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The Governor’s Eastern Office was pleased to host this week the third in a series of Community Days for North Carolina’s non-profit sector around the State. 

This particular forum was held through the generous auspices of the Roanoke River Lighthouse and Maritime Museum in the Town of Plymouth, and the Governor’s Office partnered with the N.C. Center for Nonprofits to make for a very successful event.

Thirty individuals, including representatives of a wide variety of non-profits from several counties of the northeast, were part of the event.  Participants discussed the critical issues facing their organizations, communities and service areas, while learning about the Governor’s agenda and how it relates more specifically to their activities.  They were also given the opportunity to learn about the Eastern Office and how it might be of help.

The networking provided by the forum allowed everyone to make new connections and in some cases learn about the Center for the first time.  The day concluded with a series of proposed action items for follow-up by the Center and the Governor’s Office.

The Governor’s Office would like to thank Plymouth Mayor Brian Roth, the Center, and all the participants for making this day very productive and enjoyable.  We look forward to similar days around the State during the remainder of 2010.

The best rank a general can earn is four stars, but the State Nursing Home in Fayetteville is now the proud owner of a perfect five-star review from Medicare.gov.

The 150-bed facility, which has been serving North Carolina veterans since 1999, has steadily improved its rank from three to four and now five stars since the ratings system was introduced about two and a half years ago. It reflects a deficiency-free inspection conducted in March that examined such indicators as health inspections; ratio of nursing staff to residents; quality measures including aspects of residents’ health, physical functioning, mental status and general well being; and meeting fire and life safety requirements.

We are grateful for this recognition and proud of our staff, which works so hard to help our veterans live safe, healthy and meaningful lives.

There was drama on the high seas yesterday in Morehead City, where three employees in the Division of Environmental Health, N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, rescued two capsized boaters.

It occurred mid-morning when the sailboat, carrying two boaters, capsized because of strong currents and winds near the Marine Fisheries dock. The boaters were hanging onto their boat that was pinned between dock pillars.

At the same time, staff from the Shellfish Sanitation and Recreational Water Quality Section happened to be on the other side of the dock returning from pulling daily water and shellfish samples. A television station was interviewing staff and captured the rescue on tape.

The staff – Paul Moore, Timmy Moore, and Phil Piner – recognized that the boaters were in trouble and used their quick wits to maneuver their boat to pull the boaters to safety. I am proud and thankful that our staff so willingly went to the aid of the boaters and that potential tragedy was avoided.

There are many unsung heroes at DENR, but the actions of our staff today in Morehead City were caught on tape. If you wish to view the tape and a news story about the rescue, please visit http://www.witn.com/home/headlines/97076919.html.

The Governor’s Piedmont Office was pleased to host this week the second in a series of Community Days for North Carolina’s non-profit sector around the State.  I was joined by Marion Sullivan, Director of Intergovernmental and External Affairs for the Governor’s Office in Raleigh. 

This particular forum was held through the generous auspices of the Davidson County Community College’s Davie Campus in the Town of Mocksville, and the Governor’s Office partnered with the N.C. Center for Nonprofits and HandsOn Northwest North Carolina to make for a very successful event.

Nineteen individuals, including representatives of a wide variety of non-profits from several counties of the northwest Piedmont, were part of the event.  Participants discussed the critical issues facing their organizations, communities and service areas, while learning about the Governor’s agenda and how it relates more specifically to their activities.  They were also given the opportunity to learn about the Piedmont Office and how it might be of help. 

The networking provided by the forum allowed everyone to make new connections and in some cases learn about the Center for Nonprofits or HandsOn for the first time.  The day concluded with a series of proposed action items for follow-up by the Center, HandsOn Northwest and the Governor’s Office.

The Governor’s Office would like to thank Davidson County Community College, the Center, HandsOn and all the participants for making this day very productive and enjoyable.  We look forward to similar days around the State during the remainder of 2010.

It’s a hot job trying to keep state offices cool – or at least, reasonably comfortable – when temperatures and humidity hit and stay near record-breaking levels.

The Division of Facility Management is assigned this daunting task. We have more than a dozen employees dedicated to maintaining the chilled water systems that helps cool 5 million-plus square feet of facilities in the Downtown State Government Complex, as well as respond to service calls from locations where a chiller is not supplying adequate relief.

Much like street crews that try their best to keep roads clear with limited resources during a snow or ice storm, Facility Management is striving to maximize use of a small crew to keep the chillers working at capacity in extreme conditions.  If you think your office is warm, try to imagine how challenging it is for technicians to maintain active systems and make repairs in cramped spaces.

Our crews will remain vigilant as we experience the extreme heat and humidity forecast for this week, as we do in responding to facility maintenance needs throughout the year.

Dale Fields (left) and Alan Benson rewire a 100 horsepower motor that moves cool air to the lobby area of the Museum of History

Gov. Bev Perdue handed the Marines a letter on June 15th intended for General James Conway supporting the Air Base in Havelock to bring in 11 F-35B Lightning Two Strike Fighter Jets within the next decade.

Residents from all over Eastern North Carolina were able to see Lockheed Martin's new Strike Fighter Jets on display Tuesday night inside the Havelock Tourist and Event Center. The public hearing on the Navy's basing options for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was the first of five hearings on where to base 13 squadrons of aircraft planned to replace all Marine Corps legacy jets.

Governor Perdue took time during the public hearing to visit with over 200 attendees and many of the 7 different stations throughout the open house format that explained different aspects of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

Under the Navy’s preferred plan, Cherry Point would receive eight squadrons of the jets, resulting in a net gain of planes and personnel on the base. Governor Perdue stated during the public hearing that, “All of us have a vested interest in the military in this county and this country.”

Tomorrow is June 19, but it is much more than just a summer Saturday.  Juneteenth is a day to celebrate and commemorate our African-American heritage.  As you may know, Juneteenth celebrates the public reading of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas on June 19, 1865.  The newly freed slaves rejoiced that day and the celebrations have continued through the years as a celebration of African-American independence.

Gov. Perdue has joined the celebration by issuing a proclamation declaring June 19 “African American Independence Day” in North Carolina.

There are also Juneteenth celebrations around North Carolina.  I spoke on behalf of the Governor at the Urban League reception this week in Raleigh.  And the 6th Annual North Carolina Juneteenth Celebration will be held in Durham this Saturday.

I encourage you to take part in the commemoration of this historic moment of liberty for African-Americans.

History tells us that when disasters or emergencies of any type or size occur in North Carolina, people want to help.  Some people want to help by volunteering, while others want to help by donating something that is needed.  Survivors often depend on these offers of help.  However, these offers can result in a disaster of their own if there are no plans in place to manage them!

Since 1999, the NC Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service has been working to mitigate these “second-tier” disasters.  The Commission partners with the N.C. Division of Emergency Management to educate local emergency managers about the importance of having a plan to manage volunteers and donated goods after a disaster or emergency.  The most recent educational effort occurred earlier this week at Cape Fear Community College, where emergency managers and first responders from seven counties attended a two-day donations management course, taught by the Commission.  

Class participants walked away with a better understanding of processes and strategies to develop or enhance their plans for managing volunteers and donated goods.  Two class participants shared their experiences (good and bad) with managing volunteers and donated goods in their county when a high-profile disaster occurred.  These real-life experiences added importance to the purpose of the course.       
     
Congratulations to Anson, Columbus, Craven, Durham, Lee, New Hanover and Onslow counties for having great representatives in this week’s class.   It’s the beginning of the 2010 hurricane season and a great time for counties to be better prepared!

Actually, it’s a great time for EVERYONE in North Carolina to be better prepared.  Visit www.readync.org for information. 

This time of year, people tend to talk about what makes a good “beach read.”  Before you slip into a topic that takes you miles away from reality, I ask that you consider an important real-life read from the pages of the Independent Weekly.

Writer Samiha Khanna has drafted a compelling look at the recent spike in domestic violence incidents in Wake County, especially among our immigrant population. While this trend bears some familiar characteristics – numbers tend to escalate during difficult economic times, as well as when the temperatures rise – the challenges experienced by women with language/cultural barriers and limited awareness of resources is especially troubling.

The N.C. Council for Women/Domestic Violence Commission is dedicated to providing grant funding to qualified local organizations that provide direct services to women in need. There has been an increase in the number of agencies that provide services to women who only communicate in their native languages – a vital link since cultural barriers often make these women reluctant to step outside of their homes to seek relief from the physical or emotional abuse taking place inside.

Since many affected women are not in the workforce and are unaware of local resources – or doubt the validity of their concerns because abuse may be an ingrained cultural experience – they are more likely to trust and accept assistance from those within their native country network.  Talking with a counselor in Spanish, or communicating online in Korean, greatly increases the chances of their escaping violence and integrating into their new community.

The Council for Women encourages all women and girls who have experienced domestic violence to seek help by calling a community resource or us at 919-733-2455 (toll-free, 1-877-502-9898). No matter what words or language you use, your concerns will be heard.

When the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina finally earns federal recognition – a long-held dream that is inching closer to reality – members will temper their celebrations with the realization that one of the great champions of this cause is no longer with us.

Jimmie Lowry, who lost his battle with cancer on Sunday at age 65, was a successful engineer turned automobile dealer who gave back to his community by serving on numerous boards and commissions. I had the honor of working with him when he served as Chairman of the N.C. Commission of Indian Affairs from 1977 to 1984. Always ready to address critical and sometimes unpopular issues, he was diligent in developing and gaining support for measures that increased awareness of and services for all North Carolina tribes and organizations. He placed particular emphasis on economic development and empowerment.

Mr. Lowry also served as Chairman of the Lumbee Self-Determination Commission, which helped establish a tribal constitution. In this role, he dedicated himself to service benefitting members of his beloved tribe, notably his early and continuing efforts to achieve federal recognition.

A fitting funeral service was held that highlighted his work and his life. I hope his loved ones will find consolation in knowing that his extraordinary contributions will live on in generations of better educated, healthier and more economically successful members of North Carolina’s American Indian community.