1,297,627 military casualties from all wars fought from 1775 to present day. We will never forget them. 

This Memorial Day weekend, 19 parents will no longer hear the beautiful voices of their children.  I am tired of the moments of silence, the thoughts and prayers after every tragedy when we can do more to take action and positive steps to end this senseless gun violence.  45,000 gun deaths took place last year and about 35 per day or being killed by guns, a very high percentage compared to other Western Nations. 

In my next newsletter, I will be sharing data and statistics on gun violence along with some ideas on what tangible, next steps can be taken to curb gun violence in our nation.  I will be speaking at the Morrisville Vigil for Uvalde on June 1 at 7:30 pm at Morrisville Community Park.  

For now, let us face and drive out the darkness with the light and love of our hearts.  

May they rest in Peace. 

During this weekend and on Monday, we take time to honor the bravest and finest citizens of our nation, who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.   

From the revolutionary war to the present day, our fallen soldiers, are an everlasting reminder that freedom is not only worth fighting for but dying for. These heroes gave their own lives so that our nation could long endure.  

As we see Ukrainians fighting to save their Democracy, I was reminded of a trip to France a few years ago, when I visited the beaches of Normandy.  Emotion took over as I saw with my own very eyes, where many of our Greatest Generation heroes died, to preserve freedom for the entire world.  

I leave you with President Obama’s inspiring words at Arlington Cemetery on Memorial Day in 2016:  

“A nation reveals itself not only by the people it produces, but by those it remembers. We do so not just by hoisting a flag, but by lifting up our neighbors. Not just by pausing in silence, but by practicing in our own lives the ideals of opportunity and liberty and equality that they fought for. We can serve others, and contribute to the causes they believed in, and above all, keep their stories alive so that one day, when he grows up and thinks of his dad, an American like David Wheeler can tell them, as well, the stories of the lives that others gave for all of us." 

We will never forget them.

   

We will always remember them.   

We will always be grateful for their sacrifices so that the great American Project can endure forever and be passed on to future generations.  

May they forever rest in Peace. God Bless the United States.  

The Town of Cary is holding a Memorial Day Remembrance on Monday, May 30th, 2022. It will take place at 2:30 p.m. at Veterans Freedom Park, 1517 N. Harrison Avenue, Cary. The event features patriotic music from the Cary Town Band and guest speakers from local veterans organizations. In additional a special Field of Flags will be at Veterans Freedom park all week.

The Town of Garner’s annual Memorial Day Observance takes place Monday, May 30th, 2022, at 9:30 a.m., at the Garner Veterans Memorial at 921 Buffaloe Road, Garner. Guided tours of the Garner Veterans Memorial will be conducted before and after the event.

I wanted to highlight a few Veteran organizations you can support:

Fire Academy #1 Graduation: Fire Chief Scott Criddle and Training Captain Chris Salter shared the training regimen and accomplishments of the Town’s first Fire Academy and its five graduates. Congratulations to Marvin Adams, Jacob Gallagher, Mike Merola, Reese Register, and Ian Smailes, who were recognized by the Town and presented with their various certifications.

Master Sustainability Plan Update: Kimberly Conley, Sustainability Program Coordinator, provided Town Council with an update on the draft Master Sustainability Plan, specifically addressing their questions and feedback they had provided in February 22, and addressed follow up questions during the meeting. The draft plan will be formerly briefed at the June 14 Town Council meeting, with adoption anticipated on June 24. Town Council expressed its excitement about the plan and thanked MESC and all stakeholders in the project for their efforts to develop the plan.

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM: Michael James, Fiscal Recovery Officer, shared a draft business and financial plan for the $300,000 Community Project Award. The Town plans to utilize the funds over the next two years to support dedicated educational and support programming for small businesses impacted by the pandemic and develop a microgrant program for direct support. Business outreach to assist in the more comprehensive development of the overall program will help frame the overall goals and strategies to best assist businesses. Town Council will receive an update as staff undertakes this work.

Advisory Committee Work Plans: Town Council received the Advisory Committee 2022 work plans for preliminary review. The plans will be discussed more in-depth at the June 14 Town Council meeting.

FY 2023 Proposed Annual Operating Budget and Capital Investment Program: Town Council opened the public hearing for the proposed operating budget and CIP for FY 2023. There was one speaker. The public hearing was continued to Thursday, May 26. Town Council also received a summary of budget portal comments received by noon. Town Council discussed staggered fee scenario options for the stormwater fee, providing general consensus for the adjustment of the stormwater fee for FY 2023 from $50 (a $25 increase) to $40 (a $15 increase). The Stormwater CIP will be adjusted to reflect this proposal. Town Council also reviewed the various actions they will be asked to take to adopt the budget on June 14

Annexation Public Hearings/Ordinance Adoption: Town Council conducted and closed public hearings and subsequently adopted ordinances approving the voluntary annexations for the following annexation requests: 

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!

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.

June 1 – 6:30 p.m. Environment and Stormwater Committee 

June 6th - 5 pm  Wake County Commissioners Regular Meeting  

The Town of Morrisville administrative offices, Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center, Cedar Fork Community Center, and Morrisville Senior Center will be closed Monday, May 30, for Memorial Day.

Police, fire, and rescue services will remain available. For life-threatening or in-progress emergencies, call 911. 

The Town of Morrisville and the Morrisville Police Department advise pedestrians not to walk on either side of Morrisville Carpenter Road between Town Hall Drive and Misty Groves Circle. This section of the road is an active construction zone area and does not have a sidewalk and is not safe for pedestrians. Please observe the posted sidewalk closed signs.

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

The Town of Morrisville has contracted with Pavement Technology Inc. to provide asphalt restoration services to streets in Town. Restoration will begin on June 1 and is anticipated to last two and a half weeks. Door hangers regarding specific dates of services will be placed at homes and are subject to change based on weather conditions.

A project overview and streets receiving the services is available here.  

The Morrisville Senior Center will host a Senior Resources Fair from 1 – 3 p.m., on Friday, June 3, at 4117 Davis Drive. Multiple vendors will be present to address many seniors’ needs, including senior volunteer services, senior living and housing, Medicare, hearing loss, and more. Stop in to learn all about local seniors’ resources and have a doughnut for National Doughnut Day.

 

For more information, visit the Senior Center website or call 919-463-7140. 

Music in the Park is coming back to Morrisville! Join us for this free and fun outdoor concert series featuring live music and food trucks. All shows are from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the Healthy Food Hub, 280 Town Hall Drive.

Check out more about Music in the Park here.

Music in the Park is back for 2022! Join us once a month (June through September) for live music and refreshments at the Healthy Food Hub, 280 Town Hall Drive. The series will feature bands from various musical genres, and each band will be paired with a specific food truck to match the evening's music with the appropriate flavors.

The inaugural event will feature Ed Stephenson and the Paco Band – a high-energy, Nuevo Flamenco ensemble, performing original music. The band will play from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Bring a chair or blanket to relax on the lawn.

Music in the Park is free and open to the public.

The Morrisville Aquatics and Fitness Center is hiring lifeguards for $13/hour, and has openings for front desk staff. Applicants must be 16+, and scheduling hours include morning, mid-day, after school, evenings, and weekends. Not certified? The MAFC will train you free of charge. Learn more and apply here.

North Carolina Department of Revenue (NCDOR) has launched Phase 2 of the Business Recovery Grant Program. The grant will issue a payment to eligible NC businesses that experienced a significant economic loss due to COVID-19.

Applications close on June 1. Learn more and apply here.

The Spring White Goods Collection is Thursday, June 9. Items to be collected include washing machines, dryers, freezers, refrigerators, dishwashers, water heaters, stoves/ovens, and dehumidifiers. Microwaves should be dropped off at the South Wake Landfill, 6130 Old Smithfield Road, Apex.

Registration is required and must be received by Monday, June 6. For more information and to register, visit https://bit.ly/MSVWhiteGoods.

The Town's Spring Bulk Item Pickup will be June 13-17. During this specially designated week, residents receiving residential curbside solid waste services from GFL may leave a total of five acceptable bulk items curbside on their regular trash/recycling curbside pickup day. All items must be ready for pickup no later than 7 a.m.

 

Please visit the Public Works website for a list of acceptable and unacceptable bulk items.  

The Town of Morrisville will celebrate Juneteenth on Saturday, June 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Cedar Fork Community Center, 1050 B Town Hall Drive. Join us as we celebrate the emancipation and achievements of Morrisville’s African-American community. Three distinguished speakers will give presentations, including a historical reenactment. There will also be an exhibition of the history of stepping (accompanied by a step performance), musical performances, food, vendors, and other fun activities.

 

The Town is still looking for vendors to sell their products at the event. Spaces are free and are 10’x10’. Learn more and apply here. 

Work continues on the Morrisville Community Park Phase III construction project. The contractor has finished installing the water, sewer, and utility lines for the restroom shelter at the tennis courts. Additionally, the contractor has finished laying the stormwater pipes across the greenway. Workers will be repaving the Hatcher Creek Greenway section and plan to have it reopened by May 31 or later next week. Additional temporary closures may be required in the future to allow for construction equipment access across the greenway.

The contractor anticipates beginning work on the foundation pad for the restroom shelter building over the coming weeks, as well as preparing for installing the retaining wall onsite at the tennis courts.

Click here to read more on MCP Phase III.

The Town of Morrisville has a new Lending Library! The Crossroads FLEX Student Council worked to build and install a new lending library next to the playground at Indian Creek Trailhead at 101 Town Hall Drive. Books are available for the whole family. 

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 program that places a temporary disc golf basket at a different park on a rotating basis to give people the opportunity to practice throwing discs so they can work on their mid-range game or putting. The schedule has been adjusted, and the basket will be at Church Street Park from May 31 to June 30. Plans are being finalized for a temporary course to return to Cedar Fork District Park in July. 

 

The Town is continuing to explore effective uses of temporary baskets in open to encourage outdoor recreation.  

Read more about Puttin’ Around Town here.

Did you know that more children ages 5 to 14 are seen in emergency rooms for injuries related to biking than any other sport? The Morrisville Fire and Rescue Department will be hosting its Bike Rodeo to teach children toddler-age and up about bike safety to try to reduce these injuries. The Bike Rodeo will take place June 11, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Morrisville Fire and Rescue Station No. 1 at 200 Town Hall Drive. Residents are encouraged to bring in bicycles for a free inspection and then test their safety knowledge and riding ability on the skills course.

 

For more information, contact Assistant Fire Chief Nathan Lozinsky at 919-463-6922 or nlozinsky@townofmorrisville.org 

The Morrisville Pop-up Dog Park is back! Bring your dogs out to enjoy the sunshine at Morrisville Community Park. The dog park will be open May 8 - September 18 on select days. Click here for more information and to register.

 

Baseball camps will be offered in partnership with Diamond and Aces. Run by professional coaches, this camp provides young players a unique opportunity to take their game to the next level. Players of all ability levels will be challenged with specific skill instruction and drill work. Drill progressions will be focused on developing good habits while improving overall game skills. Each camp will cover the skills of pitching, hitting, catching, fielding, baserunning, position work, and mental preparation. The camp will be held at Morrisville Community Park, 1520 Morrisville Parkway.

 

Developmental sports camps will also be offered in partnership with Skyhawks, the country's leader in providing a safe, fun, and skill-based sports experience for kids between the ages of 4 and 14.

 

Registration for fall leagues will also start on June 6. Fall leagues will include tee-ball, coach pitch, minor and major baseball, and junior volleyball.

 

Visit the Parks and Recreation website for additional information and updates. 

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 Aquatics and Fitness Center is hiring for part-time lifeguards. Applicants must be 16+, and scheduling hours include morning, mid-day, after school, evenings and weekends. Not certified? The MAFC will train you free of charge. Learn more and apply here.

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.

The recommended FY2023 Wake Transit Work Plan is now available for review. Wake Transit partners strategically develop an annual Work Plan that identifies projects that will be funded in the upcoming fiscal year. The goals: improved access, rider experience, connectivity, and travel options throughout the region. Learn more and leave your feedback by May 29 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. (summer hours) every Saturday.

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

Black Issues Forum | PBS North Carolina (formerly UNC-TV) (pbsnc.org)

Thanks to everyone for celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with us.  I am very proud to be the only City Council in the Region with two Asian Americans and I thank Satish Garimella for his exemplary service.  Immigrants get the Job Done! 

Also, a very special thanks to Renee Chou from WRAL who worked with me organize a great interview with Hindu Society of NC.  

Video of Event: https://youtu.be/lPSP5BXzJOU

Thanks for joining us at the George Floyd Weekend of Enlightenment!

at Art with Rayan on Instagram

Enjoyed a great time at Morrisville Rotary Bourbon and Wine Tasting!

Attended the Opening of the Scheider Electric Raleigh Hub in the Old Sams’ Club, 400 jobs, and strong focus on sustainable innovation.

Steve Rao meets another West Virginian Scott Rao, who it turns out knows one of my closest childhood Friends, Cameron Duffy! (He is looking at opening Petland in Morrisville!  

Spent some time catching up with Congresswoman Ross in her NC District Office. 

Thanks to Ryan Combs for a wonderful State of Research Triangle Event at Angus Barn! 

Russia’s ambitions are narrowing to three cities in the Donbas region. Mounting troop losses mean it could be the last major offensive.

Biden lays out aggressive shift in China Policy to use more force than in Ukraine if China invades Taiwan. 

The economic toll on Russia is widespread. Officials fear a return to Soviet-era scarcity.

Western officials are debating how the war may end. Some think Ukraine should give up land; others push for total victory.

Kevin McCarthy and three other House Republicans signaled they would not cooperate with the Jan. 6 committee’s subpoenas.

Senate Republicans blocked a domestic terrorism bill the House passed after the Buffalo shooting.

Across the country, Republican lawmakers are trying to punish corporations for taking climate action.

The U.S. will distribute Paxlovid, Pfizer’s Covid pill, at clinics and testing sites.

Golden State beat Dallas, 120-110, to advance to the N.B.A. finals for the first time since 2019.

Ray Liotta, star of “Goodfellas” and “Field of Dreams,” died in his sleep. He was 67.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper called on state legislators and members of Congress to craft laws to reduce gun violence.  Speaker Tim Moore opposes the Governors Efforts.  

The plea came on the heels of a Texas school shooting that left 19 students and two adults dead. 

Cooper has long pushed for stricter gun control. In 2019, he signed a directive to improve gun purchase background checks, better identify potential threats and respond to mass shootings more effectively.

On Wednesday, Cooper called for stronger laws, including legislation on universal background checks before the U.S. Senate.

He also called on state legislators to close what he described as permit loopholes for certain weapons, and to approve legislation that would let judges take away guns from violent criminals and people who are severely mentally ill. 

North Carolina Republicans proposed new legislation Tuesday that would prohibit teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, and would require parental notice when students in any grade question their sexual identity in school.

House Bill 755, known as the "Parents' Bill of Rights," would require schools to notify parents of lessons, changes at school and school resources. The bill would also allow parents to request lessons, textbooks and other learning materials and require schools to tell parents about things like tutoring services and ways parents can be more involved with the school.

HB755 would create new rules, with some directly addressing sexual orientation and gender identity. Instruction on those ideas would not be allowed for kindergarten through third grade, and schools would notify parents if their child requests a change to their name or pronoun. It would also require schools to receive parental approval before students are given counseling or other non-emergency health care.

The Governor compares the bill to the Don’t Say Gay Bill but Senate Pro Tempore Phil Berger denies this claim.

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

Thanks for joining us for our Nyra Interview with Manisha Dass on the NCAAT AAPI Heritage Event on May 21st!

Join me on June 28th at the Frontier 800 North Carolina Now Results 9 am to 10:30 am with Brian Hamilton and WRAL anchor and Interim PBS Carolina CEO, David Crabtree.

June 6th Majestic Support the Troops Golf Tournament at Northridge County Club!

June 9th Morrisville Chamber Coffee and Connections at Hindu Society of NC (309 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC) 7:30 am!

Join us this Sunday at 4 pm for our Radio Nyra program with Democratic Sheriff Candidate Roy Taylor followed by a Sustainability interview with Shanthanu Agarwal, CEO Susteon.

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.