The NCDHHS COVID-19 Dashboard Summary Page will update weekly on Wednesdays and will include Wastewater Surveillance, COVID-Like Illness in Emergency Departments, Hospital Admissions, COVID-19 Cases, Booster Rates, Prevalence of Variants, and CDC COVID-19 Community Levels data.  No more Covid Updates and numbers in this newsletter.

For Covid Testing Sites and Vaccine information, please visit https://www.wakegov.com/covid-19-information and https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/.

Komal, Sonia, Rayan and I wish all Christians a very Happy and Joyful Easter!  We hope that you spend this very special time with families, friends, and pray for any family, who has lost a loved one in the past year.  

We wish all of our Jewish friends a Happy Passover.

Passover, also called Pesach is a major Jewish holiday that celebrates the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, which occurs on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan, the first month of Aviv, or spring.

America is a country built on service. From our earliest days, Americans have stepped forward to help neighbors and tackle our toughest challenges. During National Volunteer Week, April 17-23, AmeriCorps shines a light on the enduring contributions of volunteers and encourages all Americans to discover their own power to make a difference.

Join with us and celebrate National Volunteer Week. Follow the digital conversation about National Volunteer Week and the days leading up to it on Ameriorps' Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Learn more at americorps.gov/volunteer.

What better way to celebrate the Americorps Service Week than participating in our Morrisville Chamber Day of Service.

Join is at Ruckus Pizza at 11:30 for networking and fun after we Volunteer!!

Beginning the week of April 11, the program pool (Smaller Pool) will be unavailable for public use on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Open rec swim and water aerobics participants will be accommodated in lanes 5 and 6 of the lap pool. Additionally, the Friday morning water aerobics class has been cancelled.

The nation’s three top bond rating agencies—Standard and Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch—have reaffirmed the Town of Morrisville’s AAA rating following meetings with each agency in March. The ratings are associated with the issuance of $16.5 million in general obligation (GO) public improvement bonds and $1.1 million in GO public safety bonds planned for an April 26 sale related to the following essential community projects:

The Triple-A ratings will save Morrisville and its residents thousands of dollars over the next 20 years due to more favorable interest rates on the bonds. These ratings position the Town to more effectively leverage public investments meant to improve the valued quality of life aspects desired by the community.

According to Moody’s, the AAA rating reflects the Town's growing and strong tax base, advantageous location adjacent to Research Triangle Park, manageable debt and pension burdens and ample reserve levels.  

Fitch cited the Town's strong revenue growth prospects from a growing property tax base, superior inherent budget flexibility, ample expenditure flexibility and a low long-term liability burden. 

Standard and Poor’s considers Morrisville’s robust economy, rapidly growing tax base supported by strong income indicators, and very strong fund balance position justification to hold the current AAA rating. Standard and Poor’s expect Morrisville’s current economic, financial and management trends to reinforce its credit quality on a forward-looking basis. 

I have spoken and met with Chris Heagarty, vice chairman of the wake county school board, about the enrollment cap placed on Parkside Elementary. Town Council Members and staff have also met with Chris and Chair Lindsay Mahaffey.  While no one currently assigned to Parkside Elementary will have to leave, some future residents may have to attend school elsewhere if enrollment exceeds the cap.  Vice chairman Heagarty has said that the board of education will work with the town to explore options for reducing crowding in the school, such as adding mobile classrooms, reassignment of students, and identifying potential sites for additional elementary schools. He stressed that our county is behind on meeting school construction and renovation needs and encouraged the support of school bond campaigns to help catch up.

At the end of the day, we will continue to address the concern and work with our School Board to develop options to address overcrowded schools in Morrisville.

In North Carolina, the statewide primary is Tuesday, May 17, 2022. During this election, voters can choose which candidates they prefer to be on the general election ballot in November. The purpose of a primary is to narrow the field of candidates for the general election.

Races on the ballot include:

Additionally, many voters will find municipal contests on their ballot due to rescheduled municipal elections. This applies to voters in municipalities that delayed their 2021 elections to finalize new electoral districts. This also applies to voters who live in cities and towns that conduct their elections during even-numbered years.

Registered voters across the state can vote in the primary. However, voters affiliated with any political party will be given a ballot of candidates for their party. Unaffiliated voters may choose the ballot of candidates for any party primary.

Note: In 2022, the Libertarian Party does not have any primary elections because there are no contested Libertarian nominations for any office. Any Libertarian candidate who properly filed for office will therefore appear as the party’s nominee on the general election ballot in November.

Therefore, unaffiliated voters in the May 17 primary may choose the Democratic or Republican ballot, or, if available, a nonpartisan ballot. Registered Libertarians may only vote a nonpartisan ballot, if available in their jurisdiction since there are no primary contests for that party.

Each candidate that wins in each contest on their party’s ballot will become a nominee. The nominee will appear on the ballot in the general election contest. To become the party’s nominee, the candidate must win by at least 30% of the vote plus one.

If no candidate reaches the total necessary to become the nominee in a contest on the ballot, a second primary may be held on July 26. Voters can revisit this page after the primary to confirm a second primary.

Early Voting starts on April 28th. You can register and vote at the same time.

Find your Early Voting Site at https://www.wakegov.com/departments-government/board-elections/election-information/early-voting.

Deadline to Request an Absentee Ballot is Tuesday, May 10: https://www.wakegov.com/departments-government/board-elections/election-information/absentee-mail-voting

Register at: https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/offices-services/online/Pages/voter-registration-application.aspx?ref=voteusa_en

Learn more about Voter Registration at: https://vote.gov/register/nc/.

Voter registration deadlines in North Carolina

Thanks for listening to our Radio Nyra Interview with Secretary of State Elaine Marshall! We look forward to our interview with her on POD TV on ROKU tomorrow at 10 am, live on Facebook.

Get with the Program with Gary Jones!

Mar. 25th Black Issues Forum Discussion!

Our global competitors, like China, have been closing the gap with the United States for decades — building their economies, attempting to take over the manufacturing industry, funding innovation, and producing the products that keep technology running around the world. Without action from Congress, those competitors could win the race for global talent, too, taking innovation and economic strength away from our shores.

 

To get ahead in this global competition, the U.S. House recently passed the COMPETES Act, which — among other pro-America policies — reforms the broken immigration system to allow educated and skilled STEM workers who were born in another country to stay and work for American businesses.

 

I’m proud to be the son of immigrants who came to our country to find the American Dream and I’m working now to ensure that dream is accessible to others in my community.

 

As a council member for Morrisville, one of the fastest growing Towns in the Research Triangle Park, I know how crucial it is for the United States to remain the best destination in the world for top talent, minds, and ideas. 

To retain our top spot as a leader in Global Innovation, we can’t sit by as our competitive advantage in the global market disappears. Congress should be laser-focused on making America the best place in the world to get an education, start a company, produce goods, and fund cutting-edge developments.

 

Right now, we continue to slip behind because our immigration system does not promote highly-skilled workers in science, technology, manufacturing, and engineering (STEM) by giving them a pathway to stay and contribute to the United States after they receive an education. 

 

Losing those students and professionals to other countries could prove detrimental to our state’s economy.  In fact, our tech industry adds nearly $49 billion to the economy every year, making the Tarheel state’s technology sector the 13th-largest in the country. That sector also employs more than 360,000 people and continues to grow. However, that trend could soon reverse under our current immigration policies at a time when our country is in need of more workers, not less. 

 

We’re already facing a national and statewide shortage of skilled professionals. Before the pandemic, there were nearly 170,000 open jobs in the tech and innovation sectors. Nationwide today, there are more than three million open jobs in various STEM, health care, and professional services roles. Creating direct options for international students to work in the U.S. — like the reforms in the COMPETES Act — could cut the STEM-related workforce gap by a quarter and add more than $230 billion to America’s economy over the next decade.

 

Until Congress acts, the self-inflicted brain drain of talented professionals who go to school in America and then are forced to leave and take their ideas with them will continue to benefit our competitors — like China. We need our leaders in D.C. to come together and find a bipartisan solution to address our talent, manufacturing, and workforce shortage before it’s too late. 

 

North Carolina’s Senator Thom Tillis has sponsored legislation in the past to support American research and he voted in favor of a more narrow version of the COMPETES Act in the Senate, the United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 (USICA). This week, taking part in a rare bipartisan vote, Senator Tillis and his colleagues voted to send USICA to a conference committee with the House. I encourage Senator Tillis to prioritize keeping our country ahead of China and leading the global innovation race by working to include important immigration provisions in the final version of the legislation.

 

We have to revitalize the American Dream for the next generation of hardworking North Carolinians. Our state’s vibrant tech industry is an economic powerhouse — but it can only stay strong, and keep creating jobs for everyone, if we allow businesses to hire the talent they need to grow. North Carolina has always represented what’s possible when education, innovation, and resources come together. The foreign-born STEM provisions in the COMPETES Act are one step toward a country where those things are possible within the Research Triangle and beyond for years to come.

Steverao app can be downloaded at Apple App store by searching for "Steverao" app in Apple store and Google Play store.

Other Way to download the app is by below scan for Apple store scan code and Google Play store link.

Below are two links to download app from Apple App store and Google Playstore.

April 18- 2:00 pm Wake County Commissioners Meeting

Wake County Justice Center

or stream live at www.wakegov.com. 

 

April 19 – 6:00 p.m. Town Council Work Session

Stream live at www.townofmorrisville.org. 

The nation’s three top bond rating agencies—Standard and Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch—have reaffirmed the Town of Morrisville’s AAA rating following meetings with each agency in March. The Triple-A ratings will save Morrisville and its residents thousands of dollars over the next 20 years due to more favorable interest rates on the bonds. These ratings position the Town to more effectively leverage public investments meant to improve the valued quality of life aspects desired by the community. Read the full article here.

The omnibus appropriations bill passed by Congress and signed into law by the President on March 15th includes $300,000 in new federal funds to support establishment of the Town’s Small Business Development Program. The funds were secured through Congresswoman Deborah Ross after the Town submitted this project to Rep. Ross for consideration in March 2021. The funds can be used for a variety of small business support initiatives, including financial assistance, marketing, mentoring, education, and technical assistance. Staff is currently working with Rep. Ross’s office to understand the logistics and timeline for receiving the funds

For Morrisville Carpenter Road Project updates Visit https://bit.ly/mcrcp1

The contractor is working on grading the tennis courts and pickleball courts area during the week of April 4 continuing into early May. They will also be erecting a chain link fence and a silt fence around the perimeter to better secure the tennis court and pickleball court location.

The contractor will be preparing to start clearing and grubbing the walking trails behind the ballfield and in the woods starting the week of April 4. Park visitors may see construction crew members and hear construction noises during the day. Read more about the MCP Phase III project here.

#LiveConnectedLiveWell

Morrisville Movies in the Park is back! On Friday, April 22, at 8 p.m., join us for Dr. Seuss' The Lorax. Bring a blanket and/or chairs, and enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages from Trader Joe's. Gates open at 7 p.m.

Movies will be held on the multi-purpose field at Morrisville Community Park, 1520 Morrisville Parkway. More information is available here. 

Registration is now open for the Morrisville Police Department’s Teen Citizen Police Academy.

The academy is a five-week program, held June 15-July 23, and is designed to give participants a working knowledge of the department. It is intended to increase transparency and enhance understanding between the community and the police. Learn more and register here.

Puttin’ Around Town is a placement of one temporary disc golf basket on a rotating basis. Spring 2022 locations are: Morrisville Community Park, April 11-May 2; Shiloh Park, May 2-16; and Church Street Park, May 16-31. Read more about Puttin’ Around Town here. 

Morrisville’s Camp Cedar Fork begins on June 13. We are now hiring for the following positions:

There will be a summer job fair at Cedar Fork Community Center on Wednesday, April 13, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., and Saturday, April 16, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. for the positions below. 

Applicants are encouraged to bring a resume and complete an online application (included in job description links) prior to attending. 

Easter Weekend Hours

Beginning the week of April 11, the MAFC program pool will be unavailable for public use on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Open rec swim and water aerobics participants will be accommodated in lanes 5 and 6 of the lap pool. Additionally, the Friday morning water aerobics class has been cancelled. 

The Morrisville Senior Center and Senior Advisory Committee is hosting a Spring Open House on Saturday, April 9, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. The day will include live music, prize giveaways, refreshments, program information, and hourly raffle drawings. Learn more about the Senior Center here.

The Morrisville Senior Center, in partnership with Wake Tech Workforce Continuing Education, announces courses for seniors who have retired but would like to pursue a second career and/or earn additional income.

April 20 - May 25 (no class on May 18)

Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

In this course, learn job search techniques and ways to tap into the “hidden” job market. Find out how to tailor your resume to target specific positions and learn how to succeed in an interview.

April 22 - May 6

Every Friday from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

In this course, increase efficiency and results when using the internet to search for job postings online. Develop basic word processing skills that you can use to create or update a cover letter and resume. Sharpen your email skills and learn email etiquette that will help make a good impression with potential employers.

For more information and to register, call Chawanna at the Morrisville Senior Center at 919-463-7141.

April 30: Earth Day Celebration and Green Day

May 7: Morrisville Fire Department Open House

May 7: Triangle Gujarati Association Kite Festival

May 14: SpringFest

The Morrisville Senior Center, Morrisville Aquatics and Fitness Center, and Cedar Fork Community Center will close at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, to recognize the department's part-time staff. 

The Town of Morrisville has launched the Sustainability Dashboard on Morrisville's Open Data Portal. The dashboard provides residents with tracking data showing the Town's progress in implementing sustainability practices. Data for the solar panel array on Morrisville Fire Station No. 1 and recycling participation rates for each of Morrisville's five GFL Environmental service routes are currently available. For details, click here.

What could rapid transit be between Garner-Clayton or Cary-RTP? How could if affect us in Morrisville? Provide input on alternatives for NC Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization's Wake BRT: Rapid Bus Extensions Study.

Learn about findings to date, take the survey, and visit virtual open house now through April 30 here. 

The Morrisville Smart Shuttle, the Town’s newest public transit service, allows riders to request a pick-up or drop-off from one of 15 nodes, or stops, located around the Town using the Smart Shuttle application on their smartphone.

Watch this short video on how to use the Morrisville Smart Shuttle App by clicking here!

The service runs seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Additional details on the Morrisville Smart Shuttle visit TownofMorrisville.org/SmartShuttle

The Western Wake Farmers' Market (WWFM) offers healthy and fresh food, goods, and live music from small and local businesses from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (winter hours) every Saturday.

Visit http://wwfm.ag/ to see a complete list of local vendors and shop local!

I was on Spring Break but encourage all of us to support their efforts!  

Second Place! Not bad for an old guy!

We are grateful for your service. 

On Thursday, in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month and to spread awareness, the Morrisville Police Department and Wake County Government's Human Services Child Welfare Family Services planted blue pinwheels, which are used to educate communities about the importance of supporting children and families.  

A new filing in the long-running Leandro school funding lawsuit would lop another   $25 million off of the cost of court-ordered education spending. 

Another report out this week from the N.C. Office of the State Auditor shows inadequate monitoring of funds and deficiencies from departments including the N.C. Department of Public Safety and N.C. Pandemic Recovery Office. The newly released Statewide Single Audit examined funds that come primarily through federal grants. 

N.C. State Auditor Beth Wood’s office recently issued an audit that shows millions of dollars of Hurricane Florence disaster recovery funds were distributed with limited monitoring and/or without ensuring all recipients had a method to measure the results. In October 2018, the N.C. General Assembly enacted the Hurricane Florence…

One of the state Senate’s election law leaders is highlighting a new poll that shows public support for an Election Day deadline for mail-in ballots. A news release Thursday from Sen. Paul Newton, R-Cabarrus, noted that the media outlet that commissioned the poll had yet to report on its findings.

A Russian warship sank in the Black Sea. Ukraine said it had struck it with missiles; Russia blamed it on an onboard fire. Here’s what we know.

Russia seems to be close to capturing the port city of Mariupol, which would be a significant victory.

Ukrainian refugees face a hurdle when they reach the U.S.: Their dogs are not allowed.

Ballet has long been a symbol of Russian culture. Now it’s becoming a symbol of Russian isolation.

Florida’s governor signed a bill banning most abortions after 15 weeks.

The Jan. 6 committee spent about eight hours questioning Stephen Miller, a former White House adviser.

A jury convicted an Ohio man who blamed Donald Trump for storming the Capitol.

A Republican state senator in Nebraska accused Charles Herbster, a Trump-endorsed candidate for governor, of groping her in 2019. Herbster denied the allegations.

Pfizer said its booster strengthened the immune response in children 5 to 11, and the F.D.A. authorized a Covid breath test.

A judge ordered the suspect in the Brooklyn subway shooting to be detained until his trial.

Elon Musk made a bid to buy Twitter for about $43 billion. The company’s board is considering a plan to thwart him. (For more: Why Musk is a digital Citizen Kane.)

Clashes between Israeli riot police and Palestinians erupted at one of the holiest sites in Jerusalem, as Ramadan, Passover and Easter converge.

Watch Sunday at 4pm for a new Forum.

Please watch for the Black Issues Forum on UNC-TV!  Fridays at 7 pm and Sundays at 4 pm!

Website: https://video.pbsnc.org/search/?q=black+issues+forum

Join us on Sunday at 4 pm for our Radio Nyra Interview with DOC NC Team on the upcoming Apex and Morrisville Earth Day Events. !

Apr. 20th Morrisville Chamber Day of Service 9am- 12 pm

Earth Day – 8am-12n, Healthy Food Hub (WWFM)

Green Day –10am-1pm, Morrisville Carpenter Pkwy (behind FS1, Connector, Public Safety!

May 5 Morrisville Chamber Annual Meeting at Prestonwood Country Club from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm.

Award Applications are open!

May 12th NC Tech Association Outlook for Tech!    9 am- 3 pm.

https://business.morrisvillechamber.org/events/details/chamber-day-of-service-april-2022-2464

Save the Date: May 16th Spring Fest from 4 pm to 7 pm at Town Hall Drive!

Join us on Sunday at 4 pm for our Radio Nyra Interview with DOC NC Team on the upcoming Apex and Morrisville Earth Day Events. !

99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!  Listen at www.radionyrausa.com!

Join us every Friday on World Edition at 10 am for the Great America Project Panel where we discuss how we rebuild Americas' image with leaders from around the country and world.

Public Open Dialogue TV is a worldwide multilingual, multi-demographic network focused on inspiring, educating and entertaining the global community. We provide unique programming in areas not covered by traditional media, and provide a platform for the audience to engage with those shows. Formerly IBMTV.