Deadline to Apply for Town of Morrisville Advisory Committees is today!  

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

Tune in for my commentary on Nate Saunders Show every Friday at 3 pm and also this Friday (7 pm) and Sunday (4 pm) for my Commentary on PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum. 

https://rss.com/podcasts/wptf-afternoon-news/

CONEN MORGAN, A SHINING LIGHT FOR MANY IS GONE

My Message:

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/212991178212803

During some time away with my family, I was shocked to learn the news of Conen Morgan’s passing in a boating accident.  He was one of the best and smartest political strategists in North Carolina and a gem of a person.  Smart, charismatic, charming, honest, and endearing to all whom me met along the way.  He was an inspiration as a rising Black American political and business star in our state, and many of us are shocked beyond belief.  

In January, I ran into Conen at the RDU Airport, on my way to see Wiley Nickel’s swearing-in ceremony in Washington D.C, and again later that month at the Reception in Apex Town Hall.  

During our time at the airport, we caught up on my new career in radio and tv, talked about Morrisville, the 2024 elections and the ever changing political landscape in North Carolina.   

Although I had lost touch with him after Covid, the two hours we spent were so precious, and we both agreed that we needed to grab a lunch or coffee to continue our conversations.  Back and forth and a busy winter made it hard to get this on the books.   

I will never get to have that coffee.  

Conen is gone.  

We often hear the phrase to be grateful for every day we have and then we see or hear a tragedy like this.  None of us ever imagined that someone as bright, dynamic and inspiring as Conen could be with us one day, and then gone the next.  

Life is Precious. None of us are invincible.  Conen’s passing is a harsh reminder of this very fact. 

We pray for his wife, Reyna, his entire family, and to his close friends, and know that he is now with God watching over us.  

“Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.” Robert F. Kennedy 

Our hearts have been torn out, the pain and loss so shocking and severe, but we know that the wisdom and grace of God of Conen Morgan, will forever burn in our hearts.  

May he rest in Peace.

Town of Morrisville approves $49,490,000 Annual Operating Budget & Capital Investment Program for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY2024) 

Town of Morrisville receives Smart 50 Award at the Smart Cities Expo in Denver!  Congrats to Rick Ralph and the team! More in next newsletter.  



Council cuts Ribbon on Morrisville Community Park Phase 3 Tennis and 3 Pickleball Courts!  

Morrisville Community Park Phase 3 Updates were be funded with bond proceeds and Town reserves and The project is estimated at $2.7 million. Design began in 2020!   Happy National Tennis Awareness Month! 

Town of Morrisville Launches Morrisville Means Business Program.  (See Morrisville Means Business Section) 

Political Strategist Conen Morgan dies in tragic boating accident. 

https://www.wral.com/story/nc-political-strategist-and-noted-nc-state-alum-dies-in-boating-accident/20885220/

10 year old Ayyan Vachery killed in Car Scooter Accident. We pray for his family. 

https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/wake-county-news/10-year-old-boy-on-scooter-killed-in-apex-crash-identified-by-police/

PM Modi prepares for State Visit in Washington D.C on June 22. 

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/narendra-modi-the-us-state-visit-8603499/

MAY 23 COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

Summer Advisory Committee Recruitment: 

Council received an update on current Town Advisory Committee vacancies and the current recruitment process. The Town has vacancies on each of its eight (8) Advisory Committees and encourages residents to consider applying for one or more committee vacancies. More information on the Advisory Committees and a link to apply can be found on the Town’s website at https://www.townofmorrisville.org/government/resident-advisorycommittees

Applications are due by Wednesday, May 31. 

Proclamations: Town Council issued the following proclamations: 

• Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. 

• Jewish American Heritage Month (received by Rabbi Yisroel Cotlar with Chabad of Cary). 

• Pride Month.

 • National Tennis Month.

Mural Program: Town Council received an update on the Town’s proposed mural program, including where murals would be allowed, potential size and content guidelines, and a proposed timeline for installation of the first Town-sponsored mural. A public hearing was also held on this topic and was subsequently closed. This item will return to Council for a vote on June 13. 

Personnel Policies: Town Council received an update on proposed amendments to the Town’s personnel policies and then approved the amendments with an effective date of July 1, 2023. The notable changes made were related to adding two “floating” holidays for staff, paid bereavement leave, and updating language to include a greater emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

J Morris Commons Lane: Town Council authorized a construction contract and capital project ordinance amendment for the extension of J Morris Commons Lane to connect to George Watts Hill Drive. This extension is being constructed to expedite Fire Department response to Davis Drive from the new Fire Station 3 that will open on Harris Mill Road this summer. 

FY 2024 Budget Adoption: Town Council held a public hearing on the proposed FY 2024 Annual Operating Budget and Capital Investment Program. 

Town Council then held their final discussion before voting unanimously (7-0) to approve the proposed $49,500,000 Annual Operating Budget and Capital Investment Program that will take effect on July 1, 2023. 

The adopted budget holds the property tax rate steady at 39 cents per $100 of valuation. An adjustment to the Stormwater fee from $40 to $50 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) and for various fees for services were also approved. More details about the adopted budget can be found on the Town’s website.

Upcoming Meetings: Council Meeting – June 13, 2023 

NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK VISITS

NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

The Town of Morrisville has been recognized as one of the top 10 best small cities in the country to start a business by WalletHub, a leading personal finance education website. Morrisville ranked No. 10 on the list, coming behind cities in Utah, Montana, Florida, and Idaho. No other North Carolina cities were in the top 40. WalletHub drew on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the FDIC, Yelp, Indeed, and other sources to create its rankings. 

Congratulations to our Council, Staff and Chamber for this great accomplishment, and how fitting that this was announced after our Small Business Event!  

Morrisville Means Business Program Applications Open for Small Business Grants and Assessments

The Town is excited to announce the official launch of its Morrisville Means Business program. Through this program, up to 30 Morrisville small businesses may receive COVID-19 micro-grants. All Morrisville businesses are also encouraged to apply for free, one-hour business assessments with an attorney, CPA, or marketing professional. Visit the program website for additional information or to apply for either of these programs.

Morrisville Senior Center Hosting Activities for National Senior Health and Fitness Day on May 31

National Seniors Health and Fitness Day is May 31, and the Morrisville Senior Center (MSC) will be hosting several activities promoting health and wellness. The day’s activities will begin at 10 a.m. with a walk along the Hatcher Creek Greenway. Walkers will meet up at the picnic shelter at Morrisville Community Park, 1520 Morrisville Parkway. Yoga will follow at 11 a.m. at the park.

Additional activities will be offered at the MSC, 4117 Davis Drive, including hearing screenings at 11:30 a.m., a Weigh Less Live More Seminar at 1 p.m., a Mind Fit Program at 1:45 p.m., Fyzical Therapy Balance Assessments at 2 p.m., and a low-impact cardio interval class at 6 p.m.

Participants can get a free T-shirt, water bottle, or tote bag while supplies last. Click here to sign up for any of the day’s activities.

Members of the Pugh Family Visit Historic Morrisville Home

Town Council and staff hosted 14 relatives of the Pugh family on May 23. The family came to Morrisville to visit the historic Pugh House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built around 1870, the house was home to artist and painter Mabel Pugh, who was born in Morrisville. The family said they were grateful for the opportunity to visit the house. “Thank you! – what a wonderful tour of Pugh House!” wrote Rosemary Pugh in an email after the visit. “It was an amazing trip, and we are so glad we got to meet you all and learn more about our family history.” Click here to see a photo of the visit.

The recently adopted Fiscal Year 2024 Budget contains funds to conduct a Pugh House Study, which would establish plans and cost estimates for renovation and reuse of the house.

Town Now Accepting Fats, Oils, and Greases to be Re-Purposed as Biofuel

The Town of Morrisville now has an FOG Collection for household fats, oils, and greases outside the Public Works Department building at 414 Aviation Parkway. The collection is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and it accepts fats including butter, shortening, cheese, and meat trimmings; oils including vegetable, olive, canola, and other cooking oils; and greases including bacon and sausage grease, gravy, mayonnaise and melted meat fats. A full list is included on the side of the collection. The FOGs can be repurposed into renewable biofuel. The collection also helps to keep these harmful substances out of the local water supply and protects household plumbing.

Music in the Park to Host Pride Celebration on June 2

The Music in the Park event for June will be dedicated to Pride! Join us at the Healthy Food Hub, 280 Town Hall Drive, from 6-9 p.m., for bingo, an artisan market, live music, food, and fun.

The evening’s activities will begin with a free game of bingo at 6 p.m. hosted by Miz Marsha Mellows, who will end the game with a live performance. She will remain at the celebration after bingo to take photos and interact with attendees. Trader Joe’s will give treat bags to bingo winners and will be at the event’s artisan market.

Members of Town Council will read the Town’s Pride proclamation following bingo. Then blues band Sayer McShane will take the stage at 7 and close out the festivities at 9.

An artisan market featuring creators from the LGBTQ+ community will take place throughout the entire event, and the food trucks Ty’s All Natural and Brusters Ice Cream will be available to sell food and beverages. The group Free Mom Hugs will also be at the event. Click here for event details and updates.

Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center Hosting Community Field Day and Social on June 2

Signups are now open for the Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center Field Day, which will include recreational games, a social, and prizes. The field day will take place on Friday, June 2, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the MAFC, 1301 Morrisville Parkway. Come out for an evening of play with the community! The event is free for all community members, and kids 12 and older may attend with a guardian. To sign up, please visit www.tinyurl.com/SpringintoSummerFun.

Morrisville Police Department to Participate in Special Olympics Torch Run on June 2

Law enforcement officers throughout North Carolina will carry the Special Olympics Flame of Hope across the state throughout May and June. Officers with the Morrisville Police Department will join the relay for the Final Leg Torch Run, covering five miles, on June 2, starting at 10 a.m. Officers will leave from Carter Finley Stadium, 4600 Trinity Road, Raleigh. They will take a break at Meredith College at the halfway point, and they will end the run at the N.C. State Capitol. That night, the Special Olympics Opening Ceremony will be held at the NCSU Reynolds Coliseum at 6:30 p.m.

'How To' Fitness Series Starting at Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center on June 3

The Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center (MAFC) will host a “How To” fitness class series this summer. Classes will include How to Foam Roll on June 3, How to Kickbox on June 10, and How to hold Yoga Poses for Balance on June 24. All classes start at 9:15 a.m. at the MAFC, 1301 Morrisville Parkway. Signups will open on May 27 at www.tinyurl.com/signupmafc, under the fitness tab.

Weekend Work Scheduled for Church Street Park through June

In order to meet the project deadline for the Church Street Park expansion, the contractor will begin working on Saturdays. Work may also be performed on some Sundays. Residents living in the area may hear work being done on the property during the weekends throughout the rest of May and June, but workers will adhere to the Town’s noise ordinance and will not work outside the hours of 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Specifically, workers will be assembling and installing bleachers, installing sidewalks around the bleachers, building the practice pitches, and paving the parking lot. Work is scheduled to be completed in time for the Major League Cricket games that start on July 20. For more information, please visit the project page.

Western Wake Farmers' Market Now Hiring a Market Manager

The Western Wake Farmers’ Market is now hiring for a part-time market manager. The manager is the “face” of the market and the first point of contact for customers and vendors. The manager acts as a liaison between vendors, volunteers, Town staff, and the board of directors; manages the weekly market; and plans the trajectory of the market. Please see the employment page for a link to the full job description and application.

Morrisville Senior Center Hosting Day Trip to Granville County on June 7

Join the Morrisville Senior Center (MSC) for a day trip to Granville County on June 7, exploring local attractions. The tour will leave the MSC, 4117 Davis Drive, at 9:30 a.m. and will include stops at Cedar Creek Pottery, the National Teapot Show, and a lunch eatery. The bus will return to the MSC at 1 p.m. The cost is $7 for residents and $10 for non-residents. Lunch is a separate cost. Please register here.

Summer White Goods Collection to Take Place on June 8

Residents have an opportunity to safely dispose of household appliances in the summer white goods collection on June 8. The collection will include washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, water heaters, stoves, ovens, and dehumidifiers. Please note that microwaves are not included in the collection. Microwaves should be dropped off at the South Wake Landfill at 6130 Old Smithfield Road in Apex. Registration is required to participate in the white goods collection. Please register here by 5 p.m. on June 5.

Juneteenth Celebration to be Held at Cedar Fork Community Center on June 10

Join the Town of Morrisville for a celebration of Juneteenth on June 10, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Cedar Fork Community Center, 1050B Town Hall Drive. The event will recognize the achievements of the African American community in Morrisville and beyond through thoughtful keynote speeches, live entertainment, food, vendors, giveaways, and more. Some activities planned include a troops reenactment, a kids' corner, and health and wellness educational booths.

If you would like to participate or volunteer, please complete the participation form at https://form.jotform.com/morrisvillejuneteenth/participation. If you would like to be a vendor or sponsor, please complete the form at https://form.jotform.com/morrisvillejuneteenth/vendor_sponsor. For more information, contact MorrisvilleJuneteenth@gmail.com.

Morrisville Bike Rodeo Set for June 10 at Fire Station No. 1

Did you know that more children ages 5 to 14 are seen in emergency rooms for injuries related to biking than any other sport? Bike safety education and the right protective equipment can help change that.

The Morrisville Fire/Rescue Department will be hosting its bike safety rodeo for kids, from toddler age to 18, on June 10, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Fire Station No. 1, 200 Town Hall Drive. Participants can get their bicycle inspected and can prove their safety knowledge and riding ability on the skills course. Bicycle helmets will be given out to those who need one, so long as supplies last.

The rodeo will be held rain or shine. For more information, contact Bill Granger, administrative support specialist, at wgranger@townofmorrisville.org or call 919-463-6931.

With Secretary of Administration Pam Cashwell at Carolina Small Business Development Fund Business Awards at Marbles

Insights from ExtoBio:

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/969332764115332

I had a wonderful visit with Jose Pecheco, CEO of ExtoBio, whose company pitched at the TIE Carolinas Launch Event at the American Underground Bull Penn in Durham.  Leading with scientific research and a thorough dedication to data, ExstoBio is disrupting the pharmaceutical industry, formalizing cannabis-as-a-medicine, and personalizing patient care.

Congratulations to all of the Companies who pitched to the Expert Pitch Panel and a special congrats to Pitch Winner, Wolfspider. Wolfspider is an Ag Tech company that brings together genetics and robotics to ensure confidence in crop yield and limiting chemical use. The company would love to connect individuals with experience in the ag tech space. 

Thanks to ExstoBio (UNC), Aurganics (Duke), Vistara (NCSU), WolfSpider (NCSU), BioSensys (NCSU), and Collab (UNC) for participating in the event.  

WolfSpider will be going to Silicon Valley for a global pitch tournament with ~40 other companies to compete for $100K+ in cash prizes.

And Thanks to Tim Scales from American Underground for hosting and to all the judges and attendees!   

Visit with New York Deli:

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/596452855872694

Visit with Acme Pizza:

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/971277980525504

Visit with Empanadas and More:

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/607568900925114

Sports Betting Bill heads to Senate Floor

North Carolina Senate committee members voted to advance a bill legalizing sports betting in the state to the Senate floor.

Filed in March, House Bill 347 legalizes online and in-person wagering on professional and college sports in North Carolina. According to the bill, the state’s Lottery Commission will be responsible for regulating sports betting in N.C. It will also be given the authority to issue betting licenses to up to 12 gambling operators.

Currently, in-person sports betting in North Carolina is permitted only at casinos owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Catawba Indian Nation.

Both N.C. Senate’s Finance and Rules committees voted to advance the measure to a floor vote in the Senate. The bill passed the House in late March with bipartisan support and opposition.

The House’s original version of the bill has undergone significant changes in the Senate, including the inclusion of pari-mutuel horse race betting. On Tuesday, the Finance Committee adopted an amendment to the measure containing further regulations of pari-mutuel betting advocated by the Lottery Commission. The amendment alters the bill’s proposed gambling legalization date of January 8, 2024, potentially pushing it back to 12-months after the bill is signed into law.

Sen. Tim Moffitt, R-Henderson, advocated for the bill in front of the Senate Rules Committee, stating the bill would effectively regulate gambling in North Carolina.“Thoughtfully constructed regulatory guardrails [are] represented in the bill…in order for us to have the appropriate outcomes that we want in our state [on sports betting], we must take this first step,” said Moffitt.

The development moves NC closer to legalizing sports wagering, a process undertaken by state legislators since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down federal laws banning sports betting in Murphy v. NCAA in 2018. Last year, a similar bill failed to pass the House by a single vote despite being approved by the Senate.

However, sports betting has seen growing bipartisan support in the General Assembly since last year, making the bill’s prospects of passing increasingly likely. Gov. Roy Cooper, who has previously advocated for sports betting legalization, is expected to sign the act into law if passed by the Senate.

Major sports teams in NC, such as the Carolina Hurricanes, have privately backed the bill, which will allow them to establish their own in-person sports books at their home stadiums.

Gambling license applications are expected to be competitive as nationwide gambling operators, such as FanDuel, and major league teams in NC will likely vie for the Lottery Commission’s 12 licenses.

Read More at https://www.carolinajournal.com/sports-betting-bill-advances-to-nc-senate-floor//

GOVERNOR COOPER DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY ON EDUCATION

Gov. Roy Cooper took to a live streamed YouTube event on Monday to declare a statewide “emergency” over K-12 public school education funding.

Cooper, a Democrat, made clear he wasn’t issuing an executive order — like with a hurricane or with the COVID-19 pandemic — but his action was “no less important.”

“It’s clear that the Republican legislature is aiming to choke the life out of public education,” Cooper said.

The governor took aim at three proposals specifically — an expansion of the Opportunity Scholarship Program, income tax breaks, and what he termed “book banning” by Republicans. Cooper accused Republicans of “handing out private school vouchers to millionaires,” while giving those same millionaires “large tax breaks, too. This drops an atomic bomb on public education by shrinking the state’s budget by almost 20%.”

Cooper’s budget proposed a pay raise of 18% for teachers over the next biennium. “Our teachers deserve better pay and more respect, but the legislature wants to give them neither one,” he said.

Cooper ended his roughly six-minutes of remarks by plugging a website where voters could visit to contact their lawmakers. Within minutes of his live stream beginning, Cooper emailed a fundraising pitch to supporters. 

Republicans were quick to denounce Cooper’s declaration.

New High School in Morrisville will be named Morrisville High

The Wake County school board’s facilities committee recommended Wednesday naming the school Morrisville High when it’s scheduled to open in 2027.

Due to high land prices, Morrisville didn’t get its first district high school until this school year when the Wake Early College of Information and Biotechnologies opened on Wake Technical Community College’s RTP campus. Even then, Heagarty noted that some town leaders had wanted to name that school after the town.

The school board recently finished acquiring another 34 acres on Wake Tech’s RTP campus for a second high school in Morrisville.

On Wednesday, school facilities staff proposed three names: Paramount Parkway High, Parkside High and Morrisville High.

The full board is expected to vote on the school name on June 6.

A special thanks to School Board Member Chris Heagarty and his colleagues for his hard work on the high school. 

Read More at: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/wake-county-town-expected-finally-094500671.html

GOVERNOR COOPER VETOES ABORTION BILL AT RALLY 

At a rally on Saturday, North Carolina Democratic Governor Roy Cooper on Saturday vetoed a bill that would ban most abortions after 12 weeks, a move the Republican supermajority in the state legislature is expected to quickly override, allowing the bill to become law.

The measure would cut the window for most abortions in the state back from 20 weeks and curtail access to the procedure for millions of women across the U.S. south.  

Read More at: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/north-carolinas-democratic-governor-veto-12-week-abortion-ban-override-likely-2023-05-13/

JUNE 2 - MUSIC IN THE PARK SERIES PRIDE IN THE PARK  6 pm at Healthy Food Hub. 

JUNE 13th - NC TECH EXPONENTIAL CONFERENCE! 

https://www.nctech.org/events/event/2023/state-of-tech.html

June 7th - Fundraiser Reception for Attorney General Josh Stein, Candidate for NC Governor

North Carolina Indian-American Political Action Committee (NC-INPAC) Cordially invites you to a Fundraiser Reception for Attorney General Josh Stein, Candidate for NC Governor.

To express your support for Josh Stein for Governor, please contribute Online at: https://secure.ngpvan.com/fCfsNdjvsEiHTfs1quSFIg2

By check: Payable to Josh Stein for North Carolina, PO Box 1326, Raleigh, NC 27602