https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/358333666035656/?t=18 

Absentee Ballot Alert Request:  Please find below the Absentee Ballot Request which can be done online with no stamps and mailing.  It only takes 3 minutes to fill up and we are asking everyone to fill this up by today or the weekend, so you can get your ballots next week if you do not want to Vote In Person.

If you forgot to register by the deadline last week, you can still do so with Early Voting in Apex.  Please see Below.

You can request a Request Form at https://www.wakegov.com/departments-government/board-elections/election-information/absentee-mail-voting.

We are asking that you request the Ballot Forms by this Friday so you can receive your ballots next week if you want to vote by mail.

The Last Day to Request an Absentee Ballot is Oct 26 at 5 pm.

Early Voting Starts on October 14 and the Voting Site is the Apex Community Center (53 Hunter St., Apex, 27502) for next Saturday and Sunday.  Starting Tomorrow, Early Voting is at Wake County Board of Elections.  For Early Voting hours, please visit https://www.wakegov.com/departments-government/board-elections/election-information/early-voting.

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

Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97g4F7IHJV0

Thanks to everyone who came out the Morrisville Chamber Candidates Forum.  We had an engaging discussion and I look forward to four more years of Getting the Job Done for the Citizens of Morrisville!  We need to focus on the candidates who have a proven track record of investments and leadership which resulted in us becoming an All-America City and one of best places to live and work in the United States. 

During this campaign, I have knocked on over 3,000 doors, and I am aware of the concerns that we need to slow down high density development in Morrisville.  I thank each of you for sharing your concerns, particularly residents in Kitts Creek and other communities.  

I will commit in my next term to stick to the unanimously approved Land Use Plan, which moved many of high density zoned parcels to medium density residential and even single family residential.  As we need to grow Affordable Housing in the Town, I would look at Apartments or Town Homes, at the McCrimmon Sub Area, or the Town Center, but would no longer support rezonings to high density development in areas designated Medium Density or Single Family Residential.   

At the end of the day, I believe that we need a Balanced Growth Approach to Development.  Stopping all development and rapid development are the extremes and should not be our only path forward.  I heard during the Forum that we need to slow down development so we can catch up on our Infrastructure.  If we can have places for Triangle workers to live (50,000 come to Morrisville to work, we can truly be the best place to Live, Work and Play and support our small businesses.  

Let me be very clear that any conditional rezonings we have approved enforce the Developer to invest in our transportation, and parks infrastructure, along with adding to our Affordable Housing Stock. 

For example, our most recent rezoning at 0 Slater Road resulted in the following infrastructure investments: 

Let me end with two numbers for $81 million and $800,000.  $81 million is the revenue projections to Wake County coffers and $800,000 to the Town of Morrisville.  We can invest in school, transit, transportation, parks, and hire more police/fire fighters with these dollars.   

Balanced Growth and partnerships which invest in our Town are what we need moving forward but we must slow down the rate of high density development. 

Finally, on a personal note, if elected to a fourth term, I will not accept checks from Developers while I am on the Council.  Any development I have approved was du to the investments in our transportation and parks infrastructure. 

During the Forum, I hope I was able to demonstrate that I am the only candidate in the At Large Race with the experience, and relationships to continue to Get the Job Done every day for our Town.  It has been an honor for me to serve you for the past decade.  It has taken vision, investment, and a great team to be named an All-America City by the National Civic League and one of the top places in our nation to live, work, and pay.  

During my tenure, I have supported investments in transportations, new schools, parks and technology to ensure our citizens can truly Live Connected and Live Well in Morrisville.  

In my fourth term, I will continue to invest in these areas, focus on growing innovation, and will continue t lead the Town of Morrisville to be the Smartest City in the state and nation. 

 

Please visit www.steverao.com for my Morrisville Play Book, let's work together to call the Plays so we can move the Town Forward, always!   

New Jobs: Growing entrepreneurs in Morrisville with Chamber HOTTovation program.  Worked to recruit Invitae, Syneos Health, and Apple to Morrisville. 

 

Schools/Education:  RTP Wake Tech Campus, Parkside Elementary in 2019, Working to bring a new Public High School and an Early Career STEM High School next year. (Wake Tech Tech RTP), Supported Education and Advisory Committee.  Successfully Lobbied for Alston Ridge Elementary as base school for Kitts Creek residents.  

Transportation: Worked with NC DOT to receive $250 million investment for Morrisville DOT Road Projects in next ten years.  Voted for and supported $9 million Morrisville Carpenter Road Project, and fully supported the $25 million McCrimmon Extension. 

 

Parks and Recreation: Supported $15 million investment in Parks/Greenways, including Church Street Park (Professional and International Cricket), Northwest Park, Crabtree Hatcher Greenway, MAFC Renovations.  Healthy Food Hub, Wake Competition Center.  

Technology: Led efforts to launch Google Fiber in Morrisville, Launched Open Data and Smart City Initiatives, Established a Smart City Advisory Committee.  

Keeping us Safe: Supported $3.6 million in Police and Fire in last two years.  

Affordable Housing: Voted for a $3.5 million affordable housing investment as part of conditional rezoning. 

I am proud to be endorsed by NC Senator Mushtaba Mohammed, who joins our growing list of elected officials.  I intend to leverage my relationships at the Federal and State Level to increase investments into the Town of Morrisville, especially in transportation and schools!  Lets get the Job Done!

I am pleased to have the endorsements of North Carolina State Senator Jay Chaudhuri, Democratic Whip for the State Senate, and Vicki Adamson, Vice Chair of the Wake County Commission.   I am looking forward to working with them to take Morrisville to the greatest heights and of course, to continue our collaboration with the County and State to increase funding for schools, libraries, transportation, cricket, and other projects for the Town!

I am proud to have the endorsements of of Congresswoman Deborah Ross, North Carolina State Senators Wiley Nickel, Jay Chaudhuri and Mushtaba Mohammed, Wake County Commissioner Sig Hutchison, Wake County Commission Vice Chair Vicki Adamson, Wake Forest Mayor Vivian Jones, Wake County School Board Member Chris Heagarty, Morrisville Council Member Satish Garimella, Cary Council Member Ya Liu and Fuquay-Varina Commissioner Bill Harris. I am looking forward to more endorsements 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!

Now in its 18th year, Cybersecurity Awareness Month—previously known as National Cybersecurity Awareness Month—continues to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity across our Nation, ensuring that all Americans have the resources they need to be safer and more secure online.

I was honored to read the Town Proclamation for Cyber Security Awareness Month.

CISA and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) are proud to continue the using the overarching theme:

This evergreen theme encourages individuals and organizations to own their role in protecting their part of cyberspace, stressing personal accountability and the importance of taking proactive steps to enhance cybersecurity.

In 2021, CISA and NCSA will focus on the following areas in our promotions and outreach:

Use the hashtag #BeCyberSmart before and during October to promote your involvement in raising cybersecurity awareness.

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.

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.

Total Doses Administered: 11,461,416 

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

October 12 - 6 p.m. Town Council Meeting


October 14 - 6:30 p.m. Planning & Zoning Board

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.

Drop in for the Bond Pop-In from 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, October 19, at Indian Creek Trailhead on 101 Town Hall Drive to get the facts and figures on the Morrisville 2021 Bond Referendum on the ballot November 2. Get free popcorn and snacks if you bring the postcard mailed to you.

If you can’t make the Bond Pop-In, join us on Wednesday, October 27, from 2-3 p.m. on EngageMorrisville.com to participate in the last digital chat on the Bond measure!

Captain Pete Acosta has been selected to lead the Morrisville Police Department (MPD). Acosta has been employed by MPD since October 2018, and has more than 26 years of experience in law enforcement. Town Manager Martha Paige appointed Acosta as interim police chief after Chief Patrice Andrews announced she had accepted a new job as police chief for the City of Durham.

Residents are invited to stop by the Morrisville Town Hall, 100 Town Hall Drive, on Thursday, Oct. 21, from 5-7 p.m., to meet Interim Police Chief Acosta and wish outgoing Chief Andrews well as she departs for her new role in Durham. This is an opportunity to informally engage and have a conversation with the Town’s interim police chief and thank Chief Andrews for her service to Morrisville over the past five years. Click here for details.

Join us for Morrisville’s Trick-or-Treat the Trail on Saturday, October 23, from 3-6 p.m. at Morrisville Community Park, 1520 Morrisville Parkway. Attendees will receive giveaways including candy, vouchers and coupons for local Morrisville businesses, face coverings, and Morrisville swag. With the event being held on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, attendees will be provided a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs. A virtual Halloween costume contest will also be included. Note: The event will not include the Trunk or Treat. For up-to-date information visit our website by clicking here.

Morrisville Fire and Rescue is now accepting registrations for the Hybrid Morrisville CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Basic Training Class for the fall of 2021. The CERT program trains citizens in disaster preparation. The online portion will take place from October 15 to November 30, with the hands-on skill training taking place December 4 and 5 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Morrisville Fire Station No. 1. Registration for this CERT training closes Friday, October 29, 2021. For details, for questions, and to register, click here.

Puttin around Town has launched! Residents and area park users can practice throwing discs for their mid-range game or putting through the placement of one temporary basket in a park on a rotating basis. The Puttin Around Town basket will be located at Northwest Park from October 18 to October 31. We are exploring effective uses of our temporary baskets and our open spaces to provide park visitors an opportunity to get outside. For details and future dates click here.

Fall Advisory Committee Recruitment has begun. 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.

During its September 28 council meeting, the Morrisville Town Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SINGH Development, LLC, to begin work on a Town Center Demonstration Project. Morrisville’s Town Council, recognizing the need to establish a central gathering area for the Town to serve the growing population, developed and approved the Morrisville Town Center Plan in 2007. Since that time, the Town has worked proactively to address the changing needs of the community provided through community input to refine that original vision, address growth needs, and update a master conceptual plan that incorporates the guiding principles re-affirmed by Town Council in 2020. Over the next six months, the Town, the Development Finance Initiative at the UNC School of Government (DFI), and SINGH will be completing a development plan that will add more detail to the conceptual plan and will clarify the infrastructure and amenities that will be included in the Demonstration Project. Click here more information about the Morrisville Town Center Project.

The Master Sustainability Plan’s online survey has been extended until October 31. All Morrisville community members are welcome to provide feedback that will help the Town create priorities for future objectives! Community includes those who live here, work here, volunteer, or attend houses of worship in Morrisville. We appreciate your input as we shape this new program! Watch our promo video here.

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

The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) is conducting a major investment study (MIS) that will identify and evaluate rapid bus routing options and select preferred solutions for rapid bus extensions to both of the planned Wake Bus Rapid Transits (BRT). The Western Corridor will connect downtown Raleigh to downtown Cary and the Southern Corridor will connect downtown Raleigh to Garner. Morrisville residents are invited to participate. A virtual open house for the Wake BRT: Rapid Bus Extension Study is open now through November 1. A live virtual meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on October 21 (Western Rapid Bus Extension) and October 26 (Southern Rapid Bus Extension). For details, to participate, and to take the survey click here.

An update to the Wake Bus Plan is underway. A kick-off meeting for the Wake Bus Plan working group was held on September 9, 2021. Phase I community engagement has begun and will focus on transit access gaps. An online survey is currently open and available through November 8. To take the survey 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!

A computer science-focused early college high school will open next year in Wake County, pending approval from state leaders.

The Wake County Board of Education approved a memorandum of understanding between with the Wake Technical Community College without opposition Tuesday night.

The high school, yet to be named, would enroll a maximum of 75 students in each of the four grades at first, eventually increasing capacity to 100 students per grade.

It would be the system’s first high school in Morrisville and at the Research Triangle Park. It would be located primarily on the second floor of a building on the edge of Wake Tech’s RTP campus.

Students could also attend courses at the college. 

Pediatric COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out in staggered amounts by the federal government in three waves.

In Wave 1, North Carolina will receive 124,500 doses of the pediatric Pfizer vaccine.

Although the state is placing orders now, the vaccine will not ship until the FDA's Emergency Use Authorization has been granted. The NC Department of Health and Human Services this week sent out a letter to state providers, saying that pediatric vaccination could start as early as Nov. 3.

I was honored to attend the 154th Anniversary Celebration at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.  We are so very grateful for Shiloh and I am honored to have developed so many friendships along the way, especially with Pastor David Jones.  

It was great to be a Chief Guest with Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert at the Lake Castleberry Diwali celebration. The highlight of the evening were the performances by the kids! Let the light and love of our hearts always life us out of the Darkness!  

On Sunday, I briefed Weston Estate residents on Crabtree Nature Park, and encouraged everyone to support the Parks and Recreation Bonds, which will enable us to make this happen. It has been a long time coming!

On Sunday, I enjoyed being at the Batthakuma Festival in Morrisville, celebrating the Women of our Community.  I also congratulate the SV Temple for the very special GroundBreaking on their most recent expansion.  It was great to have Secretary of State Marshall and other elected officials there.

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 our team has reached over 30 communities and have knocked on over 3,000 doors during this campaign.

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.

I am proud to be endorsed by NC Senator Mushtaba Mohammed, who joins our growing list of elected officials.  I intend to leverage my relationships at the Federal and State Level to increase investments into the Town of Morrisville, especially in transportation and schools!  Lets get the Job Done! 

I am pleased to have the endorsements of North Carolina State Senator Jay Chaudhuri, Democratic Whip for the State Senate, and Vicki Adamson, Vice Chair of the Wake County Commission.   I am looking forward to working with them to take Morrisville to the greatest heights and of course, to continue our collaboration with the County and State to increase funding for schools, libraries, transportation, cricket, and other projects for the Town!

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 Senators Wiley Nickel and Jay Chaudhuri, Wake County Commissioner Sig Hutchison, Wake County Commission Vice Chair Vicki Adamson, Wake Forest Mayor Vivian Jones, Wake County School Board Member Chris Heagarty, Morrisville Council Member Satish Garimella, Cary Council Member Ya Liu and Fuquay-Varina Commissioner Bill Harris. I am looking forward to more endorsements 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!

Oct 25th Triangle J Council of Governments Regional Summit!

The Leadership Group of the U.S.- India Friendship Council, Swadesh Chatterjee, Chairman & USIBC President Nisha Biswal Cordially Invite You To A Panel Discussion On The US-India Partnership in Today’s Geo-Political Landscape

 

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

 

Virtual Panel Discussion

5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Register at https://events.uschamber.com/USIBCFriendshipCouncilGeoPoliticalLandscapeOct2021. 

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.

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