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NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION WEEK EDITION | |
From the Council Office of Steve Rao
October 11, 2022
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Estimated Read Time: 10 minutes.
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State Fair Starts Thursday!
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BAPS Celebrates Temple Hall Expansion.
(See BAPS Expansion Section)
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Planning and Zoning to Discuss Affordable Housing on Thursday! | |
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My Affordable Housing Message:
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/1116518495640106
The Town of Morrisville will discuss preliminary Unified Development Ordinance options to incentivize the development of affordable housing during the Planning & Zoning Board Meeting at Town Hall on Thursday, October 13, at 6:30 p.m. Considerations for a Public Employee Housing Choice Program will also be discussed during the meeting. The meeting does not include a public hearing, but public comment will be accepted.
More details about the Town’s Affordable Housing Plan can be found at https://bit.ly/3MjhvrI
For more information, or to share feedback, contact Danielle Kittredge, Senior Planner, at DKittredge@townofmorrisville.org.
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Oct 12 - Celebrating the Jobs of the New Economy with Wiley Nickel
Oct 12th Celebrating the Jobs of the New Economy and Immigration Reform Fundraising reception with Congressional Candidate Wiley Nickel 5:30 – 7:30 pm Cambria Suites Morrisville.
RSVP to sr@steverao.com.
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Oct. 13 NC VET BIZ GOLF TOURNAMANT
The NC Veterans Business Association, a not for profit association for Veterans and their peers, partners, affiliates and customers in Commerce in NC is conducting their annual networking and connecting golf tournament in Wake Forest on October 13th at the Heritage golf course.
Fun, food and games are open to non veterans and veterans. It's a best ball tournament, no or little golf skills are required to enjoy the day.
Meet the association Board of Directors and veterans in commerce from across the state.
Register at www.ncvetbiz.org.
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Morrisville 101
Morrisville 101 is for ages 16+ and is Open for Registration. Registration closes on Friday, October 21.
Learn more and register at https://bit.ly/MSV101-2022
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My Voter Registration Message:
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/636532341171564
In North Carolina, you have until Oct. 14th to register to Vote! Early Voting begins on Oct 20 and you can register and vote at the same time! Please visit North Carolina State Board of Elections or Wake County Board of Elections for early voting and poll site information. (https://www.ncsbe.gov/ and https://www.wakegov.com/departments-government/board-elections)
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In Person Voter Registration is Oct 14:
North Carolina offers online voter registration to existing customers of the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles. You can register by mail to vote in North Carolina by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Registration deadlines
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Celebrate Fire Prevention Week | |
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Since 1922, the NFPA has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country. During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults, and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. Firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires.
Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.
HISTORY OF FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
Fire Prevention Week was started by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in 1922 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Fire Prevention Week teaches children and adults how to stay safe in the event of a fire. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the first National Fire Prevention Week to occur from October 4th through October 10th, 1925. President Calvin Coolidge stated that, “This waste results from the conditions which justify a sense of shame and horror; for the greater part of it could and ought to be prevented… It is highly desirable that every effort be made to reform the conditions which have made possible so vast a destruction of the national wealth”.
The Great Chicago Fire burned between October 8th to October 10th, with most of the damage done on October 9th. The fire caused roughly $200 million in damages, killing around 300 people, and destroying over 17,000 buildings and structures. The consequences were more than just fire damage itself, as martial law had to be declared after an outbreak of looting and lawlessness. The fire was said to have started when a cow kicked over a lantern in the O’Leary barn in the southwest side of the city. Fortunately, in 1997, the Chicago City Council passed a resolution exonerating Catherine O’Leary, as well as her cow. Today, the Chicago Fire Department Training Academy is located on the site of the O’Leary property where the fire started.
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Insights from Nate Lozinsky:
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/476886037734791
It was a great time at the Fire Safety Day at Target on Saturday. Kudos to Chief Criddle, Deputy Chief Lozinsky, and our Fire Department for organizing a fun, informative and educational event on Fire Safety for our Town and the Triangle. Community. I enjoyed the Fire Smoke Simulation, and time with our firefighters to learn some fire safety tips, and experienced first hand how quickly smoke can spread.
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Construction Begins on Fire Station 3!
Construction has begun on Fire Station No 3 at Harris Mill Road after a groundbreaking ceremony on July 27th.
The new fire Station is being built to improve the distribution and level of service for of service areas north and east of the Town. This will reduce response times, improve reliability of fire protection to all areas of Town, and increase capacity. Once the new fire station is completed, the Town will also be able to relocate fire resources that are currently at a shared site in the Town of Cary.
Construction cost for the Fire Station is $8.8 million, with much of the funding coming from the 2021 Morrisville Bond Referendum, which passed in November 2021 and provided $8 million for public safety improvements. Wake County contributed approximately $1.4 million for the project.
The Fire Station which will be 15, 700 feet will have double deep bays and administration and personnel quarters for four to nine staff per day. A third bay will be available for a Wake County EMS Station. Construction is estimated to be completed in the summer of 2023 and the project will include landscaping improvements at the site.
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BAPS Temple Hall Expansion | |
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Insights from BAPS Temple:
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/1098213890883904
Congratulations to BAPS Morrisville for their successful temple hall expansion. The artistic detail of the Temple is breathtaking and it took many years of planning, dedication, and perseverance for this monumental achievement for the community.
It was wonderful to be with Attorney General Josh Stein, and State Senators Wiley Nickel and Jay Chaudhuri at the prayer ceremony on Sunday.
Jai Swaminarayan.
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OCTOBER IS CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH | |
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My Cybersecurity Message:
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/624039849225361
Thanks for attending the NC DIT Cybersecurity Awareness Symposium!
https://it.nc.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-symposium
Since 2004, the President of the United States and Congress have declared October to be Cybersecurity Awareness Month, helping individuals protect themselves online as threats to technology and confidential data become more commonplace. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) lead a collaborative effort between government and industry to raise cybersecurity awareness nationally and internationally.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month Theme
See Yourself in Cyber
This year’s campaign theme — “See Yourself in Cyber” — demonstrates that while cybersecurity may seem like a complex subject, ultimately, it’s really all about people . This October will focus on the “people” part of cybersecurity, providing information and resources to help educate CISA partners and the public, and ensure all individuals and organizations make smart decisions whether on the job, at home or at school – now and in the future. We encourage each of you to engage in this year’s efforts by creating your own cyber awareness campaigns and sharing this messaging with your peers.
- For individuals and families, we encourage you to See Yourself taking action to stay safe online. That means enabling basic cyber hygiene practices: update your software, think before you click, have good strong passwords or a password keeper, and enable multi-factor authentication (meaning you need "More Than A Password!") on all your sensitive accounts.
- For those considering joining the cyber community, we encourage you to See Yourself joining the cyber workforce. We'll be talking with leaders from across the country about how we can build a cybersecurity workforce that is bigger, more diverse and dedicated to solving the problems that will help keep the American people safe.
- For our partners in industry, we encourage you to See Yourself as part of the solution. That means putting operational collaboration into practice, working together to share information in real-time, and reducing risk and build resilience from the start to protect America's critical infrastructure and the systems that Americans rely on every day.
4 Things You Can Do
Throughout October, CISA and NCA will highlight key action steps that everyone should take:
- Think Before You Click: Recognize and Report Phishing: If a link looks a little off, think before you click. It could be an attempt to get sensitive information or install malware.
- Update Your Software: Don't delay -- If you see a software update notification, act promptly. Better yet, turn on automatic updates.
- Use Strong Passwords: Use passwords that are long, unique, and randomly generated. Use password managers to generate and remember different, complex passwords for each of your accounts. A passwords manager will encrypt passwords securing them for you!
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication: You need more than a password to protect your online accounts, and enabling MFA makes you significantly less likely to get hacked.
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TELL ALL STORY MY OWN CYBERSECURITY EXPERIENCE
A few weeks ago, I was in Washington D.C and after a long day checked into my hotel and was looking forward to getting ready for my next day of meetings.
After I opened up the Public Wi Fi, within seconds, a Macafee icon popped up, and sent a notification along with an Audio Message that my Computer had been detected with a Virus. The message stated that if I did not call a 1-800 Number, that my machine would be locked. I ended up shutting it down and after I opened it up again, a pop alert kept popping up, alerting me that numerous viruses were being detected.
When I returned home, I turned my machine in, and staff informed me that it was okay and a fake virus warning. This entire experience was frustrating and very scary, as I was concerned that my data had been compromised.
Lesson Learned: Do not use Public Wi Fi without a VPN and also, be very careful, of how deceiving these hackers can be!
I truly believe that Cybersecurity is one of the most unreported stories for cities, counties, state agencies , and companies in North Carolina.
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Interested in becoming a Cybersecurity Awareness Month partner? Join the Cybersecurity Awareness Month Campaign!
Are you an individual, organization, business, government agency, nonprofit, association, school, or academic institution, interested in partnering with the Cybersecurity Awareness Month campaign?
Cybersecurity Awareness Month partners help promote vital cybersecurity information throughout October and all year long that is important for your organization, leadership and staff combat cyber threats as they continue to grow.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month partners receive a Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2022 toolkit which includes the following resources:
- Ways to Create a Campaign
- Partner Toolkit
- Sample social media posts
- Sample email to send to employees
- Sample newsletter article
- Cybersecurity tip sheets
- Cybersecurity talking points
- Cybersecurity 101 presentation
- Cybersecurity Awareness Month presentation template
- Cybersecurity Awareness Month logos and graphics
Interested in becoming a partner?
For more information, and to become a Cybersecurity Awareness Month partner email us at Cyberawareness@cisa.dhs.gov.
We appreciate your support in helping us protect our nation from cyber attacks and to be safe and secure online, at work, and at home.
How You Can Participate
Thank you for your support and commitment to Cybersecurity Awareness Month and helping all everyone stay safe and secure online. Please email the CISA Team with any questions. Please direct media inquiries to CISAMedia@hq.dhs.gov.
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Very Important Morrisville Updates: | |
TOWN CENTER INPUT PROJECTS
Tomorrow's Town Center Project Public Input Sessions are your opportunity to provide feedback on Town Green amenities, public art, and potential for a welcome area at the Healthy Food Hub. Stop by and check out renderings, project details, and share your feedback with Town staff and developers.
Check out the project page at https://bit.ly/MSVTownCenter
Take a short survey on the Town Center Project at https://bit.ly/MSVTCPSurvey
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ENVIRONMENTAL AND STORMWATER AND STUDENT POSTER CONTEST
The Town of Morrisville’s Environment & Stormwater Committee (MESC) is sponsoring its 17th annual student art poster contest for Morrisville students and/or members of Town youth organizations in grades K-5. Participants are asked to submit original artwork in support of the environment and sustainability. This year’s theme is “Bees, Seeds and Butterflies!” This year’s theme stresses the importance of creating more habitats for our pollinators, particularly monarch butterflies, which have been threatened by habit destruction and climate change.
The winning poster will be transformed into a banner and displayed outside Town Hall, along with posters from previous years’ winners. The grand prize winner will also receive a prize package, and winners placing first, second, and third in each grade will receive an award certificate or ribbon and sustainability-related prizes. The grand prize winner and the first-place winner for each grade level will be invited to receive recognition at a Town Council meeting.
Submissions are due at Town Hall by 5 p.m. on Oct. 28
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Suicide Prevention Line to 988 |
On Saturday, July 16, the U.S. will transition the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to 988 – an easy-to-remember three-digit number for 24/7 crisis care.
The lifeline, which also links to the Veterans Crisis Line, follows a three-year joint effort by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to put crisis care more in reach for people in need.
Starting tomorrow, simply calling or texting 988 or chatting https://988Lifeline.org will connect you to compassionate care and support for mental health-related distress. #988Lifeline
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Join us on Radio Nyra on Sunday at 4 pm for our interview with Sen. Jay Chaudhuri and Leeya Chaudhuri on India Legacy Night!
Join us on Radio Nyra Sundays at 4pm for interesting interviews with local thought leaders
99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
Wonderful Interview on Radio Nyra with Leslie Haney from Town of Morrisville on International Festival!
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/980128513381807/?t=15
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Great US Open Roku TV Interview with Andy Andrews!
https://youtu.be/-Uy7aX-M2AI?t=79
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On the Porch with Randy Voller on WCHL 97.9 FM!
https://chapelboro.com/?s=on+the+porch
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WPTF Steve O'Bryan show on the Dream Act and DACA!
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Get with the Program with Gary Jones!
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Tune in on Friday at 7 pm and Sunday at 4 pm to PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum for our engaging discussions on trending topics!
Engaging Discussion on PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum on Affirmative Action, Election Security and other matters.
Link to the show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BIOR-ih-Fg
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The Steve Rao App is Here: |
Download the Steve Rao App!
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.
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Google Play Store Scan code Link | |
This Week in Morrisville: October 10th - 15th | |
Affordable Housing to be Discussed at Planning & Zoning Board Meeting October 13
The Town of Morrisville will discuss preliminary Unified Development Ordinance options to incentivize the development of affordable housing during the Planning & Zoning Board Meeting at Town Hall, 100 Town Hall Drive, on Oct. 13, at 6:30 p.m. Considerations for a Public Employee Housing Choice Program will also be discussed during the meeting. The meeting does not include a public hearing, but public comment will be accepted.
More details about the Town’s Affordable Housing Plan can be found here. For more information, or to share feedback, please contact Danielle Kittredge, Senior Planner, at DKittredge@townofmorrisville.org.
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Registration Now Open for Morrisville 101
Registration is now open for Morrisville 101 – our free, interactive citizens academy held for the residents of Morrisville.
- Get a behind-the-scenes look at community services
- Make connections with other civic-minded residents
- Gain knowledge and personal contacts to help you become an effective leader in the community
- Get an understanding of the big picture that’s needed to run for elected office in Morrisville
Morrisville 101 is for ages 16 and older. Registration closes on Friday, Oct. 21. Learn more and register at https://bit.ly/MSV101-2022.
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Certification Training Available for Community Emergency Response Team | |
Get CERTified, Morrisville! Protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.
Certification is two steps:
- Online Training: Now through Oct. 15 (12 hours of classes at your own pace and at your convenience)
- In-Person, Hands-on Skills Training: Oct. 22-23
Learn more and register here.
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Sustainability Program Shares Positive Developments for Solar Energy | The Town of Morrisville is committed to sustainable development and practices, and the Sustainability program is pleased to share the news that homeowners may soon have more options for installing their own solar panels. Last month, the N.C. State Supreme Court ruled in favor of homeowners involved in a dispute with their Homeowners’ Association about their ability to install solar panels on their roofs. The ruling may open the way for other homeowners to install their own solar panels. Additionally, Duke Energy is expected to offer another round of solar rebates in January 2023. Check here for updates. | |
Information Session on Solar Group Buying Program to be held on Oct. 18 | Solarize the Triangle will offer an information session for homeowners and faith-based organizations on its group buying program for solar energy on Oct. 18, from 7-8 p.m. The free, virtual event will help homeowners and faith-based groups learn how they can take advantage of incentives for solar energy, what the benefits of solar energy are, and how they can enroll for a free energy assessment. Click here to register for the virtual session. | |
Morrisville Joins Solarize the Triangle, Making Discounts on Solar Power Available for Residents | The Town of Morrisville has joined 10 other local communities in the Solarize the Triangle partnership, which will make discounts available on solar energy installations through a group buying program and the use of a federal tax credit. The more local residents and businesses that participate in the program, the greater the savings will be. Visit solarizemorrisville.org to learn more about the program or to sign up for a free energy evaluation. | |
Street Repairs to be Made ahead of Repaving October 10-14
Crews will continue making concrete repairs to sidewalks, curb ramps, and curbs in preparation for upcoming street repaving. The repairs will take place Oct. 10-14 on Bigbee Trail, La Jolla Lane, Leafycreek Drive, Hatchet Creek Court, Southport Drive, Nova Drive, Green Drive, and Clements Drive.
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Perimeter Park Drive Tree Pruning
From Oct. 10 to Oct. 14, the trees along both sides of Perimeter Park Drive will be pruned to increase road clearance and improve the visibility of the traffic lights. Work zones and lane closures will be set up in the areas where the crews are working each day between Watkins Road and Airport Boulevard. Please keep the crews safe by slowing down and driving carefully through the work zones. For questions or further information, please contact Steve Dickinson at (919) 463-7072.
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NCDOT Accepting Public Input on 10-Year Transportation Plan
The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will be accepting public input on its 2024-33 transportation plan through Oct. 28. Comments can be submitted online or by visiting a local NCDOT office in person. The local NCDOT office for Morrisville residents is located at 2612 N. Duke St., Durham, 27704. Comments are being accepted on large-scale project priorities, such as interstate improvements, public transportation, and cycling or pedestrian travel lanes. Comments are not being accepted for maintenance-related projects, such as patching roads or repairing potholes. Click here to provide input or to get more information.
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Students Encouraged to Submit Artwork for Annual Environment and Stormwater Contest
The Town of Morrisville’s Environment & Stormwater Committee (MESC) is sponsoring its 17th annual student art poster contest for Morrisville students and/or members of Town youth organizations in grades K-5. Participants are asked to submit original artwork in support of the environment and sustainability. This year’s theme is “Bees, Seeds and Butterflies!” This year’s theme stresses the importance of creating more habitats for our pollinators, particularly monarch butterflies, which have been threatened by habit destruction and climate change.
Submissions are due at Town Hall by 5 p.m. on Oct. 28. Please click here for more information, official rules, and a fillable entry form.
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Esports Gaming Set-Up and Play Sessions Open for Registration
Do you want to play your favorite game on a PC? Esports gaming set-up and play times are available for participants ages 12 to 17 at the Esports arena at the Wake Tech RTP Campus, 10908 Chapel Hill Road, on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 4 to 9 p.m. Over the course of four sessions, participants will learn how to set up an account (will need access to a personal email), and then will learn about playing modes, controls, and beginner strategies. Registration and additional details are available through ActiveNet for Overwatch and Rocket League.
We want to hear from you regarding Esports programming in the Town of Morrisville, including leagues, tournaments, games, game consoles, and more.
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Morrisville Senior Center Offering Caregiver Educational Program Starting October 13
The Morrisville Senior Center (MSC) will be offering a Caregiver Educational Program, called “Powerful Tools for Caregivers,” presented by The Center for Volunteer Caregiving, each Thursday from Oct. 13 through Nov. 17, from 6-7:30 p.m. Classes will teach caregivers how to better handle stress, improve self-confidence, communicate better, improve their ability to make tough decisions, to locate helpful resources, and more. Classes are free, and they will take place at the MSC, 4117 Davis Drive. To register, or for more information, contact Lisa Hoskins at lhoskins@ctrvolcare.org.
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Morrisville Senior Center Hosting Tour of Duplin Winery on October 19
The Morrisville Senior Center (MSC) is hosting a tour of the Duplin Winery in Rose Hill, NC for those ages 55 and older on October 19. The tour will leave the MSC, 4117 Davis Drive, at 10 a.m. Lunch will be served at 11 a.m. in The Bistro (paid on separate checks), and a production tour will begin at 1 p.m. A wine tasting is included. The cost is $33 for residents and $38 for non-residents. For more information and to register, click here.
Free Blood Pressure Clinic at Morrisville Senior Center October 28
Ask your medication questions and learn strategies for managing your blood pressure during the free blood pressure clinic at the Morrisville Senior Center (MSC), 4117 Davis Drive, on Oct. 28, from 1-2 p.m. Senior Care Pharmacist Casey Baldwin from Resources for Seniors will host a question-and-answer session. To register, please call (919) 463-7140.
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Trick-or-Treat the Trail at Morrisville Community Park October 22
Wear your spookiest and cutest costumes and trick-or-treat the trail at Morrisville Community Park, 1520 Morrisville Parkway, from 3-6 p.m. Enjoy the decorated trail, get candy, and enjoy live music, sand art, a balloon artist, and a caricature artist. Several local businesses will be participating. Please click here for more information.
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Vendors Invited to Participate in Diwali Celebration October 22
Food and artisan vendors are invited to participate in the Town of Morrisville’s Diwali Celebration, scheduled for Oct. 22, from 12-3 p.m., at Cedar Fork Community Center, 1050 Town Hall Drive. The event is being held in partnership with The Triangle Area Hindu Temples Disaster Relief Committee. There is no charge to participate, but vendors will need to provide their own tent, tables, and chairs. For more information, and to apply, click here.
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Morrisville Community Park Phase III Construction Updates | |
The Morrisville Community Park Phase III construction is taking shape.
The construction crew will be completing installation of stone for the trails next week, with plans to pour asphalt after that. Additionally, work will continue on installing the concrete approaches for the bridges and boardwalk, and the crew will work on installing the stone for the picnic shelter pad prior to the shelter equipment arriving. Work will also finish on polishing the tennis court retaining wall prior to the stone base installation for the tennis court surfacing.
Click here to read more on MCP Phase III.
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Now Hiring: Join the Public Works Team
The Town of Morrisville Public Works Department has three exciting career opportunities open now. Join one of the only three North Carolina municipalities with an American Public Works Association (APWA) accredited Public Works Department. We are looking for individuals to serve in our Streets Maintenance, Athletics Maintenance, and Parks & Grounds Maintenance Divisions. For more information click on the following links:
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Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center | |
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.
Now Hiring: Join the MAFC Team
The Morrisville Aquatics and Fitness Center is currently recruiting for the following positions:
- Senior Aquatics Specialist (FT)
- Aquatics Specialist (30 hours/week)
Both positions provide benefits. Learn more and apply here.
The Town is offering financial incentives for part-time lifeguards who can work during the day in the off-season. Experienced swim instructors, as well as, day and early evening desk staff are needed. Learn more and apply here.
Free Lending Library Installed at Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center
The Town of Morrisville has a new lending library! The Dedicated to Our Community North Carolina (DOC NC) volunteer group created and installed a wooden lending library at the Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center over this past weekend. The DOC NC team has pledged to build, paint and install several little libraries on different locations within Morrisville. Stop by the new library and pick up a book on your way to getting your exercise in!
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Morrisville Smart Shuttle Service is Now Operating! |
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
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MAFC Smart Shuttle Node Now Available |
The Morrisville Smart Shuttle node at the Morrisville Aquatics and Fitness Center is now open and available for rides.
With the new MAFC node, the service will connect residents with 15 locations in Morrisville. An additional node is located at the Regional Transit Center near RTP. A Morrisville Smart Shuttle rider can arrange their pick-up and drop-off from their computer or smartphone. Learn more and download the app here.
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Shop Local at the Western Wake Farmers’ Market |
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!
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Panther Creek wins Homecoming Game! | |
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Congratulations to BAPS on Temple Expansion! | |
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TTGA Battakuma at Church Street Park! | |
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Small Business Listening Tour: | |
This week I continued by Small Business Listening Tour with visits to a few Small Businesses. Send me an email at sr@steverao.com to book a Business Listening visit to your company. | |
Royal Cheesecake Factory: |
Royal Cheesecake Factory:
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GLOBAL AND NATIONAL UPDATES: | |
THE LATEST NEWS AND WEEK AHEAD | |
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The war in Ukraine is at a turning point.
• What’s happening? The conflict, now in its eighth month, has rapidly escalated after a period of little change on either side.
• The latest example: Russia launched strikes in about a dozen Ukrainian cities yesterday, killing 19 people and injuring more than 100, according to Ukrainian officials.
• What’s next? The escalation raises questions about whether the U.S. and its partners should do more to bring about a Ukrainian victory.
The killing of another teenage girl in Iran is fueling protests.
• What to know: Sarina Esmaeilzadeh, 16, was beaten to death by Iranian security forces last month after joining protests, rights groups said.
• Why is this happening? An anti-government uprising in Iran, sparked initially by the death of a 22-year-old woman, is in its fourth week. At least 52 people have been killed, and security forces have shown a pattern of going after minors.
The president of L.A.’s city council stepped down yesterday.
• What to know: Nury Martinez, the first Latina to hold the position, made openly racist remarks about a colleague’s son, revealed in a leaked audio recording.
• Why this matters: Los Angeles is the nation’s second-most populous city, and the turmoil comes with elections for mayor and several city council seats just weeks away.
Hackers took down a handful of U.S. airport websites yesterday.
• What to know: The attacks didn’t affect operations and were more of a “public nuisance” than serious security threat, experts said.
• Who did it? A group of pro-Russian hackers known as Killnet. Targets included airports in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and New York.
Kanye West was locked out of his Twitter and Instagram accounts.
• Why? His recent antisemitic posts. They were removed from both platforms, and the musician and fashion designer was temporarily blocked from posting anything else.
• Why it matters: West’s posts could be a glimpse into the future. Tesla CEO Elon Musk wants to loosen Twitter’s moderation policies if his deal to buy it goes ahead, and Republicans want to rein in what some call “censorship” online.
Climate change is forcing monkeys from trees to the ground.
• How? Dozens of species that normally shelter and feed high in the tree canopy are having to descend to escape rising temperatures and find food, a study released yesterday said.
• Why this matters: It’s another example of how human-caused climate change is disrupting habitats and forcing animals to adapt, and it could threaten the futures of some species.
Cities are creating orchards and gardens where anyone can pick for free.
• The idea: Converting public land to grow fruits and vegetables for anyone who wants them. The spaces are known as edible cities.
• In the U.S.: Seattle, Atlanta and Los Angeles, among other cities, have orchards where people are welcome to pick what they want, and organizers say there’s always enough to go around.
Election Day is less than a month away.
• At stake in Congress: Every seat in the House and 34 in the Senate are up for grabs. Republicans can take the majority from Democrats by flipping five seats in the House and one in the Senate.
• Across the U.S.: 36 governors and thousands of state and local offices are on the ballot. The economy, abortion and inflation are the issues people care most about.
Catholic hospitals have a growing influence over health care in the U.S.
• The numbers: Four of the nation’s 10 largest health systems are now Catholic, and Catholic systems control about 1 in 7 U.S. hospital beds.
• Why this matters: These hospitals are guided by religious doctrine and don’t offer procedures they deem “immoral,” including vasectomies, contraception and abortions.
• This means that many patients in rural and low-income communities who don’t have other health-care options face limited reproductive care.
The NFL updated its concussion policy this weekend.
• Why? Tua Tagovailoa. The Miami Dolphins quarterback was examined and cleared for a possible head injury Sept. 25, then got a concussion during a game four days later.
• What’s changed? Doctors will have to assume any balance or coordination issues are related to a brain injury, which would have kept Tagovailoa from returning to the field the first time.
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Wake County Schools Policy on Equity
Wake County’s focus on equity drew praise and criticism this week as the school district tries to develop a new policy it says will help educate students who’ve historically been marginalized.
Equity and cultural diversity were recurring themes at this week’s school board meeting as Wake continues to develop an equity policy. The board also honored the upcoming Indigenous Peoples’ Day and approved a new strategic plan framework that includes using “equity-focused practices” as part of its foundation.
“I am here filled with hope that this equity policy discussed here today will come to fruition with the updated inclusive language of our LGBTQ students, our special-education students, our English language learners,” said Kristel Behrend, the librarian at Knightdale High School. “This policy has the potential to define how WCPSS views equity.”
But some school board critics accused Wake of sacrificing education for politics.
“Is the school system supposed to teach facts or feelings?” said Julie Page, chairwoman of the Wake County chapter of Moms for Liberty. “Instead of focusing on educating children, this school board seems hell bent on being a trendy boutique for the far-left radical extremist socialist movements.”
The policy says Wake will take steps such as:
- Identifying and providing high quality instructional materials and methods that “represent the rich diversity of our nation, respect the legitimacy of different cultures, and empower students to value diverse perspectives.
- Recruiting and retaining racially and linguistically diverse and culturally competent administrative, instructional and support personnel.
- Eliminating practices that lead to the over- or under-representation of any student group compared to peers in areas such as special education, student discipline, academically or intellectually gifted programs, advanced coursework and Advanced Placement courses.
The policy also says the district’s strategic plan should embrace the principle of equity as a key feature.
Stay tuned for what is to come on this Policy.
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Wake County Leaders Discuss Gun Ordinance
Monday night, Wake County leaders hashed out even more details for the proposed changes to the ordinance for personal firearms in unincorporated areas of the county.
The Wake County Sheriff’s Office responded to 1,137 calls for firearm concerns in 2020, another 752 calls in 2021, and then 376 calls as of August this year.
Recently, residents in Knightdale have reported stray bullets hitting homes and fences.
Now, elected leaders are looking at how to protect homeowners while regulating target practice on private properties.
Wake County wants to require backstops, up the fine to 500 dollars and increase the shooting distance to another structure from 100 to 300 yards.
While most changes were agreed upon, the distance requirements remain the biggest debate among county leaders.
“If we go to that across the board, 300 yards, 900 feet, we are seriously limiting, all the sudden, who can shoot firearms on their property,” Susan Evans said. “I know it would make us feel good, but I think we have to balance that with what makes sense for the community.”
Some commissioners recommended conditions, such as shooting at shorter distances if a backstop is in place or requiring neighbor permission for any shooting less than 300 feet.
“I would like to see the distance increased,” vice chair Shinica Thomas said. “Maybe we can agree that it’s not as much as 300 yards, but it has to be more than 100.”
Furthermore, Commissioner Matt Calabria said any changes need to be backed up by law enforcement.
“Whatever laws we pass must be enforceable, and they must be enforced,” Calabria said. “So whatever you need, you let us know but it has to be enforced.”
Sheriff’s office majors explained enforcement is hard on large, rural properties, especially alone and at night. But they provided ways the new ordinance could help deputies keep better tabs on offenders, such as having specific times overnight to restrict gunfire; and spelling out what is, and is not, an adequate backstop to keep bullets on the property.
“Some bullets can travel a whole lot further than 300 yards, I really think that the key is to instill upon people to have a backstop,” Major Scott Earp said.
The county plans to bring official changes before commissioners next Monday, then consider a vote adopting amendments on Nov. 9.
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NC Delegation Divided on Electoral Reform Act
The House on Wednesday passed a set of electoral reforms aimed at shoring up ambiguities and archaic language in the presidential certification process, some of which former President Donald Trump and his allies tried to exploit in their efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
The Presidential Election Reform Act was introduced by Reps. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., and Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., both of whom sit on the Democratic-led House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Their legislation passed in the House 229-203, with nine Republicans voting with all Democrats in favor. Most of the nine had also voted for Trump's impeachment in the wake of the Capitol attack.
The 38-page bill would make a number of changes to the law that governs how Electoral College votes are submitted by states and then counted by Congress, known as the Electoral Count Act. Notably, the legislation would make it more difficult for members of Congress to muck up the certification process with objections that aren't based on legitimate concerns, and would clarify that the vice president's role in counting electoral votes is strictly ministerial.
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NC DELEGATION VOTES ON ELECTORAL COLLEGE REFORM ACT
- Alma Adams Yes
- Dan Bishop No
- Ted Budd No
- GK Butterfield Yes
- Madison Cawthorn No
- Virginia Foxx No
- Richard Hudson No
- Kathy Manning Yes
- Patrick McHenry No
- Greg Murphy No
- David Price Yes
- Deborah Ross Yes
- David Rouzer No
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Tune in on Friday at 7 pm and Sunday at 4 pm to PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum for our engaging discussions on trending topics!
Please watch for the Black Issues Forum on UNC-TV! Fridays at 7 pm and Sundays at 4 pm!
Engaging Discussion on PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum on Affirmative Action, Election Security and other matters.
Link to the Show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BIOR-ih-Fg
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PBS NC
- Fridays at 7 p.m. (premiere)
- Sundays at 4 p.m.
- Thursdays at 1:30 a.m.
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NC Channel
- Fridays at 8:30 p.m.
- Saturdays at 1:30 a.m.
- Sundays at 6 p.m.
- Mondays at 12 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
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Sunday at 4 pm for our Radio Nyra Interview | |
Join us on Radio Nyra on Sunday at 4 pm for our interview with Sen. Jay Chaudhuri and Leeya Chaudhuri on India Legacy Night!
Join me every Sunday at 4pm for a new show. 99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
Wonderful Interview on Radio Nyra with Leslie Haney from Town of Morrisville on International Festival!
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/980128513381807/?t=15
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TAHTS HEALTHFAIR
Registration for TAHTS HEALTHFAIR began Sept 1.
Fair is Oct. 22 at HSNC from 9 am to 1 pm!
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Oct 11 - The 2022 State of the County
The 2022 State of the County
Painting a Picture of Our Future
Tuesday, Oct. 11, 6 p.m.
Light food and drink provided
North Carolina Museum of Art
West Building
2110 Blue Ridge Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27607
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Oct 12th Celebrating the Jobs of the New Economy Fundraising reception
Oct 12th Celebrating the Jobs of the New Economy Fundraising reception with Congressional Candidate Wiley Nickel 5:30 – 7:30 pm Cambria Suites Morrisville. RSVP to sr@steverao.com.
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Oct 13 NC Vet Biz Annual Golf Tournament
NC Vet Biz Annual Golf Tournament 2022 Oct 13, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM EDT at Heritage Golf Course, 1250 Heritage Club Ave, Wake Forest, NC 27587, USA
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October 15th 11 AM – 1 PM Deborah Ross for Congress
Deborah Ross for Congress Hosted by North Carolina Association of Indian Americans
Saturday, October 15, 2022 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST
Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar
100 Meadowmont Village Cir #101
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
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OCTOBER 22 Noon -3p Morrisville Diwali Celebration
OCTOBER 22 Morrisville Diwali Celebration from 12 pm to 3 pm at Cedar Fork Community Center!
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OCTOBER 22 Trick or Treat the Trail from 3pm to 6 pm! | |
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Radio NYRA
Join me Sunday 4 PM on Radio NYRA for another update on local issues.
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99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM! Listen at www.radionyrausa.com!
99.9FM HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
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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.
OFFICIAL International Broadcast Media
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.
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Council Member Rao holds office hours on Friday from 12:00-1:00 PM by appointment only at 100 Town Hall Drive in Morrisville.
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Council Member Steve Rao
Town of Morrisville
Dedicated to transforming Morrisville into an ideal place to work and raise a family!
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