Markell Welcomes Automaker to Boxwood Plant

Fisker Automotive will build affordable plug-in hybrid vehicles



WILMINGTON -- Gov. Jack Markell joined Vice President Joe Biden, and the state’s federal delegation Tuesday to announce that Fisker Automotive has agreed to acquire the Boxwood auto assembly plant. The Boxwood Road facility will support Fisker Automotive’s Project NINA, the development and build of an affordable, family-oriented plug-in hybrid sedan.



The announcement caps months of work for the Markell Administration, which marshaled several state agencies to work with the federal government to find a replacement for General Motors, which closed the plant earlier this year. Below are the remarks Markell delivered at the announcement ceremony, which was also attended by Fisker Automotive executives CEO Henrik Fisker and COO Bernard Koehler, as well as representatives of the local United Auto Workers union.



“Thank you, Dr. Montgomery. Last June when we asked you to come to Delaware to learn more about how the closure of Delaware’s GM and Chrysler plants affected our workers and our communities, you responded immediately, including with a National Emergency Grant to serve our auto workers. We are grateful to you, the Vice President and the entire Obama Biden administration for your commitment to Delaware’s workers.



“Before Dr. Montgomery came to Delaware, and only one day after General Motors announced that the Boxwood plant would close, I came to this very place with a heavy heart to explain that we had done everything we could to make sure this plant would stay open – fought every fight, made every argument - but that General Motors had decided to consolidate plants in the Midwest and put an early end to Boxwood’s proud GM legacy.



“I entered the plant that day at an all time low. Two hours later, I left inspired because I found hundreds of people who were not done fighting and certainly not done working.



“People who had built a reputation for some of the best relationships between management and labor in the U.S. automobile industry and some of the highest productivity levels in the nation.



“People who said, quite clearly, they were ready to get to work writing a new chapter in this plant’s, and our state’s, history.



“Today, that new chapter begins. It may well be the story of our state’s economic future. The story of an economy that will expand on our legacy of innovation in fields like pharmaceuticals, corporate finance and chemicals into new fields like the environment and energy.



“A future that supports new technologies and creates quality careers – not just temporary jobs - for Delaware workers.



“I can think of no better partner in this effort than Fisker Automotive. Henrik Fisker and Barny Koehler have an impressive track record of success in the automobile industry, and they, along with their terrific partners at places like Kleiner Perkins also have the vision to see that the future of the American automobile demands new thinking.



“We are thrilled to be part of their plans to put tens of thousands of some of the best built and most fuel efficient cars in America on our nation’s – and the world’s -- roads.



“That we are here to welcome Fisker today is a testament to what works best in Delaware and what will get more Delawareans back to work in many industries. With our close-knit business, government, and educational communities and our potential to respond rapidly to new opportunities, we are truly a state of neighbors. We can move more quickly, act more decisively and work more collaboratively to create and retain critical jobs.



That collaboration was evident in every step of the effort to bring Fisker to Delaware.



“Led by Dave Myers, Joe Riccio and Bob Dolan, it meant the men and women of the Delaware labor movement working side by side with the management of some of our state’s largest companies to showcase Delaware’s talent and our workforce’s potential. When Fisker invests millions of dollars to renovate this facility, they know there are great companies and great workers here to rely on for the work and to be suppliers in the future.



“It meant people like the CEO of DuPont Ellen Kullman reacting to my telling her that Fisker might come to Delaware by immediately seeing an opportunity to partner Fisker with DuPont’s advanced technology labs just a few miles away, where the company creates new engineering polymers and coatings.



“It meant a federal delegation led by Senator Tom Carper whose commitment to this plant is legendary, aided by Senator Kaufman and Congressman Castle. They never took no for an answer and brought our story to Washington every single day.



“It meant a hard-working team from the federal Department of Energy, led by Secretary Chu. Their commitment to seeing this visionary company build cars in this country, regardless of which state, enabled Fisker to access funds that will make the Fisker vision a reality.



“It meant state leaders dedicated to making Delaware the best state in the nation for starting and growing businesses, leaders who are more focused on purpose than protocol, like DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara who personally ensured that Fisker had answers in the afternoon to questions they asked that morning.



“Or DEDO director Alan Levin – the engine of this effort who, along with Larry Windley of Senator Carper’s staff, moved mountains for this deal - making sure that when Fisker wanted to see our state’s port, they were on the ground at the Port of Wilmington within hours to see where Fisker’s next generation vehicle, created here at Boxwood, could be shipped out to the world.



“It meant county and local government leaders like Chris Coons, who said “we are going to make this happen” and did.



“And, as always, it meant Joe Biden who will never forget where he came from and who is an effective advocate for every governor in this country. The Vice President has already earned the respect of Governors from both sides of the aisle and I couldn’t be more proud that he is from Delaware.



“But while today’s announcement brings hope and promise, it also must bring the reality and caution that this is only the beginning of a long journey toward returning this plant to prominence. There is much work to do, with this State, its leaders and its citizens alike, coming together to make the promise of Fisker Automotive a reality in this very competitive industry.



“These jobs will not be created overnight, nor will we keep them if the Delaware work force is not ready to deliver when manufacturing begins. We must also make sure that our workforce moves promptly and efficiently with retooling this facility, so that production can begin as soon as possible and can finish within budget. And, we must all send out the message to the world that Delaware will soon be producing some of the most fuel efficient, stylish performance cars the world has ever seen.



“Henrik Fisker and Barny Koehler are the two visionaries behind that message. They have built successful careers creating cars and their vision has captured the attention of investors and likely customers around the world. Henrik and Barny, on behalf of everyone who has worked in or for this plant, on behalf of everybody in this state, let me say – Welcome to Delaware!”

Healthcare reform needs to happen

By Joanne Cabry, Lee Dogoloff, Bob Fredericks,
Pete Keenan, 
Jerry Northington, 
Kay Ryan and Peter Schott
Published in the Sussex Countian

This summer the news on health care reform was 
dominated by those with the loudest voices. 
The chaos spawned by lobbyists for insurance 
company succeeded in creating fear of reform, 
especially among seniors.

The lies and distortions 
of the moneyed interest groups grabbed the headlines.

While the fear mongers were working to confuse 
and scare people, many of us were letting our leaders 
know that we were not going to accept the status quo. 


We, as members of various groups and organizations 
in Delaware, developed a Resolution addressed to 
Senator Carper, Senator Kaufman and 
Congressman Castle. We pointed out the urgency 
of the need for reform and the compelling evidence 
of our current broken system.



As members of Democratic Party of Sussex County, 
the 14th District Democratic Committee, 
the 38th RD Democratic Committee, 
The Progressive Democrats of Sussex County, 
The Shore Democrats, The Eastern Sussex Democratic Club, 
and the Progressive Democrats for Delaware, we are proud 
of our advocacy for a strong health care bill that includes a public option.



We applaud the majority of the attendees at the 
Democratic Jamboree on Aug. 29, who 
approved the resolution. Most of the signatories 
are senior citizens. They understand that the fear 
being spread among seniors is unfounded. 
They understand that a public option is a choice - 
not a mandate. They also understand that Medicare 
is a well run government health care program.



We were pleased when the recent issue of the New England Journal of Medicine reported that 73 percent of doctors in this country favor a Public Option in any
health reform bill. Unfortunately, the networks and 
newspapers chose not to carry that item, but rather 
focused on the hateful signs of angry protestors 
in Washington.


We are ashamed that we are the only developed 
nation that does not hold that access to affordable
health care for all its citizens is a moral obligation - a right not a privilege.



We will continue to remind our elected leaders that 
those who need spokespersons the most - the uninsured 
and the sick - have no lobbyists to speak on their behalf. 
We will not shout, but we will be heard.



We hope other groups join us in our efforts. 
Please email prog2009@aol.com for a copy of the Resolution.
 


Note: After this article was published, the State Executive Committee of the Delaware Democratic Party endorsed a similar resolution. For more information, please click here.

Rob Robinson's Georgetown Announcement.

By Tim Willard, Rob's campaign manager

Somebody who works on a lot of campaigns (albeit a Democrat) whispered in my ear that this was the largest gathering he has seen for a Rep. announcement. Reps. Swartzkopf and Adkins and Senator Bunting were there and many of Rob's family and friends. The setting was historic and hot in front of the old Courthouse. It was a true Georgetown crowd, young children, older farmers, prison guards and county workers and a handful of lawyers - a real diverse group took their lunch break to hear Rob's announcement.

South Bedford Street was lined with navy blue and white Rob Robinson signs and blue and white balloons. It was kind of neat when all the construction workers working on the county building roof cut off their powers tools so we could here Rob's speech (thank you gentlemen). Rob seemed humbled by the crowd but delivered his message with aplomb. To paraphrase, Rob said, I am running because I love Sussex County, its natural beauty and kind people and I want to serve the constituents of the 37th to protect our quality of life and make State government more efficient.

Governor Signs Plastic Bag Recycling Bill into Law

Josh Schoenberg, Delaware Democratic Party

Today, Governor Markell signed into law House Bill #15 which helps Delaware take a giant step forward in the plastic bag recycling process. The bill was sponsored by Representative Longhurst and passed both the House and Senate this past legislative session. The bill signing took place at the new ShopRite store in Wilmington. This bill is beneficial to both the environment as well as to business. The environment benefits by stores and individuals recycling their bags and not having them end up in Delaware’s landfills and waterways. Businesses benefit by not having to spend as much money on plastic bags, it may be a small amount of their total expenditures, but as Ben Franklin saved “a penny saved, is a penny earned.”

It is nice to see that the environmental community and the business community can both benefit from the same piece of legislation. The Governor, Representative Longhurst and all of the members who voted for this bill should be commended for their hard work and leadership.

Governor Markell Signs SB 121, ends legalized descrimination based on sexual orientation

Guest Post by Vikki Bandy

The bill signing ceremony for SB 121 took place in Rehoboth Beach on Thursday July 2, 2009 at Camp Rehoboth. More than 150 people, including Legislators from both sides of the aisle were there to celebrate this long overdue legislation that places sexual orientation into Delaware's Civil Rights Law.

The eleven year battle for equal protection in housing and employment was started by Bill Oberle in the House eleven years ago and went through many incarnations over the years only to hit a roadblock in the Senate with each Legislative session. This year, the legislation started in the House under Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf as HB 5 and met the same fate as previous efforts in the Senate. Sen Dave Sokola re-introduced the bill as SB 121 and was finally able to get the bill assigned to a committee that would act swiftly and favorably to bring the measure to the floor for a vote. In the final hours of the Legislative year, the bill moved swiftly through the Senate and then through the House with a significant majority of the vote.

The speakers at Thursday's bill signing event demonstrated in true bipartisan fashion how legislators from both sides of the aisle can come together in the interest of civil rights and equality. Sen Sokola praised Dru Fennell of the ACLU and Republican Bill Oberle for their tireless efforts to keep this issue alive. He thanked all of the legislators who voted for the measure and recognized several who attended the event including Sen. Karen Peterson, Sen. Sorenson, Rep Pete Schwartzkopf, and Rep Oberle. Lt Gov. Matt Denn was also in attendance along with several Sussex County local leaders.

Health Reform Supporters Gather at Paper Mill Park Saturday

On Saturday, June 27^th, The Delaware Committee of Organizing for America gathered at Paper Mill Park in Newark for a “Walk for Healthcare Reform” to demonstrate their support of President Obama's health care reform initiative. There were refreshments and T-shirts available for all. The event attracted supporters with diverse backgrounds and perspectives on the health care system. The motorists driving by the park honked their horns in support of the Obama-Biden healthcare initiative, while dozens of park-goers signed up in support of the initiative and took part in the Walk.

The Obama-Biden Healthcare Reform proposal strengthens employer-based coverage, makes insurance companies more accountable, and ensures a patient’s choice of physician and medical care without government interference. Under the Obama-Biden proposal, if an individual is happy with his or her health insurance plan, nothing will change, with the exception of an annual cost reduction of up to $2,500. If an individual does not have health insurance, the Obama-Biden proposal provides a new affordable health insurance option that will compete with the private health insurance companies.

While waiting for the walk to begin, event attendees traded stories about why they believe health care reform is necessary. Cairi Pinder, a Drug Rehabilitation Nurse, said that approximately 90% of her patients do not have health insurance. “I am their only contact for getting health care. I have to work outside my specialty a lot,” she said. Ernie DiStefano of the Public Defender’s Office reminded the crowd that even if an individual is satisfied with his or her coverage, we cannot afford to be complacent. “In my profession, I see firsthand how the cost of health care impacts people's finances, and ultimately even fosters crime,” DiStefano said.

Peg and Peter Saenger offered their perspective as small business owners: "My husband and I are self-employed, and we pay $900 every month for our insurance- and we still have a $6000 deductible! We can't afford to hire additional employees, because of the cost. It actually hurts our business. We're lucky because we are healthy- my son was diagnosed with a pre-existing condition that doesn't require any treatment, but his insurance costs $1500 per month. We can't afford that."

Event organizer Lois Parker was pleased with the reaction to the event. "We were able to build awareness and support for the health insurance program. It was great to see how much support there is out there, but we have a lot of work to do to make sure we keep up the momentum that President Obama will need to pass the bill." The New Castle County for Health Care Reform Committee is planning several other events to continue raising support for the program, including town hall meetings, round table discussions, and a summer picnic in Battery Park for supporters.

Governor Signs Open Government Legislation

This afternoon, Governor Markell signed H.B. 1 into law, which allows for public access to meetings and records of the Delaware General Assembly. Supporters of the legislation have been working for many years to see it passed. Governor Markell was joined by Senator Karen Peterson, Speaker Bob Gilligan, Representative John Kowalko, and many activists wearing their signature green OOGA shirts.

Governor Markell's Annual Summer Bash

Guest post from Kirsten Louis, Markell for Delaware.



I had never been to the Annual Summer Bash before, but had always heard great things about the event. This year all of the proceeds of the Bash went to the Food Bank of Delaware.

With over 700 people attending, it was hard to believe you were standing in Corey & Doug Marshall-Steele’s backyard. The menu for this event isn’t like any other picnic I’ve attended either. It included appetizers, main entrees, side dishes, and a whole array of desserts and tasty treats. Noah Mathay, who is the Head Chef for the Food Bank of Delaware, prepared all of the dishes and desserts with his team. They did a really superb job. Guests also had the pleasure of being served Dogfish Head brews by its very own president, Sam Calagione!

The main event this year was Grammy-winning country star Pam Tillis. Pam was carried to the stage on a lavish bed by two men singing, Cleopatra Queen of Denial. Gov. Jack Markell and Lt. Gov. Matt Denn joined the stage fanning her with palms and feathers! She was a huge hit with the crowd and sang for over an hour with her acoustic trio.

All in all, the event was a great success. I’m glad the hard work of the Jack Pack volunteers and the Food Bank of Delaware really paid off. The event was able to raise much-needed funds and food donations for the charity. I can’t wait to attend the Bash next year!

For more information on the Food Bank of Delaware or to make a charitable donation, please visit www.fbd.org.

Newark Nite a hit!

Last weekend, members of the 23rd Representative District Committee set up a table at the Newark Nite festivities to register voters and spread the word about our Democratic values and programs. Committee Chair Mike Gritz offers the following recap of the event:

"This year's Newark Nite came close to a very crowded street carnival. The food offerings were extensive and there were numerous other opportunities to part with your money. The interest in the 23rd RD Democratic Committee booth were many and quite varied; from sincere youth and adults to mild hecklers. People even took pictures of our booth! Looking forward to next year. "

As part of the display, the committee had a poster titled "I am a Democrat because..." which event attendees filled in with their own reasons for supporting the Democratic Party. Here is a sample of the responses:

• Republican was the only other choice!
  
• Democrats serve the people, their interest, and economy.
  
• Because when we all do better, we all do better.
  
• America is a democracy
  
• I love Barack Obama!
  
• Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
  
• I agree with their policies.
  
• Tolerance and open to new ideas.
  
• Cuz eco-friendly is the way to go!
  
• I love America and the Constitution.
  
• Because people matter more than corporations.
  
• I respect others’ opinions but value my own.
  
• I believe all people should be treated equally.

Why we need healthcare reform

This weekend marked the summer kickoff of President Obama's grassroots campaign for healthcare reform. Volunteers from across the country hosted Healthcare Reform Kickoff events, gathering in diners, coffee shops, and living rooms across the country to share their stories and brainstorm ways to help President Obama build support for his agenda. In Wilmington, one such gathering yielded the following stories:

*One health care professional stated that her company paid 5 different medical insurances to include malpractice insurance, workers compensation, employee health care insurance, and medicare taxes. She wondered why these insurances and insurance payments couldn't be combined to save money and become one payment or even no payment if the government took over the healthcare system.

*Another individual told the story about how his families' life savings were wiped out by one stay in the hospial.

*Individuals who previously lived in Hong Kong and Australia expressed a very positive attitude toward the government supported healthcare programs in both countries.

*Several people stated that their child was about to graduate college and had not gotten a job. Therefore their child would be without healthcare insurance. This caused them great concern. To insure them and their families would cost more than they could afford.

*Another person said that they had seen many people with diabetes who could not afford to buy the insulin they required. As a result several had to have their limbs amputated.

*Another women said that when investigating nursing homes for her father, she found that homes supported by medicare payments were generally better than those supported by private funds from the residents. One reason for this was that government supported homes tended to make the residents get up out of bed every day. This was not the case for the privately supported homes.

*Another man wrote that he had grown up in Trinidad and Tobago, but moved to the US about 20 years ago. In Trinidad and Tobago, everyone has free medical coverage. Here in the US, he is unable to afford insurance. He does not understand how a poor country such as Trinidad can provide free medical insurance for its citizens but a rich country like the US is unable to provide medical assistance or care for its citizens.

*Another man said that he recently attended the Howard Dean Healthcare rally in Elsmere Delaware. He stated that in Governor Dean's home state, the people went to a single payer health plan. For this plan the Health insurance companies wanted to charge a minimun fee of 10% of total costs just to administer this plan. However, the state was able to administer the plan for 4% of total costs. Therefore, the state decided to administer the health care plan.

* Another women stated that her son had recently lost his job and therefore lost his healthcare insurance. The minimum amount required to buy a reasonable healthcare insurance policy was $740.00 per month, even though he was healthy. He has Asburger Syndrome and will be lucky to be able to earn that much in a month so he will be forced to go without health insurance as he will never get a job that will pay enough to live in

* One women stated that being a private business owner, she had to buy her own insurance policy. She got a special rate through the local chamber of commerce of $960.00 per month. She had to pass this cost to her customers. In addition, if she got sick she would be unable to work and therefore would lose her insurance.

Stay tuned with what local Delawareans are doing to fight for health care in their communities at this link: http://www.universalhealthcarecoverage.info/

Open Government Passes the Senate!

Kavips has a great description of Senator Karen Peterson's bold move to bring HB 1, which provides for public access to records and proceedings of the Delaware General Assembly, onto the floor for a vote. The bill passed the house unanimously on Tuseday (20-1, one absent).

Council of Economic Advisors releases "Economic Case for Health Care Reform"

On Tuesday afternoon, the President's Council of Economic Advisers released a report detailing the economic advantages of health care reform. Some key points include:

• Reducing the growth in the cost of healthcare from 6% to 4.5% annually
• Creating approximately 500,000 new jobs
• Saving the average family $2,600
• Reducing the burden to states for covering emergency care to unemployed individuals

Read the whole report here: http://www.politico.com/static/PPM119_090601_healthcarereport.html

In His Own Words, McCain Wrong Choice in Economic Crunch

Watch the new Obama ad.

From Bush to Obama; 26 Newspapers Defect

Pundits are using every barometer imaginable to measure success in this presidential race, and Barack Obama seems to be leading in every category -- from points in the polls to money to crowd size. But Editor and Publisher’s recent measuring stick is very telling of just how wrong John McCain is on the issues most important to voters and those who help shape public opinion.

It has tallied 26 newspapers that had backed Bush in 2004 that have now endorsed Obama, compared with just 4 that swapped Kerry in 2004 for McCain 08.

Taking a look at our daily endorsement tally so far, the Obama-Biden ticket has a hefty lead in both total newspapers and total circulation. But another figure that favors the Democratic candidates is the number of newspapers that have endorsed Sen. Obama despite supporting President Bush’s reelection in 2004.

[...]In California alone, the Obama-Biden ticket picked-up six newspapers that endorsed President Bush in 2004.

He also gained a few papers, such as the Los Angeles Times and Cleveland's Plain Dealer that did not endorse either candidate in 2004. Editor & Publisher, 10/28/08

At this point, though, the only numbers that really matter are the Election Day results. Fellow Obama supporters, while it’s OK to read those headlines, don’t forget in order for all these grand predictions to come true you must actually get out and vote. And don’t stop with just Obama-Biden… keep going all the way down the ballot.

Matt Denn's on Your Side

Matt Denn, candidate for lt. governor, is on your side. He's spent the last four years fighting for your insurance rights and will bring the same kind of commitment to the lt. governor's office.



Learn more about how Matt Denn is helping Delaware families in his latest
ad.