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VETERANS DAY AND DIWALI EDITION

From the Council Office of Steve Rao

November 10, 2023

Estimated Read Time: 10 minutes.

FIND TRIANGLE VETERAN DAY EVENTS at https://triangleonthecheap.com/veterans-day-triangle/


DIWALI ALERT: RADIO NYRA HOSTS NOV 12 DIWALI MELA FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS BRIARCREEK CLOCKTOWER.  6 to 8 pm.  Thank you, Radio Nyra! 


Note: Town Offices Closed Friday, Nov. 10


The Town of Morrisville administrative offices, Cedar Fork Community Center, and Morrisville Senior Center will be closed Friday, Nov. 10, in observance of Veterans Day.


The Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center will be open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and operate regular hours throughout the weekend.


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


First, as we celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights and Veterans Day, we are reminded that the most important light that matters is the light of love which burns brightly within our hearts.  Our veterans are an example of how this limitless love for their nation has truly made us the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.  


We are the Land of the Free Because of the Brave. We are grateful for your service to our nation.  


Next week, we will celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week and how the new Lufthansa flight will help us expedite much faster service to India, whish was a project I have been working on for over a year. I shared this news in my last newsletter but we will do this again next week! 


SAVE THE DATE: 


NOV 11 TOWN OF CARY VETERAN EVENT 11 am CARY VETERAN MEMORIAL.  

NOV 11 TOWN OF MORRISVILLE VETERAN DAY CELEBRATION 9 am followed by VETERAN MEMORIAL 5K at Indian Creek Trail. 

NOV 13th STATE OF WAKE COUNTY 6 pm at PNC Arena.  Live Stream at www.wakegov.com 

NOV 13- NOV 15th NC IDEA ENTREPRENEURS SUMMIT! https://ncidea.org/summit/

Governor Cooper's Hindu Heritage Month Proclamation will be presented in Winston Salem at 1 pm at November 13 around 1:00 PM

at the Mata Hindu Temple (8535 Lasater Road, Clemmons, NC 27012).

DIWALI ALERT: RADIO NYRA HOSTS NOV 12 DIWALI MELA FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS BRIARCREEK CLOCKTOWER


(8531 Briarcreek Parkway from  6 to 8 pm.  

Join me at 3:40 pm on WPTF Radio for my interview with Radi Nyra Owner Ravi Cherukuri. 


In Memoriam: Dr. Narendra Singh  


We pray for the family of our dear friend Narendra Singh, who was an engaged member of our Morrisville family.  He will be missed greatly. May he rest in Peace.


https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/raleigh-nc/narendra-singh-11528688


SHINE A LIGHT ON OUR VETERANS!  OPERATION GREEN LIGHT  NOV 7- NOV 13


My Message on Operation Green Light:

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/660445439532188


Counties across the country are joining Operation Green Light for Veterans to shine a light on the issues veterans face and highlight the resources available to veterans at the county, state and federal levels.


Shine your lights green to show our veterans how much we appreciate them!   

(More on Operation Greenlight in my next newsletter) 

https://www.naco.org/program/operation-green-light-veterans

HISTORY OF VETERANS DAY 


Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States that is observed annually on November 11. The day honors military veterans, who are individuals who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Veterans Day is a time to express gratitude and appreciation for the contributions and sacrifices made by veterans in defending and preserving the nation's freedom.


The significance of November 11th dates back to the end of World War I. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany, effectively ending the Great War. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11th as Armistice Day, and it became a day to honor veterans of World War I.


In 1954, after World War II and the Korean War, Congress officially changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor all U.S. military veterans. Veterans Day is a time for reflection, remembrance, and appreciation for the service and sacrifices of veterans from all branches of the military. Many communities across the country hold parades, ceremonies, and other events to honor and thank veterans for their service.

MY THOUGHTS ON VETERANS! WE ARE A NATION OF HEROES! 


MY MESSAGE TO VETERANS: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/873849530812606


Forget the Avengers, or any Marvel Comics our movies for now.  


From the Revolutionary War to the present day, our nation has been graced to have superheroes, live among us, our dedicated Veterans. These brave and courageous soldiers represent the finest American Citizens and we want them to know how grateful we are for their selfless service to our country.  


In an increasingly dark and polarizing world, these Veterans light up our world every day, reminding us of the extraordinary potential within each of us to do great things. Our freedom, our way of life here and around the world, would not exist without their continued sacrifice.  


I ask that we not only thank a Veteran on Veterans Day but we come together, as local communities, to thank Veterans as often as we can.  


Finally, Veteran Day often falls after divisive elections.  If there is anything we can learn from our Veterans, it is that we can find unity in our diversity and come together as Americans to put our nation first.   


The Armed Forces is one of the most diverse organizations in the world, as men and women from every race, ethnicity, gender, religion unite to fight for our freedome at home and around the world.  


Thanks for making us a Super Hero Nation!  


God Bless the United States! 

TOWN OF MORRISVILLE VETERANS MEMORIAL


VETERAN MEMORIAL MESSAGE: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/210912302035171


The Morrisville Veterans Memorial Foundation, Inc. was chartered as a non-profit corporation by the State of North Carolina on March 2, 2016. Its mission is to raise funds for the construction of a memorial that will recognize and commemorate veterans of the United States armed forces for their service to the nation and its citizens.


The purpose of the memorial is to serve as a site for reverent reflection on the service and sacrifices made by veterans.


The Town provided land next to the Indian Creek Greenway on which the memorial will be built. This centrally-located site has high visibility, easy accessibility, clean restrooms, and free parking. 


I am working with the Council to invest more Town of Morrisville funding for the design of the Park. We need as much support as we can to make this Memorial a reality so we can honor our Veterans and also celebrate other events.  


For more information, please visit www.morrisvillevteranmemorial.com


NC Vet Biz


NC VetBiz assists veterans, veteran professionals, and veteran business owners. As a member–operated association of veteran professionals and business owners, our intent is to develop and strengthen a veterans’ business network in North Carolina.

The Association is the voice in North Carolina for businesses owned by veterans and service–disabled veterans. By leveraging our collective, we are able to address business issues affecting our membership and work to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes for the business community and North Carolina. Strengthening veteran owned businesses enables them to contribute to North Carolina’s economic vibrancy and empowers them to hire other veterans.

The North Carolina Veteran's Business Association, doing business as NC VetBiz, is a 501 (c)(3) association headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.

https://www.ncvetbiz.org/


North Carolina 4 Military Education (NC4ME)


Between 2015 and 2018, 78,000 service members will transition out of the military through NC’s DoD installations, adding strength to the 778,000 veterans already living in North Carolina. North Carolina’s businesses strive to support these veterans and service members by leveraging their skills to fill critical talent requirements but often lack the resources needed to identify and hire qualified military candidates.


North Carolina for Military Employment (NC4ME) is a comprehensive public-private partnership designed to make NC the number one state for military employment. Established by the Governor in 2015, NC4ME leverages existing workforce development resources and technology to implement an employer-centric strategy. NC$ME Educates NC’s business leaders on the value of hiring a military workforce, shows small businesses and human resource professionals how to hire military personnel, and Connects military talent to open jobs, education, and training opportunities in North Carolina.


Please join us as we help NC businesses to better utilize the knowledge, skills, and abilities of our veterans and service members. Together we will make North Carolina the #1 state for military employment.


Thanks to Kimberly Williams, Executive Director, Secretary Larry Hall, and all of the companies, whose hard work makes this organization thrive in North Carolina.  


Please visit www.nc4me.org


ENABLE AMERICA 


Enable America’s objective is to increase employment among people with disabilities in the United States. To accomplish this goal, we are taking a two-pronged approach that reaches out to all members of the disability community and the business community.

For more information or to donate, please visit https://www.enableamerica.org/.  


WAKE TECH MILITARY AND RESOURCE CENTER


The Wake Tech Military and Veterans Resource Center was created to engage student veterans and their dependents in a safe zone environment where they can interact in a unique academic and social environment, along with having the availability of veteran services for assistance and support to ensure their success at Wake Tech Community College and future endeavors. We are proud to serve our veterans and are thankful for their many sacrifices.


For more information, please visit https://www.waketech.edu/student-services/military-veteran-programs/resource-center.

CELEBRATING DIWALI!  


Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated by millions of people around the world. The festival usually lasts for five days, and its exact date varies each year, typically falling between October and November. Diwali marks the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, and it is a time for joy, family gatherings, and feasting.


The festival's name is derived from the Sanskrit word "Deepavali," which means a row of lights. One of the most notable aspects of Diwali is the decoration of homes and public spaces with oil lamps (diyas), candles, and colorful rangoli (decorative patterns created on the ground using colored powders, rice, or flower petals).


During Diwali, people worship various deities, including Lord Rama, Goddess Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth and prosperity), and Lord Ganesha (the remover of obstacles). It is believed that on the night of Diwali, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana, and people lit lamps to guide him on his way.


Fireworks are also a common feature of Diwali celebrations, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness. However, in recent years, there has been a growing awareness about the environmental impact of fireworks, leading to discussions about celebrating a more eco-friendly Diwali.


In addition to religious and cultural significance, Diwali is a time for exchanging gifts and sweets, cleaning and decorating homes, wearing new clothes, and participating in various cultural and social events. It is a time for reflection, gratitude, and the renewal of friendships and family bonds. Diwali is celebrated not only by Hindus but also by Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists, each community attributing its own significance to the festival.

HOW DID MY FRIENDS DO IN THE ELECTIONS?  GREAT! 


MORRISVILLE COUNCIL MEMBER SATISH GARIMELLA 


A major factor behind our Town's success has been the result of the hard work of Council Member Satish Garimella. He is an effective and results-driven elected official whose strategic mind, sharp listening skills, and strong working relationships with state, local and federal officials has helped our Council and Town achieve remarkable progress.


Over the past eight years, I have learned much from his leadership style and fully support his re- election and am proud to call him a friend, and ally on the Council I look forward to continuing to serve with him see our town continue to fly to great heights.


I look forward to working with him in his third term! 

COUNCIL MEMBER ANNE ROBOTTI 


Congratulations to Anne Robotti, who won a second term on the Council.  


Anne has always been fighting for an inclusive Morrisville, and led efforts for our Juneteenth event, and also leveraged her HR experience in taking the lead on the interview questions and process for our Town Manager Search. She is also my new Pickleball Partner!  Lets get the job done  

MORRISVILLE MAYOR PRO TEM LIZ JOHNSON


I have served with Mayor Pro Tem Liz Johnson for 13 years and have enjoyed every moment working with her to lead our wonderful town. She is the longest serving Council Member in Morrisville history (6 terms) and has served on the North Carolina League of Municipalities Board and now Board of Trustees.  Her nurturing and supportive nature has been a constant support to me, the Council, and staff as we face challenges and take on new opportunities.  


Thank you Liz for your support over the years and we look forward to another term together. 

CHARLOTTE COUNCIL MEMBER DIMPLE AJMERA 


I am proud to call this brave immigrant from India an inspiration, as she has been the top vote getter in Charlotte for the past three elections.  Dimple has served as an At Large Council Member since 2017 and is the first Asian American woman to serve on the Council.   


During her tenure on the City Council, Ajmera has been a fighter with a proven record. Ajmera’s platform includes, but is not limited to, Public Safety, Affordable Housing, a Healthy Environment, Women’s Equality, Economic Development and Infrastructure. She is widely known for chairing the Environment Committee and helping Charlotte become a global leader in sustainability with bipartisan support along with being a leader on so many issues. 


Congrats Dimple!  Keep up the great work! 

APEX COUNCIL MEMBERS TERRY MAHAFFEY AND ARNO ZUGERMAN 


A strong and growing Apex means an even stronger Wake County.  


It is important that we retain strong, visionary Council leaders on the Apex Town Council, whose leadership will bring continued progress and prosperity to this successful Town.  


I am proud to call two of these leaders on your Council both my friends and Wake County elected official colleagues, Terry Mahaffey and Arno Zugerman.   


A major factor behind Apex's recent success has been the result of the hard work of both Terry and Arno. These effective and results driven elected officials have helped your Town achieve remarkable progress.  They have been outstanding champions for quality education, responsible zoning, and have supported an inclusive community where everyone can prosper.  For example, Council Member Mahaffey has led efforts to bring Holi to Apex in 2024 with a Holi event at Apex Jaycee Park from 3 pm to 7 pm pn April6th. 


Looking forward to working with Apex to get things done!  

AND PROUD OF


SUBBA REDDY 


Although he came up short, I wanted to congratulate Subba for running a great campaign and for his service to the Town as our Smart Cities Advisory Committee Chair.  


Subba, you ran hard, and I am proud of you for having the courage to put your name on the ballot! 

MEDIA ALERT


WRAL news on Pfizer shutdown. https://wraltechwire.com/2023/10/27/pfizer-shutting-down-facilities-in-durham-morrisville/


WRAL TECH WIRE BLOG TOE TO TOE WITH JOHN CHAMBERS

https://wraltechwire.com/2023/10/27/john-chambers-ai-innovation-going-one-on-one-with-a-tech-legend/


Sept 29th PBS Black Issues Forum:

https://video.pbsnc.org/show/black-issues-forum/


WRAL Tech Wire Blog: Canada is Eating America's Lunch When it Comes to High Tech Immigration: 

https://wraltechwire.com/2023/09/14/canada-is-eating-americas-lunch-when-it-comes-to-high-tech-worker-immigration/


WRAL Tech Wire Blog: What is the ROI for Refuguees Coming to NC, that is a Billion Dollar Question. https://wraltechwire.com/2023/08/17/whats-the-roi-for-refugees-coming-to-nc-thats-a-billion-dollar-question/


Check out recent Triangle Business Journal Article, the Color of Wealth on Asian Community. https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2023/08/11/asian-culture-wealth-household-income-raleigh-cary.html


TUNE IN ON FRIDAYS at 3 pm to WPTF 98.5 FM and 680 AM with Jeff Hamlin.   

Highlights of the Week:

Durham Elects New Mayor. Congratulations to Leo!   


I want to congratulate my dear friend Leo Williamas for his win for Durham Mayor.  


He is a good friend, a gracious and humble person and he will be a consensus building Mayor.  


I thank Senator Woodard for his service to North Carolina and I know he will continue to do great things for our state. I look forward to taking my daughter Sonia to Leos' Restaurant when she returns from South Africa! 

Sarika Bansal projected to win Cary Council District D seat.   


On Tuesday, Sarika Bansal was declared the winner on WRAL of the District D run-off race but the election has not been called yet.  She is projected to win and will become the first Indian American woman to serve on the Cary Council.   


Congratulations to her family and team and also to Rachel Jordan for a hard-fought campaign.  


COUNCIL and PLANNING AND ZONING HOST JOINT MEETING 


Last night, we had a joint Planning and Zoning meeting with our Planning and Zoning Committee.  


It was a productive meeting and some takeaways were to get more local community attendance to the meetings, and to think creatively and out of the Box when it comes to new development and re development, partcularily as it relates to congested roads, crowded schools, and our tree canopy. 

Triangle + Connected Communities Conference a real hit! 


My WRAL Tech Wire Blog on Regional Smart City Collaboration: https://wraltechwire.com/2023/11/09/regional-smart-city-collaboration-could-deliver-big-benefits-for-triangle-heres-how/


Yesterday, I was honored to attend and moderate a panel on Regional Collaboration at the Triangle Plus Connected Communities Conference.  


It was great to have our Town Manager Brandon Zudeima on the panel, and in my next newsletter, I will be sharing takeaways from the Summit.  There will be follow-up Action Items and working together, we can make the Triangle Region the Smartest Region in our State.  


We can bring private industry, local government and policy leaders to make North Carolina the Smartest State in the nation.

GET THE MORRISVILLE APP AT THE APP STORE!


Get all the latest information about news and events around Town with the authoritative app, Morrisville Central. Learn about free community events, view an interactive map of Town facilities and parks to learn about court and field status, and get the latest information about the Town straight from the source. You can also report concerns as you see them using the app’s interactive tool.


Download the app from the Apple App Store or from Google Play.

BREAKING NEWS: 

Beth Wood will resign following new charge of use of State Owned Vehicles.


https://www.wral.com/story/nc-auditor-beth-wood-to-resign-following-new-charge-over-use-of-state-owned-vehicles/21141330/

Israeli Troops surround Gaza City. War Rages on and over 10,000 dead.


https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-11-6-2023-51286d15dddd77ae0dd7ea76ee52bc71

Republican Presidential hopefuls square off again without Trump


https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/210912302035171

Op Ed Alert:

This Week in Morrisville. Nov 06- Nov 10

Now Hiring: Join the MAFC Team


The Town of Morrisville is now hiring for both full and part-time positions including:


Check out additional employment opportunities in the Town here.

Meetings


Nov. 8 - 6 p.m. Public Education Advisory Committee

Nov. 9 – 6 p.m. Senior Advisory Committee

Nov. 9 – 6:30 p.m. Planning & Zoning Board


Election Day is November 7


Get out and vote, Morrisville! Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7, from 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Verify your voter registration and polling location by visiting the North Carolina Board of Elections here. Please note: Voters will be asked to show a photo ID. Learn more about Wake County elections here.


DYK? Since Morrisville has geographic/residential districts (versus electoral), all registered voters in Morrisville may cast their vote for each open Town Council seat, even if not represented by that district.


Town Offices Closed Friday, Nov. 10


The Town of Morrisville administrative offices, Cedar Fork Community Center, and Morrisville Senior Center will be closed Friday, Nov. 10, in observance of Veterans Day. The Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center will be open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and operate regular hours throughout the weekend.


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


Veterans Day Celebration and 5K to be held Nov. 11


The Morrisville Veterans Day Celebration will take place on Saturday, Nov. 11, 9 a.m., at Indian Creek Trailhead (101 Town Hall Drive.) Congresswoman Deborah Ross will be the keynote speaker.


Following the celebration, the second annual Morrisville Veterans Memorial Foundation 5K Walk will take place at 9:30 a.m. Registration is available online here and onsite beginning at 8:30 a.m. Participants will receive a T-shirt. 


Talk Morrisville Q&A with Town Manager Zuidema on Nov. 13


On Monday, Nov. 13 at noon, Town Manager Brandon Zuidema will be sitting down for a Talk Morrisville Facebook Live Q&A. Learn more about his background and vision for the future of Morrisville. Residents can submit questions in advance here.


Operation Greenlight is Nov. 6-12


The Town of Morrisville will join Wake County for Operation Greenlight, Nov. 6-12, a national collaborative initiative to support military veterans, as well as raise awareness about the unique challenges they may face. During this time, residents and businesses are encouraged to change one light bulb to a green bulb. Learn more here.


Advisory Committee Recruitment Now Open


Recruitment for Morrisville's resident advisory committees is now open. The Town is searching for passionate individuals to join us in shaping the future of our community. This recruitment period is focused on filling vacancies or expiring terms on ALL committees and the Planning and Zoning Board. Interested residents can apply online here. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, Nov. 8.


If you have any questions or need further information, contact Town Clerk Eric Smith at 919-463-6168 or via email at [esmith@townofmorrisville.org]esmith@townofmorrisville.org. 


Morrisville Parkway Access Management Study Survey Now Open


The Town of Morrisville is partnering with the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) to complete a Morrisville Parkway Access Management Study (MPAMS) for the two-mile section of Morrisville Parkway between Davis Drive and NC 54/Chapel Hill Road. The corridor will be evaluated for general safety improvements associated with access management for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Click here to learn more about MPAMS and take the survey.

 

Members of the Planning Department will be at the Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center (1301 Morrisville Parkway) on Tuesday, Nov. 7, from 9-11 a.m. and 5-7 p.m., to answer questions and receive feedback.


Winter White Goods Collection is Dec. 7


The Winter White Goods collection day will be Thursday, Dec. 7. Registration is required and opens Tuesday, Nov. 7 here. 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. 

Shop Local at the Western Wake Farmers' Market


The Western Wake Farmers' Market (WWFM) offers healthy and fresh food and goods from small and local businesses from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. every Saturday at the Healthy Food Hub, 280 Town Hall Drive.  


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

Around the Region

Catching Up with Living Legend Rufus Edmisten! 




Coffee with Rep. Maria Cervania who represents Morrisville now! 


Ran into an old Morrisville friend at Connected Communities Conference, Ben Hitchings! 

Visited and Toured Jason Wyden's new venture, Blue Co


 

Small Business Listening Tour: 

Send me an email at sr@steverao.com to book a Business Listening visit to your company.

SMALL BUSINESS VISIT OF THE WEEK


SMALL BUSINESS FORUM INSIGHTS FROM CAROLINA DEVELOPMENT FUND: 


https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/838053647911356


North Carolina News

AUDITOR BETH WOOD WILL STEP DOWN 


Beth Wood, the embattled state auditor who was charged this week with using publicly owned vehicles for personal errands, will resign before the end of her term, she told WRAL News Thursday.


The decision caps a stunning yearlong fall for the Democrat who has earned bipartisan support for her work as a government watchdog, ensuring public resources are used appropriately over four terms.


Wood was charged Tuesday with a misdemeanor after an eight-month probe by the State Bureau of Investigation found that she used at least one state-owned vehicle for private purposes in 2021 and 2022, including traveling back and forth to regularly scheduled hair appointments and dental appointments.


She also traveled to shopping centers and spas “where she was not engaged in business in her official capacity,” according to an indictment handed down Tuesday by a Wake County grand jury. An investigation is ongoing.


The Governor will appoint a replacement very soon, who will serve out the remainder of the term. 


Read More at https://www.wral.com/story/nc-auditor-beth-wood-to-resign-following-new-charge-over-use-of-state-owned-vehicles/21141330/


FIRST BATCH OF WAKE SCHOOL PARENT POLICIES PASS 


Five Wake County school policies are changing to adjust to Senate Bill 49, known by Republican proponents as the "Parents' Bill of Rights."


The new law is controversial in part because of concerns that it could "out" transgender students to their families.


The school board approved the policies Tuesday 6-2, with two members voting against approval because they remained unhappy with previous changes made to a book review policy earlier this year that were unrelated to the new state law.


The policy changes approved Tuesday are taken from the new state law and don’t add new requirements beyond that. The school board is compelled to comply with state law, without or without adopting it into their policies. However, approving the policy changes Tuesday places the language of the new state law into local documents that can be viewed by families alongside other school system rules.


The policies approved Tuesday include a requirement that parents to be notified of survey questions being asked of students, permitting parents to request a list of materials their children have checked out from the library, and stating that staff should never encourage or coerce a child into keeping a secret from their parents.


Currently, the school system already asks parents for their consent for surveys related to sensitive information. But the new law requires the school system to send them copies of the survey questions, as well, at least 10 days in advance. The school system would include information on how to find the survey questions with the opt-in form sent to parents for each survey. The anonymous survey on tobacco use and risk behaviors that came from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are exempt from the law and the Wake policy changes.


On top of the policies approved Tuesday, the law requires parental notification of students’ wishes to go by a different name or gender identity, schools to facilitate parental concern hearings upon request and tighter timelines for supplying information to parents and guardians, among other things. But policies related to those changes were not up for a vote Tuesday.


GOVERNOR COOPER WINS A LEGAL BATTLE 


Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper won a court victory on Nov. 1 when a three-judge panel blocked the legislature’s attempt to strip his appointment powers regarding three state boards.


That’s part of the news. Here’s the other part: The win is partial, temporary and likely to be overturned by the Republican-dominated state Supreme Court despite a previous ruling protecting the governor’s appointment powers.


That’s the state of North Carolina’s judiciary, starting and ending with the state Supreme Court. To predict the outcome of a case, don’t look at its legal merits, look at the political parties involved.


Read More at https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/nc-courts-under-political-assault-093000955.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=A


NC Gerrymanders continue and Democrats will fight it: 


North Carolina's new congressional maps just became law last week, and Democrats said they plan on challenging the redistricting in court, saying there's racial bias in the new maps. 


The new maps are designed to give Republican candidates a large advantage in upcoming elections for Congress and the North Carolina legislature. Republicans say the maps are fair and will hold up in court, but Democrats told WRAL they think the maps are unconstitutional. The new maps could give North Carolina Republicans at least three more seats in the U.S. House after 2024, all at the expense of first- and second-term Democrats, according to state election data. That change could be enough to help Republicans keep a House majority in Washington. 


Read More at: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/north-carolina-politics/north-carolina-redistricting-congressional-maps-political-gerrymandering-democrats-vow-lawsuits/275-bc014e82-872e-4644-9


Wake County Schools Considers New Rules for Public Hearings 


People speaking at Wake school board meetings would need to refrain from personal attacks against other people or be asked to leave the podium, according to a proposed policy revision being considered by the Wake County Board of Education.


The board’s current policy merely encourages speakers to refrain from personal attacks. The change gives the board the authority to tell speakers it’s against the rules and instruct a meeting attendee to stop speaking if they refuse to comply.


Read More at https://www.wral.com/story/want-to-speak-at-a-wake-school-board-meeting-no-personal-attacks/21112693/


Corey Branch to run for Raleigh Mayor 


Longtime councilman Corey Branch is running for Raleigh mayor in the 2024 election.


Branch, 45, made the announcement Thursday on a number of platforms, including Instagram. He has served on Raleigh City Council for almost nine years.


Read More at https://www.wral.com/story/corey-branch-longtime-city-councilman-is-running-for-raleigh-mayor/21116397/


Wake County Schools Roll out Student Reassigment Plan for 2024-2025


The Wake County School District presented its first draft of the 2024-25 enrollment plan to the school board Tuesday.


The district is proposing reassignments at 21 schools – 13 elementary schools, six middle schools and two high schools.


Pleasant Grove Elementary in Morrisville would be the focal point of several changes. A portion of its attendance zone would be reassigned into Brier Creek, Leesville Road or York elementary schools in Raleigh. Then, parts of Alston Ridge and Parkside elementary schools, in Cary and Morrisville, would be reassigned to Pleasant Grove Elementary. 


The changes would reduce some overcrowding at the schools, although they would require some calendar changes for families to or from multi-track or traditional calendars.


Families of children who will be in fourth or fifth grade next year could apply to stay at their school instead of moving to Pleasant Grove, and they could apply for any younger siblings who will be kindergarten or older to stay, as well. They would not have busing.

Read More at https://www.wral.com/story/wake-county-school-district-proposes-to-move-students-from-21-schools/21054801/

LATEST NATIONAL AND GLOBAL UPDATES 

1. The Israel Defence Forces said it had captured an important Hamas stronghold near Jabalia, in northern Gaza, after a ten-hour battle. Following the fighting Israel reopened an evacuation route allowing civilians to flee northern Gaza; around 50,000 people escaped through the corridor on Wednesday, according to the UN. Earlier the World Health Organisation warned that the Gaza Strip faces the “ rapid spread of infectious diseases”.


2 American fighter jets bombed a weapons-storage facility in eastern Syria used by Iran-backed militias. The airstrike, designed to reduce the groups’ firepower, follows weeks of attacks on American troops in Iraq, Syria and Yemen. About 45 soldiers have been injured, according to the Pentagon. Separately, Iran-backed Houthi rebels shot down an American Reaper drone near Yemen.


3 Spain’s Socialist Party reportedly reached an agreement with Junts per Catalunya, a Catalan separatist party, to form a new government. Junts previously said it would back the Socialists in exchange for an amnesty that would wipe out criminal charges against people who supported an illegal referendum for Catalan independence in 2017. More than 50% of Spaniards oppose the amnesty.


4 Hollywood actors represented by the SAG-AFTRA union reached a tentative agreement with studios after a 118-day strike. Their proposed three-year contract includes higher minimum wages, a “streaming participation” bonus and protections against studios’ use of artificial intelligence. More than 60,000 members of the union went on strike in July, joining screenwriters who had downed pens two months earlier.


5 The Republican Party’s presidential hopefuls turned on an absent Donald Trump in a debate in Miami. Ron DeSantis suggested the former president was a “loser”; Nikki Haley criticised his flip-flopping on foreign policy; Chris Christie said Mr Trump’s legal battles made another presidential run impossible. None of which is likely to halt Mr Trump’s procession to the nomination.


6 Shares in Arm, a British chipmaker, fell by almost 7% in after-market trading following a disappointing revenue forecast. In its first earnings report since going public, the SoftBank-backed company forecast revenue of between $720m and $800m for the quarter, falling short of analysts’ expectations. The company’s IPO in September was the biggest American listing in two years, raising nearly $5bn.


7. Pablo Picasso’s “Woman with a Watch”—painted in 1932 and depicting his mistress and muse, Marie-Thérèse Walter—sold for $139.4m at Sotheby’s in New York. It is the second-most expensive work by the artist ever sold. (“Les Femmes d’Alger” fetched $180m in 2015.) Since 1999 prices of Picasso’s works have grown twice as fast as the broader market for 20th-century art.


Figure of the day: 41%, the proportion of Americans who believe that Joe Biden is handling the war in Gaza badly

UPCOMING EVENTS

NOV 10, Town of Cary Veteran Day event at Cary Veteran Memorial at 11 am! 


NOV 11 9 am TOWN OF MORRISVILLE VETERAN DAY EVENT and VETERAN DAY MEMORIAL 5K (INDIAN CREEK PARK) 


NOV 12 RADIO NYRA DIWALI MELA FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS CELEBRATION at Briarcreek Clocktower (8531 Briar Creek Parkway) 6 to 8 pm!


NOV 13 12 PM - 7 PM - DIWALI & ANNAKUT CELEBRATIONS at

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

1020 Aviation Pkwy, Morrisville


Nov 13th State of Wake County Address!  

PNC Arena at 6 pm.  Live Stream at www.wakegov.com!


Nov 17  First Flight Venture Center High Flyer Awards Lunch. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-high-flyer-awards-luncheon-tickets-694255696477?aff=oddtdtcreator


NOV 18th Triangle Sikh Gurdvara Morrisville Community Park at 10 am! https://givebutter.com/gAEdDG

Council Member Rao holds office hours on Friday from 12:00-1:00 PM by appointment only at 100 Town Hall Drive in Morrisville. 

For more information or to schedule a time to speak with Council Member Rao, please email SRao@TownofMorrisville.org and copy Town Clerk Eric Smith, esmith@townofmorrisville.org, 463-6150.
Council Member Steve Rao
Town of Morrisville
Dedicated to transforming Morrisville into an ideal place to work and raise a family!
Learn more at: SteveRao.com
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