpl. Stephen Fausy, it’s a crime that’s been brought into focus and that we’re now addressing with both training and by making strangulation a felony crime in its own right.

Until now, the combination of strangulation’s subtlety as a crime and its lack of status in the criminal code meant that this crime that can cause serious injuries to its victims was too often charged as a misdemeanor. To make their case, Parton and Fausy, who are assigned to State Police Troop 3, made a four-month study of strangulation cases in Kent County. More than half of the 33 reported cases of strangulation during that period wound up being prosecuted as misdemeanor offensive touching cases.

That’s why I sponsored Senate Bill 197, which was signed last week by Gov. Jack Markell. Now prosecutors can attack strangulation as a felony in its own right. Under the law, people convicted of strangulation will face up to five years in prison. Repeat offenders, people whose attacks cause serious injuries to their victims or who use a deadly weapon while committing the crime will face up to eight years behind bars.

I’m grateful that my fellow legislators and Governor Markell took the time to listen and understand the threat this crime poses, then decided to act to make sure people who commit this crime will get proper attention from the criminal justice system.

Sen. Blevins, Gov. Markell, Cpl Fausy and Master Cpl. Parton after SB 197 is signed into law.

Tags: Blevins, Delaware, domestic violence, Markell, Troopers
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Ann Visalli: Celebrating “Public Service Recognition Week” All Year Long

Monday, May 10th, 2010

On a daily basis, our lives are touched by the actions of committed public servants, and I am so proud of the quality of service Delaware state employees provide to those in our care or in need of our assistance. To all state employees: whether you protect our communities, care for our vulnerable populations, maintain our roadways or provide other important support to the residents of Delaware and beyond, you have answered the call of public service and are helping us build a better state.

I invited Director Ann Visalli of the Office of Management and Budget to join me in recognizing all of our state employees, including the recipients of the 2010 Delaware Award for Excellence and Commitment in State Service. – Jack Markell

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OMB Director Ann Visalli

As many of you know, states across the nation celebrated Public Service Recognition Week from May 3-9, 2010, in honor of the hundreds of thousands state and federal workers who have devoted themselves to careers in the public sector. The recognition week was originally established as a way to raise awareness about all of the vital and compassionate services public servants provide to citizens everywhere.

On Friday, Delaware’s Public Service Recognition Week culminated with the 2010 Delaware Award for Excellence and Commitment in State Service ceremony, which recognizes the exemplary efforts of state employees in service to the residents of Delaware. This year, we recognized the significant and outstanding actions and accomplishments of 26 employees from 13 different agencies who were nominated by their agency. From the 26, 4 individuals and 1 team were chosen to receive the 2010 award. These employees truly serve as a model of excellence in public service for all of us.

The 2010 winners are:

Lisa Shaw, Department of Safety and Homeland Security – Under Lisa’s coordination of the Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign, Delaware saw a significant decrease in alcohol-related fatalities from 43 percent in 2008 to 31 percent in 2009. Through her efforts, lives are saved on Delaware roadways.

Butch Weakland and Bob Daniel, Department of Transportation – Butch and Bob ran to the assistance of an elderly man they saw collapse in his yard. They responded immediately, contacted emergency medical services and provided assistance to the man and his wife until help arrived.

Denise Hudson, Department of Health and Social Services - Denise went above and beyond for an elderly, disabled client and his family during the 2009 holiday season. She organized community and business resources to make his home safe and livable, helped him obtain adequate medical care and contacted Toys-for-Tots for children in his care.

Robert Cooke, Department of Correction – Robert serves as a great role model for young correctional officers to emulate because of his perfect attendance record, exceptional work ethic, superior problem solving skills and enthusiasm.

Vernon Kirk, Department of Finance – Vernon led efforts to realize additional revenue for the State of Delaware from sports lottery during the last quarter of 2009. Vernon was also instrumental in leading the State Lottery Office’s efforts in table gaming as a complement to video lottery at Delaware’s three racetracks.

This event has special meaning for all of us in state government because it gives us an opportunity to take a moment and thank so many people for the great service they provide all year long.

Delaware’s state employee workforce is among the most resilient, steadfast and dedicated groups of people in the country, so let’s extend public service recognition far beyond a week in May and make our appreciation for public servants a priority each and every day.

Justice Henry DuPont Ridgely; Rep. Darryl Scott; Lisa Sipple (OMB); Nominees Jowonna Thomas, Kelli Stepler, and Hope LaChance from DHSS; Lt. Governor Matt Denn; Governor Markell

Tags: Delaware, Markell, recognition, state employees, Visalli
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