Sussex County receives funding from U.S. Department of Transportation for airport runway extension project

GEORGETOWN, Del. – Today, U.S. Sens. Tom Carper, Chris Coons and Congressman John Carney (all D-Del.), announced that Sussex County received $3,101,080 for the Sussex County Airport runway extension project from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration. This federal funding, which Delaware’s Congressional Delegation supported through the passage of the Federal Aviation Administration Modernization and Reform Act last April, will allow construction to begin on improving the runway approach and extending the runway by 500 feet to accommodate larger aircraft and attract new business to the region.

With the federal funding in place, Sussex County will move ahead with construction in the coming weeks as engineering staff have been making preparations for the project while the grant application was pending, County Administrator Todd F. Lawson said. County officials expect to have a ceremonial groundbreaking for the project in August, with construction slated to begin shortly thereafter. Construction of the 500-foot extension is expected to last through December 2013.

“I am thrilled that the Sussex County Airport runway extension project is moving forward to the construction phase,” said Sen. Carper.  “This funding will allow larger aircraft to utilize the airport and attract new business opportunities in Sussex County. This project will also allow existing businesses such as PATS Aircraft System to grow. Through projects like this, we can help foster economic growth and airport accessibility for Sussex County and all of Delaware.”

“Infrastructure plays such an important role in helping businesses grow and create jobs,” Senator Coons said. “Extending the Sussex County Airport runway is a wise investment in Delaware’s general aviation sector. The additional 500 feet of runway will allow existing businesses to grow, entrepreneurs to develop new businesses, and for jobs to be created.  When I was New Castle County Executive, I witnessed first–hand the importance of working together across all levels of government, and that’s exactly what happened here and why this project is taking off.”

“This project is an important economic development investment for Sussex County and the entire state,” said Congressman Carney.  “I’ve visited businesses, like PATS Aircraft Systems, that have told me they are ready to grow and hire more workers once the runway extension is complete. I’m excited that construction will start shortly, and look forward to the benefits that a larger, more accommodating Sussex County Airport will bring to Delaware.”

“Sussex County is grateful to Sen. Carper and the rest of our congressional delegation for their relentless efforts in helping to secure this FAA grant,” said Sussex County Council President Michael H. Vincent. “These critical funds will not only pave the way for the Sussex County Airport runway extension, but the grant and the project itself will pave the way for new economic opportunities here in Sussex County.”

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Carper, Coons, Carney break ground on the Michael N. Castle Trail at the C&D Canal

ST. GEORGES, Del. – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and U.S. Rep. John Carney joined federal, state and local officials to announce the naming of the Michael N. Castle Trail at the C&D Canal. Monday also marked the groundbreaking of the first phase of the approximately 16-mile long shared-use recreational trail along the north side of the C&D Canal. The trail will create safe new recreational opportunities along the canal where people can hike, bicycle, jog, skate, bird watch and ride horses.

“Today, we are celebrating the beginning of turning this waterway, which sees more than 25,000 vessels pass through a year, into a recreational attraction,” Senator Tom Carper said. “This is the kind of project that gives back to the community by creating a place to bike, walk, run, horseback ride and enjoy this beautiful and serene passage through the state. Naming this trail after Congressman Mike Castle is a great way to honor his legacy of working to improve our state’s natural resources.”

“Mike Castle long ago embraced the notion that the C&D Canal is like an emerald necklace draped across the northern portion of our beautiful state, and I am so very pleased that this jewel will be named after our dear friend,” Senator Chris Coons said. “Quite a few Delawareans, including Mike Castle, have worked hard over nearly eight years to transform this path into a greenway, and I’m pleased today we’re celebrating the groundbreaking. I look forward to the day when my family and I can join others in exploring the beauty of the C&D Canal via the Michael N. Castle Trail.”

“I’m excited that the C&D Canal Trail is moving into its construction phase,” Congressman John Carney said. “This project will allow thousands of Delawareans every year to appreciate the natural beauty of this part of our state, and they’ll do so while walking, biking, or doing other activities that contribute to a healthy, active lifestyle. During his years as an elected official, former Congressman Castle did a lot to help preserve Delaware’s natural resources and keep people healthy. It’s very fitting that this trail be named for someone who spent a tremendous amount of time and effort to help create it.”

“These trails are a draw for our tourism industry and raise the standard of living for anyone here in other industries. They offer economic and social benefits that will pay dividends in the years ahead,” Governor Jack Markell said. “It is great to see levels of government working together to create places that can bring families together.  Given his commitment as our Governor and Congressman, both in bringing people together and in improving our quality of life, it’s fitting that these trails will carry Mike Castle’s name.”

“I am both humbled and honored that this magnificent trail is being named in my honor,” former Congressman Mike Castle said. “The C&D trail project is a culmination of literally years of hard work and determination by many great Delawareans and the organizations they represent. They recognized that this canal, that literally divided our state, could be something so much better—a place where thousands of people of all ages with diverse interests could come together to enjoy a beautiful natural resource. To have played a minor role in this success is something that I will always remember.”

In the three years after a concept plan for the trail was developed in 2006, Delaware’s Congressional delegation secured a total of $2.2 million in Public Lands Highways Discretionary awards from the Federal Highway Administration to go toward planning and building the trail. Last year, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control committed $1 million in state funding from the 2011 Bond Bill, and the project was awarded an additional $1 million from the Federal Highway Administration. Combined, this $4.2 million in funding is enabling construction of approximately nine miles of the north side of the trail, from Delaware City to just beyond Summit Marina, including parking and rest facilities, and connecting to existing recreation opportunities at Lums Pond State Park. The trail, slated for completion in February 2013, is being built by Daisy Construction Company of Newport, Delaware. Additional phases of the trail will be completed in the future.

“As one of America’s first commercial corridors, this canal has been an important part of Delaware’s economy since the early 1830’s,” Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez said. “182 years later, the C&D Canal continues to demonstrate its significance by creating jobs for workers and expanding recreational access through improved transportation options for bicyclists, hikers, joggers and others.”

“We are pleased to have been part of the team that designed this new trail. It is always satisfying to see a shovel going into the ground after so much study and planning and we are grateful to the state of Delaware and its congressional delegation for stepping forward and carrying out the construction,” Lt. Col. Chris Becking of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said. “Countless citizens will benefit. Those who already use the road along the C&D Canal for recreation will find their experience greatly enhanced. And many more people will undoubtedly be drawn to the canal to hike, run, and ride bicycles or horses now that the path will be more comfortable and amenities available.

“Trail users are a diverse group of people, including equestrians, bikers, and hikers. The common thread is eagerness and enthusiasm to get outside, get some exercise and connect with other people,” David Koppeser, president of the Wilmington Trail Club said. “We are very grateful to the State of Delaware for their commitment to trail development in the state and to projects like the C&D Canal trail.

“Today’s groundbreaking brings Mike Castle’s vision of a multi-use recreational trail along the C&D Canal another step closer to reality,” said DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara. “This trail is an important component of Governor Markell’s First State Trails and Pathways Plan which will connect communities, spur tourism, promote healthy lifestyles, improve air quality, and enhance our quality of life. It is fitting that we honor Congressman Castle by naming this trail after him.”

“As a former Governor and Congressman for Delaware, Mike Castle championed the effort to share the beauty of the C&D Canal with all citizens and visitors of the State and for this, it is aptly named,” DelDOT Secretary Shailen Bhatt said. “We have incorporated the C&D Canal Trail into the First State Trails and Pathways Program, part of Governor Jack Markell’s vision to build a world class infrastructure for bicyclists, pedestrians and equestrians to enjoy well into the future.” 

DelDOT is responsible for construction of the trail along the canal, which is owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The C&D Canal has been in operation since 1829 and today it is one of the busiest working waterways in the world. The canal is a critical commercial waterway serving the Ports of Baltimore, Wilmington, and Philadelphia.

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Statement from Senator Coons on President Obama’s call to preserve middle class tax cuts

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee and the Senate’s bipartisan working group on deficit reduction, issued the following statement after President Obama called on Monday for the expiration of the so-called ‘Bush tax cuts’ on income above $250,000.

“By calling today for the preservation of temporary tax cuts for America’s middle class and the expiration of the temporary tax cuts on income above $250,000, President Obama is once again calling on a divided Congress to step up and make the hard choices in job creation, tax reform, and federal spending that are necessary to build an economy that works for all Americans. I share President Obama’s commitment to building that economy, and agree with his call today. Back when these tax cuts were enacted, they were described as ‘temporary,’ but they have lasted for more than a decade, and have become unsustainable. Letting these temporary tax cuts expire now on income over $250,000 makes sense for our long-term economic security.

“Our nation’s staggering national debt is being compounded by dangerous annual deficits that Congress can and must confront through tough choices like this one. Any sober analysis of our nation’s fiscal standing makes clear that we cannot achieve the deficit reduction we need through program cuts alone, as some in Congress have argued.

“While not a substitute for the comprehensive tax reform our nation truly needs, this is perhaps the only major tax strategy that can make a real difference for our country’s fiscal outlook and still be passed this year. We need tax reform that simplifies the tax code, closing many unsustainable and costly loopholes while lowering rates and broadening the base. What is clear, however, is that the current political environment makes such reforms all but impossible in the coming months. It is a sad reality, but the one in which these kinds of choices must be made if we are to make any progress at all.

“President Obama is making a tough choice, but I believe it to be the right one for our country.”

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Senator Coons congratulates local company on landing Small Business Administration loan

WYOMING, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons, Small Business Administration District Director Tony Leta, representatives from the Delaware Economic Development Office, and leaders from the First National Bank of Wyoming gathered Monday to congratulate Lori Llewellyn, owner of Landscape Consulting Services, on securing $33,000 in SBA loans.  The company, located in Wyoming, Delaware, will put the money toward hiring more employees and buying equipment. This is the first SBA loan issued by the First National Bank of Wyoming.

“As a bank with deep roots in the community, the First National Bank of Wyoming is exactly the kind of local institution we want lending to our small businesses,” Senator Coons said.  “Small Business Administration loans, like the one secured by Landscape Consulting Services, are how our state will continue to grow its way out of this recession.  We need to continue to give small business owners the tools to hire more employees, buy equipment and grow their businesses.”

Landscape Consulting Services developed a software program that comes up with three-dimensional projections for landscaping designs that evolve to show how the landscaping will mature over time. The two medium-sized loans given by the First National Bank of Wyoming were in the amounts of $28,000 and $5,000.       

“The First National Bank of Wyoming has a rich history with its roots in true Main Street banking since 1909,” said Joe Chippie, President of The First National Bank of Wyoming.  “Our local leadership, local board, and local employees understand Central Delaware and will continue to provide affordable banking options for our customers.  Simply put, we are a Delaware bank with a Delaware focus.”

“We are excited to have First National Bank of Wyoming take advantage of SBA’s lending programs to assist small businesses in Delaware,” said SBA District Director Tony Leta.  We look forward to expanding our relationship with First National Bank of Wyoming going forward.”

The SBA was created in 1952 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.  Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam.

Statement from Senator Coons on vote to avert doubling of student loan interest rates

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement after voting to prevent the doubling of federal student loan interest rates, from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent on Sunday.

“When it comes to higher education, affordability is accessibility for many students, and if we want American companies and American workers to compete and win in the global economy, we have to help our young people afford higher education — before, during, and after they are in school.

“Too many Americans are buried under their student loan debt, choking their economic potential. As a country, we have more than $1 trillion in student loan debt, and the interest on that debt is making it even harder for millions of Americans to get by during difficult economic times. Averting the immediate doubling of federal student loan interest rates is certainly not a complete solution to the problems of college affordability or accessibility, but it is a step worth taking right now. The cost of a college education is on an unsustainable track, and we must take steps to lower the amount of money students are forced to borrow to pay for their degree. ”

Statement from Senator Coons on vote to reauthorize surface transportation programs

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement after voting Friday to reauthorize federal surface transportation programs, which are set to expire on Saturday. Their expiration would immediately endanger nearly $200 million in projects on I-95 in Delaware alone

“Anyone who has ever driven on I-95 understands just how important it is to maintain our highways. The federal programs that fund much of that construction work help employ millions of Americans and facilitate commerce across the country. These programs are vital to our national, regional and local infrastructure, and I am relieved that they have final been reauthorized.

“It is maddening, however, that the reauthorization didn’t come until the very last minute. It’s hard to believe that it has been eight months since the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee first passed this reauthorization — and unanimously, at that. The full Senate later passed the bill with overwhelming bipartisan support and the endorsement of both the Chamber of Commerce, and the AFL-CIO, but partisan obstruction from House Republicans prevented us from moving forward. This silly political maneuver stalled critical highway construction projects from coast to coast that could not be started until the federal funding stream was in place, suffocating opportunities for jobs and jeopardizing urgent infrastructure priorities.”

Statement from Senator Coons on Supreme Court decision on Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision on the Affordable Care Act on Thursday:

“Today’s historic decision by the Supreme Court is an important moment for our country. The people of Delaware today have renewed confidence that they cannot be denied health care coverage because of pre-existing conditions. That is a victory for the people of the United States.

“The Supreme Court has reaffirmed today its appropriate role in our constitutional order and continued its longstanding practice of deciding cases based on the law and not the prevailing politics of the day. Something as complex and important as health care reform should rise or fall based on an election, not a Court decision.

“The politics of health care reform have always paled in comparison to the people impacted by it. The good news is that every American will now beguaranteed the opportunity to buy health insurance, regardless of pre-existing conditions. Parents will be able to have their sons and daughters covered on their plans until they are 26. No American will be denied coverage because of a cap on lifetime benefits, and insurance companies will no longer be able toautomatically charge women higher premiums. Preventative care will come without a co-pay or deductible, and even if your employer doesn’t offer health insurance, you’ll be able to buy affordable health coverage. These are all very good things for our country and our communities.

“It is now time for the politics of health care reform — and the politicians who have tried to undo the progress our country has made — to move on. It has been considered, debated, signed into law, and now affirmed by the Supreme Court.”

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Carper, Coons, Carney announce federal grants to hire post-9/11 veterans as local police officers

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Representative John Carney today announced the Dagsboro, Milford and Wyoming police departments will receive individual grants totaling more than $355,000 to hire new police officers through the Department of Justice COPS Hiring Program (CHP).  Each department will hire one post 9/11 military veteran who has been honorably discharged.

“Every day, the men and women of our local police departments work hard as the eyes and ears of the neighborhood to protect our communities,” said Sen. Carper. “This funding will not only provide extra officers to watch over our towns, but will employ post-9/11 veterans in those positions, giving back to our veterans and to our communities.”

“The COPS Hiring Program is an innovative way to increase community safety while opening up job opportunities to veterans,” said Senator Coons.  “The men and women who fight for our freedom are trained and ready to protect, so they’re a natural fit when it comes to policing our communities.  This funding is truly a win-win by making these towns safer while employing honorably discharged veterans.”

“There is nothing more important than maintaining safe neighborhoods for Delaware’s businesses and residents,” said Congressman Carney.  “The COPS Hiring Program allows the towns of Dagsboro, Milford, and Wyoming to hire needed officers from among those military veterans wishing to continue their service through public safety.   I applaud the brave men and women who make sacrifices every day for our protection, and will continue working to ensure they have the necessary resources to be successful and safe.”

2012 CHP grants provide 75 percent of the approved entry-level salaries and fringe benefits of each newly hired and/or rehired full-time officer, up to $125,000 per officer position, over a three-year grant period.  The COPS Office announced 221 grants for approximately $111 million for Fiscal Year 2012.  In Delaware, the funding was distributed as follows:

Dagsboro Police Department $125,000

Milford Police Department $125,000

Wyoming Police Department $105,878

CHP grants are designed to advance public safety through community policing by addressing the full-time sworn officer needs of state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies nationwide.

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Senator Coons votes to send “bath salts” ban to President for signature

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) today joined his Senate colleagues in approving bipartisan legislation containing a ban on dangerous synthetic drugs, including “bath salts.” Today’s vote on the House-Senate conference report on the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act, sends the legislation to President Obama to be signed into law. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, Senator Coons has been a leader in fighting to make these new designer drugs illegal to prevent crimes and keep Delaware safe.

“Keeping our streets safe means staying one step ahead of the criminals, and that is what we have done today,” Senator Coons said following final passage of the ban. “Dangerous chemicals are being used to create synthetic drugs, like bath salts, that are having a devastating effect on our communities. Making these new drugs illegal is the first step in giving our law enforcement officers the tools they need to combat this growing new challenge to public safety.”

The ban passed by the Senate today was included as part of the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act, and would make the sale of the chemical compounds found in bath salts and synthetic marijuana illegal in the United States.  The titles dealing with synthetic drugs in the legislation passed today incorporate provisions from three previous bills Senator Coons has cosponsored, the Combating Dangerous Synthetic Stimulants Act of 2011, the Dangerous Synthetic Drug Control Act of 2011, and the Combating Designer Drugs Act of 2011.  Included among the list of targeted compounds are MDPV (methylenedioxypyrovalerone) and mephedrone, the active ingredients in “bath salts.” According to numerous reports, the chemicals found in these drugs cause effects similar to those caused by cocaine and Methamphetamines, including hallucinations, paranoia, and suicidal thoughts. 

The House and Senate had previously passed differing versions of the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act, necessitating the convening of a conference committee to work out the differences. Today’s vote on the conference committee’s report was the last step before the bill can be signed into law.

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Senator Coons stands up for voters’ rights during Judiciary Committee hearing

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, voiced his support on Tuesday for legislation that creates new civil and criminal penalties for misleading voters with the intent of causing them not to vote. Senator Coons is a cosponsor of the bill, the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2011.

“We hold ourselves out to the rest of the world as a beacon of democracy,” Senator Coons said at a hearing on the bill Tuesday. “I think we can all agree that we should be protecting the right to vote and ensuring that all those who have the right to vote can do so freely and fairly.”

The Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2011 would amend federal criminal law to prohibit any person, whether acting under color of law or otherwise, from knowingly misleading voters regarding: the time or place of holding any federal election, the qualifications for or restrictions on voter eligibility for any such election, or an endorsement. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) introduced the legislation in December.

Senator Coons’ questioning at Tuesday’s hearing focused on several types of voter fraud, including how young voters can be intimidated through social media channels. The Senator asked Tanya Clay House, the director of public policy for the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, “What means can we take to help deter the chilling, disturbing ways new media has been used to suppress voters?”

Ms. House responded that, “It’s much more difficult to try and stop these tactics if we do not have laws preventing them. We work to try and get the corrective information out about these misleading attempts through election protection and through a new smartphone application.” 

In 2008, messages were sent to some Facebook users falsely stating that the election had been postponed a day in hopes of depressing turnout. Students at some universities, including Florida State University, also received text messages as part of the misinformation campaign.

Senator Coons also asked about the increased presence of “challengers” at polling locations as a method of voter intimidation, noting that this disturbing and rising trend has targeted minority communities.

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