Hi, just a reminder that you're receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in Steve Rao. Don't forget to add sr@steverao.com to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox!
You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails.
|
|
|
|
2020 Year In Review Edition
|
From the Council Office of Steve Rao
December 31, 2020
|
|
We lost so many great heroes including Chuck Yeager, John Lewis, RBG, Eddie Van Halen, Sean Connery and so many leaders who brought us joy, inspiration and many great memories.
|
|
US Presidential News Alert |
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are Time Persons of the Year. |
|
|
Governor Cooper revises Phase 1B of NC Vaccination Plan to move up adults 75 and older and frontline essential workers who are 50 or over. No changes to Phase 1A. 63,000 North Carolinians have received Vaccine/Only 2 million Vaccinated in US.
|
|
|
Covid 19 Variant now in 2 US States, none in NC.
|
|
Sign up for the Morrisville MAFC Virtual Marathon!
|
|
|
Apply for Smart City Steering Committee by Jan 4th! |
|
Vote for the Town of Morrisville for the Smart Cities Readiness Challenge! |
(See Vote Smart City Section) |
|
May Former Senator Majority Leader Marc Basnight Rest in Peace. |
|
|
$2000.00 Stimulus Checks in Limbo as Senator McConnell blocks fast track vote.
|
|
|
Changes in NC Administrations |
|
Senator Sam Searcy leaves State Senate to take another position after winning second term. |
|
Raleigh Police Chief Cassandra Deck Brown Stepping Down. |
|
HAPPY NEW YEAR AND THE MIRACLE OF MORRISVILLE CONTINUES! |
|
Komal, Sonia, Rayan and I hope you enjoyed safe, quality time with your families during this Holiday Season although we all miss celebrating together in person. We pray for any families you have lost a loved one or for anyone suffering from illness. May the light and love of our hearts, always lift us out of the darkness around us.
It has been an honor to serve on the Council for the past decade. I continue to be amazed at the all of the progress we have made since I was elected, and I am honored to serve on a winning team, that is making the Live Connected/Live Well brand ring true for every citizen and business who calls Morrisville home.
This year, the Town of Morrisville was named as the tenth most liveable city in America by Money Magazine! Number One is just around the corner. Nothing is impossible, when our Council works with engaged citizens and staff, to execute on major projects and do great work, even during this Pandemic.
|
|
A renovated Morrisville Aquatics and Fitness Center, Wake County Library, a completed McCrimmon Parkway Extension, Wake Competition Ice Rink, a Professional Cricket Team, the commencement of the Morrisville Carpenter Road Project and our Smart City Initiative are just a few examples of the great work being done by our world class Staff and Council.
Parkside Elementary, a proposed Middle School/High School in the 7-year strategic CIP plan, and an early Career High School at Wake Tech RTP also demonstrate the tremendous progress we are making with schools in Morrisville.
Thanks to each of you, we continue to fly to the greatest heights, as the Miracle of Morrisville continues. Prepare the Cabin for Lift Off! We are ready for another great year and our own Morrisville Moon Shot!
We wish each of you a very safe and Happy New Year as we look forward to getting back to a new normal in 2021.
|
|
A GREAT DECADE IN MORRISVILLE! |
|
In January, I will begin my 10th year on the Council. I was sworn in to my first term in December 2011.
This week, I ran ten miles across the Town and enjoyed seeing many of the projects which I saw take place during the decade. What amazes me most is that none of these landmarks or projects existed when I was sworn in.
|
|
|
Living Connected to Parks and Greenways |
|
Western Wake Farmers Market
Google Fiber!
|
|
|
|
Church Street Park! (Cricket Capital of the US!) |
|
|
Thanks to the citizens who gave me the opportunity to serve and lead a Town where we can Live so Connected and Well! |
|
In the midst of a global pandemic, Council, Staff, and engaged citizens worked continued to execute on major projects and milestones, so our Town can remain one of the most diverse, inclusive, and small Towns in North Carolina!
Here are a few of our top achievements!
- MORRISVILLE NAMED 10th MOST LIVABLE CITY IN USA BY MONEY MAGAZINE!
- WE COMPLETED THE CENSUS!
- EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED!
- McCrimmon Extension Completed!
- Wake County Library!
- Morrisville Fire Department Receives ISO Certification
- A New Aquatics Center!
- CRABTREE HATCHER GREENWAY OPENED!
- Black Lives Matter March to honor George Floyd
- Launched Energov!
- Town Center RFP Issued!
- Still Lit the Holiday Tree!
- SMART CITY AND OPEN DATA Initiatives!
In 2021, we look forward to working on a Bond Referendum, beginning the Morrisville Carpenter Road Project, continuing work on Airport Boulevard and Louis Stephens Road, Sustainability and Smart City Initiatives, Pedestrian Connectivity and the Smart Shuttle Launch!
|
|
Morrisville Named 10th Most Livable City |
|
Morrisville Fire Department Receives ISO Certification |
|
McCrimmon Extension Completed! |
|
|
|
|
Black Lives Matter March to honor George Floyd |
|
Vote for the Town of Morrisville, NC as a Readiness Challenge Winner |
The Town of Morrisville plans to use sensors and controls to optimize a Connected Park Initiative and Smart Corridor Initiative.
3 things to know about the Town of Morrisville
Follow the link to view all the Finalist videos and VOTE for that city whose projects could help all cities learn.
- Voting closes on January 5 @ 5 pm ET
- Readiness Cohort Leaders will be announced on January 11th and will receive a Collaborative Engagement in Q1 - 2021.
Thank you in advance for your participation.
|
|
SMART CITY STEERING COMMITTEE APPLICATION PROCESS IS OPEN! |
Recruitment for the Morrisville Smart City Steering Committee began on December 14, 2020 and run through January 4, 2021. Specialized recruitment and engagement will be completed during this period to seat 11 members (at least seven technical and four non-technical).
Council is scheduled to be briefed on the item at the January 12 meeting and will receive appointment packets for selection on January 13. Council will be asked to take action appointing any selected applicants at their January 26 meeting.
Term appointments for selected members are recommended to begin February 1, 2021 with appointments being staggered over two- and three-year appointment terms.
|
|
STIMULUS RELIEF BILL DETAILS |
|
The House passed a one-day government funding bill earlier Sunday night to avoid a government shutdown at midnight, and the Senate then passed the continuing resolution. President Donald Trump signed it shortly before midnight, buying Congress 24 hours before the next deadline.
Final Details of Deal:
- Direct payment checks of up to $600 per adult and child.
- Aid for struggling small businesses, including more than $284 billion for forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loans and $15 billion "in dedicated funding for live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions"
- Stimulus Checks: $600 for each Adult and for each Dependent.
- $300 per week for enhanced unemployment insurance benefits.
- $325 billion for Small Business ($284 billion for PPP and $20 billion for Economic Injury Assistance Loans)
- $25 billion for rental assistance and an eviction moratorium extension.
- $82 billion for education providers like schools and colleges, including aid to help reopen classrooms safely.
- Child care assistance: $10 billion
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and child nutrition benefits: $13 billion
- Broadband access to help Americans connect remotely during the pandemic: $7 billion
- Vaccine distribution, testing and contract tracing efforts and health care workers: $20 billion.
- Rail and Transit: $1 Billion in Relief Funds to Amtrak.
- Airline Assistance: $15 Billion to cover airline salaries and benefits through March..
- US Post Office: $10 billion in assistance.
- A tax credit "to support employers offering paid sick leave.
A number of procedural steps still need to take place to clear the way for a vote in both chambers, with the potential to further slow the process.
Once the text is unveiled, the House Rules Committee will have to consider the package in a meeting that could take several hours. Then, they will have to schedule a House floor debate and set up votes in the chamber.
The Senate is more complicated because it requires consent of all 100 members to schedule a vote, and it's uncertain if that will happen if any member is unhappy with the bill or the process. If they can't get an agreement for a quick vote, McConnell will be forced to take procedural steps to set up a vote, a process that could take several days.
|
|
How the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines work? |
The Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines are a new type called an mRNA vaccine that uses a tiny fragment of genetic code from the pandemic virus to teach the body how to fight Covid-19 and build immunity.
The vaccine contains a small piece of the [Covid-19] virus's mRNA that instructs cells in the body to make the virus's distinctive 'spike' protein.
When a person receives this vaccine, their body produces copies of the spike protein, which does not cause disease, but triggers the immune system to learn to react defensively, producing an immune response against [Covid-19].
The vaccine is given as two injections, 21 days apart, with the second dose being a booster. Immunity begins to kick in after the first dose but reaches its full effect seven days after the second dose.
|
|
NC and the Covid19 Vaccine |
Secretary Cohen has revealed that 53 North Carolina hospitals--decided based on number of beds, number of health care workers in direct contact with COVID-19 patients, and county population--will receive the first shipment of 89,800 vaccines. That includes 11 hospitals identified as having enough ultra cold storage to keep the Pfizer vaccine for a number of weeks, should the authorization process be delayed.
It will first be given to health care workers in hospitals and long-term care facilities who treat or work with COVID patients and those who clean areas where COVID patients are present. The state estimates that population at up to 161,000 people.
As additional vaccines are approved, the state will get additional allocations and will expand distribution to others.
The second group targeted by the state will be residents of long-term care, people over the age of 65 who live in crowded situations such as jails and homeless shelters, and other adults who have two or more chronic conditions that put them at greater risk for a severe case of the coronavirus. That group is estimated to number up to 951,000.
Vaccinating the rest of those at high risk for exposure to COVID-19 will encompass another 1 to 1.5 million people – everyone over 65, those under 65 in crowded situations or who work in frontline jobs and don't have two or more chronic conditions.
The third phase makes vaccine available to anyone in an essential position, according to the state "workers in industries critical to societal functioning," and students in K-12 schools and colleges and universities.
The final phase would include the remainder of the North Carolina population.
|
|
NC Hospitals to Receive Covid19 Vaccine |
NC Hospitals to receive Vaccine
- Bladen Healthcare LLC (Bladen County Hospital)
- Caldwell Memorial Hospital
- CarolinaEast Medical Center
- Catawba Valley Medical Center
- Cumberland County Hospital System Inc (Cape Fear Valley Health System)
- Duke University Health System
- Henderson County Hospital Corporation (Margaret R. Pardee Memorial Hospital)
- Hoke Healthcare LLC (Hoke Hospital)
- The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority (CMC Enterprise)
- University of North Carolina Shared Services Agreement
- Wake Forest Baptist Health
|
|
Jan 2 Barbershop Rap Session |
Jan 2 Barbershop Rap Session, where will talk about getting ready for a Resilient 2021!
Meeting ID: 889 2960 1902
Passcode: 182113
|
|
|
JAN 2 - 12 pm USINPAC Leaderspeak Series |
JAN 2 12 pm USINPAC Leaderspeak Series where we predict the outcome of the Georgia Elections and the impact on the US Senate.
|
|
|
Jan 6 - 8am Cary Chamber Economic Forecast! |
Jan 6th Cary Chamber Economic Forecast! 8 am.
|
|
|
Join me Sunday 4 PM on Radio Mirchi for another update on local issues.
99.9FM HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
|
|
|
Join me Monday at 10 am on International Broadcast Media TV for a global for World Edition, an update on global politics.
|
|
|
- For latest Covid 19 information, please dial 2-1-1 or 888- 892-1162.
- Get Updates by texting COVIDNC at 898211.
- For unemployment insurance, please visit NC Dept of Employment Security at https://des.nc.gov/.
- 1,380,370 NC citizens have applied for UI Benefits, 935,514 have been paid benefits, and $9 billion of benefits have been issued.
-
Apply for Wake Forward program at https://covid19.wakegov.com/wakeforward/.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported 3,563 new COVID-19 cases, in line with the past two days of reporting but lower than previous weeks. However, the state only recorded 18,846 new tests, a sharp decrease from previous weeks when the state was reporting at least double that amount each day.
Consequentially, the percentage of positive tests reached 13.5% Sunday, nearly three times the state's benchmark of 5% or lower. Hoke County has one of the highest percentages of positive tests in the state at 17.9%.
Currently, 3,377 people are hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, the highest number reported thus far in the pandemic. In the last 24 hours, 361 confirmed COVID-19 patients have been admitted to hospitals. In total, 761 adult COVID-19 patients are in the ICU, the highest ever recorded. Statewide, 397 ICU beds are currently available and more than 2,000 are in use.
CASES:
8,551 New Cases
+ N.C. = 532,830 Cases (Deaths = 6,729)
+ 14.8%Positive Rate
+ Wake County = 41,523 Cases (Deaths = 337)
+ US = 19.7 million Cases/341K deaths
+ Worldwide = 82.8 million/1.81 million deaths
+ Completed Tests: 6,835,632
+ 3339 Hospitalized
|
|
|
|
Council Member Rao holds office hours on Friday from 12:00-1:00 PM by appointment only at 100 Town Hall Drive in Morrisville.
|
|
Council Member Steve Rao
Town of Morrisville
Dedicated to transforming Morrisville into an ideal place to work and raise a family!
|
|
See what's happening on our social sites: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
