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World Cancer Day Edition
From the Council Office of Steve Rao
February 5, 2021
World Cancer Day
World Cancer Day, organized by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and celebrated each year on 4 February, is an opportunity to rally the international community to end the injustice of preventable suffering from cancer.  I know many of you have lost children, family members, friends, and have had your heart ripped out by the loss and pain caused by this deadly monster.  Cancer brought great loss to my family a few years ago as I lost one of my heroes to this deadly disease. 
 
We can and we will continue to fight to defeat cancer, once and for all.  We will be resilient in our fight.  We will never give up.  

Kudos to Elon Musk and Jared Isaacson, CEO, and founder of Shift4Payments for their goal of raising $100 million for St. Judes Hospital.  

Urgent Updates
Morrisville Closures
Based on the continued stabilization of the COVID metrics and the opening of WCPSS, The Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center and Cedar Fork Community Center will be opening on Feb 15th.

All Town Offices Closed to the Public and Feb 9th Morrisville Council Meeting and Feb 11th PZB Meeting Fully Virtual.   

(See Morrisville Operations Section) 
WCPSS News
Wake County Schools Return to In Person Instruction on Feb 15th.

Please attend Wake Schools Update today at 1 pm at 
Stimulus News
Biden sticks to $1.9 trillion stimulus package/Republicans propose $680 billion https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/03/biden-dems-call-stimulus-checks-465484.  
Many immigration changes proposed. 

(See Biden Immigration Section at end)  
Feb 5th 1 pm Wake County Schools Town Hall Update
Join Council Member Vicki Scroggins Johnson and me for a Town Hall Schools Update with Chris Heagerty on Facebook Live.  Come with questions!  

Feb 6th 11 am MORRISVILLE, WAKE COUNTY AND THEIR PLACE IN BLACK HISTORY
Please join us on Feb 6th at 11 am for an engaging hour with Ernest Dollar, Historian and Manager of the City of Raleigh Museum. During this fireside chat, he will talk to us about the History of Morrisville, Wake County and their place in the Civil War and Black History! This is one engaging lecture you will not want to miss.

Streamed Live on https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao And aired on Radio Mirchi Raleigh Durham on 99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM.

Important Updates
Washington DC Alerts
Trump impeachment to begin next week and Rep. Marjorie Green stripped from House Committee Assignments. https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/04/politics/impeachment-trial-trump-testify/index.html
Remember Governor Cooper has Extended the Modified Stay at Home Order until Feb 28th.   
(See Stay at Home Order Sections) 
NC Covid Relief
Governor Cooper proposed $4 billion Covid Relief package, including funding for COVID-19 treatment, vaccines and prevention, housing assistance, bonuses for educators, and help for small businesses. Unemployment Benefits would increase to a maximum of $500 per week for 26 weeks.  

(See Covid Section)
Parents who missed an opportunity last year to get $335 checks to help offset childcare costs and expenses associated with remote learning would have until May 31 to take advantage of the so-called Extra Credit grants.
Smart City Steering Committee
Last week, we appointed our Smart City Steering Committee. We look forward to getting to work and are on our way to being the Smartest City in the State and Country!  Please send us your ideas and check out our Smart City Initiatives at https://www.townofmorrisville.org/government/departments-services/information-technology/smart-morrisville
Vaccination Alerts
Walgreens will offer Covid 19 Vaccine in 300 Stores (31,200 doses) in North Carolina starting on Feb 12 as a distributor under the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. Sign up at walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19

Wake County (919) 250-1515 or www.yourshotyourspot.nc.gov!    

Durham County: 919-635-8150 or email at DCoCOVIDvaccines@dconc.gov. 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162.   

Duke Raleigh Hospital at (19) 620- 5167.

To set up an Appointment with any County Department, please visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov/findyourspot
WAKE COUNTY SCHOOLS RETURN TO IN PERSON
The Wake County Public School System will allow Pre-K through third graders to come back to school for daily in-person learning on Feb. 15. The decision passed by an 8-1 vote on Tuesday night. Grades 4 and 5 will meet in person in three-week rotations as will many middle and high school students. Special education regional programs will meet for daily in-person learning. The move comes a day after Gov. Cooper and other state officials urged school districts to let students back into the classroom
2021 VIRTUAL MORRISVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL EVENT
Thanks to the Morrisville Chamber for one of our best Annual events although we missed seeing each other in person.   

The event kicked off with outgoing remarks from Morrisville Chamber Chair, Rod Frankel, who summed up an unforgettable year, and handed off the gavel to new Chair, Brandon Bryce.   We want to thank Rod for his outstanding service and leadership during a very difficult year for the Chamber and the Town but we made it through and we are ready for a rocking 2021! 

Keyote speaker , Fuji Film Diosynth Chief Operating Officer, Christine Vinnais delivered inspiring remarks as she discussed the exciting work Fuji Film Diosynth is undertaking with developing the Covid 19 Vaccine, Novavax, for Operation Warp Speed, and shared her insights into their continued growth as a company and the Life Science Sector in Morrisville. She likened the culture of Fuji Film to the diverse, inclusive and connected culture of Morrisville.  She also gave a shout out to our Smart City Initiatives, and shared her excitement of all of the innovation taking place in the Town of Morrisville.  

Congrats to the Chamber Award Winners:  
2020 James M. Pugh Small Business of the Year: FiveStar Awards & Engraving
2020 Jeremiah Morris Community Steward Award: Congrats to Veronica Bent and the Pinnacle Financial Partners team!
2020 Ambassador of the Year: Amy Hoke from Fidelity Bank - Morrisville
Governor Cooper Proposes 4 Billion Covid 19 Relief Bill
Today, Gov. Roy Cooper announced his proposal for a new $4 billion emergency relief budget, including funding for COVID-19 treatment, vaccines and prevention, housing assistance, bonuses for educators, and help for small businesses.

Included in the plan are one-time bonuses for educators, including $2,500 for teachers and principals, $1,500 for school personnel, and $2,000 for workers in community colleges and universities. Cooper added that educators are the only state employees that didn't receive a pay raise last year.

Also included is funding to expand child care access, funding for food assistance and $30 million to expand high-speed internet access, $1.6 billion to help reopen schools and improve technology to help close learning gaps, $546 million for rent assistance, $95 million for the state health department to help with vaccine distribution. 

The state is on track to receive more than 145,000 new first doses over the next three weeks from the federal government

Cooper also announced state unemployment benefits would increase to a maximum of $500 per week, for a maximum of 26 weeks.
MORRISVILLE COMMUNITY LIBRARY IS OPEN!
We are pleased to announce the Morrisville Community Library (MCL) opened to the public Friday, January 29 (Updated) at 10 a.m. by offering Express Library Experience, brief visits focusing on recreational reading, lifelong learning, and services for children.

I dropped in the Library to pay Library Manager Helen Yamamato a visit and checked out my first books with the Express Service!   

MCL has been equipped with environmental controls, social distancing queues, health screening stations, and hand sanitizing areas for both staff and patrons. Masks are required for all patrons over five (5) years of age. Capacity will be limited.  

Due to COVID-19, a traditional soft opening celebration ceremony will not be possible and maybe scheduled later in the year.

MCL will continue offering Books on the Go, allowing patrons to reserve up to 30 books and materials and schedule contact-free pickup. 

For details on the Morrisville Community Library, visit www.townofmorrisville.org
Vaccination Information:
GOVERNOR COOPER EXTENDS STAY AT HOME ORDER
Governor Roy Cooper has the current modified Stay-At-Home order until Feb. 28and plans to keep the eviction moratorium and statewide order allowing to-go mixed drinks sales in place through March.

In early December, Gov. Cooper announced the modified Stay-At-Home order, which was the first set of such restrictions since Memorial Day. The order was extended for three weeks in early January.

The order imposes measures closing non-essential businesses like gyms, restaurants and retail at 10 p.m. nightly, and allowing them to reopen at 5 a.m.

The restrictions also included moving the alcohol curfew to 9 p.m. Gov. Cooper extends the sale of to-go mixed drinks will be in effect until March 31. That order was originally issued on Dec. 22 and seeks to reduce the number of people gathering in bars while allowing businesses to increase revenue.
TOWN OF MORRISVILLE OPERATIONS AFFECTED BY STAY AT HOME ORDER
In alignment with the state of North Carolina’s January 27 extension of the Modified Stay at Home Order, the Town of Morrisville is continuing additional safety precautions and changes to its daily operations, through at least Sunday, February 28.

Today Gov. Roy Cooper announced the latest extension of the Modified Stay at Home Order. Executive Order 189 outlines the details of the extended Order. 

The following changes to Town of Morrisville operations will be in place through February 28:
  • Town of Morrisville offices will be closed to the public.
  • Town Council meetings (and the February 11 Planning & Zoning Board meeting) will be completely virtual. 

The Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center and Cedar Fork Community Center will be closed until at least February 12. No outdoor classes will be conducted, but virtual programming will be available (parks, greenways, tennis courts and the Healthy Food Hub will remain open).

Town staff will continue to work mostly remotely, with a limited number of employees in Town buildings. 

If there is a spike in infections, tightening of restrictions may be needed temporarily.
For more information, visit TownofMorrisville.org and follow the Town of Morrisville on Facebook and Twitter.

Morrisville residents who have non-emergency questions about issues specific to the Town of Morrisville can contact the Town’s Community Information Line at 919-463-7065 or by email at eoc@townofmorrisville.org.

Town leaders will continue to monitor the situation in coordination with the Wake County Public Health Division and the State of North Carolina.
MECKLENBERG COUNTY VACCINE INFORMATION

Information from Rep. Kelly Alexander:
Right now, frontline healthcare workers and adults 65 and over are eligible to receive the vaccine. This week, the state government has shifted strategy to mass vaccinations in large public spaces. They already had a mass event at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend that vaccinated approximately 16,000 people.
Currently, the only mass vaccination event that is still open for appointments is through Atrium Health at the Bank of America stadium.
Sign up and schedule your appointment through the Atrium Health online portal, which you can find https://my.atriumhealth.org/MyAtriumHealth/Authentication/Login?&_ga=2.39295655.567024748.1611581563-1192070116.1611581563 

PLEASE SCHEDULE AS SOON AS YOU CAN; spots are filling up quickly. The vaccine is FREE.
These are the days and times available:
Dose 1:
— Friday, January 29, 8AM-1PM
— Saturday, January 30, 8AM-6PM
— Sunday, January 31, 8AM-6PM
Dose 2:
— Friday, February 26 to Sunday, February 28 (no times listed)
THE BIDEN IMMIGRATION PLAN
The Biden administration has announced a slew of new actions on immigration, including a comprehensive immigration reform bill that was sent to Congress just hours after inauguration.

Here's what we know so far:
A new comprehensive immigration bill is headed to Congress. It includes:
  • A path to citizenship for all 11 million undocumented immigrants 
  • Dreamers, TPS holders, and some farmworkers will qualify for green cards immediately and can apply for citizenship after 3 years
  • All other undocumented immigrants who pass background checks and pay taxes will have an 8-year path to citizenship without fear of deportation and with work authorization in the meantime
  • Reforms to the family-based immigration system to keep families together, like 
  • Recapturing visas from previous years to clear backlogs
  • Eliminating the 3 and 10 year bars
  • Including spouses and children of green card holders as immediate family members, not subject to the cap
  • Increasing per-country caps for family-based immigrants
  • Reforms to the employment-based immigration system, like 
  • Recapturing visas from previous years to clear backlogs
  • Eliminating per-country caps
  • Making it easier for STEM advanced degree holders from U.S. universities to stay
  • Improving access to green cards for workers in lower-wage industries
  • Giving dependents of H-1B holders work authorization and preventing children of H-1B holders from aging out of the system
  • Funding for immigrant integration initiatives 
  • State/local governments, NGOs, and other community organizations will receive funding for Inclusion programs, English language assistance, and naturalization resources
  • Increasing Diversity visas to 80,000 per year (from 55,000)
  • Stopping future Presidents from taking discriminatory actions such as the ‘Muslim travel ban’
  • A pilot program aimed at utilizing immigration to meet regional economic needs
  • Protecting workers, including seasonal workers, from exploitation and improving the e-verify process
  • Reforming border security by providing additional resources, better technology, and better infrastructure, among other things
  • Addressing the root causes of migration, while improving immigration courts and increasing protections for asylum seekers

The following Executive Orders have already been signed: 
  • Ensuring the Census counts everyone, regardless of immigration status
  • Affirming DACA protections
  • Rescission of the Muslim and African travel bans
  • Rescission of the Trump enforcement Executive Order signed four years ago
  • Reinstating DED for Liberians
  • Stopping border wall construction
  • Announcing a moratorium on deportations for 100 days for noncitizens who arrived before Nov, 2020, along with a department-wide review of all enforcement practices
  • Terminating enrollments in the MPP program (aka ‘Remain in Mexico’ program for asylum seekers)
  • Create a task force to reunite families that have been separated at the border: 
  • Develop a strategy to address migration across the border and to reform the asylum system:
  • Increase in the annual refugee cap and renewed support for resettlement
  • Rescission of the Trump Administration’s reinterpretation of the Public Charge rule that bars immigrants deemed likely to use government benefits from getting on the path to citizenship

Here’s what you can do to help: 
  • Reach out to your Congressman and Senators to encourage them to pass the US Citizenship Act. 
  • Reach out to me at sr@steverao.com with your ideas on how we can bring our communities together to address this issue. 
UPCOMING EVENTS
USINPAC IMMIGRATION HOUR
Thanks for attending the USINPAC Leaderspeak Series

Feb 9th - 6pm Virtual Town Council Meeting
JAN 26th Virtual Town Council Meeting 6 pm   Stream Live at https://www.facebook.com/TownOfMorrisville/.

Email comments to publicomments@townofmorrisville.org by 3 pm!
Feb 11th 6pm Planning and Zoning Meeting
Feb 15th – Feb 18th 2021 Reconnect for the Future
Feb 15th – Feb 18th 2021 Reconnect for the Future,

A Virtual Emerging Issues Forum

Radio / TV
Radio Mirchi
Join me Sunday 4 PM on Radio Mirchi for another update on local issues.

99.9FM HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
IBM TV
Join us every Friday on World Edition at 10 am for the Great America Project Panel where we discuss how we rebuild Americas' image with leaders from around the country and world.

My Weekly Update:
NC Covid Dashboard:
  • For latest Covid 19 information, please dial 2-1-1 or 888- 892-1162.  
  • Get Updates by texting COVIDNC at 898211.    
  • For unemployment insurance, please visit NC Dept of Employment Security at https://des.nc.gov/.    
  • 1,430,160 NC citizens have applied for UI Benefits, 955,842 have been paid benefits, and $9.7 billion of benefits have been issued.  Appeals of denied jobless benefits are taking many months.  
  • Apply for Wake Forward program at https://covid19.wakegov.com/wakeforward/

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

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported the lowest percentage of positive tests in over two months, with 7.2% of tests returning positive as of Tuesday.

The state also reported 5,495 more cases and 150 more deaths, a slight decrease from Wednesday's record high of 169 more deaths.

For the ninth-straight day, fewer people are hospitalized with COVID-19. That number dropped to 2,630 statewide, the lowest it's been since mid-December.

CASES:
5,495 Newly reported Cases  
+ N.C. = 781,802 Cases (Deaths = 9,728)
+ 7.2% Positive Rate
+ Wake County = 69,557 Cases (Deaths = 444)
+ Durham County = 19,728 Cases (Deaths=178)
+ Orange County = 6,949 Cases (Deaths= 83)
+ US = 26.6 million Cases/451,000 deaths 
+ Worldwide = 105 million/2.28 million deaths
+ Completed Tests: 9,081,685
+ 2,630 Hospitalized
Office Hours
Council Member Rao holds office hours on Friday from 12:00-1:00 PM by appointment only at 100 Town Hall Drive in Morrisville. 

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