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Anyone who lived in North Carolina in 2004, 1999, 1996 and 1989 could probably tell you that September is the peak of hurricane season around here. That’s when Hurricanes Frances, Ivan, Floyd, Fran and Hugo all struck our state causing widespread devastation for large regions of our state.

With Hurricane Earl now churning off the Atlantic, it is a good time to encourage families, businesses and schools to take steps to prepare themselves for hurricanes, as well as all types of emergencies.

Every family should have an emergency plan for what to do and where to go if they should need to evacuate their home. Take time to assemble – or update –  your emergency kit with extra food, water, clothing, medications and important documents. The easiest, most cost-effective thing you can do to protect your family is to plan ahead, gather those supplies and discuss your emergency plans.If we each take responsibility to be prepared at home for those disruptions, then emergency crews can focus on helping those who are in life-threatening situations.

Not convinced it is that important to be prepared? Hear for yourself from some that lived through it and what they had to say.

Information about planning for disasters of any kind is available in English at the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety Web site at http://www.nccrimecontrol.org/ under the Emergency Management Division and www.readync.org and in Spanish at www.listonc.org.

Gov. Perdue has proclaimed September as Emergency Preparedness Month to encourage everyone to be disaster-ready at all times.

Take time now to get ready. Those families and businesses who have plans and supplies fare far better during any emergency than those who do not.

We have good reason to be optimistic about our state’s economic and environmental outlook, thanks to numerous projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

More than 1,220 jobs have been created in North Carolina with economic recovery money administered by the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

People are going back to work on projects that will improve drinking water, reduce diesel engine emissions, clean up scores of contaminated sites, restore oyster habitats and improve our forests.

One such project I’ve been particularly impressed with involves restoring longleaf pines at Bladen Lakes State Forest. This week, I joined state Sen. Margaret Dickson and state Rep. William Brisson, Bladen County officials and others on a tour of the forest led by the N.C. Division of Forest Resources.

We saw some of the 500-plus acres of longleaf pine seedlings already planted by the seven employees and additional contractors hired for the job. The workers are planting pine seedlings and using chainsaws, brush saws and prescribed burning to remove competing understory vegetation.

By reestablishing longleaf pines, we aim to return the largest state-owned forest to its natural ecosystem filled with a tree species capable of withstanding raging wildfires and providing an ideal habitat for the red cockaded woodpecker and other endangered species.

To learn more, go to www.enr.state.nc.us and click on the “NCDENR American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” link under Current Events.

In Fayetteville on Thursday, August 27, 2010 a statue was unveiled for one of North Carolina’s most respected public servants. Those associated with the military have heard of General Shelton, for those who have not you will be surprised what a small town boy from Tarboro accomplished over a lifetime. General Shelton spent 38 years in a variety of command and staff positions in the United States and Vietnam. He moved up over that career to become the 14th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and served two terms.

General Shelton has been decorated by 16 foreign governments and, in 2001, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. The statue dedication was attended by dignitaries from Fayetteville and way beyond the borders of North Carolina. Ross Perot spoke highly of his longtime friend for his service and for protecting the freedoms we hold dear.

Governor Perdue stated, “North Carolina is proud to be the home of General Shelton. He served our state and nation with honor and distinction in two wars and was awarded many honors for his valor. General Shelton has earned the admiration of comrades, as well as the citizens whose freedom he protected as a member of the United States Army.”

General Shelton’s statue is now on display at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, NC.

Yesterday, I had the great fortune of meeting Mr. Robert Hess, President of the Prostate Cancer Awareness Project.  Mr. Hess, a prostate cancer survivor himself, has set out on a 48 day journey across the country to promote prostate cancer awareness.  As a strategic part of his tour, he is stopping by each state capital he travels, and talking about prostate cancer issues in that particular state.  

Mr. Hess shared that while NC has high rates of prostate cancer mortality, that we have made tremendous strides in recent years, particularly in improving the rates of screening.  In fact, according to one of the fact sheets Mr. Hess provided, NC rates a “B” grade for screenings by the National Prostate Cancer Coalition.   Further, Mr. Hess complimented the state on their policy for guaranteeing insurance coverage for prostate cancer screening – noting that we received an “A” grade in that category.   Mr. Hess spent a good bit of time talking about the importance of early detection, and in particular, cultural resistance of men to go to the doctor.  They are encouraging wives, girlfriends, moms and daughters to be a force of encouragement to get their loved ones to be screened. Like Mr. Hess and so many others ….it just might save their life.

I shared with Mr. Hess that Governor Perdue and many others in this state have made major investments in Cancer prevention, treatment and research.  Notably, I referenced our efforts through the Health and Wellness Trust Fund in lowering rates of teen smoking to an all-time low.  Further, I highlighted our state’s investment in the new Cancer Center at UNC, and Duke’s plans in the same regard.  I also cited our historic efforts to build a cancer research fund of more than $50 million dollars a year.  These critical investments are positioning NC to be a worldwide leader in the fields of Cancer research, development and treatment.

Mr. Hess left our state last night on his way through SC and GA over the next two days.  From there, he will be heading through the south, into Texas and the Southwest and eventually making his way back to California where his odyssey began.  I’d like to commend Mr. Hess for his passion in bringing awareness to such an important issue, and wish him safe travels back home.  It was a pleasure meeting you.

I’d encourage you to visit the blog that Mr. Hess is using to chronicle his trip:  http://tourdeusa2010.wordpress.com/

Yesterday’s announcement that North Carolina was awarded approximately $400 million by the federal education program “Race to the Top” was truly exciting because it brings today’s children one step closer to being guaranteed the best public education possible.

Perhaps the greatest lesson we should take out of this enormous win for our state was that we couldn’t have done it without the unprecedented teamwork we achieved in preparing our Race to the Top application.

One hundred percent of local education agencies (LEAs) signed on to our initial application.  That means every superintendent, school board chair and president of the local teachers association (members of NCAE) are in agreement with our plans for education in North Carolina – the plans laid out in my Career and College—Ready, Set, Go! agenda.

Many state leaders signed letters of support on behalf of our state’s application.  Education pioneers such as Gov. Jim Hunt and Judge Howard Manning stood behind our plans for North Carolina’s future.

And the General Assembly played a crucial role in yesterday’s victory.  The House and Senate gave our Race to the Top application a great boost when they passed Senate Bill 704 to reform low-performing schools.  That law strengthened North Carolina’s ability to make all schools successful and strengthened our school reform efforts, vital to the Race to the Top competition.

The teamwork we achieved is a tremendous sign of the commitment to education that state and local leaders share and I applaud such exemplary statewide collaboration.  To all who played a part in our Race to the Top success, I say “thank you” and so do the students of North Carolina. 

Seventy-five years ago on August 14, 1935,  President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the Social Security Act—a pivotal law for industry and labor. This act put into place the Unemployment Insurance program that provides weekly unemployment insurance benefits for workers who lose their job through no fault of their own.  Since then millions of North Carolinians have received unemployment benefits to help bridge their finances as they seek employment.

"The Unemployment Insurance program was created as part of the act during the depths of the Great Depression,” said US Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis in a statement marking the anniversary of the Unemployment Insurance program. “Today, as we face the most serious economic situation since that time, we are reminded of the continued importance of the assistance made available through this federal-state program.

"Beyond the benefit to individual workers, Unemployment Insurance provides an important boost to the nation's economy. Unemployment Insurance recipients spend their benefits on food, fuel, utility bills and other necessities. Every dollar that goes into the program results in $1.60 in economic output. When consumers lose jobs and cannot spend, businesses suffer. Unemployment Insurance softens the economic blow of layoffs by allowing workers to spend money in their local economies.”

It is fitting that we pause to observe the 75th anniversay of the Unemployment Insurance program and to recognize the program’s importance.  It is also important to acknowledge North Carolina’s workforce system employees, who work to deliver quality service to the citizens and customers of our state. Their work has been critical during this period of economic recovery.

This fall, the Employment Security Commission will host an official observance for the anniversary of the Unemployment Insurance program to review its significance and to discuss the program’s future.

North Carolina native and then chairman of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Robert Lee "Bob" Doughton (left), oversaw the passage of the Social Security Act of 1935.  He watches as President Roosevelt signs the bill into law. 

Did you know that more major hurricanes strike North Carolina in August and September than all other months combined? That’s why the best way to stay safe is to stay informed.

The N.C. Department of Transportation manages 18 Twitter feeds that instantly update you on real-time travel conditions, as well as changes to our ferry schedules. If an emergency occurs, we send out tweets alerting the affected areas about road closures, driving conditions, flooding and evacuation routes.

Our Twitter feeds give immediate travel information to North Carolina residents and out-of-state visitors who may not know who to contact in an emergency.

You can also follow Twitter on your hand-held devices even if traditional telephone service and electricity are disrupted.

Our goal is to keep you safe using the “know before you go” approach. We encourage you to check Twitter on your computer or smartphone before you leave home, work or school, but not while driving. Behind the wheel, you should be focused on one thing only – operating the vehicle safely.

We maintain Twitter feeds for our Ferry Division, as well as Interstates 26, 85, 40, 77 and 95. There are also feeds for specific cities, areas and regions including Charlotte, the Triangle, the coast and the Western mountains of North Carolina.

If you would like a complete list, visit http://www.ncdot.gov/travel/twitter/default.html.

You can also use our other social media tools – Facebook, Flickr and YouTube – for valuable transportation information.

The annual Labor Day “Booze It & Lose It” campaign to crack down on impaired drivers begins Aug. 20 and runs through Sept. 6. State and local law enforcement officers will be conducting stepped up checkpoints and patrols across the state.

“Booze It & Lose It” is administered by the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program. The initiative began in 1994 and was created to zero in on impaired drivers with innovative and extensive anti-driving while impaired enforcement and education.

In North Carolina in 2009, there were 11,304 alcohol-related crashes resulting in 394 fatalities and 8,791 injuries.  If you plan on drinking, please plan ahead and designate a sober driver or arrange for alternative transportation. Remember, it’s “Booze It & Lose It”.

Domestic violence is not often the stuff of poetry, but the personal story of a survivor featured in a newsletter inspired a member of our N.C. Council for Women to take pen to paper.

I had no idea that Jenny Ward of Charlotte, our talented board member, was such a gifted writer. She transformed the story of an unnamed survivor – representative of the “one in five” women likely to experience domestic violence in their lifetime – and crafted a moving call to action. I am honored that she has allowed me to share her poem:  “one woman is too many.”

there’s no pink ribbon, or even red
no merit badge either

she’s one in five
voice-less – in her own home, in her life

she lives in cycles, churning, in an unspeakable rhythm
time stands still

can we give her a voice?
can we say, one women is too many?

invite our men – our boys, husbands and fathers
friends, lovers and neighbors

together, we take a stand
to say the unsaid

relentless, never to return to this place
giving health to all, we lift her up

after all, it’s about her – and about us
we can do better, we can live in peace

the north carolina council for women
gives voice to one in five

one woman is too many

Nowadays, trying to find a job is a full-time job. Unemployment agencies. Career fairs. Internet sites. Jobseekers have to cover all their bases. It can be stressful and challenging.

The N.C. Department of Transportation wants to change that. That’s why we’re reaching out to jobseekers through our social media platforms. NCDOT Careers has Twitter and Facebook pages to let people know, “We’re hiring.” We tweet and post messages every time we list a new job opening. So, getting the latest updates is as easy as looking at your cell phone.

Currently, more than 40 careers are listed at ncdot.gov/careers ranging from engineer and auditor to mechanic and analyst.

We’re not just telling you where the jobs are, we’re doing our best to help you get them. If you visit twitter.com/ncdot_careers, you’ll find helpful articles and videos about interviewing, writing your resume, job searching and how to stand out in a sea of applicants.

NCDOT employs more than 13,000 employees across the state. We’re made up of a wide range of professionals including pilots, archeologists, geologists, graphic designers, writers, accountants and even scuba divers.

Through our diverse team, we take care of a transportation system that includes the country’s second largest state-maintained highway and ferry systems, as well as the nation’s first “Bicycle Highway” that now stretches more than 3,000 miles.

If you are interested in becoming part of our team, follow us at twitter.com/ncdot_careers or visit ncdot.gov/careers.