WILEY NICKEL FOR CONGRESS!

We need to send Wiley Nickel to represent us in Congressional 13th! This is a very close race and we need someone with experience to represent us in Washington!  

https://www.wileynickelforcongress.com/

Minu Lee for Raleigh Council!

Time for a fresh change, and young, dynamic leader for Raleigh.  Join me in making history by electing the first Asian American to serve on the Raleigh Council!  

https://www.leeforraleigh.com/

Nov 1 5pm - NC RIOT DEMO NIGHT 

Nov 1  NC RIOT DEMO NIGHT  5 pm at Raleigh Convention Center! 

https://riot.org/event/riot-lxxvii-demo-night/

Nov 3 State of Morrisville 7:30 am- 9 am

Nov 3 State of Morrisville 7:30 am- 9 am at Wake Tech RTP!

https://business.morrisvillechamber.org/events/details/state-of-morrisville-november-2022-2491?calendarMonth=2022-11-01

Nov 11 10-11am - Morrisville Veterans Day Celebration

The Morrisville Veterans Day Celebration will be Friday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. at Indian Creek Trailhead, 101 Town Hall Drive. The event will honor veterans who live in Morrisville and those who work for the Town of Morrisville. Brigadier General (Ret.) Johnny Clinton, the commander of the Lowe’s Grove American Legion Post 416, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker. 

Parking will be available at Town Hall, 100 Town Hall Drive.

Nov 17th Testosterone Therapy Symposium! 

We are excited to share an invitation to the Recognizing the Value of Testosterone Therapy in Healthcare Symposium 2022. During the symposium, global experts will share their research on important topics surrounding testosterone, as well as the future of testosterone therapy. As there is a tremendous patient population that could benefit, please share with your network/anyone else who will find it valuable/relevant.

Registration link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_R1l9UK6aSRqo9jWvKQ2nhA

Remember to apply for Town of Morrisville Advisory Committees by Nov 14th!  

https://www.townofmorrisville.org/government/resident-advisory-committees

The Town is growing, and your opinion matters! Advisory Committees offer residents a chance to be involved in the Town’s decision-making processes by providing input on important matters to Town Council. The deadline to apply is Monday, Nov. 14, at 5 p.m. Apply now on the Town website. Contact Town Clerk Eric Smith with any questions at (919) 463-6168 or esmith@townofmorrisville.org.

UK Prime Minister

Rishi Sunak becomes first Indian and Hindu Prime Minister in United Kingdom.

Bridge collapse in India

Bridge collapse in India kills 134, 30 children. 

https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/30/asia/india-bridge-collapse-intl/index.html

US Supreme Court

US Supreme Court Could End Affirmative Action.

https://www.npr.org/2022/11/01/1132935433/supreme-court-affirmative-action-history-harvard-admissions-university-carolina

Remarks by First Lady, VP Harris and President Biden:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tibpyikcMc

My White House Diwali Reflections: 

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/1829015997463310

Last Monday evening, I had the honor of attending a Diwali celebration at the White House, hosted by President Biden and First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden.  

It was an emotional moment for me to be in such a historic place, home to 45 Presidents, each who led the nation through both challenging and prosperous times and to celebrate Diwali. 

During the evening, I could hear the calming voice of President Franklin Roosevelt, who launched the New Deal to battle a Great Depression, was reminded of the courage and resilience of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln and the vision and energy of John F. Kennedy, and all of the Presidents who called this place home while they led our nation.  

As a young boy, growing up in West Virginia, the son of Indian immigrants, Diwali was a time when Indian families would gather for meals, light up our homes, and remind each other that the light and love of our hearts was all we needed to keep our communities strong.   

I never imagined in my lifetime, that our journey as Hindus would take us to this place, where a President and the First Lady would celebrate Diwali with us in our historic White House.   

During this Hindu Heritage month, we have celebrated the contributions of Hindu Americans to the United States.  I cannot think of a better way to celebrate our journey in this nation than to celebrate Diwali in the White House.  I was humbled and inspired on this night.  

President Biden reminded each of us in attendance that during his lifetime, he was able to overcome dark times by seeing the light in others.  This light gave him a life of purpose, a career of public service which would take him to the Oval Office and to serve as our President and Commander in Chief.  I left the White House reminded that this inner light and love of our hearts will always lift us out of the darkness.  

We thank President Biden, First Lady Biden and VP Harris for their warm welcome to the House of the People, for a special Diwali reception, one that I will never forget.  

Although I was out of Town, I was present in spirit at a number of historic Temple Diwali events in on Oct. 24th!  

BAPS Diwali Proclamation by Governor

Governor Cooper made his first appearance at BAPS Morrisville to read the proclamation on Diwali and Hindu Heritage Month.  A great day for BAPS and the community! 

RAJ Goparum

SV Temple Celebrated the opening of the new Temple Hall and enjoyed the presence of the Governor, who also read Diwali Proclamations. 

BAPS and Triangle Area Hindu Temples State Capitol Events 

Last Thursday, I was honored to attend the first ever Diwali celebration at the State Capitol hosted by BAPS and TAHTS.  Thanks to Sen. Sydney Batch, Rep, Cynthia Ball, Rep, James Roberson, Rep. Julie VonHaffen and all of the community leaders who attended and hosted such a beautiful event.  

My Message on Rishi Sunak:

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/821339042409987

Sunak was born in Southampton to parents of Indian descent who migrated to Britain from East Africa in the 1960s.  He was educated at Winchester College, studied philosophy, politics and economics (PPE) at Lincoln College, Oxford, and earned an MBA from Stanford University as a Fulbright Scholar. While at Stanford, he met his future wife Akshata Murty, the daughter of Indian billionaire N. R. Narayana Murthy of Infosys. After graduating, Sunak worked for Goldman Sachs and later as a partner at the hedge fund firms The Children's Investment Fund Management and Theleme Partners.

Sunak was elected to the House of Commons for Richmond in North Yorkshire at the 2015 general election, succeeding William Hague. Sunak supported Brexit in the 2016 referendum on EU membership. He was appointed to Theresa May's second government as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Government in the 2018 reshuffle. He voted three times in favour of May's Brexit withdrawal agreement.

After May resigned, Sunak supported Boris Johnson's campaign to become Conservative leader. After Johnson became Prime Minister, Sunak was appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Sunak replaced Sajid Javid as Chancellor of the Exchequer after Javid's resignation in the February 2020 cabinet reshuffle. As Chancellor, Sunak was prominent in the government's financial response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact, including the Coronavirus Job Retention and Eat Out to Help Out schemes. He resigned as chancellor in July 2022, followed by Johnson's resignation amid a government crisis.

Sunak stood in the Conservative party leadership election to replace Johnson,[7] and lost the members' vote to Liz Truss. 

After Truss's resignation amid a credibility crisis, Sunak was elected unopposed as Leader of the Conservative Party. He was appointed Prime Minister by King Charles III, the first to be appointed during his reign, on 25 October 2022, becoming the first British Asian and Hindu to hold that position

My Message Wake County Bonds:

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/846358376371727

In addition to the federal and state elections in the upcoming November election, voters in Raleigh and Wake County will also consider bond proposals for local schools, the community college system, and parks and greenways.

Proposed Bonds

• Wake County Public Schools (all Wake County): $537 million
• Wake Technical Community College "Workforce Forward Bond" (all Wake County): $353 million
• Raleigh Parks and Greenway (Raleigh only): $275 million

Bonds for local governments are just like mortgages for families. They borrow large sums of money in order to buy things today, and pay that loan back over time. Although interest rates have gone up in recent months, borrowing rates are still low compared with historic figures.

Both Raleigh and Wake County have strong bond ratings, a measure similar to an individual's credit rating, which allows those two governments to qualify for lower interest borrowing rates. Both Raleigh and Wake County have an AAA rating, one of the highest possible.

If all three bonds are approved, it would total more than $1.1 billion of new borrowing combined for the two governments, and would come with property tax increases.

The bonds would add more than $120 per year to the average Raleigh homeowner's annual property tax. The Raleigh parks and greenway bond accounts for the majority of that increase, so the tax impact on Wake County property owners outside of Raleigh would be smaller — about $35 per year — though the exact figure depends on each homeowner's property value.

To estimate the tax implication, governments publish the amount that taxes would increase for the median property value. If your property value is higher or lower, the tax implication will also be higher or lower by the exact same percentage difference from the median value.

Wake County Median Property Values

• Wake County: $337,000
• Raleigh: $257,000

Annual Tax Impact

• Wake County Schools: $21
• Wake Tech: $14
• Raleigh parks and greenway (Raleigh only): $103

These types of bonds are generally supported by voters. Since 2000, Wake County voters have approved bonds in eight different elections totaling more than $4.3 billion. Most of that total, more than $3.3 billion, has been for the public school system.

AAPI MOBILIZE THE VOTE

Join North Carolina Democratic Party Asian American Pacific Islander Caucus, Asian Pacific Islander Outreach (APIO), South Asians for America, and other AAPI Coalition groups to make calls to AAPI voters in North Carolina to turn out the vote in support of Democratic candidates up and down the ballot.

You will need a laptop computer and a phone to make calls to voters in North Carolina. Training and all phonebank link and resources will be provided after you join the zoom link that you will receive after registration.

Register: https://www.mobilize.us/ncappidems/event/505174/

CONTROL OF US CONGRESS AT STAKE 

All 435 House seats are up for election. The Cook Political Report rates 31 races as toss-ups – 22 of which are currently held by Democrats and nine by Republicans.

A shift of only five seats would transfer control of the chamber to Republicans.

Redistricting will play a significant role in the 2022 House elections: new lines have altered the competitiveness of numerous districts, and some incumbents are running for re-election in new territory.

Both parties have used their respective power in the states to draw district lines and have filed lawsuits to challenge maps they weren’t in charge of creating. Republicans controlled line-drawing in far more districts than Democrats and should gain several seats in the 2022 midterms from redistricting alone.

President Biden’s low approval rating and inflation are likely to be anchors on Democratic incumbents. The Biden administration’s politics, policies, and polling will shape the national atmosphere, as midterms are generally viewed as a referendum on the president.

One key race to watch is District 13, Wiley Nickel vs. Bo Hines.  

I am endorsing Wiley Nickel, as I believe that he has the experience to represent us well in Washington.  I also believe that Jeff Jackson will support us as well! 

More on him in my next newsletter, but please support Wiley Nickel and Jeff Jackson for these toss up seats! 

ONE SEAT COULD FLIP US SENATE

The battle for control of the U.S. Senate could hinge on a single race.

A handful of make-or-break Senate elections in key states are only growing more competitive as candidates barrel toward the Nov. 8 midterm elections. Only a few contests could determine how the Senate handles policy — and President Joe Biden’s nominees for key posts — for the rest of the president’s first term.

Republicans were considered favorites to win control of the upper chamber of Congress heading into the year. Democrats now appear slightly more likely to hold the majority in January.

Democrats hold the slimmest possible majority in the Senate, a reality that at times has reined in Biden’s most ambitious policy goals. The chamber is split 50-50, and Vice President Kamala Harris holds the tie-breaking vote.

Biden’s presence in the White House could make his party’s bid to hold the Senate more difficult: the president’s party historically struggles in midterm elections. 

While Biden’s approval rating has climbed from the lowest points of his term, most voters polled still disapprove of the job he is doing as Americans struggle with high inflation, among other issues.

BEASLEY RACE IS CRITICAL! 

SUPPORT CHRIS HEAGARTY FOR BOLD, INNOVATIVE LEADERSHIP!

For years. elected officials,and residents assumed that we did not have the land for a new High School.  

School Board Member Chris Heagarty changed this mindset.  

Chris led efforts for an innovative and collaborative new agreement between Morrisville and Wake County schools. Through joint use agreements, Wake County Schools and Morrisville can share important recreational facilities between the new high school and the public, and Morrisville will get a brand new site for its new fire station.

These kind of partnerships, which require cooperation and collaboration between from Morrisville, Wake County Schools, Wake Tech, the Town of Cary, and our County Commissioners, is what is making our future high school possible, and that's why we need innovative and collaborative leaders on our school board like Chris Heagarty.

Chris has the vision to see how to overcome problems and the skills and experience to make it happen. Morrisville is fortunate to have a partner like him on our school board.

Vote for Chris on Tuesday, Nov 8th and remember that you can Early Vote until Nov 5th. 

WHY CARE ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT? 

Both major political parties have their eyes on the North Carolina Supreme Court, where control of the court is up for grabs. Two seats are on the ballot. If Republicans win even one, the balance of the court shifts from left-leaning to right-leaning.

If the Legislature passes new laws on hot button issues, lawsuits could follow and these suits could end up in our State Supreme Court.  

Some of the issues at play are: 

• Abortion Restrictions 
• Medical Marijuana legalization 
• Sports Betting 
• Harsher Penalties for Protesters 
• Changes to Election Laws 
• Limits to what Teachers are allowed to say about Racism and LGBT people.  
• Changes to Health Care Policy being discussed alongside Medicaid Expansion! 

Moore V. Harper Case 

In my next newsletter, I will be discussing Moore v. Harper, which is being considered by the US Supreme Court.   

A decision which supports the Republican Independent Legislature theory, would enable State Legislatures to be the final arbiter of congressional maps, and election results.  

For example, in a close presidential race, our General Assembly could appoint new electors, in the event they were not happy with the results of the election.   Stay tuned!

What’s at Stake:

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/441240414816711

What would a Supermajority mean?  

https://www.governing.com/next/whats-at-stake-inthe-north-carolina-midterm-elections  

The Republicans need 72 seats in the House and 30 in the Senate to secure a supermajority. That means the GOP needs a net pickup of three seats in the House and two seats in the Senate.

A supermajority is important because it means lawmakers could pass legislation and ostensibly override the veto pen of Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. Lawmakers and Cooper have been at a stalemate over a variety of issues since 2019 due to the governor’s veto.

With three months to Election Day, Democrats and Republicans are revving up for the home stretch of their midterm campaigns.

Historically, the political party that’s in the White House is the biggest indicator of election results. Midterm elections often reflect what the voters think of the current presidential administration.

In North Carolina, there are two major issues at play this year: the economy and abortion. But a range of other factors will also affect election results in this politically purple state.

While North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race between Democrat Cheri Beasley and Republican Ted Budd is drawing the most attention, the 2022 election will also determine control of the state legislature. North Carolina’s General Assembly has a Republican majority, and Gov. Roy Cooper — whose term runs through 2024 — is a Democrat.

Democrats and Republicans are counting on voter motivation to deliver wins for their respective parties.

National Influence on State Politics

Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University, said “the biggest factors are the immovable ones.” Because it’s President Joe Biden’s first midterm, Democrats are going to lose seats, he said.

“The Republicans are going to gain seats. For Democrats, it’s about blunting the force of the headwinds coming against them,” Cooper said.

“Issues like abortion might do that,” he added, but “it’s not going be a game changer. We’re not going to have a Democratic majority in the legislature.”

If Republicans gain enough seats for a supermajority, they could change abortion law in the state, which currently comprises an unenforced ban after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Democratic Sen. Natalie Murdock sees the issue as a “huge rallying cry” for voters. But whether abortion, or inflation, will be enough to drive voter turnout is yet to be determined.

GOP Confidence and Downballot Races

Republican state legislative leaders — including Senate leader Phil Berger of Eden and House Speaker Tim Moore of Kings Mountain — are confident they’ll maintain a majority and regain their veto-proof supermajority, which they haven’t had since 2018.

In June, Berger told reporters that what he sees as the Biden Administration’s failures have created opportunities for Republicans in federal and state races.

“That’s one of those things where what I like to say is we probably have the wind at our backs in terms of elections,” Berger said.

He thinks Republicans can win more than 30 seats in the Senate. That’s the number they need for a supermajority.

On the House side, Moore said his confidence is driven by what’s happening at the federal level.

“There’s things that you can do to sort of rise above and stand out as a legislative candidate or on a state issue, but elections these days I think are driven so much by what’s going on with the national mood and what’s going on there,” he said in late July. “...Inflation’s real. These pocketbook issues are real, and I think the voters are going to hold Biden and the Democrats responsible for that.”

While Democrats want to make abortion an election issue, Moore said, Republicans are “focused on really running this state the way it should be done, really trying to run it like a business.”

In July, Gov. Roy Cooper signed into law the Republican-written state budget that included raises for state employees and teachers that were well below the rate of inflation. Even with a $6 billion revenue surplus the legislature set aside significant funds for savings, anticipating a recession on the horizon.

One issue that enough Republicans and Democrats support in North Carolina, regardless of 2022 results, is expanding Medicaid to give more residents access to health care. It could happen before or after the midterm elections, even as soon as later this month. But the House and Senate have been at an impasse since mid-July.

Morgan Jackson, a Democratic strategist for the governor and others, said that “if Republicans are smart, they would take Medicaid expansion off the table” by reaching a deal before the November election. If they don’t, Jackson said, Democrats will hang that issue around their necks during campaign season.

Jackson said midterm elections are about motivation, and the side that wins has the most motivated voters.

“For most of the last year, the voters most motivated and angry were Republicans,” Jackson said, because their party has been out of power. But the Supreme Court decision tossing abortion laws back to the states has motivated Democratic voters.

Before the court decision, Democrats were about 10 percent less motivated than Republicans, Jackson said. But that has changed.

If former President Donald Trump announces he’s going to run again, that will also motivate more Democrats to vote, according to Jackson. And Democrats are counting on Beasley’s historic candidacy as an African American woman to drive voter support.

2022 vs. 2020

Not much changed in the makeup of North Carolina’s statewide political power after the 2020 elections. Cooper was reelected, as were the Republican leaders of the General Assembly.

Democrats lost a few seats in the legislature, but still maintained enough to prevent a Republican supermajority.

Jackson said Democrats didn’t have an aggressive ground game in 2020 because of COVID-19, but now they are organized and knocking on doors. Republicans, who were credited with a better ground game last round, have also increased their fundraising.

Chris Cooper, the politics professor, said some of the Democrats’ strategy is regaining ground they lost in rural North Carolina. But he sees that as more likely to happen in 2032, not 2022.

Murdock — a Durham Democrat active in state Democratic Party leadership, who worked on voter outreach for the Biden-Harris campaign — said that Democrats have ramped up their field presence. She and fellow Senate Democrat Jay Chaudhuri both pointed to groups like the New Rural Project that work to drive voter registration and turnout.

“I definitely think with the ground game we’re starting much earlier,” Murdock said, out knocking on doors this summer. In her own district up for election, which now includes Chatham County, she has been canvassing since late spring.

Chaudhuri, the Senate Democratic whip, said Democrats are putting resources in areas that matter most to them, including Wake County, which includes his district, and Mecklenburg, New Hanover and Cumberland counties.

“I think the idea of a red wave is overstated,” Chaudhuri told The News & Observer. “I think what we’re seeing as we get closer to the November election is Democrats are coming home because of the January 6 hearings and seeing independents break away because of the (Supreme Court abortion) decision. I think we have a real opportunity to hold on to our senator numbers, and keep Gov. Cooper’s veto,” he said.

Chaudhuri said that inflation and gas prices are also real issues for voters, but a counterpoint is North Carolina’s economic growth and job production.

“Gas prices are coming down, that’s helpful. Inflation is heading in the right direction,” Murdock said in a recent interview. “I think all of that is going to come together.”

Although Roy Cooper is chair of the Democratic Governors Association and helping Beasley campaign, Jackson said, the governor is “laser-like focused on the General Assembly. His top priority is the General Assembly.”

Chaudhuri said that Democrats will be talking to voters about the need to invest in public education, that Democrats can take credit for job growth in North Carolina and that “we don’t want to be Texas, Florida or Georgia when it comes to protecting a woman’s right to choose.”

Known Unknowns

Another factor at play this election is the rise of unaffiliated voters. They blew past Democrats as the largest voting group before the May primary.

While unaffiliated voters generally follow the voting trends of the district they’re in, their votes aren’t guaranteed for one of the two major parties.

Stephen Wiley, director of the state Republican House Caucus, said that during a recession, voters are going to punish the people in national power. House Republicans are starting to send out political advertising in the mail, with more to come.

Voters are most concerned about the economy, Wiley said, including inflation and gas prices.

“I just filled up for $3.99 (a gallon) on Peace Street, and that’s supposed to be good news?” he said.

Wiley doesn’t think abortion will be as big a factor in the election as Democrats expect. He said “things are going to change” between now and Election Day on Nov. 8.

“I didn’t have ‘FBI raids (Trump’s home at) Mar-a-Lago on Monday night’ on my Bingo card, personally,” Wiley said. “...We just don’t know. We don’t know. It just comes down to the national mood, and history is not kind to parties of the president when there’s a recession. That’s our number one issue and it’ll stay our number one issue.”

For legislative races, Wiley said its about persuading existing voters to finish filling out their ballots, meaning all the downballot races. He said House Republicans are confident about maintaining a majority and see a “strong pathway to supermajority.”

“The economy. That’s it. That’s the whole thing. People don’t like that their life is more expensive,” he said. 

NC HOUSE 

Elections for the North Carolina House of Representatives will take place in 2022. The general election is on November 8, 2022. A primary was held on May 17, 2022. A primary runoff was scheduled to be held on July 5, 2022. The filing deadline was March 4, 2022.

The North Carolina House of Representatives is one of 88 state legislative chambers holding elections in 2022. There are 99 chambers throughout the country. Heading into the 2022 elections, Republicans hold a majority in more chambers than Democrats. There is a Republican majority in 62 chambers and a Democratic majority in 36 chambers. In the Alaska House, there is a power-sharing agreement between the parties as part of a coalition.

Ballotpedia has identified 29 battleground races in the North Carolina House of Representatives 2022 elections, 17 of which are Democratic-held districts while the other 12 are Republican-held districts. Based on analysis of these districts' electoral histories, these races have the potential to be more competitive than other races and could possibly lead to shifts in a chamber's partisan balance.

All 120 seats are up for election in 2022. Heading into the 2022 election, the Republican Party controls 68 seats and the Democratic Party controls 51 seats with one vacancy.

North Carolina has had divided government since Democrats took control of the governorship in 2016, breaking the state’s Republican trifecta. 

Democrats need to win control of the state senate and the state house in order to win a trifecta. Republicans need to maintain control of one or both chambers to maintain the state's divided government. This is one of 28 state legislative chambers Ballotpedia identified as a battleground chamber this year.

NC SENATE 

The North Carolina State Senate is the upper chamber of the General Assembly of North Carolina. Alongside the North Carolina House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the North Carolina state government and works alongside the governor of North Carolina to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the North Carolina State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The North Carolina State Senate meets in the Legislative Building in Raleigh, North Carolina.

On February 23, 2022, the Wake County Superior Court approved the state legislature's redrawn legislative maps. These maps take effect for North Carolina's 2022 legislative elections. 

• All 50 seats in the North Carolina State Senate are up for election in 2022.  Republicans currently hold 28 seats and the Democrats hold 22 seats. 
• All 50 seats in the state Senate were up for election in 2020. The chamber's Republican majority decreased from 29-21 to 28-22. Click to read more »
• North Carolina has a divided government where neither party holds a trifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor, while the Republican Party controls both chambers of the state legislature.

US Senate 

Cheri Beasley, US Senate 

NC Supreme Court 

Sam Ervin, NC Supreme Court 

Lucy Inman, NC Supreme Court 

US Congress

Wiley Nickel, 13th Congressional 

Deb Ross, 2nd Congressional 

Valerie Foushee, 4th Congressional 

Jeff Jackson, 14th District 

NC HOUSE

Joe John, District 40

Maria Cervania, District 41  

Cynthia Ball, District 49  

Julie Van Haffen, District 36 

NC Senate

Sydney Batch, Senate 17  

Mary Willis Bode, Senate 18  

Valerie Jordan, Senate 13

WAKE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD

Lindsay Mahaffey, District 8

Chris Heagarty, District 7 

Tyler Swanson, District 9

WAKE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Donald Mial, District 1 

Matt Calabria, District 2 

Cheryl Stallings, District 3 

Vickie Adamson, District 7 

Raleigh Council

Mary Anne Baldwin, Mayor  

Corey Branch, District C 

Minu Lee, District B

David Knight, District E

Storme Forte, At Large 

Jonathan Melton, At Large 

Radio Nyra Interview with Kiran for Kiran Walk! 

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/456097769818058

ROKU TV HINDU HERITAGE INTERVIEW:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIkw4q3VJMQ

Critical Conversations Podcast

Made by Debut on the Podcast Critical Conversations with Kenia Thompson.

https://www.facebook.com/kenia.c.thompson/videos/2135504183293818

88.1 FM Geet Bazaar

Wonderful interview with Secretary of State Elaine Marshall on 88.1 FM Geet Bazaar!  

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/454623026620604

Highlights from the October 25, 2022 Morrisville Town Council meeting include:

• Operation Green Light for Veterans
• Solarize the Triangle Campaign Proclamation
• Small Business Community Project Grant Appropriation
• Town Center Update
• Rezoning for Wake Technical Community College
• Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) Amendment for Marcom Drive
• Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) and Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) Agreements
• Development of the 2023/2024 Legislative Action Agenda

For details visit https://bit.ly/3TLW0Tu

#LiveConnectedLiveWell

Become a Town Advisory Committee Member

The Town is growing, and your opinion matters! Advisory Committees offer residents a chance to be involved in the Town’s decision-making processes by providing input on important matters to Town Council. The deadline to apply is Monday, Nov. 14, at 5 p.m. Apply now on the Town website. Contact Town Clerk Eric Smith with any questions at (919) 463-6168 or esmith@townofmorrisville.org.

Small Businesses Invited to List Items in 2022 Holiday Gift Guide

It’s that time of year again! The Town of Morrisville is partnering with the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce for the 2022 Holiday Gift Guide.

Showcase your small business in this free guide: 

• Morrisville small businesses get one free listing (additional listings are $25)
• Each listing includes one photo, the price of the product or service, and the website and/or street address

The guide goes live on Nov. 16, and is free to download. Interested? Email Ben Tillman at the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce at ben@morrisvillechamber.org by Friday, Nov. 4. 

Residents Encouraged to Recycle Variety of Materials at Green Day Event on November 5

Morrisville’s bi-annual drive-thru Green Day event will take place Nov. 5, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at Church Street Park, 5800 Cricket Pitch Way. Multiple stations will be set up for residents to drop off a variety of materials to be properly disposed or recycled, including batteries, CFL lightbulbs, electronics, cooking oil, medication, and textiles like clothing and linens. Paper will also be accepted for shredding. Click here for more information. 

Bathrooms, Section of Greenway at Cedar Fork District Park to be Closed Temporarily

Maintenance work at Cedar Fork District Park will require some temporary closures. From Nov. 1-4, Public Works will be removing and replacing a section of the greenway located behind the athletic fields. The section of greenway will be closed during that time, and a temporary detour will lead greenway users from the pedestrian bridge near Field 2 of the park, across the gravel parking lot, to the pedestrian bridge behind Fields 4 and 5. Signage and cones will be present to guide greenway users through the detour. From Nov. 2-4, the bathrooms at the park will also be closed while the floors are reconditioned. 

Residents Encouraged to Participate in Operation Greenlight to Support Veterans

The Town of Morrisville will be joining Wake County Government in shining a light on the service of veterans for Operation Greenlight! Several Town buildings and facilities will be illuminated with a green light Nov. 7-13 to support military veterans and raise awareness of the challenges they may face. Residents are encouraged to also shine a green light on their properties during this time to show their support for veterans. Property owners can put a single green bulb in an outdoor or indoor light as a way of sparking conversation. Those who participate are encouraged to share photos on social media, to tag the Town of Morrisville, and to use the hashtag #OperationGreenlight. Click here to learn more. 

Registration Now Open for Winter Athletics

Registration for youth winter athletics, including boys’ and girls’ basketball, is now open. Browse class offerings, which are separated by age, on ActiveNet. 

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Added at Church Street Park

As part of its ongoing efforts to improve sustainability, the Town has activated two more ChargePoint electric vehicle charging stations at Church Street Park. The Town now offers eight of these ports, which are part of an effort to increase the EV charging infrastructure. 

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:

• Streets Maintenance Tech I
• Athletics Tech I
• Street Maintenance Supervisor 

Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center UPDATES

MAFC Offering "Next Level Physio" Classes October 22

The Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center (MAFC) is offering two classes on Oct. 22 as part of its “Next Level Physio” series. “Defeating Back Pain” will be offered from noon-12:45 p.m., and “How to Run Easier and Faster” will be offered from 1-2 p.m. Both classes will be held in the Aerobics Room at the MAFC, 1301 Morrisville Parkway.

To access the sign-ups, find the correct tab under MAFC’s SignUpGenius Page at http://www.tinyurl.com/signupmafc.

Take Back Medication

Thanks to Morrisville PD for Take Back Medication at Neighborhood Walmart

Superkids 

Superkids with Rufus at Pams Farmhouse!  We love you Rufus! 

Insights from Rufus:

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/1318876312194392

Trick or Treat and Diwali

Providence Place Trick or Treat and Diwali a blast! Great Dancing! 

HSNC Annakut with Sharmas!

HSNC Annakut with Sharmas!

Geet Bazaar

Geet Bazaar Update! 

Early Voting

Enjoyed Early Voting with Wiley Nickel! 

Insights from Wiley Nickel: 

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/684337482942786

Time at the Polls

Spent some time at the Polls with Pleasant Union Lodge and Zeta Phi Beta!

RIOT DEMO DAY

Great Time and RIOT DEMO DAY!  We will get an Accelerator in Morrisville!  

(More this month on RIOT) 

Splash Schools

Visit with Arvind at Splash Schools at Morrisville Diwali!

Visit with Arvind at Splash Schools

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/440983728145467

Bombay Central

Drop in at Bombay Central!  Come get Diwali sweets at Bombay Central

Insights from Bombay Central! 

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/1256765408453437

Lemon Lime

Great visit with Lemon Lime in Chapel Hill!  

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/639837417809069

Social Equity

Wonderful visit with Brian Lora, CEO and Founder of Social Equity!  

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/1527625694328424

Happy Mug Coffee

Thanks to the Barbara Kreitzer and Happy Mug Coffee Truck for being at Kiran! @happymugcafe

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/659750855494655

Arpam Mart

Caught up with Arpam Mart at Battakuma!

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/826696298358704

Rush Hour Karting

Visit with Adam and Tamer Saad Rush Hour Karting! Opening this year near Wake Competition Center!

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/1403043800177000

Chutney’s

Thanks to Chutney’s for hosting India Pakistan Cricket Match!  Great Match!

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/808974113609759

WAKE COUNTY SCHOOLS EQUITY POLICY

The first-ever equity policy for the Wake County Board of Education now faces just one more vote this month.

The policy seeks to close gaps in academic outcomes among different student demographic groups. It’s largely a set of goals and efforts to be reflective, rather than a set of procedures or regulations.

The Wake County Board of Education approved the policy on “first reading” Tuesday night, and it would be adopted after a “second reading” vote at the board’s next meeting on Nov. 16.

A new school board will be sworn in at the beginning of December, and it will feature a majority of new members because five of the nine current members aren’t running for re-election.

Several board members spoke in favor of the policy before voting, after more than a dozen public commenters spoke passionately in favor 

Wake County Schools to Discuss Bullying today 

District leaders on Tuesday will address bullying and how to prevent it in Wake County Public Scools.

Wake County Board of Education member Roxie Cash has encouraged her peers to revisit the district's anti-bullying policy. On Tuesday. members will discuss the district's current anti-bullying policies, including what’s working and not working to protect students on campus. 

Cash, who works in a hospital, said she sees the distress and mental health needs firsthand among young people across the Triangle. She told WRAL News the biggest problem the school system is facing is cyberbullying, which happens off campus, making it difficult for school leaders to take action.

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.

Nov 1  NC Riot 5 pm

Nov 1  NC Riot 5 pm at Raleigh Convention Center

https://riot.org/riot-events/

Nov 3 State of Morrisville 7:30 am- 9 am

Nov 3 State of Morrisville 7:30 am- 9 am at Wake Tech RTP!

https://business.morrisvillechamber.org/events/details/state-of-morrisville-november-2022-2491?calendarMonth=2022-11-01

Nov 11 10-11am - Morrisville Veterans Day Celebration

The Morrisville Veterans Day Celebration will be Friday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. at Indian Creek Trailhead, 101 Town Hall Drive. The event will honor veterans who live in Morrisville and those who work for the Town of Morrisville. Brigadier General (Ret.) Johnny Clinton, the commander of the Lowe’s Grove American Legion Post 416, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker. 

Parking will be available at Town Hall, 100 Town Hall Drive.

Nov 12th 9am - Morrisville Veteran Memorial Foundation 5K 

The Morrisville Veterans Memorial Foundation will be hosting its first 5k walk to support the future construction of the Veterans Memorial located at the starting line. The 5k walk will start at the Indian Creek Trailhead, progress to the Cedar Fork Community Center, and then return to the starting line. All attendees will receive a t-shirt. For more information, please visit Veterans Memorial (morrisvilleveteransmemorial.com). 

Register Here:

https://brushfire.com/morrisvilleveterans/morrisvilleveteransmemorialfoundation/542150

Indian Creek Trailhead 101 Town Hall Drive Morrisville, NC 27560.  

Nov 11-12 Veterans Gala

Let's come together to celebrate Veterans, achievements, and businesses at this year's magical gala // https://lnkd.in/gjvq7HtC

November 11: GALA MAKERS MARKET

Where: Olde Raleigh Distillery

When: 4pm-7pm

Cost: Free entry / $25 vendor fee (Apply now)

Come support, sip, and shop as we kick off the gala weekend with pop-ups and distillery tours.

November 12: VETERANS GALA

Where: Olde Raleigh Distillery

When: 6pm-10pm

Attire: Ball gown/Black tie

Cost: $60 singles tickets / $100 pair tickets

We invite you to join us for a night of elegance as we celebrate Veterans, achievements, and businesses at this year's gala. Memories will be made as it is hosted inside of the beautiful Olde Raleigh Distillery with dim lighting and bold charm. This is a formal dress-to-impress event (black tie optional) with a catered dinner, auction and a DJ, so dust off those dancing shoes as we end the night with music!

Nov 17th Testosterone Therapy Symposium! 

We are excited to share an invitation to the Recognizing the Value of Testosterone Therapy in Healthcare Symposium 2022. During the symposium, global experts will share their research on important topics surrounding testosterone, as well as the future of testosterone therapy. As there is a tremendous patient population that could benefit, please share with your network/anyone else who will find it valuable/relevant.

Registration link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_R1l9UK6aSRqo9jWvKQ2nhA