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A NEW DECADE OF SERVICE BEGINS EDITION
From the Council Office of Steve Rao
December 17, 2021
Estimated Read Time: 10 minutes. 

Download the Steve Rao App!
My News Observer Op Ed on Skilled Immigrants https://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/article256645292.html
Breaking News
Important Updates
United States surpasses 800,000 Covid Deaths this week.  3 Omnicron Cases in Pitt County.
President Biden
All primary elections for have been moved to May 17th
(See Primary Election Update Section) 
Dec 18th - WILEY NICKEL FOR CONGRESS RECEPTION
We are hosting a Dec 18th Reception for Wiley Nickel for Congress at Fusion Nine, 1012 Morrisville Parkway, Morrisville, NC

December 18, 2021, Noon.

RSVP to Alicia Speedy at (252) 481-7222 or email to alicia@wileynickelforcongress.com
A NEW DECADE OF SERVICE BEGINS
Live Stream Morrisville Swearing In Ceremonies:
Thanks to everyone who watched the Live Stream and attended the Swearing In Ceremonies on Tuesday.  I congratulate Mayor Cawley, and Council Members Donna Fender and Vicki Scroggins Johnson for their re-election.  I also thank Senator Wiley Nickel for swearing me in , and to all the elected officials including NC Senator Jay Chaudhuri, NC House Rep. Gale Adcock, NC House Rep. Joe John, Wake County Commissioners James West, Vickie Adamson, Maria Cervania and Wake County School Member Chris Heagarty.  

On a personal note, a special thanks to my parents, Dr. Pete and Nirmala Rao, Mother-in-law, Ret. Col. Ranjan Parekh *U.S Airforce, Sister-in-law Preeti Parekh, Niece, Shaya Sharma, and of course, Sonia, Rayan and the star of the show, my wife, Dr. Komal Parekh, who makes it possible for me to serve.  I also thank all of the Volunteers of my campaign team!  
Finally, as I mentioned in my remarks, the Miracle of Morrisville is an everlasting reminder of the true potential of American Democracy when we value diversity, inclusion, and innovation!   

We are Champions because we bring out the best in each other.  

We are Resilient, not only how we bounce back but how we bounce Forward!  

We Are Champions of the World!  Let’s get to work and continue to lead this All American Town!   

Wishing everyone a very Happy Holidays!
THE SHARMAS ARE TRUE PIONEERS!
At my swearing in, I was so honored to have as my guests, Dr. and Mrs. Sharma founders of the Hindu Society of North Carolina, an organization who is doing so much for the Town and Triangle Region. 

The Sharma were pioneers to found the first Hindu Temple in North Carolina, and of course, have inspired many other faiths to call Morrisville home, including the soon to be Jewish Synagogue, SV Temple of NC, BAPS Morrisville, the Islamic Society of Morrisville, and of course, we continue to be inspired by the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, First Baptist, and the Church of Latter Day Saints.  

We are home to almost every faith in the world!  How Wonderful! 
THE BEST THING TO BE THE FIRST IS TO KNOW YOU ARE NOT THE LAST!
I wanted to give a shout out to my colleagues and friends, North Carolina State Senator and Democratic Minority Whip, Jay Chaudhuri, and Morrisville Council Member Satish Garimella.  

Although I was the first Indian American elected in North Carolina, I thank both of them for their exemplary service, and also proud of the work being done by Cary Council Member Ya Liu, and Charlotte Council Member, Dimple Ajmera.  

The best thing about being first is to know that there will be many more Asian American political leaders, and I am proud to be on this growing team! 
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.
Apple Appstore link.
Google Play Store Scan code Link
North Carolina Vaccination and Testing
Vaccinations: 
  • 11,705,337 Total Doses Administered.
  • Boosters: 2,042,469 

  • 73% in NC Partially Vaccinated
  • 69% Fully Vaccinated. 
  1. For Covid 19 Vaccine Appointments and Free Testing, visit https://www.wakegov.com/covid-19-information
  2. Appointments must be made at for free Covid 19 Testing in Wake County.  
  3. Find your County Vaccination sites, visit https://www.wral.com/coronavirus/where-can-I-get-the-covid-19-vaccine-in-my-county/19466004/
  4. Starting December 6, all air passengers, regardless of vaccination status, must show a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 1 day before travel to the United States.
  5. The Durham County Department of Public Health will begin offering booster doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines for people ages 16 and 17
  • To receive a booster vaccination at DCoDPH, all eligible individuals may call (919) 560-9217 to schedule an appointment, or visit the clinic at 414 E. Main St., Durham during our walk-in hours Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • In addition to booster vaccinations for all people 16 or older, DCoDPH also continues to provide first second dose vaccinations for all people ages 5 and older, and third dose Moderna and Pfizer vaccinations for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised.
2022 PRIMARY ELECTIONS UPDATE
The North Carolina Supreme Court ordered a two-month delay in the state’s 2022 primary elections on Wednesday, giving critics of the state legislature’s gerrymandered political maps additional time to pursue a legal battle to redraw them.

The unsigned ruling was a setback for the Republican-controlled General Assembly, which created the maps and had argued that a delay in the primaries would sow chaos among both candidates and voters.

The court ordered the March 8 primary elections for all offices postponed until May 17, citing “the importance of the issues to the constitutional jurisprudence of this state, and the need for urgency” in deciding the maps’ legality. New boundaries for state legislative districts and for North Carolina’s 14 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives face three lawsuits filed by Democrats and voting-rights advocates in a state court in Raleigh.

All filing for offices has been delayed until further notice and the Cary elections have been postponed until May 17th.

In a state split almost evenly between Republican and Democratic voters, the new maps give Republicans a sweeping political advantage. The new House map, for example, would all but ensure victory for G.O.P. candidates in 10 of the 14 districts, with a decent shot at winning an 11th seat.
This Week in Morrisville: Dec 20 - 25
Upcoming Meetings
Town Administrative Offices will be closed on Dec. 24th - Dec. 27th and Dec. 31st!
Morrisville Carpenter Road Project
Project update for the week of December 20:

  • The contractor will be working on Morrisville Carpenter Road (between Church Street and Old Savannah Drive). Drivers should be prepared for flagging operations between 9 am and 4 pm. on Morrisville Carpenter Road.
  • The contractor will continue working at the culvert area.
  • Northbound traffic for Town Hall Drive continues to be redirected along the southbound side of the median.
  • The contractor will not be working on December 24 due to the Christmas holiday. The Town of Morrisville offices are closed on December 23 and December 24 for the Christmas holiday.

For Morrisville Carpenter Road Project updates Visit https://bit.ly/mcrcp1
Toy and Book Drive at Cedar Fork Community Center Dec. 13-19
The Morrisville Youth Leadership Council is hosting a book and toy drive at the Cedar Fork Community Center located at 1050 Town Hall Drive in Morrisville between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., December 13-19. New or gently used books for adults and children and new toys and games for children will be accepted. In-person donations can be made to the drop-off bins over the weekend, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., December 18-19. All donations will be going to the UNC Medical Center.

For more on book and toy drive donation and hours, click here.
Morrisville's 2022 Marathon Registration Opens Dec. 15
The Morrisville Aquatic and Fitness Center’s 2022 Virtual Marathon Month registration begins Wednesday, Dec. 15! This marathon is a great way to start the New Year. Registration is open to everyone. You may choose from a full (26.2 miles), ultra (50 miles), or mega (100 miles) marathon. Set your goal and track your workouts. To learn more, watch the how-to video, and to participate, click here to register.
Morrisville Winter 2021 Disc Golf Course
Morrisville’s winter 2021 disc golf course will be located at Cedar Fork District Park, 228 Aviation Parkway, from December 3, 2021 to January 18, 2022. Residents and area park users can practice throwing discs for their mid-range game. The course is designed for all levels of play. For details, including hours, a course map, and rules, click here.
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
Shop Local at the Western Wake Farmers’ Market
Starting Dec. 4, the WWFM is shifting to winter market hours, 9:30 a.m. to noon. Visit http://wwfm.ag/ to see a complete list of local vendors and shop local!


WESTERN WAKE FARMERS WINTER FESTIVAL
Join us Saturday, Dec. 12th for the Western Wake Farmers Holiday Festival for music, crafts, and family fun.   9:30 am to Noon.
Around The Region
Visit with First Flight Venture Center 
Visit with First Flight Venture Center 

This week, I had a wonderful visit with Krista Covey, President of the First Flight Incubator.  Their tag line is High Science, High Impact!   

Over the past thirty years, they have incubated over 400 companies, that have invested over $10 billion of investment in North Carolina!  

I am interested in learning more about their expansions and also look to see if we can bring them to our Down Town Morrisville!  Stay tuned for more news in the future!  
Reception for Congresswoman Ross 
It was great to spend some time with David Price and Deb Ross this week at a Reception at Clear Wood Farm. We will miss David Price! 

UPCOMING EVENTS
Black Issues Forum
Thanks for joining us on Black Issues Forum for our discussion on the Democracy Summit, Voting Rights Legislation and Student Loans!  Friday at 7 pm and Sunday at 4 pm!

NCIAP Peoples Medical Care Gala
Join us this evening at 6:30 pm for the NCIAP Peoples Medical Care Gala at Cambria Hotels (300 Airgate Dr. Morrisville, NC 27560) Featuring Famous Bollywood playback singer Kavita Paudwal.  Limited to 40 Couples.  

Immigration Update with Jeremy Robbins
On Sunday, at 4 pm, join us on Radio Nyra for an Immigration Update with Jeremy Robbins from New American Economy. (99.9 FM HD 4. 101.9 FM and 1490 AM)  
Dec 18th - WILEY NICKEL FOR CONGRESS RECEPTION
We are hosting a Dec 18th Reception for Wiley Nickel for Congress at Fusion Nine, 1012 Morrisville Parkway, Morrisville, NC

December 18, 2021, Noon.

RSVP to Alicia Speedy at (252) 481-7222 or email to alicia@wileynickelforcongress.com
Radio / TV
Radio NYRA
Join me Sunday 4 PM on Radio NYRA for another update on local issues.   

99.9FM HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM! 
POD TV
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.
My Weekly Update:
NC Covid Dashboard:

Vaccinations
  • 11,705,337 Total Doses Administered.
  • Boosters: 2,042,469 

  • 73% in NC Partially Vaccinated
  • 69% Fully Vaccinated. 
  • For latest Covid 19 information, please dial 2-1-1 or 888- 892-1162.  
  • Get Updates by texting COVIDNC at 898211.    
  • For unemployment insurance, please visit NC Dept of Employment Security at https://des.nc.gov/.    
  • Apply for Wake Forward program at https://covid19.wakegov.com/wakeforward/

Find a Wake County Testing Site: https://covid19.wakegov.com/testing/

For Covid 19 Testing Sites in Wake County visit http://www.wakegov.com/covidvaxandtest/Pages/default.aspx 

COVID-19 metrics continue to creep up in North Carolina as the weather gets colder and new variants emerge.

NCDHHS reported 4,165 new cases, about the same as last Thursday (4,153) and the highest since early October.

The daily percent positive stands at 7.5%, down from 9.1% the previous day.

The state reported 43 more people were hospitalized for a total of 1,604. That number is up from the previous two weeks and mirrors mid-October numbers.

NCDHHS also reported 29 new deaths for a total of 19,099 since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As for vaccinations, 62% of the full NC population is at least partially vaccinated as is 73% of the adult population.

CASES:
3,980 Newly reported Cases   
+ N.C. = 1,589,054 Cases (Deaths = 19,121)    
+ 7.8% Positive Rate 
+ 1,584 Hospitalized. 

+ Wake County = 139,000 Cases (Deaths = 913)

+ US = 50.5 million cases / 802,000 deaths 
+ India = 34.7 million cases / 477,000 Deaths.  
+ Worldwide = 273 million cases / 5.34 million deaths
Council Member Rao holds office hours on Friday from 12:00-1:00 PM by appointment only at 100 Town Hall Drive in Morrisville. 

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