My Weekly Update: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/663071667923758/?t=22

Join us at Marbles Museum at 10:30 am to garland the Gandhi statute.

There will be games on Saturday am as well at 10:15 am.  (See Cricket Section) 

Please join us at the Minor League Cricket National Finals at Church St Park on October 3rd, the first national cricket tournament of its kind in the USA. The match will begin at 2.15pm, with pre-game ceremony starting just prior at 2pm.  Church Street Park Tennis Courts will be closed during the weekend.

We congratulate the Morrisville Cardinals for a wonderful season!  http://morrisvillecardinals.com/!

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Smart Shuttle Launch this morning at the Morrisville Community Library.  We thanks Michelle Stiegel from Planning, Caleb Allred Transportation Planner 1, Go Cary, Wake County Transit, and all of the Staff and Council for their support of this collaborative effort to leverage world class technology and innovation to enhance the 

The Morrisville Smart Shuttle, the Town’s newest public transit service, will be launching on Saturday, October 2!

Riders will utilize the Smart Shuttle application on their smartphone to request a pick-up or drop-off from one of 15 nodes, or stops, located around the Town. Riders will be able to track the bus through the mobile application.

For more Information, details, frequently asked questions, and updates on the Morrisville Smart Shuttle service visit https://bit.ly/smartshuttle.

#Shuttle #MorrisvilleNC #transit #LiveConnectedLiveWell

When launched, the Morrisville Smart Shuttle service will provide residents, commuters, and visitors free, on-demand transit throughout the Town of Morrisville.

The service will connect residents with 14 locations in Morrisville, called nodes. An additional node is located at the Regional Transit Center near RTP.

A Morrisville Smart Shuttle rider can schedule their pick-up and drop-off from their computer or smartphone. There is no cost to use this shuttle service. Shuttles will run seven days a week. Select stops will connect to GoCary, GoApex, GoRaleigh, GoDurham, and Chapel Hill Transit. The Morrisville Smart Shuttle vehicles will be provided by GoCary, the transit provider for the Town of Cary.

The Morrisville Smart Shuttle mobile app and scheduling technology are powered by Via.

To ride the service, a resident would use the Morrisville Smart Shuttle mobile application to request a ride from one node to another. Once the ride is requested, the resident will be able to see the location of the shuttle in real-time as it makes its way to the requested pick-up node.

To keep the service as efficient as possible, residents are encouraged to arrive at the pick-up node in advance of the shuttle. Once on the shuttle, the resident can monitor the journey on the smart shuttle mobile app, as the shuttle makes its way to the requested drop-off node. The shuttle may pick up and drop off other passengers along the way, but the technology will make all trips as efficient as possible.

Once the shuttle arrives at the requested drop-off node, the resident will disembark the shuttle at their destination.

Groups are welcome to ride the shuttle together from one node to another.

My Message:  https://www.facebook.com/10157726428586360/videos/395949442151878/?t=21

As you are well aware, the Community around Church Street Park and in the broader Raleigh region has embraced cricket with a great passion for many years and we are fortunate to have Conference Finals and National championship games here in our own backyard. We are incredibly fortunate to have one of the best cricket grounds in the nation and the facilities are top-notch.

After 8 weeks of intense battle among 27 teams all across the USA, the Toyota #MinorLeagueCricket 2021 the championship has reached the final leg of the championship. 

The finals between the winners of the Atlantic Conference and Pacific Conference will be held on Oct 3rd, Sunday at our amazing Church Street Park facility.  

Let us take this opportunity to congratulate the Morrisville Cardinals for a great season. We thank all Cricket supporters/volunteers and Town of Morrisville officials for the support in the past 8 weeks and I cannot think of a better way to end a historic season of professional cricket than attending the Championship Game.

National Night Out is 5:30 pm. – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 5. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that both promotes police and community partnerships and encourages neighbors to get to know each other. This year’s participating neighborhoods are Kitts Creek, Providence Place, Town Hall North, and Savannah. In addition, we have two participating businesses, Rosatti’s and Noze2Toez. We are also excited to announce that representatives from Kiran will also be present.

Here is the National Night Out schedule and locations in Morrisville:

1301 Mason Farm Rd.

5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

1301 Mason Farm Rd.

6-7 p.m.

(pool parking lot)

Star Magnolia/Old Savannah

5:30 – 8pm

Community Playground – Benay Road

6-7:30 p.m.

3605 Davis Dr #107, Morrisville, NC 27560

5:30 -8:00 p.m.

TBD

Blue Fox Indian Cuisine (2325 Gathering Place Circle, Cary NC) 

October 9th from 12 pm to 2 pm. 

Rsvp to: sr@steverao.com and Checks Made Payable to "Citizens For Rao" or donate at www.steverao.com.

Come this November 2, 2021, the Morrisville Town Council will provide voters the opportunity to vote on financing up to $37 million to accomplish these types of improvements in a strategic and fiscally responsible manner through a bond referendum. Wisely committing your tax dollars in this way will ensure the Morrisville community continues to live connected and live well.  I want this to be the highest turnout in Morrisville history!

Morrisville has an exemplary credit rating as a AAA community, giving us the ability to secure the lowest interest rates through voter-approved general obligation (G.O.) bonds. This form of debt financing is the best and least expensive of tax-supported debt resulting in significant savings to the taxpayer over the repayment period.

The Town anticipates an estimated 3 cents per $100 assessed property value to afford the three bond issues assuming voters approve.

There will be three ballot questions that Voters will consider separately: Public Safety Improvement Bonds, Streets, Sidewalks and Connectivity Improvement Bonds, and Parks, Recreation and Amenities Bonds!

Community Benefit: To improve public safety facilities in Morrisville.  Morrisville is dedicated to providing a safe and secure community through prevention, education, readiness, and responsiveness.

Bond Amount: $8,000,000

Community Benefit:  To make improvements to Pedestrian and Transportation related infrastructure, such as major thoroughfares, sidewalk and streetscape improvements, bridges, bicycle lanes, curbs, and drains; traffic controls, greenways; bus/train stations and shelter improvements; and the acquisition of any land, rights of way and equipment.

Bond Amount:  $11,700,000

Community Benefit: To improve and expand existing passive and active parks, and recreational facilities, acquire and construct new parks, and recreational facilities and preserve open space/tree canopy.

Bond Amount: $17,300,000

For more information on the Bond Referendum, visit www.townofmorrisville.org/MSVBOND2021 or call (919) 463-6906.

Election Day for Angier, Apex, Durham, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell, and Zebulon is on Nov 2.  Please mark this day on your calendar. Make your Vote Count!

Register to Vote at https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/offices-services/online/Pages/voter-registration-application.aspx.  Deadline to Register to Vote in November Elections is Oct. 8 at 5 pm.

Request an Absentee Ballot at https://www.wakegov.com/departments-government/board-elections/election-

information/absentee-mail-voting.

Deadline to Request an Absentee Ballot: 5 pm on Tuesday before election.  (October 25)

05/01 Precinct

1519 Morrisville Pkwy, Morrisville, NC 27560

05/03 Precinct

107 Quade Dr, Cary, NC 27513

05/07 Precinct

332 Parkside Valley Dr, Morrisville, NC 27560

05/08 Precinct

309 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC 27560

Join the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce’s 2021 Candidate’s Forum at Paramount Event Venue from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on October 13 to learn more about this year’s candidates for Morrisville Town Council and their position on important issues in the community. The event will have in-person limits with a virtual option for all those who register. This event is free and open to the public, and pre-event registration is required to attend. For event details and to register click here.

To Find County Vaccination Site, visit https://www.wral.com/coronavirus/where-can-I-get-the-covid-19-vaccine-in-my-county/19466004/.

For Testing Sites, visit https://www.wakegov.com/covid-19-information/free-covid-19-testing.

Unvaccinated individuals are 13.6 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than vaccinated individuals, when adjusted for age.

October 4 - 5:00 p.m.  Wake County Commissioners Meeting 

October 5 - 6:00 p.m. Public Safety Advisory Committee

October 5 - 6:30 p.m. Morrisville Public Education Advisory Committee

October 6 - 6:30 p.m. Morrisville Environment & Stormwater Committee

For Morrisville Carpenter Road Project updates Visit https://bit.ly/mcrcp1

In efforts to provide safe opportunities to get the facts and figures about the three Bond Categories on the Ballot this November 2, Town Staff continues to host Bond Information Tents at upcoming special events. Be sure to stop by, ask those important questions and get prepared for the vote this November 2. We will see you at the next Music at the Hub, Fire Safety Day, and staff will be out and about in our host neighborhoods on National Night Out. Other future opportunities coming up will include a Bond Pop-In on October 19 at Indian Creek Trailhead from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and another Engage Morrisville Virtual Chat Session on October 27 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Be on the look-out for a postcard invite with all the details.

Three separate Bond questions will be on the Ballot this November 2: Public Safety Improvements for $8M; Parks, Recreation, & Amenity Improvements for $17.3M; and Streets & Sidewalk Connectivity Improvements for $11.7M for future capital projects. Voters will decide “Yes” or “No” for each ballot question if the Town can use General Obligation Bonds (G.O. Bonds) to finance these future improvements that will benefit our growing community for years to come. G.O. Bonds are the most cost effective form of financing for a local government.

Get the facts and stay informed at the Town’s website: http://bit.ly/msv2021bond. View the Fast Facts and Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the bond referendum process and potential property tax impacts.

As part of the East Meets West Festival, starting October 1, the Virtual Passport to Morrisville is your chance to learn about your town. It will feature a diverse number of businesses in Morrisville, with the goal of the community finding a new business to support. Businesses have the opportunity to provide a promotional offer, within their listing in the Virtual Passport to Morrisville. This promotional offer will only be valid October 1-10, 2021. 

For complete details on the East Meets West Festival, click here.

Morrisville’s next Music at the Hub is Friday, October 1 with the Indian music from Desi Beats Entertainment. The event starts at 6 p.m. at the Healthy Food Hub on 280 Town Hall Drive.

Church Street Park will be the host site for the national Minor League Cricket playoffs and national finals on October 2 and 3. On October 1, 2, and 3 Church Street Park entry will be limited to those associated with the cricket matches. The Church Street Park tennis courts and playground will be closed on those days. These measures are necessary for the safety and security of the general public, fans, and participants. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this unique opportunity to host a national sporting event. For details additional details and updates, visit the Church Street Park webpage by clicking here.

The Morrisville Smart Shuttle, the Town’s newest public transit service, will be launching on Saturday, October 2! What makes Morrisville’s Smart Shuttle so smart? Riders will utilize the Smart Shuttle application on their smartphone to request a pick-up or drop-off from one of 15 nodes, or stops, located around the Town. Riders will be able to track the bus through the mobile application.

Watch a two-minute introduction video for the Morrisville Smart Shuttle by clicking here!

This free shuttle service connecting Morrisville will be operated by GoCary, the public transportation provider in Cary, and use the Via Transportation platform for requesting rides.

For details, frequently asked questions, and updates on the Morrisville Smart Shuttle service, click here.

The Morrisville Fire and Rescue Department will hold its annual Fire Safety Day on Saturday, October 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Target parking lot located at 3001 Market Center Drive. This free event for the general public will have fun for the whole family including games, activities, food, and door prizes! For details click here.

The Town is excited to launch Puttin around Town, the placement of one temporary basket in a park on a rotating basis, allowing residents and area park users the opportunity to practice throwing disks so they can continue working on their mid-range game or putting. From October 4-17, the Puttin Around Town basket will be located at Morrisville Community Park. We are exploring effective uses of our temporary baskets and our open spaces to provide park visitors an opportunity to get outside. For details click here.

National Night Out is 5:30 pm. – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 5. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that both promotes police and community partnerships and encourages neighbors to get to know each other. This year’s participating neighborhoods are Kitts Creek, Providence Place, Town Hall North, and Savannah. In addition, we have two participating businesses, Rosatti’s and Noze2Toez. We are also excited to announce that representatives from Kiran will also be present.

Here is the National Night Out schedule and locations in Morrisville:

1301 Mason Farm Rd.

5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

1301 Mason Farm Rd.

6-7 p.m.

(pool parking lot)

Star Magnolia/Old Savannah

5:30 – 8pm

Community Playground – Benay Road

6-7:30 p.m.

3605 Davis Dr #107, Morrisville, NC 27560

5:30 -8:00 p.m.

TBD

Fall Advisory Committee Recruitment begins Monday, September 27. The following board and committees have vacancies or expiring terms that may be filled during this appointment process:

The application submission deadline is 5 p.m. on Monday, October 25. For details and to apply, visit the Town's website. Please contact Town Clerk Eric Smith at 919-463-6168 or esmith@townofmorrisville.com for more information.

Morrisville’s next Bulk item collection is the week of October 11-15. All bulk items must be placed curbside and ready for pick-up no later than 7 a.m. along with your garbage and recycling carts on your normal collection day. Registration is not required. Bulk items include but are not limited to chairs, tables, rugs, grills (no propane tanks), mattresses, and small appliances. For a complete list of items accepted visit the Town’s bulk item webpage by clicking here. Bulk items are picked up twice a year by the Town's contractor GFL.

Join the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce’s 2021 Candidate’s Forum at Paramount Event Venue from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on October 13 to learn more about this year’s candidates for Morrisville Town Council and their position on important issues in the community. The event will have in-person limits with a virtual option for all those who register. This event is free and open to the public, and pre-event registration is required to attend. For event details and to register click here.

Registration for Morrisville 101 is now open. Morrisville 101 is an annual citizen's academy for residents of Morrisville interested in local government. This is a free program for citizens 16 years of age and up. The program begins November 3 and will be held from 6-8 p.m. once a week for five weeks. Sessions will take place at Morrisville Town Hall, located at 100 Town Hall Drive. Registration ends on October 15, 2021. For more information and to reserve your spot visit the Morrisville 101 webpage by clicking here

Sponsored by the Morrisville Environment & Stormwater Committee, the Annual Student Art Poster Contest invites children to showcase their artistic talent and their commitment to the environment.

Grades K-5 attending school in Morrisville or those who belong to a youth organization in the Town may enter the contest.

The overall winner will have a banner created from their poster which will be prominently displayed along Town Hall Drive. They will also receive passes for a family of four to visit the Triangle Rock Gym. First, second, and third place winners in each grade will each receive a certificate and letter from the Town’s mayor. Submissions are due on Friday, October 8. Please click here for the fillable entry form and eligibility details.

Take the Town’s Sustainability Survey!
The Master Sustainability Plan is currently in development. This plan will become the roadmap for the objectives and goals of the program. To best represent our community, we are looking for your feedback as we prioritize our strategic direction. From now until October 15, complete a short six-question survey with your contact information to be entered into a drawing for a rain barrel or a $30 gift certificate to Site One Landscape Supply on Church Street. To complete the survey (through SurveyMonkey.com) click here. To learn about Morrisville’s Sustainability Program, click here.

Starting in October, the Town is moving to a new email service provider used to send Next Week in Morrisville. Depending upon your email’s client settings and security filters, you may have to add the new email client to your safe senders list. The new client will also allow you to update your communications preferences and individual profile. Next Week in Morrisville is sent from information@townofmorrisville.org. If you have any issues receiving the e-newsletter in October, contact the Town’s public information officer by email.

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. every Saturday!

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

It was great to kick off the East Meets West Festival at the Wake Competition Center.  Thanks to Jeff Ammons, all of the Sponsors, Chamber Members, and of course Presenting Sponsor, Radio Nyra. We also had a wonderful time at the Music in the Hub Concert on Friday evening.

It was great to be at an in person Morrisville/Cary Meeting since Covid.  We addressed Covid Protocols, received updates on NC 54, and addressed how we can work together to address transportation and school issues.

A special thanks to Morrisville Elementary and the Cub Scouts for launching the Food Pantry for the Food Insecure in Wake County.  Food is stocked in the pantry for anyone in our community. We are so proud of our young kids, who inspire us with their compassion for a better world. We are so proud of each of you.

As I continue my listening tour and celebrate the accomplishments of the last decade, I have been having some very engaging conversations with many neighborhoods and communities in Morrisville.

We usually only hear from residents from a few communities, but I plan to have reached over 30 communities over the next few weeks.

Thanks to everyone who are coming out to meet and talk to me on this Decade of Service Listening Tour.

Let me know if you want me to come and provide an update. Just email me at sr@steverao.com.

This week I was honored to receive the endorsement of US Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC D-02). I look forward to working with her to secure federal grants and money for Small Businesses in Morrisville, and to also work on targeting federal dollars to transportation and transit dollars to our Town to help us deal with traffic congestion.

- Congresswoman Deborah K. Ross, NC-02

I am proud to have the endorsements of of Congresswoman Ross, North Carolina State Senator Wiley Nickel, Wake County Commissioner Sig Hutchison, Wake Forest Mayor Vivian Jones, Wake County School Board Member Sig Hutchison, Council Member Satish Garimella, and Fuquay Varina Commissioner, Bill Harris. I am looking forward to endorsements more over the coming weeks.

I also look forward to getting the support Independents and Republicans as we lead an engaged, and non-partisan Town! Let’s keep the Partisan Politics on Jones Street or in Washington D.C!

Morrisville Chamber Hosts East Meets West Festival  Sept. 1- Oct. 10

The East Meets West Festival celebrates Morrisville, Wake County’s most diverse community, with food, culture, and music from around the world.

Calling all IoT consultants, decision makers, and solution providers looking to expand their understanding of IoT solutions and learn best practices for starting and growing an IoT services business! Join RIoT and ChannelPro for expert insights on the products, trends, and [...]

For More Information, please visit www.ncriot.org .

Blue Fox Indian Cuisine (2325 Gathering Place Circle, Cary NC) 

October 9th - 12 pm to 2 pm. 

Rsvp to: sr@steverao.com and Checks Made Payable to "Citizens For Rao" or donate at www.steverao.com.

In an effort to educate the community about key issues impacting economic development and quality of life, the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce plans to hold a forum featuring all candidates on Wednesday, October 13th. The forum will be from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. to allow for maximum attendance from both residents and businesses in the area. The current plan is to hold the forum in person at the Paramount Event Venue, located at 5180 Paramount Pkwy.

For more information and to register, please visit www.townofmorrisville.org

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.

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.