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SUPPORT ASIAN AMERICAN REPRESENTATION IN APEX COUNCIL UPDATE | |
From the Council Office of Steve Rao
January 6, 2023
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Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes. | |
Breaking News and Updates | |
Congressman Wiley Nickel
Congrats to my friend Wiley Nickel, now a Congressman!
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Jan 6th 6:30pm Swearing in at Cary Town Hall
Join us this evening at 6:30 pm at Cary Town Hall (316 N Academy St, Cary, NC 27513) to attend the swearing in of Ya Liu (HD-21) and Maria Cervania (HD-41) and I congratulate them on becoming the first Asian women to serve in the General Assembly. (Reception is at 5:30pm)
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CONSIDER SUPPORTING MS. SHAGUFTA HAKEEM FOR APEX COUNCIL APPLICANT | |
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https://www.facebook.com/TownofApex/
As the longest serving Indian American elected official in North Carolina, I believe it is imperative that we increase our representation in local governments, at the Town and County level.
Participation in elected office, whether it is a city council, school board or County Commission is critically important as we continue to see explosive growth of our Indian American and South Asian Community in Wake County. Based on 2020 Census counts, there are 38,500 Indian Americans in Wake County.
Many are now growing their numbers in the Town of Apex, one of the fastest growing municipalities in the State.
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Today, there is an opportunity to make history once again in Apex, as Ms. SHAGUFTA HAKEEM is a finalist to fill the seat vacated by Cheryl Stallings.
If selected, she will become the first Asian women to serve on the Apex Town Council, and the second one to serve in Wake County history. More importantly, she will join Council Member Satish Garimella, myself, Ya Liu and Maria Cervania (now in General Assembly) to represent the South Asian Community in Apex.
I would never encourage anyone to support any candidate because of his or her race. However, I would encourage you to look up Shagufta’s application, and if you like her background and experience, show your support through a written statement or public comment tomorrow?
Diverse backgrounds are important for any City Council, and I do think we need to see more Asian representation at all levels of government.
This could be a chance and an opportunity, so please consider supporting the idea and this candidate!
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WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR APPOINTMENT?
Apex Town Council is holding final Interviews and Public Hearing for Potential Council Seat Candidates today, Jan 6th!
The Apex Town Council will soon appoint a new member to serve as temporary At-Large Town Councilmember through December 2023.
On Friday, January 6th, the Apex Town Council will hold a special meeting to conduct interviews, and hold a public hearing to receive feedback on four candidates. The meeting will begin at 2:30 pm, held on the 3rd Floor of Apex Town Hall, located at 73 Hunter Street.
The full meeting, including candidate interviews, the public hearing, and Council deliberations, will be open to the public. Members of the public are invited to attend in-person, or view the livestream on the Town’s YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/TownofApexGov.
Two opportunities are available for residents to provide comment:
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Written Statements: Written comments can be submitted to Town Clerk Allen Coleman; P.O. Box 250; Apex, North Carolina, 27502 or by email at public.hearing@apexnc.org. Please use the subject line “Council Candidate Interviews – Written Comments” and include your first and last name, your physical address, and your phone number in your written statements. Written comments will be accepted until noon on Friday, January 6th. All written statements received prior to the deadline will be provided to the Mayor and Town Councilmembers, and made available for public inspection. Please note, written comments will not be read aloud during the public hearing portion of the meeting.
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In-Person: Members of the public may sign up to speak during the public hearing portion of the special meeting on Friday, January 6, 2023. The signup sheet will be posted at 2:00 pm on the 3rd Floor at Apex Town Hall, located at 73 Hunter Street. Individual comments are limited to three minutes. Pursuant to the adopted Public Forum and Public Hearing Participation Policy, the public hearing portion of the meeting may not exceed 36 minutes or 12 individual speakers whichever comes first.
Below is the agenda for the meeting on January 6, 2023. Interview times for each candidate were determined by a random drawing that was conducted on January 3rd.
- Call to Order
- 2:30 pm – Arno Zegerman Interview
- 3:15 pm – John Marshall Barnes III Interview
- 4:00 pm – Shagufta Hakeem Interview
- 4:45 pm – Tayon Dancy Interview
- 5:30 pm – Public Hearing
- Council Deliberations
- Adjournment
Each candidate’s application and resume may be viewed in person in the Town Clerk’s Office located at 73 Hunter Street in Apex between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, or online at: https://www.apexnc.org/1727/At-Large-Council-Vacancy
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Background
On Tuesday, November 29, 2022, the Apex Town Council voted to accept Councilmember Cheryl Stallings resignation and initiate the selection process. Council unanimously voted to adopted a policy and process timeline for appointing a candidate to fill the unexpired term.
The application period began at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 and ended at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 9, 2022. The Town Clerk’s Office in partnership with the Town’s Communications’ Department advertised the vacancy using a variety of platforms including the Town’s website, social media, and local news media.
A total of 34 completed applications were received for the temporary seat vacated by Cheryl Stallings, who was recently elected to serve on the Wake County Board of Commissioners. Of the 34 applications, three did not meet the eligibility requirements set by the Apex Town Council.
Each member of the Town Council, including the Mayor, submitted nominations for up to seven candidates to be interviewed. In order for a candidate to move forward to the interview phase, they were required to receive a majority (three or more) nominations.
On Friday, December 16, 2022, the official nomination record was released and four candidates were identified to move forward to the interview phase.
According to North Carolina General Statutes § 160A-63 and the Apex Town Code of Ordinances, the Apex Town Council has the authority to appoint a qualified individual to fill Stallings unexpired term until residents have the opportunity to elect a successor in the 2023 Apex municipal elections.
Questions about the selection process should be directed to the Town Clerk Allen Coleman via email allen.coleman@apexnc.org, by phone at (919) 249-1260, or in-person at 73 Hunter Street, Apex, NC 27502.
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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 HSS on Darsana Exhibit. 99.9HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
Join us on Radio Nyra Sundays at 4pm for interesting interviews with local thought leaders
99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
Enjoyed our Radio Nyra Interview with Bob Phillips from Radio Nyra.
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/1917301445271106/?t=20
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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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This Week in Morrisville: January 2nd - 8th | |
Free Tennis Clinic for Beginners on January 8
The Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center (MAFC), 1301 Morrisville Parkway, is hosting a free tennis clinic for beginners on Sunday, Jan. 8, from 3-4 p.m. The clinic is open to players ages 18 and up. Tennis balls will be provided, and racquets will be available to borrow. Participants will get a great workout while learning how to play tennis. Reserve your spot on MAFC’s Sign-Up Genius. Registration will open on Jan. 1.
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Some Greenway Bridges to be Closed for Repairs in January
The Town of Morrisville has contracted with Span Builders to complete maintenance and repairs to pedestrian bridges located on Town greenways. This work will continue through January and may require temporary closures of bridges for short periods of time. The contractor will work with greenway users to ensure safe passage through work zones. For any questions, please contact Public Works at (919) 463-7070.
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Happy Trails Wake County Tree Recycling
Recycle your Christmas tree to mulch trails at Wake County parks. Drop off your undecorated holiday trees at designated locations from Dec. 26-Jan. 22. (All facilities will be closed for New Year’s Day on Jan. 1.) Local residents can drop off their trees at Lake Crabtree, 1400 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville. Check out additional locations and hours here.
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Art and Photo Contest Winners Announced
The winners for the Student Art Poster Contest and the Stormwater Photo Contest have been announced. The grand prize winner of “Bees, Seeds, and Butterflies,” hosted by the Morrisville Environment and Stormwater Committee, is Bryce Cao. Check out all the winning entries here. The winner of the “We Are All Upstream” photo contest is Nisarg Mounachar of Panther Creek High School.
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Trees Planted at Cedar Fork District Park
The Public Works Department recently planted 20 new large trees throughout Cedar Fork District Park. A variety of native trees were chosen to continue the Town’s efforts to create more native landscape installations and spread awareness about the benefits to the public. The tree installation was one of many projects meant to provide a more robust and beautiful park for all users.
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Have You Joined Engage Morrisville?
Engage Morrisville is a place for residents and businesses to get involved by sharing ideas and feedback with Town staff on various projects and topics affecting the Morrisville community. Current topics of conversation include the Town Center Project, What's Happening Around Town, and the Morrisville Smart Shuttle. Register and join the conversation today.
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MAFC Hosting Virtual Marathon Starting January 1
Start the new year right with a focus on healthy living! Join the Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center for a virtual marathon, from Jan. 1 to Feb. 4. You can choose to run a full marathon (26.2 miles), an ultramarathon (50 miles), or a mega marathon (100 miles). All miles completed can be logged toward fulfillment of the marathon, including those completed at home or at the MAFC, those walked or ran, and those swam or biked. Registration opens on Dec. 12. Click here to sign up.
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Now Hiring: Join the MAFC Team
The Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center is currently recruiting for the following positions:
- Senior Aquatics Specialist (FT)
- Marketing & Membership Coordinator
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.
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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 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 Grounds Maintenance divisions. For more information click on the following links:
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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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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.
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Great Outdoors Trail Day
Great Time at the Jan 1 Great Outdoors Trail Day Walk at Crabtree Hatcher Creek Greenway at Cedar Fork District Park!
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Disc Golf
Disc Golf at Cedar Fork District Park with Mayor TJ and friends!
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SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY VISITS | |
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On Saturday, November 26th, I visited a number of businesses on Small Business Saturday. This went so well, that I am going to continue this throughout the year, visiting a business or two every Saturday or during the week. I also plan to focus on different markets like Technology, Health Care, Manufacturing, etc.
If you have a business and you want me to visit you and highlight your company, please email me at sr@steverao.com.
Thanks to all the companies who let me drop by.
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Small Business Listening Tour: | |
Send me an email at sr@steverao.com to book a Business Listening visit to your company. | |
Yeet Street Disc Golf
Visit with Yeet Street Disc Golf at Cedar Fork District Park!
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National and North Carolina News | |
DA seeks removal of Columbus County Sheriff from office
Columbus County Sheriff Jody Greene faces allegations of racism, politically motivated arrests and other misdeeds. He’s under criminal investigation for obstruction of justice. He recently resigned. Yet Greene was sworn in Thursday to his second term as the top law enforcement officer in his rural county in southeastern North Carolina, after voters reelected him this November. Almost immediately after he was sworn in Thursday morning for what is supposed to be a four-year term, the local district attorney filed a petition in court seeking — for the second time — to have Greene permanently removed from office.
Almost immediately after he was sworn in Thursday morning for what is supposed to be a four-year term, the local district attorney filed a petition in court seeking — for the second time — to have Greene permanently removed from office.
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NC Supreme Court Rejects Independent State Legislature Theory
In a lawsuit that mirrors a nationally watched case on legislatures’ power, the N.C. Supreme Court on Friday delivered a ruling that rejects the “independent state legislature” theory Republican lawmakers have been promoting. The case drawing national attention, Moore v. Harper, is at the U.S. Supreme Court. It’s an appeal of the N.C. Supreme Court’s decision in February to throw out the new congressional districts that GOP leaders had wanted, due to unconstitutional partisan gerrymandering. The argument from Republican leaders is that no state courts — in North Carolina or anywhere else in the country — should be allowed to overturn laws on federal elections that the legislature passes.
Critics say a win for the legislature could spell the end of American democracy, The News & Observer has reported, by allowing for unchecked gerrymandering of U.S. congressional districts. Some contend that it even has the potential to allow for the overturning of future presidential elections.
But the theory isn’t only at the U.S. Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments in the case this month and is currently mulling a ruling on whether to apply the theory to federal elections. State lawmakers had used Friday’s case to try making similar arguments at the local level for state elections — that state courts shouldn’t be allowed to rule state legislative districts unconstitutionally gerrymandered, either.
Otherwise, this court is barreling into the political wilderness, where the legislative authority to redistrict will be transferred from the legislature to the courts,” a GOP attorney told the court in October during oral arguments, The N&O reported at the time. On Friday the Supreme Court rejected that theory, in a 4-3 opinion down party lines that affirmed the right of state courts to rule on gerrymandering cases. The ruling saw all the Democrats in the majority, and all the Republicans dissenting.
BEDROCK OF OUR SACRED SYSTEM’
At face value, the case was over the state legislative maps that were just used in the 2022 elections. The court ruled that the state House maps can continue to be used in future elections, but the state Senate maps are unconstitutional and must be redrawn. But the court’s most senior Democratic justice, Robin Hudson, wrote in the majority opinion that her ruling goes beyond just ordering new state Senate districts. “In so doing, we expressly and emphatically reaffirm the fundamental right of citizens to vote on equal terms enshrined within our Constitution’s Declaration of Rights, and this Court’s constitutional responsibility and authority to assess legislative compliance therewith,” she wrote.
These principles are — and must remain — the enduring bedrock of our sacred system of democratic governance, and may be neither subordinated nor subverted for the sake of passing political expediency.”
The court’s Republicans were unconvinced.
Chief Justice Paul Newby, in the dissent, wrote that courts should not have a say in redistricting. The state constitution gives that power to the legislature, he said, and when judges try to decide whether the legislature’s actions violate other parts of the state constitution, they end up improperly taking redistricting power for themselves. The ruling in February overturning the maps, due to the massive advantage the lines would have given Republicans even in elections in which they lost the statewide vote, was wrong, Newby wrote.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The legislature was already planning on redrawing the congressional maps this summer, for the 2024 elections and beyond. Republican lawmakers originally wanted a map that would’ve allowed Democrats to win only three or four of the state’s 14 seats in Congress, even if the statewide vote was split evenly for Republicans and Democrats. Instead, the court-ordered maps used in 2022 led to an even 7-7 split for the two parties. With Republicans about to take control of the court, and with Newby’s dissents in February and again on Friday stating he doesn’t think courts should be involved in redistricting, the legislature has been expected to draw an aggressively pro-Republican congressional map.
What would happen with the state legislative maps had been more of an open question. If the legislature follows Friday’s court order, it would now redraw the state Senate districts, and leave the state House districts as-is.
Read more at: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article270115877.html#storylink=cpy
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NC Supreme Court Stands Firm Against Voter ID
The North Carolina Supreme Court on Friday upheld a lower court ruling that struck down the state’s 2018 voter ID law, agreeing with the lower court that it had been passed with the intent of targeting Black voters who were unlikely to vote for Republicans.
“We hold that the three-judge panel’s findings of fact are supported by competent evidence showing that the statute was motivated by a racially discriminatory purpose,” the Democratic-majority court said, adding that the lower court also correctly applied the relevant precedent.
The state Supreme Court’s three Republican members dissented from the ruling Friday.
The law, known as SB 824, was passed in 2018 after Republicans lost their supermajority in the legislature but before the new legislature took over. The law was put on hold under a preliminary injunction, after North Carolina’s Court of Appeals said in 2020 that voter ID provisions could negatively impact Black voters. A three-judge state court panel then permanently blocked the law in September 2021.
Republicans will regain control of the North Carolina Supreme Court in the coming weeks, after the party flipped two seats on the court in last month’s midterm election, which could lead to overturning the Democratic Majority Court Decision.
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WHY IS MOORE V. HARPER SO IMPORTANT?
Last week, the Supreme Court heard Oral Argmuments for Moore v. Harper.
The Moore case hinges on a legal proposition known as the “independent state legislature theory.” The theory asserts that, when it comes to making state laws that apply to federal elections — from drawing congressional district lines, to determining the who-what-when-where of casting a ballot — only the state legislature itself has the power to set the rules. The theory claims that the state legislatures’ power is so exclusive that they can ignore the requirements of their own state constitution, including the fair districting requirements that the North Carolina Supreme Court has enforced under its own state constitutional power of judicial review.
If the Supreme Court adopts the North Carolina legislators’ proposed rule in Moore, it will make it even easier for state legislatures to suppress the vote and subvert election results, and it will give both political parties the green light to draw gerrymandered election districts. Adopting the legislators’ rule would also require the court to turn its back on principles ostensibly favored by its current majority, like original meaning and federalism, which stand against the legislators’ radical and disruptive legal theory.
Moore is an opportunity for the court to reject that radicalism, and to reaffirm the common-sense rule that has been in place since the Constitution was ratified: State legislatures always act subject to the state constitutions that charter them and define their powers.
Nothing less than that basic principle of American constitutional government is at stake.
We will be watching this case closely, and I predict that the Court may rule in favor of NC which will have a significant impact on North Carolina elections.
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LATEST NATIONAL AND GLOBAL UPDATES | |
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The House failed to elect a speaker for the second day in a row.
• What’s going on? Republican leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) failed three times yesterday to get enough votes. A group of hard-right holdouts in his party are blocking his election.
• What this means: The House is at a standstill. Members still aren’t sworn in, and nothing can get done until a speaker is chosen.
• What’s next? Probably more chaos. The House returns at noon Eastern time and will vote again, but there’s no clear agreement on a path forward.
Benedict XVI’s funeral was this morning at the Vatican.
• What to know: The Vatican used a mix of ancient rituals and new precedents to honor the former pope. Pope Francis led the Mass for his predecessor, a historic moment.
• A complicated legacy: Benedict XVI was the first head of the Catholic Church in 600 years to resign. He died Saturday at 95 years old.
California declared a state of emergency yesterday.
• Why? It’s being hit by a third powerful rainstorm in a week. The ground is soaked and rivers are filling, leaving the state especially vulnerable to flooding and other chaos.
• The latest: Most parts of Northern and central California are under a flood warning. Over 100,000 customers have lost power, and several communities have been ordered to evacuate.
The “mastermind” of a college admissions scandal got jail time.
• A reminder: The scandal blew open in 2019 with revelations that kids of wealthy parents got into selective colleges through bribery, cheating on tests and fake athletic credentials.
• Who is he? William “Rick” Singer, 62, who orchestrated the scheme. He was sentenced yesterday to 3½ years, the heaviest punishment so far in dozens of linked cases.
More countries are introducing restrictions on travelers from China.
• Why? China is battling a surge in coronavirus cases that has raised concerns about the emergence of new variants and whether Beijing is telling the whole truth about the outbreak.
• What’s new? Japan yesterday joined nearly a dozen other countries, including the U.S., by saying it would soon require negative test results for arrivals from China.
Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin showed signs of improvement.
• The latest: The 24-year-old safety is still in critical condition after he went into cardiac arrest during a game on Monday, but he has made some progress, the Bills said yesterday.
• What else to know: The NFL still hasn’t made a decision about whether to complete Monday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, which was stopped in the first quarter.
The biggest tech show in the world starts today in Las Vegas.
• Why this matters: The annual CES gathering offers a glimpse of the ways our relationship with tech could change over the next few years.
• The best (and weirdest) finds so far: A smart TV that can scan your vitals and connect you to a doctor; a home device that analyzes your pee; a fridge that changes color; and more.
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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 me every Sunday at 4pm for a new show. 99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM! | |
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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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