My Weekly Update: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/651444229168913/?t=17

It was a blue-sky late summer morning when Al Qaeda terrorists in hijacked planes brought down the World Trade Center, attacked the Pentagon, crashed a plane into a field in Pennsylvania, killed more than 3,000 people, and made a mockery of America’s belief in its invincibility. And two decades later, our nation in the midst of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic and shocked by the chaotic end of the Afghanistan War — continues to grapple with the aftermath of that day.

One enduring legacy from 9/11 each year is how our nation came together at a time of dire need and crisis.   First Responders, and Volunteers risking their lives to save others, and a City and nation, uniting to rebuild and fight back.   Our brave soldiers answered the call of their nation and headed to Afghanistan, to degrade Al Quada, which worked and of course, we got rid of Bin Laden.  However, 20 years later, the Wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan, became never ending wars, wars which we could never win and only endure.  By 2019, the U.S. had spent %6.5 trillion on post 9/11 wars and we lost 200,000 civilians and 7000 U.S deaths in Iraq alone and thousands in Afghanistan, the longest war in U.S. History.

Now we are out of Afghanistan and the Taliban is back.  

After the U.S. military was unleashed, 83% of Americans approved. Meanwhile, nearly 8 in 10 Americans displayed the flag. More than 6 in 10 felt a surge of patriotism. And there was record-high trust in the federal government and record-high approval ratings for President George W. Bush and even the news media. 

Today, the United States loses the equivalent of a 9/11 attack – some 3,000 people – every second or third day to COVID-19.

The virus has killed more than 650,000 in the United States. And yet far from responding with one voice, Americans can't even agree to vaccinate themselves and end this nightmare.  Trust in the government, media and President Joe Biden are at or near record lows. The result is a stew of fantastic lies percolating through social media asserting that the shots are unsafe.  

This division has resulted in disproportionate suffering, with people living in low-vaccination states four times more likely to be hospitalized and over five times more likely to die.

And while the new surge in COVID-19 fueled by a frighteningly more contagious delta variant has compelled more people to receive shots, still little more than half the population is fully vaccinated and America remains more skeptical of the vaccine than almost any other country. And polling shows a hardcore segment of the population adamantly opposed to the shots. 

This vitriol is not confined to vaccinations. School board meetings across the country discussing commonsense steps to require face masks in an era of contagion are becoming battlegrounds for dissident parents with fistfights in Florida, Nazi salutes in Pennsylvania and threats of revenge in Tennessee. In Arizona, a principal was menaced by three men threatening to take her into custody with zip-tie handcuffs for enforcing health department face-mask requirements for school.  

Political, racial divisions are at an all time high, and our nation is in many ways more divided than we were during the Civil War.  President Biden at his inauguration challenged us to end this uncivil war we are waging in the United States. We are not even close to doing that.  

After the nation was attacked on 9/11, Americans came together and for two decades prevented another major terrorist event here. After the nation was effectively attacked by a deadly virus the past two years, quite the opposite has unfolded. 

America learned the lesson of unity on Sept. 11, 2001. The only way we can honor the victims of 9/11 and the soldiers, who served in our wars is to once again learn the lessons of unity.   For only then, can we honor the words of President Lincoln, who reminded us on the fields of Gettysburg, “That we hereby resolve that these Dead shall not have died in vain, and that this Nation Shall Have a New Birth of Freedom and that a Government of the People, By the People, and For the People shall never perish from the Earth".  

God Bless the United States of America. 

Remember that 9/11 Open House in Morrisville is this morning at Fire Station 1. 

A special thanks to Trader Joes Captain, Rachel Baxter and her team for their hard work and hospitality.

Join us at 4 pm tomorrow on PBS Carolina Black Issues Forum for an engaging discussion on 9/11, 20 Years Later. 

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.

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

#Shuttle #MorrisvilleNC #transit #LiveConnectedLiveWell

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

In response to the increase in COVID-19 cases across Wake County, the Town of Morrisville is requiring face coverings in indoor public places, including public transportation facilities and public vehicles as of 7 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 20. Face coverings will be required for everyone, regardless of vaccination status.

The move aligns Morrisville with Wake County’s State of Emergency Declaration and the most recent CDC guidance on use of face coverings to stop the spread of COVID-19.

For more information, visit TownofMorrisville.org and follow the Town of Morrisville on Facebook and Twitter.

Town leaders will continue to monitor the situation in coordination with the Wake County Public Health Division and the State of North Carolina. The Town of Morrisville strongly encourages the proactive use of the following simple precautionary measures to remain healthy:

For the most up-to-date information about the local COVID-19 response, please visit WakeGov.com. You can also email questions to covid19.questions@wakegov.com, or call the COVID-19 information line at 919-856-7044

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.

North Carolina providers have administered 10,775,565 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinations are trending upward as the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus spreads through the state, officials said.

On Tuesday, Governor Cooper urged more Vaccinations.  While more than 59% of North Carolinians older than 12 have been vaccinated, just 35% of teenagers and 40% of young adults between 18 and 24 have gotten the vaccine. Cohen recommended that people add layers of protection, given the high rate of community spread, such as wearing a mask.  Governor Cooper added that more than 96% of students in North Carolina schools are in districts where masks are required. Just three school districts are not requiring masks at this time.

State data shows unvaccinated individuals are nearly 4 times more likely to get COVID-19 as vaccinated individuals.

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

6% of all cases between January and the end of August were in vaccinated people.

Of the more than 4.8 million North Carolinians who were vaccinated as of the end of August, 0.82% had gotten COVID and 0.005% had died from COVID.

Beginning Wednesday, the Durham County Department of Public Health will adjust its weekly vaccination schedule to add Thursday clinic hours for all people 12 and older, and it will offer third doses of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines each day for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised.

New clinic hours will be Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This clinic will remain closed Fridays-Sundays. This will affect only the DCoDPH vaccination clinic located at 414 E. Main St., Durham, NC 27701. Walk-ins and scheduled appointments will be offered for all vaccine doses. To schedule an appointment, call 919-560-9217.

Cape Fear Valley Health's COVID-19 vaccine clinics is offering third-dose shots for immunocompromised individuals. Booster doses for non-immunocompromised individuals who have gone at least 8 months since their second dose will be available starting Sept. 20.

People must self-attest that they are immunocompromised. These additional third-dose shots are only for people who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

Immunocompromised patients must be at least 28 days post their second dose to receive their third dose. When available after Sept. 20, non-immunocompromised patients must be at least 8 months post their second dose to receive a new booster.

Walk-ins are welcome at Cape Fear Valley Health's clinics but appointments are preferred for first or third doses.

Make an Appointment here at https://www.capefearvalley.com/coronavirus/index.aspx. .

Appointments are open through Sept. 17.

Health Pavilion North ExpressCare in North Fayetteville, 6387 Ramsey St.

Express Care in Elizabethtown:

Reopened: Bladen Hospital Main Lobby in Elizabethtown, 107 E. Dunham St.:

Hoke Pharmacy in Raeford, 300 Medical Pavilion Drive, Suite 100:

Center Pharmacy in downtown Fayetteville, 101 Robeson St., Suite 107

September 14 - 6 pm  Morrisville Town Council Meeting

Live Stream will be at www.townofmorrisville.org.

On September 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Morrisville Fire and Rescue Department Open House welcomes citizens to explore the behind-the-scenes life of firefighters at Morrisville Fire Station No. 1 on 200 Town Hall Drive. This walk-in event allows citizens to meet Morrisville’s firefighters, tour the fire station, see firefighting rescue equipment, and learn fire prevention safety tips. Click here for details.

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

In alignment with new guidance from the Wake County government issued today, July 30, the Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center will begin requiring face coverings for all patrons inside the building, regardless of vaccination status, on Monday, August 2.

Though approximately 70 percent of the Wake County population is vaccinated at this time, surges in coronavirus cases stimulated by the Delta variant have led Wake leaders to operate out of an abundance of caution. The health and safety of our members has been and continues to be paramount, and we believe that encouraging face coverings and social distancing is the best way to protect our community at this time.

Morrisville's next "pop-up" dog park is Sunday, Sept 12, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Morrisville Community Park. Waivers are due Friday for Sunday reservations.

Participating dog owners must register in ActiveNet and fill out a waiver prior to participating.

Click here to visit the Town’s webpage for additional information, future dates, rules, requirements, and forms.

Morrisville’s next Movies in the Park is Friday, September 17! Bring your favorite blankets, chairs, and snacks and enjoy the movie Zootopia! The event starts at 8 p.m. at Morrisville Community Park on 1520 Morrisville Parkway.

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.

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. 

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.

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

Registration for Teen Morrisville 101 is now open. Teen Morrisville 101 is an annual citizen's academy for teens interested in local government, specifically in Morrisville. This is a free program for youth in grades 9-12. The program begins October 6 and will be held from 4-6 p.m. once a week for four weeks. Sessions will take place at Morrisville Town Hall, located at 100 Town Hall Drive. While the program is open to all high school students, preference will be given to those who live in Morrisville.

Registration ends on September 24, 2021. For more information and to reserve your spot visit the Teen 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!

President Biden ordered sweeping vaccine mandates for around 100 million federal employees, health care workers and many other private-sector workers. The private-sector mandate will apply to companies with at least 100 employees

The Justice Department sued Texas over its new anti-abortion law, which Attorney General Merrick Garland called “clearly unconstitutional.”

Biden withdrew his nomination of David Chipman to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, after Republicans highlighted Chipman’s criticisms of gun owners

State government will likely go into the fall without a new state budget providing employee raises and laying out major projects the state will undertake over the next two years, an assurance made by Senator Phil Berger. 

And that's if top state leaders come to an agreement at all.

Conversations now are primarily between House and Senate leadership, who plan to negotiate away their own differences before including Gov. Roy Cooper in earnest in negotiations that he'll ultimately have to sign off on unless Republicans can get a can get a number of Democrats to back their budget in opposition to their party leader.

Cooper vetoed the last several budget efforts, so the state is working off 2018 figures, plus a series of "mini budgets" dealing with some of the state's more pressing issues and issues with broad consensus. The new fiscal year, typically a deadline to enact a new budget, started July 1.

 A vaccine and COVID testing event will be held at Wheels Fun Park Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The vaccination/testing event is being organized by several community organizations, with Duke Health being one of them.

WCPSS announced that, due to the increased number of clusters and exposures involving high school athletics, face coverings will now be required for students unless they are directly participating in games, practices and performances. This applies to all sports teams, marching bands and other student groups including cheerleading and JROTC activities.

This rule affects all grade levels and means face coverings will be required on the sidelines and wherever staff and students congregate. Face coverings and social distancing are strongly recommended for spectators.

Wake County and City of Raleigh - Government have teamed up to provide eligible renters who are behind on their monthly payments help towards unpaid balances since April 2020.

To qualify, you must be a Wake County renter, have suffered financially due to COVID-19, meet income requirements and be at risk of becoming homeless if rent or utility bills remain unpaid.

Get all the details at wakegov.com/housing or call 919-899-9911.

Mask mandates go back into effect in five Wake County towns starting at 7 a.m.
Garner, Knightdale, Morrisville, Rolesville and Zebulon -- as well as all unincorporated areas of the county -- will require everybody, regardless of vaccine status, to wear masks in indoor public places.

Raleigh and Cary restarted their masks mandates days ago.

Farther south in Fayetteville, a new mask mandate will go into effect at 5 p.m. today.

These mask mandates are coming back as the state reports troubling COVID-19 metrics.

For the first time since February, the state reported more than 7,000 new COVID-19 cases in a single day. Plus, 3,083 people are now in the hospital being treated for the virus.

UNC Health said it is currently treating 400 COVID-19 patients--a number that's up from about 50 in late June.

More than 14,000 people have died from the virus since the pandemic started more than a year ago.

WCPSS announced it is making updates to its COVID-19 safety practices. The changes take effect Aug. 16:

Wake County Public School System has voted to make masks a requirement indoors at all schools this year. So far in our region, 10 school districts have voted to mandate mask wearing: Wake County Public School System, Durham Public Schools, Cumberland County Schools, Wilson County School District, Hoke County Schools, Lee County Schools, Nash County Public Schools, Granville County Schools, Orange County School District and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools.

On the other hand, Clinton City Schools, Harnett County Schools, Johnston County Schools, Sampson County Schools, and Wayne County Public Schools have voted to keep masks optional for fully vaccinated students and staff.

Cape Fear Valley Health announced that it will make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for employees, physicians, students, vendors, and volunteers. The deadline is Oct. 1, 2021

Join Council Member Rao, Ya Liu, and others for a Sept 12th Reception for Candidate for US Senate, Former Chief Justice Cheri Beasley.  With special Guest, Gold Star Father Kizr Khan.   

Marriot Courtyard, Parkside Commons  

1008 Parkside Main St, Cary, NC

3:30 pm   Zoom and In Person Event.  

RSVP at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/cb082121-nc

AI, Machine Learning and the Future of Cities in a Post Covid World with Special Guest, Richard Boyd, CEO, Tanjo.

Wok and Fire Grill 1216 Parkside Main St, Cary, NC 27519

Join us for this Reception where we gather with leaders from the Technology Industry to talk about how Cities and better leverage AI to make better decisions and keep us safer and stronger!   Contributions Optional and can be made to Citizens for Rao.

Masks are required and Social Distancing will be followed.

RSVP to sr@steverao.com

9/11 Morrisville Fire Department Open House

Fire Station 1

11 am- 1 pm.

Atlantic Tire Tennis Championships Sept. 12- Sept 19th

Tickets at:

Sept 16th NC Vet Business Association Procurement Summit. 10 am – 3 pm.

Apply for the Hum Sub Youth Achievement Award.

TYE is an enriching experience for high school students, where they will have the opportunity to learn to solve problems through business principles. As part of the program, they will have the opportunity to work with our incredible mentors, who will foster the potential of their team’s ideas. The deadline to sign up is September 30th, 2021.

Register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DXidReV7HZsjhvJXVwqwzg82vJD7XsLlnc8DuyeRp74/viewform?edit_requested=true.

Save the Date Start Up Summit! Sept. 22

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.

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.